Casablanca Express

Casablanca Express

Year: 1989

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: Sergio Martino

DramaActionWar

In 1942, as the war intensifies, U.S. Intelligence learns that the Nazis plan to abduct Winston Churchill. British SIS and U.S. Marines intervene in the Moroccan desert, rescuing him from storm‑troopers. Commando Al Cooper is tasked with guarding Churchill on his train to Casablanca, where he is to meet Roosevelt and Stalin.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Casablanca Express yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Casablanca Express (1989)

Trace every key event in Casablanca Express (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Churchill arrives in Algiers and plans Casablanca trip

Winston Churchill arrives in Algiers in 1942 and plans to travel on to Casablanca to meet FDR and Stalin for the Casablanca Conference. His aides and army commanders strongly advise against travelling by train, but Churchill is adamant and determined to proceed by rail.

Algiers
2

A secure express carriage and guard detachment

Intelligence detects that the Germans know Churchill's presence, so a specially secure carriage is attached to the Casablanca Express and an American commando unit is assigned to travel with him. Three intelligence agents—Alan Cooper, Captain Franchetti, and Lt. Lorna Fisher—are designated as bodyguards, though Cooper is kept back after pursuing a French double agent.

Casablanca Express, en route from Algiers to Casablanca
3

Von Tiblis reveals himself aboard

A German agent, Otto von Tiblis, travels in disguise among the passengers. Franchetti detects the ruse, triggering a rooftop fight that reveals von Tiblis's plan to seize the engine.

Casablanca Express train
4

Engine seized and train attacked

Von Tiblis fires on the passengers and takes control of the engine at gunpoint, halting the train. German paratroopers descend on the carriages, killing and wounding many American soldiers and passengers.

Casablanca Express train
5

Cooper volunteers for a dangerous mission

Back in Algiers, Allied intelligence learns of the attempted kidnapping and Cooper volunteers for a dangerous solo mission. He travels by camel to approach the train and help.

Algiers
6

Cooper helps disable explosives under the train

Cooper reaches the train and coordinates the rescue, helping Franchetti crawl under the coaches to cut the wires connecting explosives to their detonators.

Casablanca Express train, under the coaches
7

Rescue team secures the line and signals

Cooper, Fisher, and Franchetti open fire on the Germans as Fisher sends an emergency radio signal to Algiers. A trainload of heavily armed US Marines is dispatched to intercept the Express.

Casablanca Express train
8

The Marines close in as von Tiblis fights on

All the German soldiers are killed, but von Tiblis manages to restart the train and confronts the Marines as they close in. The Marines fire on the train, killing him.

Casablanca Express train
9

Franchetti dies; survivors return to Algiers

Franchetti dies during the assault, while Cooper and Fisher, badly wounded, manage to return to Algiers with the mission's survivors.

Casablanca Express train → Algiers
10

The Churchill decoy revealed

The outcome reveals that the Churchill they defended was a decoy, and the real Churchill has travelled to Casablanca by plane.

Algiers/Casablanca
11

Real Churchill reaches Casablanca

The real Churchill arrives in Casablanca by plane, ensuring the Allied leadership will participate in the conference as planned.

Casablanca
12

Mission wraps up with the decoy disclosed

With the decoy exposed and the real Churchill en route, the operation concludes and the conference preparations proceed as intended.

Casablanca

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:30

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Casablanca Express

Don't stop at just watching — explore Casablanca Express in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Casablanca Express is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Casablanca Express Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Casablanca Express, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Casablanca Express Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Casablanca Express

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Casablanca Express. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Casablanca Express

More About Casablanca Express

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Casablanca Express: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Casablanca Express

Explore More About Movie Casablanca Express

Casablanca Express (1989) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Casablanca Express (1989) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Casablanca Express (1989) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow