Film critic names 1942 classic 'the best Hollywood movie of all time'

Iconic film critic Leonard Maltin has named his favourite film. Maltin, who was the film critic on Entertainment Tonight for more than 40 years has billed Casablanca as his favourite film of all time. The film critic described the 1942 classic as "the best Hollywood movie of all time".

Casblanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, is an romantic drama film set during the Second World War. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre.

The film's synopsis reads: "Rick Blaine (Bogart), who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, discovers his old flame Ilsa (Bergman) is in town with her husband, Victor Laszlo (Henreid). Laszlo is a famed rebel, and with Germans on his tail, Ilsa knows Rick can help them get out of the country."

Casablanca is critically acclaimed and has been hailed been hailed by the critics. The Rotten Tomatoes score of 99% reflects that. The critics consensus reads: "An undisputed masterpiece and perhaps Hollywood's quintessential statement on love and romance, Casablanca has only improved with age, boasting career-defining performances from Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman."

One critic wrote a rave review, stating: "With an incredibly gripping narrative, filled with unforgettable characters and endlessly quotable dialogue, Casablanca is a heart-wrenching and inspiring tale of sacrifice, love, integrity, and the power of patriotism. The greatest movie ever made."

"As soon as the main titles end, you are transported into a world filled with great performances and an incredibly sophisticated screenplay that takes advantage of every emotion you can think of," another added.

A fan wrote a glowing review, stating: "Casablanca earns its status as a classic - not through nostalgia, but through a rock-solid script, iconic performances and surprising humor. Humphrey Bogart's Rick Blaine oozes cool from the first frame, and Claude Rains nearly steals the movie as Captain Renault. The narrative is tight, the characters are distinct and the film's emotional payoff still lands more than 80 years later."