I Am a Camera

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I Am a Camera

1955

1h 38m

Comedy

Drama

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4 Reviews

35%

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100+ Ratings

Just before the Nazis ascend to power in Berlin, Chris (Laurence Harvey), an aspiring novelist from England, meets flamboyant cabaret entertainer Sally Bowles (Julie Harris) and an unusual friendship is born. As Sally feeds her extravagant tastes, Chris goes along for the ride, until their Jewish pal, Fritz (Anton Diffring), encounters trouble. Adapted from a play based on the memoirs of writer Christopher Isherwood, this story served as the inspiration for the acclaimed musical "Cabaret."

Brigid Murnaghan

Village Voice

Camera is neither as evil as it has been touted nor as good as it could have been, but it is very enjoyable.

May 10, 2022

Full Review

Herman G. Weinberg

Film Culture

For a motion picture, it is unusually literate and honest in its dialogue, which means that it doesn’t attempt to hide the truth under coy euphemisms. There is not a dishonest word or situation in it.

Mar 30, 2022

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 19, 2005

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Phil Hall

Film Threat

The long-forgotten non-musical forerunner of Cabaret.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 25, 2005

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Jeanne Y

It was made in 1955! What did you expect ?!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/23

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Steve D

The acting isn't good enough to convince.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/30/23

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Audience Member

Prefer Cabaret. Sally Bowles in this film is to affected.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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bill t

This movie, which, yes, inspired Cabaret should really ONLY be known for that, because this is pretty academic filmmaking. Filmed with smarmy dilaloue, attempts at humor and stilted acting, this post-war brit effort feels far more important than it has every right to be. Also, this just feels just like a filmed version of the play.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Very dated and a now essentially unknown 'prequel' to the far more successful Cabaret, this contains a likeable performance from Julie Harris as the entertainer Sally Bowles but there isn't a great deal that actually happens in the film, with most of the significant events following in its successor.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

This movie classic is simply marvelous! It's not a musical and it's before Cabaret. Julie Harris makes this movie watchable!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

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Henry Cornelius

Director

Julie Harris

Sally Bowles

Laurence Harvey

Christopher Isherwood

Shelley Winters

Natalia Landauer

Ron Randell

Clive

Lea Seidl

Fräulein Schneider

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Synopsis

Just before the Nazis ascend to power in Berlin, Chris (Laurence Harvey), an aspiring novelist from England, meets flamboyant cabaret entertainer Sally Bowles (Julie Harris) and an unusual friendship is born. As Sally feeds her extravagant tastes, Chris goes along for the ride, until their Jewish pal, Fritz (Anton Diffring), encounters trouble. Adapted from a play based on the memoirs of writer Christopher Isherwood, this story served as the inspiration for the acclaimed musical "Cabaret."

Director: Henry Cornelius
Producer: Jack Clayton
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 38m