DCSIMG
 
 

Cabaret (1972) Reviews

Cabaret (1972)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
Originally a 1966 Broadway musical, this groundbreaking Bob Fosse musical was in turn based on Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin, previously dramatized for stage and screen as I Am a Camera with Julie Harris as Sally Bowles. Fosse uses the decadent and vulgar cabaret as a mirror image of German society sliding toward the Nazis, and this intertwining of entertainment with social history marked a new step forward for the movie musical. Michael York plays a British writer who comes to Berlin in the early 1930s in hopes of becoming a teacher. He makes the acquaintance of flamboyant American entertainer Sally Bowles, played by Liza Minnelli. Sally works at the Kit Kat Klub, a George Grosz-like Berlin cabaret where each night the smirking, androgynous Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey) introduces a jazz-driven "girlie show" to his debauched audience. Virtually all the film's musical numbers are staged within the confines of the Kit Kat Klub, and each song comments on the plot and on Germany's "progression" from hedonism to Hitlerism. Most of the Broadway score by John Kander and Fred Ebb was retained, with the welcome addition of "The Money Song." Although it lost Best Picture to The Godfather, Cabaret won eight Oscars, including awards to Minnelli, Grey, and Fosse. A heavily expurgated 88-minute version of Cabaret has been prepared for commercial TV presentations, regarded by many as dramatically inferior to the full cut. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Liza Minnelli, Michael York, (more)
Director(s):
Bob Fosse
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Average Ratings

(20 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Michael M.

I had the good fortune to see this film when it first came out. I'll never forget the audience reaction when the end credits came on. There was a moment of stunned silence, followed by a standing ovation. People couldn't believe what they had just seen. It's interesting that people still have that same reaction after 34 years. I played it for a group of 20 somethings recently and they were blown away. Many weren't aware that it even existed. Great acting, great direction, wonderful music and flawless choreography make this a film deserving to be called a classic. Pay attention to "Wilcommen": the opening sequence. Once the introductions have been made and the dancing starts there are only three cuts within the number. "Maybe This Time" has two. At a time when musical numbers have been reduced to a series of cuts and jumps, a film that allows the music and the dancing to speak for itself is one not to be missed.

Yes   |   No


Robert D.

I've seen this film in the past but never appreciated it until now..the acting is far out the best from each of the main characters especially Lisa Minneli and the master of ceremonies for the Kit Kat Club..Michael York plays it straight but convincing as do the rest of the cast..it certainly captured the aura of the early thirties in Berlin with the oncoming of the Third Reich..Bob Fosse's dance routines were sparkling considering some of the people he had to work with..4 stars!!

Yes   |   No


Wayne F.

Liza Minelli and Joel Grey are (or were) incredibly talented performers. Liza has a chemistry that defires understand whether on stage or in a movie. Bob Fosse brought these two talents to the peak performances of their careets. (And, yes I have seen both of them several times live on Broadway) See this move, you will never regret it.

Yes   |   No


Sally N.

I know my subject is a paradox, but it really describes this great musical. As edgy today as it was 30 years ago. Bob Fosse outdid himself with his edgy directing and superb choreography. Known for his street-wise ability to find fascinating characters from real-life and translating them to stage and screen, Fosse creates a Berlin that is a ticking time-bomb. The music is seemlessly integrated with the plot and Liza Minelli has her best on-screen performance. The only weak spot is Michael York, whose performance is so ineffectual and embarrassingly bad. But if you overlook that and focus on Joel Grey you will be awe-struck!!

Yes   |   No


Philip K.

The Best Movie out there to Date

Yes   |   No


Mark D.

A lot of films from the seventies ~ even some highly lauded ones ~ seem dated today. Cabaret avoids that fate, feeling fairly authentic throughout despite in some sense being a 'musical.' One might have expected the production numbers to have anchored the film culturally in the time of its making. By the way, friends of mine with little tolerance for musicals said this film did not bother them, because the music is presented as part of one protagonist's stage career. Anyway, the characters are deep and flawed and engaging all at once. The sense that we're seeing Hiltlerism rise around periphery of the storyline is palpable and makes this a compelling movie.

Yes   |   No


Bruce L.

Great movie. Good acting, writing, directing, story, music is terrific, Liza Minella is perfect in her role. Highly recommended.

Yes   |   No


Michael E.

Groundbreaking choregraphy. Unique period piece. Interesting slice of life (weird lives, though). But not a single character is sympathetic or endearing. Sally Bowles is simply narcissistic and weak. The men are codependent messes with nothing admirable about them. There's no tension in the story, which is incredibly thin. I'm glad I saw it finally, but never need to see it again.

Yes   |   No


Regina P.

Been wanting to see it for years and finally did. Very enjoyable, great music. Truly a classic!

Yes   |   No


Mary D.

This movie was OK. It was definitely not a PG movie, due to adult themes and some language. It should have been rated PG13 or possibly R. The music was exceptional, except for the fact that Liza Minnelli was singing it.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
Buy New  $21.99
 

IN-STORE

 

ON DEMAND

Blockbuster Instant Video

Watch thousands of movies instantly on your TV, tablet, mobile phone or computer with no monthly subscription. You pay only for what you watch.
 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (20)
     
    Michael M.

    I had the good fortune to see this film when it first came out. I'll never forget the audience reaction when the end credits came on. There was a moment of stunned silence, followed by a standing ovation. People couldn't believe what they had just seen. It's interesting that people still have that same reaction after 34 years. I played it for a group of 20 somethings recently and they were blown away. Many weren't aware that it even existed. Great acting, great direction, wonderful music and flawless choreography make this a film deserving to be called a classic. Pay attention to "Wilcommen": the opening sequence. Once the introductions have been made and the dancing starts there are only three cuts within the number. "Maybe This Time" has two. At a time when musical numbers have been reduced to a series of cuts and jumps, a film that allows the music and the dancing to speak for itself is one not to be missed.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Robert D.

    I've seen this film in the past but never appreciated it until now..the acting is far out the best from each of the main characters especially Lisa Minneli and the master of ceremonies for the Kit Kat Club..Michael York plays it straight but convincing as do the rest of the cast..it certainly captured the aura of the early thirties in Berlin with the oncoming of the Third Reich..Bob Fosse's dance routines were sparkling considering some of the people he had to work with..4 stars!!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Wayne F.

    Liza Minelli and Joel Grey are (or were) incredibly talented performers. Liza has a chemistry that defires understand whether on stage or in a movie. Bob Fosse brought these two talents to the peak performances of their careets. (And, yes I have seen both of them several times live on Broadway) See this move, you will never regret it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 20 Reviews
       

      Rating Systems

       

      Blockbuster

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      Email Exclusives

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
        2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation.   2013 Rovi Corporation.