Casablanca (U)

There’s a reason the world loves this great romantic film noir, now digitally restored for its 70th birthday – more memorable, oft-misquoted dialogue than should be strictly legal, heartbreaking performances from one of the most magnetic screen pairings in history, and that agonising climax. The plane on the tarmac, slowly turning... World War II Morocco – a viper’s nest of corrupt French police, spies, fleeing émigrés, gamblers and drinkers, it’s the perfect place for weary American expatriate nightclub owner Rick to hide out. Rick’s Cafe is the gathering place for the good, the bad and the ugly, but he doesn’t care, then one day, out of all the bars in all the world, in walks Rick’s long-lost love, Ilsa. Cynicism, broken hearts, romance, idealism and heroic gestures were never brought together in a more irresistible package. As time goes by, its appeal shows no sign of diminishing, Casablanca is still the greatest love story ever told.