![Cabaret](https://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/80/Cabaret.webp?1720102920)
Cabaret
1972
Drama
Musical
2h 4m
It is the city of Berlin in 1930, a time when political unrest racks the country, the economy has been destroyed, and millions of unemployed roam the streets. Enter into this chaos an American cabaret dancer, working at the downtown "Kit-Kat club". Into this young dancer's life come several characters such as a rich German politician, a young Jewish man struggling with his identity, an Englishman teacher from London, and of course the all-knowing, all-seeing Master of Ceremonies.
Directed by:
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Cabaret
1972
Drama
Musical
2h 4m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.07% from 1662 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews
(1685)
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Rated 17 Oct 2007
66
32nd
The film is technically accomplished and well-done. I just don't find Liza Minnelli very appealing (in any sense of the word) and all the attention given to alternative sexuality seems dated and uninteresting. The routines in the club are solid, though, and I loved Joel Grey's performance.
Rated 17 Oct 2007
Rated 15 Jan 2009
72
32nd
It's well shot, well acted, the dance numbers are fun and well choreographed, the characters are interesting and well developed, in essence all the pieces are very good. Yet, as a whole it falls rather flat; Even though there are clear thematic connections between the different aspects of the film, there's something forced about them and the film never really elicits the sentiments it hopes for.
Rated 15 Jan 2009
Rated 18 Mar 2023
97
89th
Hits a little too close to home for this American bisexual artsy Commie degenerate in this Foul Year of Our Lord 2023. They came for the queers and Communists...
Rated 18 Mar 2023
Rated 22 Apr 2016
88
87th
Unsettling & grotesque, Cabaret is a portrait of frivolity in the foreground of historical trauma. Sally's (quintessentially American) self-possessedness & ambition take on an air of fevered gnashing against responsibility, accountability. It's about the monstrous privilege to remain insulated from the inexorable tide to come, embodied horrifyingly in a young tenor moving his fellow countrymen to song. "What good's permitting some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away? Life is a cabaret!"
Rated 22 Apr 2016
Rated 22 Oct 2009
65
22nd
Superficial relationship to context and setting. Cabaret focuses upon an uninteresting love triangle, with interconnecting songs. Competent art-direction, costumes, props, etc., but Joel Grey's performance is the only notable aspect of the film.
Rated 22 Oct 2009
Rated 10 Oct 2011
100
98th
Since I saw "Cabaret", Liza Minnelli has become one of my favorites! One of the best musicals of all time :-)
Rated 10 Oct 2011
Rated 13 Jan 2017
80
75th
A great examination of the slowly encroaching Nazism taking place as the privileged few ignore all the signs. The film is a great example of dramatic irony, as the audience knows what is going to happen, and that things will probably not end well for a few of the characters. The last shot is haunting. I wrote this review under great duress, as this cold has wrecked my brain. I hope this makes sense. If not, contact my assistant.
Rated 13 Jan 2017
Rated 09 Mar 2012
96
98th
I'll avoid using many words, that might only smear Liza's make-up, and just write that it's so rich in details that you can really invest in it emotionally.
Rated 09 Mar 2012
Rated 19 Mar 2015
80
77th
CAB - A - RET *Jazz hands*
Rated 19 Mar 2015
Rated 02 Jun 2014
65
27th
If life is a Cabaret with Lizzza, I'd rather die
Rated 02 Jun 2014
Rated 08 Oct 2015
4
74th
A well-written and well-played romance that doesn't adhere to any sort of formula or predictability. It's a wonderful evocation of a liberated time and place, dramatically and ominously shadowed by the viewer's knowledge of the course of history.
Rated 08 Oct 2015
Rated 30 Jan 2013
68
55th
Surprisingly substantive for a musical. It's well acted and well directed, as well. Nothing that really blew me away, but it is good.
Rated 30 Jan 2013
Rated 06 Feb 2010
89
79th
Unfocused in the middle, but overall a fun film that questions how much worth there is in living life as a party all the time. The ending is quite good; the unease felt throughout the film regarding the Nazi Party boils over when we see some of their members in the audience.
Rated 06 Feb 2010
Rated 10 Jan 2012
85
86th
While it's by no means poor, the love story between Sally and Brian is completely outshined by Joel Grey and his brilliant performance as the MC of a hysterical and captivating Cabaret show. For the first time, I feel like I've found a movie that would've actually been better with LESS substance and plot to it. A 60-minute "Night at the Kit Kat Klub," where is it?
