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Cabaret

Play trailer 2:52 Poster for Cabaret PG Released Feb 13, 1972 2h 4m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In Berlin in 1931, American cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) meets British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York), who is finishing his university studies. Despite Brian's confusion over his sexuality, the pair become lovers, but the arrival of the wealthy and decadent playboy Maximilian von Heune (Helmut Griem) complicates matters for them both. This love triangle plays out against the rise of the Nazi party and the collapse of the Weimar Republic.
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Cabaret

Cabaret

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Critics Consensus

Great performances and evocative musical numbers help Cabaret secure its status as a stylish, socially conscious classic.

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Critics Reviews

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Guy Lodge Film of the Week It’s hard to believe it’s half a century since Cabaret first sashayed into cinemas: in look, sound and sensibility, it still feels fresh and daring, expanding the possibilities of what musicals can do and say at every turn. May 31, 2022 Full Review Kevin Maher Times (UK) It repeatedly castigates political complacency and boasts one of the most chilling camera movements in cinema history... Rated: 5/5 May 6, 2022 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com The music is great, yes, but it is the themes at the center of Isherwoods remembrances that hold the most power. Rated: 4/4 Mar 3, 2022 Full Review Gary Jane Hoisington Gay Community News (Boston) As presented, Cabaret is something else again: a pretentious, bad musical. Sep 10, 2022 Full Review Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies Episode 39: Ma / The Souvenir / Lenny / Cabaret Rated: 90/100 Oct 4, 2021 Full Review Michelle Orange 4Columns I was an instant convert to Fosse's Cabaret: it was and is nothing but the movie for me. It concentrates Fosse's interest in stories about style-its power to define and transform, to dominate and subdue. Sep 18, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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js c A tragic story through the eyes of a night club singer/prostitute and her roommate. The musical performances punctuate the effects of the era on the all-too vulnerable characters. Still holds up after half-a-century and is a lesson for humanity. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/06/24 Full Review Jay W All reviews will include some level of subjectivity. To think that movies can be measured objectively, as if there is a specific formula for success is crazy. Film is an art, not a science. Thus, although this is a critically acclaimed classic, listed in AFI's top 100, I personally did not care for it. Admittedly I'm typically not a huge musical fan. But with the exception of "Money makes the World go Around", I didn't find the songs very memorable. The movie isn't organized with the typical 3 act structure. Instead the plot juggles several different storylines that come in and out. They are anchored by the main characters, who are all pretty vain and selfish people. Beyond the main characters hanging out, there is a war going on. I didn't care for any time they cut back to the cabaret show, it felt like a waste of time. Likewise I didn't care about the scenes of our protagonists sitting around just talking, I found those scenes uninteresting. One of the main themes seem to be the importance of escapism in times of struggle. So far be it from me to take away other people's enjoyment of the film. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/02/24 Full Review Zesty B Had no idea what to expect, didn’t know what I was getting myself into. This just looked like a fun musical, it was enticing. Only until you watch the whole movie do you understand what you’ve been experiencing the entire time. Unease, tension, confusion, and it’s intentional. It starts hypnotic and ends eerie. Great direction, stellar performances, and, above all, an absolutely wild ride. Just watch it, even if you’re not into musicals. This is much more than a musical. It’s a slap in the face. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/18/24 Full Review Chris S Too many good scenes to list. Rewatchable many time over. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/07/24 Full Review Christian F The greatest musical ever made, and one of the best films ever made Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review Kim P If Grey or Minelli aren't onstage, it's a snoozefest. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/08/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In Berlin in 1931, American cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) meets British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York), who is finishing his university studies. Despite Brian's confusion over his sexuality, the pair become lovers, but the arrival of the wealthy and decadent playboy Maximilian von Heune (Helmut Griem) complicates matters for them both. This love triangle plays out against the rise of the Nazi party and the collapse of the Weimar Republic.
Director
Bob Fosse
Producer
Cy Feuer
Screenwriter
Christopher Isherwood, John Van Druten, Joe Masteroff, Jay Presson Allen
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo, Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co
American Broadcasting Company (ABC), ABC Circle Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 13, 1972, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2008
Runtime
2h 4m
Sound Mix
Surround
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