Cabaret

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2:52

Cabaret

PG

Released Feb 13, 1972

2h 4m

Musical

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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Teddy B

Imbued with an infectious sense of humour (courtesy of Liza Minelli) marked by an underlying melancholia, 'Cabaret' is enjoyable if slightly convoluted at times.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/25

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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

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Bob Fosse

Director

Liza Minnelli

Sally Bowles

Joel Grey

Master of Ceremonies

Michael York

Brian Roberts

Helmut Griem

Maximilian von Heune

Fritz Wepper

Fritz Wendel

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Cabaret: Trailer 1

2:52

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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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