Rated 10 Jan 2012
Rated 17 Jun 2016
75
55th
Probably the only movie where literally every subplot is better than the main plot. The setting for this film is interesting - the period between WWI and WWII with the rise of the Nazi party in the background. The cabaret itself has an interesting host, who may or may not be an anti-semite. There is a subplot that deals with the romance between a Jewish woman and a German man. But what do we get? A flimsy romance that has characters that are hard to love. Missed potential.
Rated 17 Jun 2016
Rated 04 Feb 2013
50
49th
Probably my favorite Liza Minnelli movie. She is young and vivacious and has a beautiful voice in this crazy story of stage, music, love and sexuality. Set in the prewar Germany, the many side plots don't seem to add much to the story being told. Her life is party and she is a pushover for handsome men. The story is both tragic and lighthearted. Even though this is a musical, it thankfully keeps the music on the stage rather than boring us with awkward singing dialog.
Rated 04 Feb 2013
Rated 05 Mar 2013
75
81st
I didn't quite love this film, but most of it was pretty good. Many of the musical sequences were a lot of fun. This was mostly due to Joel Grey, who was absolutely fantastic in this. I didn't really feel the same about Liza Minnelli though - I didn't care for her or her character. I liked that the film was sometimes quite dark and risque. I also thought the direction and editing was really interesting at times. Overall, it's not perfect, but it has a lot of things going for it.
Rated 05 Mar 2013
Rated 19 Mar 2018
95
88th
Great performances and evocative musical numbers help Cabaret secure its status as a stylish, socially conscious classic.
Rated 19 Mar 2018
Rated 05 Mar 2015
70
56th
Good directing and editing which can sometimes depict very well the mix of Nazi violence and the pop culture, but overall it can not escape being too clear and didactic about fascism. "Divine decadance"
Rated 05 Mar 2015
Rated 22 Apr 2018
95
98th
Wonderful film with brilliant costumes and acting. But then again i'm a sucker for theatrical films.
Rated 22 Apr 2018
Rated 20 Jan 2011
75
30th
Life isn't a cabaret, what with all those Nazis out there. Some great performances.
Rated 20 Jan 2011
Rated 17 Oct 2010
43
4th
This started out good. Expecting a glossy over-the-top musical in the likes of Chicago or Moulin Rouge, I was surprised by the grittiness. Back in the 70s even the musicals apparently had that raw street look! But as the film went on, I gradually lost interest. The songs became tedious and I couldn't care less for the two central love stories which apart from Liza Minelli's Sally consists only of dull characters.
Rated 17 Oct 2010
Rated 30 Aug 2019
100
95th
Editing is fantastic, acting is fantastic, this whole thing is fantastic
Rated 30 Aug 2019
Rated 16 Jan 2015
78
89th
It hasn't aged as well as Fosse's magnum opus, All That Jazz, but Cabaret remains a fascinating glipse into a hermetically sealed world of desire and decadence situated in an ominous historical period. Minnelli is excellent as Bowles, a hedonistic young dancer that's oblivious to the increasing threat of her surroundings. Minnelli captures her spontaneity, her reckless abandon, and the melancholy that lies at the core of her self deception, while Grey is creepily captivating as the chilling MC.
Rated 16 Jan 2015
Rated 21 Nov 2007
70
37th
This film is certainly worth seeing, at the very least for its sheer uniqueness. It is, however, pretty uncomfortable to watch. Meh!
Rated 21 Nov 2007
Rated 13 Apr 2008
70
61st
Though not nearly as great as All That Jazz, any film that visually references an Otto Dix paining is fine by me.
Rated 13 Apr 2008
Rated 14 Oct 2008
80
91st
Beautiful music and dance-movie, well-done !
Rated 14 Oct 2008
Rated 31 Jul 2022
75
35th
This was an interesting movie with some really cool musical numbers. I expected it to be more plot-focused and about the rise of Naziism so I thought the way that occurred largely in the background was interesting, but the throuply romancy stuff that made up most of the movie wasn’t always very interesting to me. Minelli and Grey were great!
Rated 31 Jul 2022
Rated 30 Mar 2009
86
83rd
Hitler is rising to power, racism and anti-Semitism are growing, and the best place to hide from it all is the cabaret. With dancing girls, androgynous master of ceremonies Grey and American expatriate and singer Minnelli, you can laugh and drink and pretend tomorrow will never come. Minnelli does just that. Face to face with the increasing horrors of Nazism, she persists in the belief that "the show must go on".
