See this post for details on what this is all about and this post for Round 1 results.

Film vs. Film Challenge: Round 2, Match 3

Casablanca vs. Schindler's List

Two very different aspects of World War II. One fantasy, the other reality. Bogart's finest hour is delightful, dialogue-driven classic with a great ensemble cast. Steven Spielberg’s harrowing Holocaust film is powerful, difficult, and signaled the start of a new era for the popular director.

VS.

VOTE!

Voted strictly on rewatchability factor.

Thus, Casablanca wins.

Still bitter that Jaws wasn't even in the running...::sniff::

Have to go with Schindlers List. Brilliant, brilliant filmaking that helps to ensure that we will never forget.

I vote Jaws over Casablanca. But Casablanca over Schindlers.

T

See, even Todd agrees!

Any movie poll that excludes Jaws, again, it's fishy!

President Taft...

I demand a RECOUNT!!!

Casablanca. Schindler's is heavy, deep and important. Also, very well crafted. But... Casablanca is simply one of my favourite movies of all time. I love everything about it. I appreciate that it entertains and has great performances, but also that it has a quiet depth to it.

As an aside, I'm surprised they never developed a Broadway version. I think it could be quite good.

very difficult to vote against Schindlers. Casablanca as a movie is fun and a greta movie and endlessly rewatchable. but Schindler's is deeply important. I think the longer it stays in the more absurd it gets to be compared to the other films.

Actually, it's an Ingrid movie.

Ultimately Schindlers is a movie about the Holocaust. Why is it more important than any of the other Holocaust movies. There are evil people in the movie doing evil things, and there is a sole German trying to do right.

It is a very powerful movie, and for me it speaks to the horrors that Man may visit on his Brother.

But it isnt the 'most important movie ever made', and it isnt the 'best movie ever made'.

I suspect that those who think so have a very Hollywood-centric view of movies, and buy into the idea that nothing exists until Hollywood covers it.

TOdd

ps. Rob, tell us why you think Schinders is "deeply important".

I have to pick Casablanca over Schindlers List. I just didn't enjoy SL.

I vote Jaws over all others.

But in this case I pick Schindlers List.

It may not have the re-watchability factor going for it, but it made much more of an emotional impact on me that lasted far longer than Casablanca.

A movie that packs that much of an emotional punch while retaining it's integrity as a brilliantly made film gets my vote every time.

(Not Rob)

Schindler's List was more important to Steven Spielberg's career than it was to cinema, though it did serve a value for the masses, too. It brought the Holocaust home in a powerful way for the general public, which is noteworthy and laudable, and is a fantastic piece of craftsmanship on Spielberg's part that helped elevate his image above "popcorn" director. Excellent work worth the praise it has received, but it will serve as a landmark more for its stark portrayal of a difficult topic than for its brilliant filmmaking, in my opinion.

And see, I don’t think the importance of the topic makes it a better film than others, though. The Holocaust is a dreadfully necessary thing to be aware of, to remember and learn from, but the topic does not instantly elevate all things it touched to “among the best” status. Mind you, it was great work by Spielberg. Very powerful, and he (largely) avoided the most trite hallmarks of his films. But it doesn’t get a free pass to the finals because of what it deals with, no matter how essential that subject matter is.

At the end of the day, I think Casablanca is the better film, topic be damned. It’s got a great cast, a witty and timeless script, and is a delight to revisit again and again. On pure rewatchability alone it wins (though that’s a bit unfair to Schindler’s, which isn’t rewatchable because man, who wants to dwell in that world longer than they have to?)

Schindler's List was fantastic and will rightfully be highly regarded for years to come, but Casablanca is unquestionably one of the best films of all time.

I voted for Schindler's List. I don't hate Casablanca, but it didn't hit me smack between the eyes like some other classic films have.

See?!


RE-COUNT!!!

I'm feeling like the end of Deal or No Deal. So if Jaws HAD been an option, how would you have voted...

Damn you St. John!!!

Casablanca possibly the best movie ever made, in my opinion!!!!

I love Casablanca so I had to go with that one.

*BUMP* as we go into the weekend, and the final days of voting.

Round three starts next week! We'll be down to just eight films.

I dunno. Ever since Roger Ebert pointed out the cop-out ending of Casablanca...

Naw. I do enjoy SN more, oddly enough.

I also would have voted for Jaws over either of these, but voted Casablanca instead.

DAMNIT NOW YOU HAVE JASON DOING IT TOO!!!

At least I changed my icon for you, Eric.

Yes, there is that. But you woulda changed it anyway, you bastard. I'm onto you and your Fultonish ways.