When Casablanca was released in 1942, Ireland was officially neutral during World War II, a position known domestically as “The Emergency.” Irish film censorship at the time was highly sensitive to anything that might appear to favor one side in the conflict or inflame diplomatic tensions.
The movie’s unmistakably pro-Allied tone, its celebration of resistance, and its depiction of Nazi officials as threatening and morally corrupt were seen as politically provocative rather than merely dramatic.
As a result, Irish censors moved to ban the film, arguing that its portrayal of Nazis was excessively negative and could undermine Ireland’s neutrality. This decision reflected a broader pattern in Irish censorship during the war years, where films, newsreels, and even newspaper reports were restricted to avoid appearing partisan.
Ironically, Casablanca would later be celebrated worldwide as an anti-fascist classic, while its temporary suppression in Ireland became a revealing footnote about how cultural works can clash with political caution during moments of global crisis.
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