Rated 30 Mar 2009
Rated 07 Sep 2020
84
72nd
Although the selfish Sally grates at times & the theme of fiddle playing as Rome burns is repeated a little too much, Fosse manages to use it to build to a powerful climax & it's easy to see why it's so acclaimed. It works now & would've been far more resonant to a viewer during the Vietnam War. It also not only has some wonderful compositions & clever edits to show what couldn't be shown (esp what Sally does), it's also way ahead of its time in the topics it covers & its hero.
Rated 07 Sep 2020
Rated 19 Apr 2023
96
96th
nazis wreaking havoc in the streets; liza, michael and helmut between the sheets, filled kit kat club seats. oscars to fosse, minnelli and grey.
Rated 19 Apr 2023
Rated 04 Mar 2024
20
12th
"Oh no...another musical number..." Not a good sign when you're watching the musical. I found the master of ceremonies guy very, very annoying. I didn't find any of the rest interesting either.
Rated 04 Mar 2024
Rated 18 Feb 2023
20
10th
Ugh…everyone in this movie is awful & the songs are mostly annoying.
Rated 18 Feb 2023
Rated 02 Jan 2022
56
50th
Not bad, but Liza's character was more like an annoying child than I was prepared to pay attention to. Probably the point.
Rated 02 Jan 2022
Rated 19 Jun 2022
71
62nd
Bob Fosse was incredible at building a scene. Not talked about nearly enough.
Rated 19 Jun 2022
Rated 19 Oct 2015
5
70th
oh well, that was a bit disappointing after the amazing ALL THAT JAZZ. i suppose nazis are the default when a director wants to mark himself down in history as a Serious Artist. autobiography comes next. the musical numbers are wonderful, but still don't quite reach the heights of something like "airotica". nevertheless, this film about ignorance borne from indulgence has a big heart, with amazing performances by joel grey and liza minnelli.
Rated 19 Oct 2015
Rated 23 Nov 2015
41
15th
Tomorrow may belong to you sonny but your head gets blown off outside Kharkov in 1943.Not so clever now are you?
Rated 23 Nov 2015
Rated 20 Mar 2024
79
39th
It's a musical that doesn't feel like a musical thanks to its diegetic club numbers that do most of the film's thematic heavy lifting, held effortlessly aloft by Joel Grey's performance, which is equal parts engrossing and creepy. Liza and the rest of the cast are great (she really gets to shine in a late solo number) and the choreography is fun. The sexual politics feel oddly dated and brazen simultaneously; not sure if that's because the film is so old now, or if it's the period it portrays.
Rated 20 Mar 2024
Rated 14 May 2022
81
77th
Impeccably done film that is the reason The Godfather only won three Oscars. The Godfather, in turn, is the only reason this film didn't win Best Picture. It won eight other Oscars and boasts absolutely magnetic performances from Liza Minnelli and Joel Gray (both Oscar winning.) The film takes place in and around a cabaret during the Nazi rise to power in Berlin in 1931. Has much to say about burying one's head in the sand to avoid unpleasant political realities, which is very relevant to today.
Rated 14 May 2022
Rated 15 Jul 2024
76
66th
Opinión personal: 7 Actores: 8.5 Guión: 6.5 Fotografía: 7.5 BSO: 8.5 Otros:8 Iluminación:9 FX: Director: Humor: Vestuario/caracterización:9 Ritmo:5.5 Total: 76
Rated 15 Jul 2024
Rated 12 Mar 2022
60
6th
I think the idea of this film with it being set in a night club during the rise of Nazism is super interesting but I'd be lying it if I said I was always invested in this film. I don't know if it's the writing or the acting or this overwhelming feeling I had that the movie didn't quite "commit" to it's subject matter as much as I would have liked. I'll have to give it a re-watch at some point.
Rated 12 Mar 2022
Rated 07 Jan 2020
70
82nd
Though its commentary on Nazi Germany occasionally feels out of place, there's still plenty to like about this 70's musical. A fantastic performance by Liza Minnelli, great work from Michael York, a solid supporting cast, fun musical numbers, a great performance from Joel Grey as the Emcee, plenty of stylistic flair, & a clever script that does a good job of keeping things interesting all come together to make for a fun, flashy, unique ride full of oddball charm that's definitely worth a look.
