Caboblanco

Caboblanco

Company type	Film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	1980
Key people	J. Lee Thompson (director), Charles Bronson (actor), Dominique Sanda (actor), Jason Robards (actor)
Products	Film

Caboblanco is a 1980 American drama film directed by J. Lee Thompson, featuring performances by Charles Bronson, Dominique Sanda, and Jason Robards. Frequently regarded as a reinterpretation of Casablanca, this movie marks the third partnership between Bronson and Thompson, following their work on St. Ives (1976) and The White Buffalo (1977).

Plot

Set in post–World War II Cabo Blanco, Peru, Giff Hoyt (Bronson), who owns a local café, becomes caught in the conflict involving Nazi refugees and their opponents. When a sea explorer's suspicious demise is overlooked by the corrupt local authorities, Giff grows increasingly distrustful. He steps in to shield Marie (Sanda) from police harassment and begins to suspect Beckdorff (Robards), a Nazi refugee searching for lost treasure beneath the sea.

Production

Bronson was drawn to the film due to its minimal violence, describing the screenplay as reminiscent of the adventure tales he cherished during his youth. Co-producer Lance Hool mentioned that an initial two-hour cut premiered in 1979 in various international territories—including Italy, France, Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Argentina, and Venezuela—featuring extra chase sequences and action scenes. After major studios declined to distribute it, director Thompson supervised edits resulting in versions lasting 96 and 87 minutes. Notably, Clifton James's portrayal of an American tourist was excised from these cuts, although he remains credited.

Reception

Critics largely dismissed the film, branding it an "appalling rehash" of Casablanca and "indescribably inept," according to Time Out. Halliwell's Film Guide described it as a "witless spoof of Casablanca seemingly cobbled together from a half-finished negative."

Producer Jerry Vermilye pointed out that trade publications were informed the movie was not intended as a remake, contending that its parallels with Casablanca were minimal.