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Cabaret

Play trailer 2:52 Poster for Cabaret PG 1972 2h 4m Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 48 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 05/31/2022
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. Go to Full Review
Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 05/06/2022
5/5
It repeatedly castigates political complacency and boasts one of the most chilling camera movements in cinema history... Go to Full Review
Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com 03/03/2022
4/4
The music is great, yes, but it is the themes at the center of Isherwoods remembrances that hold the most power. Go to Full Review
Orrin Konheim Washington City Paper Sep 15
Whereas musicals have traditionally aimed to uplift and elate with song, Cabaret aims to provoke and comment on a darker time. Go to Full Review
Gary Jane Hoisington Gay Community News (Boston) 09/10/2022
As presented, Cabaret is something else again: a pretentious, bad musical. Go to Full Review
Taylor Baker Drink in the Movies 10/04/2021
90/100
Episode 39: Ma / The Souvenir / Lenny / Cabaret Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Simon E Aug 15 So many good songs and still as important today as it was back then. Deserved all the oscars See more Jessica L Feb 20 I'm a huge fan of most musicals. This one is NO exception. I just think the music is FABULOUS and the storyline is wonderful. I'm not a fan of the time period it took place in, but I don't pay attention to that. LOL. See more Teddy B Jan 12 Imbued with an infectious sense of humour (courtesy of Liza Minelli) marked by an underlying melancholia, 'Cabaret' is enjoyable if slightly convoluted at times. See more js c 12/06/2024 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. See more Jay W 12/02/2024 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. See more Zesty B 10/18/2024 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. See more Read all reviews
Cabaret

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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
ABC Circle Films, American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
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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