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Casablanca - Would Captain Renault have banged the Bulgarian Bride?
Posted on 1/24/26 at 9:06 am
Posted on 1/24/26 at 9:06 am
This questions hinges on whether or not you believe Captain Louis Renault, inspired by Rick's selfless act for love, becomes a changed man at the end of the movie, or, if he was playing a character the entire time.
I used to take his character at face value. After a several viewings of the film, I like to think he was playing a complex role pretending to be a corrupt official, bending the knee to the Nazi's but all the while supporting France. I think his travel visa scheme needed the "romance" part so he could feed travel visas to folks who obviously had no money.
The first time we all watch this movie, we focus on Rick and Isla's relationship. Watching the movie from Louis's point of view gives it an interesting spin.
I used to take his character at face value. After a several viewings of the film, I like to think he was playing a complex role pretending to be a corrupt official, bending the knee to the Nazi's but all the while supporting France. I think his travel visa scheme needed the "romance" part so he could feed travel visas to folks who obviously had no money.
The first time we all watch this movie, we focus on Rick and Isla's relationship. Watching the movie from Louis's point of view gives it an interesting spin.
Posted on 1/24/26 at 9:14 am to BitBuster
Louis was a complicated man. He didn’t actually support the Maxis in his heart, but he found himself in an almost impossible situation, but did what he could to resist.
That said, he may still have banged the Bulgarian cutie.
That said, he may still have banged the Bulgarian cutie.
This post was edited on 1/24/26 at 9:26 am
Posted on 1/24/26 at 10:56 am to BitBuster
Seeing this soon for first time in a couple years. Will give this some thought. FYI for anyone in Bham. Posted on 1/24/26 at 11:44 am to JackDempsey
It is undefeated, after all.
Posted on 1/24/26 at 12:31 pm to BitBuster
I don't know; he was very disappointed Rick fixed the game for the husband to procure the funds.
Seems he wanted her more than the money.
Seems he wanted her more than the money.
Posted on 1/24/26 at 4:29 pm to dirtsandwich
Thanks for posting. Every movie fan should see Casablanca at the Alabama Theater.
Posted on 1/24/26 at 7:59 pm to BitBuster
I watched this movie for the first time last year and it’s one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
Posted on 1/24/26 at 8:07 pm to BitBuster
Louie himself complained that Rick spoiled one of his “little romances” by letting the husband win at roulette.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 11:30 am to cypresstiger
quote:
Louie himself complained that Rick spoiled one of his “little romances” by letting the husband win at roulette.
I think it was part of his act to maintain the image of the corrupt official.
I only say this because using his position of power to force women to have sex with him, especially newly married women, is morally reprehensible. Rick - who makes a noble sacrifice for the love of his life doesn't seem the type to gang up and collaborate with such a person unless he was aware of what Louis was actually trying to do. Basically - both men wore a mask of someone who only maintained their own self interests but secretly worked towards the same anti-nazi/free france cause.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 2:24 pm to BitBuster
quote:bearing in mind we are talking about a purely fictional character, but i must respectfully disagree
I only say this because using his position of power to force women to have sex with him, especially newly married women, is morally reprehensible.
Louis WAS morally reprehensible - charming, witty, even a good friend to Rick, but he was essentially a typical rogue, interested in pursuing only what appealed to him at the moment
remember, he cozied up to Strasser, wagered against Laszlo escaping, closed the cafe for gambling when hd was engaging in it himself, conspired with Rick to set up Laszlo for arrest, then phoned Strasser to inform him that Laszlo & Ilsa were catching the flight to Lisbon - these weren’t the acts of someone who was “pretending” to be on the side of the good guys (especially that last one - if he really wanted Laszlo to escape, why did he deliberately call Strasser? he had no idea how it would play out)
i always interpreted it as it was: he was a shameless opportunist who decided at last that he needed to stand up and be counted as a true Frenchman
and yeah, he would have banged the hell out of the Bulgarian bride
Posted on 1/25/26 at 3:23 pm to FearlessFreep
The only way Louis was able to maintain power was if the Germans allowed him to do so. He had to play the role in order to keep the power to do any good. Like you say, at face value he's a corrupt official.
I think he was part of the French Underground. He turned a blind eye to the meetings - until the Germans showed up. Also at the end of the movie - he tells Rick: "Well, Rick, you're not only a sentimentalist...but you've become a patriot." Meaning - he chose a side, Louis's side. Further evidenced by the fact he tells his men to "Round up the usual suspects" while Rick is holding a smoking gun.
I think he was part of the French Underground. He turned a blind eye to the meetings - until the Germans showed up. Also at the end of the movie - he tells Rick: "Well, Rick, you're not only a sentimentalist...but you've become a patriot." Meaning - he chose a side, Louis's side. Further evidenced by the fact he tells his men to "Round up the usual suspects" while Rick is holding a smoking gun.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 3:25 pm to CBandits82
quote:
I watched this movie for the first time last year and it’s one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
Whenever you watch this movie bear in mind the timeline:
The setting was Casablanca in December 1941 - days before Pearl Harbor.
The movie was filmed in 1942 and released in January 1943. Nobody involved knew how WWII would end.
Posted on 1/25/26 at 3:49 pm to BitBuster
Not a wild thought. Probably a rogue like FF said, but your sextortion (not sure that qualifies as romance) thing could work. He has to work with Strasser. And giving up Laszlo might protect other avenues of rebellion. Might be throwing the dice and giving the Nazis a heads up but doing so in a way that doesn't guarantee capture. Closing the gambling ain't that big of a deal to do.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 1:43 pm to BitBuster
Beautiful showing at the Alabama on Saturday. Surprised by how many people there had never seen it.
Oh, and Louie would have 100% defiled the Bulgarian. And both she and Rick knew it. If Rick thought otherwise, why would he have rigged the roulette bets?
Oh, and Louie would have 100% defiled the Bulgarian. And both she and Rick knew it. If Rick thought otherwise, why would he have rigged the roulette bets?
This post was edited on 2/16/26 at 1:45 pm
Posted on 2/16/26 at 3:43 pm to dirtsandwich
AMC showed it on Valentines day so of course I rewatched it. Claude definately played Louie tighter in the roulette scene. Upon rewatch, I agree he seemed genuinely pissed off and threatened to get his revenge by getting Ilsa.But then, after Le Marseillaise plays, and the german makes him shut the place down, even though he obviously doesn't want to, he's back to his glib self. "I'm shocked, SHOCKED to discover gambling"
It's confusing, maybe he's the Bill Cosby of his time. He rapes, but he saves.
It's confusing, maybe he's the Bill Cosby of his time. He rapes, but he saves.
Posted on 2/16/26 at 4:13 pm to BitBuster
When I first read the title I thought it said Casltevania then Bulgarian Bride and thought is that one of Draculas women?
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