Cabaret

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A subversive and thought-provoking musical in the hands of the legendary Bob Fosse. Cabaret explores the uprising of the Third Reich, and its effect upon both Jewish society and the pervading atmosphere of Weimar decadence. Featuring electrifying performances from Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey, and brilliantly staged musical numbers, this movie justifiably succeeded in denying 'The Godfather' a clean sweep of the 1972 Oscars.

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Review by Barry Forshaw on 29th September 2002

Some would argue that it's the last great musical -- and certainly the cult status acquired over the years by Bob Fosse’s memorable CABARET looks unlikely to be matched by any new film in the genre (although a movie of Chicago is in the works). Those who have only seen it panned and scanned on TV are in for some revelations with this 30th anniversary special edition. The wonderfully sleazy choreography of such numbers as Mein Herr absolutely demands the full widescreen image (as here) to do justice to those highly influential compositions (how many girls in suspenders and stockings have you seen awkwardly draped over chairs since this film appeared?). The performances are as powerful today as ever: Minnelli is as affecting, and Joel Gray's Emcee remains wonderfully reptilian but curiously likeable. But is the extras on this DVD that make it such a collector's item: a contemporary documentary made at the time of film's release, a new documentary, reminiscences of the film’s stars and creators and 40 pages of production notes and trivia. Come to the cabaret? It's an invitation you can't refuse.

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Review by RT on 20th June 2002

“Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome!” Welcome indeed to the dark underworld of the musical as realised by legendary Broadway showman Bob Fosse. Arguably the cinematic pinnacle of the musical form, ‘Cabaret’ is a shift away from the sentimental, rose-tinted shortcomings of the genre into more adult territory. In the foreground we have the love story of two conflicting characters – Sally Bowles, a flamboyant American singer, and Brian, a stiff-shirt English writer – set against the historical backdrop of the rise of the Third Reich within 1930’s Berlin.

Fosse skilfully integrates his experience of vaudeville decadence into a dark examination of desperate people clinging to their humanity in a politically charged arena of historical significance. The musical form is used to provide social and emotional commentary upon unfolding events, such as deviant sexual entanglements in “Two Ladies”, the racial prejudice against Jews in ‘If You Could See Her’, and most chilling of all, the united voice of Germany’s determined rise to be the master race in “Tomorrow Belongs To me”.

The film is a masterpiece of mood and atmosphere, dynamically drawn into an electrifying whole by Fosse’s inventive direction, and bolstered by the sensational, Oscar-winning performances of Joel Grey as a leering, demonic Emcee, and Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, stepping out of her mother’s shadow to project her own unique brand of star power. A timeless classic of any genre!

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Review by Aimee Harman on 1st November 2004

Tell me, where else will you get the immense privilege of viewing Michael York, flexing his muscles and asking 'does my body drive you wild with desire?' Well, if that alone does not attract you like a moth to the flame to this flamboyant, sinister and fantastically extravagant musical; then maybe the fantastic performance by Liza Minelli, or the dynamic choreography of Bob Fosse will?

Set in a turbulent (and often seedy) Germany, the main character Sally Bowles (played by Minelli) will have you gawping in awe at her outrageous costumes and even more outrageous comments, as she shocks and sings her way through a rocky relationship with English teacher Brian, (York). There's no denying that the musical numbers in this movie are inspiringly dynamic and hugely fun to watch, but the underlying messages that the film displays in a rising Nazi Germany are still as intriguing and powerful as ever.

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Article - "A Brief History of Musicals on Screen" by Richard Armstrong
Friday 23rd November 2007

In 1927, a milestone in motion picture history emerged in the form of The Jazz Singer, a modest attempt by Al Jolson and Warner Bros. to interpolate sound and song into a mostly silent picture. The immortal line, 'Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain't heard ...  View article in full

Article - "Razzle Dazzle! The Films of Bob Fosse" by Richard Armstrong
Friday 23rd November 2007

Bob Fosse’s directorial career within the cinema was a long time coming, but more than worth the wait. A veteran of Broadway with an extensive career as a director and choreographer of musical theatre, Fosse stood apart from his peers due to his readiness to push the...  View article in full

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Collections & Lists

This film is part of the following Film Collections

Musical Films

Including: 8 Women, A Star Is Born, All That Jazz, An American In Paris, Annie / Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Bugsy Malone, Cabaret, Calamity Jane, Camelot.

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This film is part of the following Customer Film Lists

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