Rated 07 Jan 2020
Rated 06 Aug 2021
70
45th
????????Liza Minnelli????????????Judy Garland???????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
Rated 27 Jan 2017
40
16th
One of my least favorite "classic" movie musicals. Bob Fosse's vision just doesn't really translate from stage to screen for me, and the result is a well-performed mess. Stick with the stage version.
Rated 27 Jan 2017
Rated 27 Feb 2017
75
59th
Minnelli and Grey were freakin' awesome.
Rated 27 Feb 2017
Rated 18 Jul 2021
75
41st
w/ Busra
Rated 18 Jul 2021
Rated 01 Feb 2021
93
48th
https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/641908900357177344/cabaret-1972
Rated 01 Feb 2021
Rated 13 Sep 2020
70
31st
I appreciate this movie very much for what it is, but unfortunately what it is is not my thing. Despite how annoying her character is written I think Minnelli gave a great performance. Michael York was also well cast. I like how they integrated the musical numbers. The dramatic non musical parts were surprisingly well done. This movie is certainly unique, with good cinematography and visual flair, but I didn't really care for that strange vibe. I also thought certain sections dragged a little.
Rated 13 Sep 2020
Rated 19 Sep 2018
75
59th
Gorgeous in its spunk and flair, Cabaret sneaks up on you with its often power warnings. It is escapism at its finest. Many the musical numbers are fantastic to see, as Minnelli is as perfectly over the top as she should be.
Rated 19 Sep 2018
Rated 23 Jan 2019
60
27th
Master of Ceremonies: "In here, life is beautiful. The girls are beautiful. Even the orchestra is beautiful!"
Rated 23 Jan 2019
Rated 24 Jul 2019
75
49th
I love some things about this, and just about all of them have to do with the musical numbers, the staging and shooting, the artistically rendered distortions that come out, esp. in some of the performances of Joel Gray. Other things about this movie I love less: all the relational, triangle stuff. It seemed pretty obvious there was some kind of US/UK/Germany political subtext going on, but the relationships themselves always struck me as a bit stilted and lacking in heart.
Rated 24 Jul 2019
Rated 13 Aug 2012
90
0th
A really powerful film with wonderful music.
Rated 13 Aug 2012
Rated 27 Oct 2019
60
35th
I watched this years ago when I was too young to understand most of it (I do remember being creeped out by Joel Grey's performance). Now I'm still not really impressed with the basic story, although it's clear that the movie is more than the sum of its parts with its political subtext. Two of the major roles (Minnelli and Grey) are mesmerizing, and with Bob Fosse throwing in a few dance numbers, it's a decent watch. I just didn't enjoy sitting through it this time either.
Rated 27 Oct 2019
Rated 22 Nov 2009
78
91st
Not a favorite, but this is an interesting well-done "musical." Joe Grey was good.
Rated 22 Nov 2009
Rated 12 Oct 2009
5
81st
Joel Grey should have been the starring role.
Rated 12 Oct 2009
Rated 04 Sep 2009
5
55th
It's hard for me to describe why I think this film is over-rated. I have no complaints but besides Fosse's trademark editing, nothing works for me. Oh well. It's still a good film.
Rated 04 Sep 2009
Rated 04 Mar 2009
45
53rd
"Liza Minnelli is revelatory..."
Rated 04 Mar 2009
Rated 09 Feb 2009
77
11th
It was back in the old days, with the Nazi as I like old war movies or movies that contain any of the ww1 and ww2
Rated 09 Feb 2009
Rated 19 Dec 2008
87
74th
270
Rated 19 Dec 2008
Rated 30 Sep 2008
57
86th
Farewell to Berlin - god skildring af det dekadente og naziinfiserede berlin.
Rated 30 Sep 2008
Rated 09 Jul 2008
80
62nd
It's camp and dark with fabulous outfits.
Rated 09 Jul 2008
Rated 21 Apr 2008
85
84th
Fosse's film about decadence in 1931 Berlin, under the shadow of the rise of Nazism. Everything about it is great -- the performances, the song and dance, the stylization, the emotional content, the juxtapositioning, the depth of the screenplay. However, I had hoped for something as magnificent as All That Jazz, and it just misses the mark. It lacks the same level of energy and intensity. I had also hoped there would be more musical numbers, or that they would be more elaborately staged.
