二战期间，卡萨布兰卡是欧洲逃往美国的必经之地，那里鱼龙混杂，局势紧张。里克（亨佛莱•鲍嘉 Humphrey Bogart 饰）是一个神秘的商人，他在卡萨布兰卡开了一家人气很旺的夜总会，并拥有两张宝贵的通行证。一天，反纳粹人士维克多和妻子伊尔莎（英格丽•褒曼 Ingrid Bergman 饰）来到夜总会，原来他们正在逃避纳粹的追捕。碰巧的是，里克发现，伊尔莎竟然是他的旧日情人。那段爱曾经刻骨铭心，却因为一个误会而终止。而当误会消解时，伊尔莎和里克的感情还是不可避免的重燃了。里克手上的两张通行证能帮助维克多度过难关，但这样一来，伊尔莎是决定留下，还是离去，他们的爱情在政治和伦理的推波逐流中走向何方？

(Rick can't forgive that Ilsa's gone back on her word. He refuses to lend a hand to Laszlo by not offering the exit visas, though Laszlo promises a extremely high price. Learning this, Ilsa determines to go alone to see Rick.)

Rick: How did you get in?
Ilsa: Stairs from the street.
Rick: I said this morning that you'd come around but this is a little ahead of schedule. Well won't you sit down.
Ilsa: Richard I have to see you.
Rick: Oh, it's Richard again, we're back in Paris.
Ilsa: Please.
Rick: Your unexpected visit isn't connected by any chance with the letters of transit. I think as long as I have those letters I'll never be lonely.
Ilsa: You can ask any price if you want but you must give me those letters.
Rick: I went all through that with your husband, it's no deal.
Ilsa: I know how you feel about me but I'm asking you to put your feelings aside for something more important.
Rick: Do I have to hear again what a great man your husband is, what an important cause he's fighting for?
Ilsa: It's your cause too. In your own way you were fighting for the same thing.
Rick: I'm not fighting for anything any more, except myself. I'm the only cause I'm interested in.
Ilsa: Richard. We loved each other once. If those days meant anything at all to you...
Rick: I wouldn't bring up Paris if I were you, it's poor salesmanship.
Ilsa: Please, listen to me. If you knew what really happened if you only kenw the truth.
Rick: I wouldn't believe you no matter what you told me. You'd say anything now to get what you want.
Ilsa: You won't feel sorry for yourself, don't you? There's so much at stake and all you can think of is your own feelings, feelings. One woman has hurt you and you'll take your revenge on the resty of the world. You're a coward and weak. (Breaks) Richard, I'm sorry. I'm sorry but you are our last hope. If you don't help us Victor Laszlo will die in Casablanca.
Rick: What of it? I'm gonna die in Casablanca too. It's a good spot for it. Now if you'll...
(He is astonished at seeing that Ilsa's holding a small revoler in her hand, pointing at him.)
Ilsa: Alright, I've tried to reason with you. I tried everything now I want those letters. Get them for me.
Rick: I don't have to. I've got'em right here.
Ilsa: Put them on the table.
Rick: No.
Ilsa: For the last time put them on the table.
Rick: If Laszlo and the cause mean so much to you, you won't stop at anything. Alright I'll make it easier for you. Go ahead and shook. You'll be doing me a favor.
(Ilsa shivers. Then suddenly, she breaks down, covering her face with her hands. Rick walks to her. She flings herself into his arms.)
Ilsa: Richard, I tried to stay away. I thought I would never see you again. But you're to my life.
(Ilsa explains the whole matter to Rick. She marrired Laszlo young with a feeling of worship which she supposed was love. Months after Laszlo was apprehended by Gestapo and send to concentration camp, word came that Laszlo was shot to death when trying to escape. Then Ilsa met Rick, and found him the true love. When she were to leave Paris with Rick, a friend came to tell her that Victor was alive. He was very sick and needed her. She made no choice but left without saying goodbye. Rick forgives Ilsa, and for a more important cause, Rick deals with the enemy and helped the Laszlo get on the flight.)

（力克不能原谅伊尔莎的背约。尽管拉兹洛竭力想以高价同他换取过境证，都被拒绝了。伊尔莎得知后，毅然孤身前去找力克。）
力克：你是怎么上来的？
伊尔莎：从街道边的楼梯。
力克：今早我说过你有空来坐坐，不过现在来有点太早了吧。你不坐下来吗？
伊尔莎：理查德，我必须来见你。
力克：哦，又叫我理查德，仿佛我们回到了巴黎。
伊尔莎：求你别这样。
力克：你不请自来不会碰巧同过境证有关吧。看来只要我有了这些过境证就绝对不愁寂寞了。
伊尔莎：无论你要多少钱我都给你，但你必须给我过境证。
力克：我已经和你丈夫讲清楚了。这绝对不可能。
伊尔莎：我知道你对我的看法，但我请求你为了更重要的事先把私人感情放在一边。
力克：我是否有必要再听一回，你的丈夫是个多么伟大的一个人，而他所奋斗的事业又是多么的崇高？
伊尔莎：这也是你的事业。你在用自己的方式为同样的事业奋斗着。
力克：我不再为任何事奋斗了，除了为我自己。我只对自己的事感兴趣。
伊尔莎：理查德，我们曾经相爱过。如果那段时光对你还存在一点意义的话……
力克：如果我是你，我就不会再把巴黎端出来，这真是差劲的推销把戏。
伊尔莎：请听我说。如果你知道了曾发生过什么事，如果你明白真相，该多好啊！
力克：不论你跟我说什么我都不会相信你。你现在为了达到目的，什么都说得出来！
伊尔莎：你该为自己感到惭愧。现在的局势这么危险，而你所想的却只有你自己。一个女人伤害过你，你就向全世界报复。你这个胆小鬼、懦夫。（她禁不住住哭泣起来），理查德，对不起。对不起，但你是我们最后的希望，如果你不帮我们，维克多·拉兹洛会死在卡萨布兰卡的。
力克：那又怎样？我也会死在卡萨布兰卡。这可是个死亡的好地方。如果……
（他惊鄂地看到伊尔莎掏出一把小手枪瞄准了他）
伊尔莎：好吧，我试过跟你讲道理。能做的我都做了。现在，我要那些过境证。去拿给我！
力克：我不必去拿，它们就在我这儿。
伊尔莎：放到桌子上。最后说一次，放到桌子上。
力克：如果拉兹洛和那个事业对你如此重要，什么也挡不住你话，好吧，我让你更方便些。来，开枪吧。这会帮我一个大忙。
（伊尔莎颤抖起来，她忽然垮下来，用手捂住脸哭了。力克走过去，她投入了他的怀抱）
伊尔莎：理查德，我曾尽量避开你。我以为再也见不到你了。但是你又回到我的生活中来。
（伊尔莎向力克解释了事情的来龙去脉。她以前因为敬仰拉兹洛而嫁给了他，原以为那就是爱。拉兹洛被盖世太保抓进集中营后，有消息传来说拉兹洛在企图逃跑时被打死了。接着伊尔莎遇到力克，并发觉力克才是她的真爱，但是就在她准备同力克离开巴黎时，一个朋友告诉她，拉兹洛还活着，而且病得很重，非常需要她。没有其它办法，她只能不辞而别。力克原谅了伊尔莎。为了那个更重要的事业，他同敌人周旋，帮助拉兹洛特派员夫妇顺利坐上飞机离开了卡萨布兰卡。）