Rated 21 Apr 2008
Rated 13 Jan 2010
86
72nd
281
Rated 13 Jan 2010
Rated 01 Mar 2008
82
71st
# 357
Rated 01 Mar 2008
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
91st
A little too pleased by its own outrageousness, still it's truly groundbreaking and most of the songs are fantastic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
95th
Not everything works but most of it does, and, as tries at serious musicals go, it’s superior to most.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
83rd
seedy, accurate portrayal of the era...Liza playing herself...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
Rated 24 Feb 2007
55
49th
Great story.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
Rated 16 Oct 2011
88
86th
Bob Fosse at his best. Dark,brooding, twisted and compelling characters. Amazing choreography and direction. Clearly led the way for Chicago et al. Strong central performances, memorable numbers and a deeply impactful central message of power and discrimination without at any point in your face. A gem
Rated 16 Oct 2011
Rated 11 Nov 2013
50
14th
Sorry, it was really boring; I'm no fan of Liza or Michael York, both were completely unlikable; Joel Grey is excellent but isn't used enough to propel this film into the decent category.
Rated 11 Nov 2013
Rated 27 Oct 2012
54
60th
A film about despair, both personal and political. Original rating (38) Oct 2012. New rating Jun 2020
Rated 27 Oct 2012
Rated 21 Sep 2012
72
33rd
The musical numbers are uniformly excellent and match Minnelli's performance throughout -- energetic and charismatic. Unfortunately, many parts of the film are just downright flat and cold; for instance, I found the secondary story between Fritz and Natalia far, far more interesting than the primary stuff that had a lot more screen-time. Ultimately, it's a definite mixed bag, but there's enough thematic nuance and interesting character dynamics to make it worthwhile.
Rated 21 Sep 2012
Rated 03 Jan 2007
94
93rd
https://letterboxd.com/ladyspiggott/film/cabaret/
Rated 03 Jan 2007
Rated 22 Jul 2012
85
95th
Tells the story of a few people in the cabaret world in the late 1930s in Germany. Without it ever being the main story, you also see how society changes around them. Check "Tomorrow belongs to me" on youtube and realise you need to see this movie.
Rated 22 Jul 2012
Rated 13 Feb 2012
85
93rd
Luhrmann attempted to recreate the mood of being at the Moulin Rouge with his film. Here Fosse manages to get three thirds of the effect of being in a sleazy cabaret, while only being half as overt about it.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
Rated 30 Nov 2011
86
72nd
#273
Rated 30 Nov 2011
Rated 03 Oct 2011
95
99th
"Cabaret" is glorious entertainment. Masterfully shot, skillfully edited and starring Liza Minnelli in a luminous performance, it's a highly enjoyable as well as subversive and socially relevant film. The musical numbers are great (in large part thanks to Joel Grey's hysterical presence), there is a great deal of laughs and the boiling sense of menace is brilliantly maintained throughout. Still, there are problems with the pacing, as the middle segment drags.
Rated 03 Oct 2011
Rated 15 Aug 2011
88
96th
Gee, after seeing Cabaret, I don't think I will ever like any other musical. Terrific acting, terrific editing and terrific directing. It is not surprising why Bob Fosse won Oscar against Coppola.
Rated 15 Aug 2011
Rated 05 Jun 2011
81
39th
Opposite to most musicals in that the songs are the best thing but the attempt of the story to comment on life in Germany at the time is completely laughable. Still, Joel Grey's performance in this is perhaps in my top 10 of the 70s.
Rated 05 Jun 2011
Rated 06 Mar 2011
60
10th
What's good about this? It's got an uninteresting story and it's a musical without any good songs.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
Rated 18 Oct 2010
57
46th
All things considered this is an entertaining musical drama, with some good performances, but this kind of movie just isn't something that interests me. There were a few times during this movie I forgot I was looking a Liza Minnelli and actually thought she looked mildly attractive when she was younger. I then vomited... a lot... violently.
Rated 18 Oct 2010
Rated 17 Mar 2010
75
63rd
Bears only a cursory resemblance to the Broadway musical on which it's only partly based; still, a good example of the many forms that a single story can take. It's good that Joel Gray at least got to play the part he created on stage.
Rated 17 Mar 2010
Rated 11 Mar 2010
86
71st
I like my musicals to have a little darkness in them, and this does. Joel Grey is wonderfully decadent, York is charming and Minnelli is heroically vulnerable and indefatigable. Fosse brings it all together.
Rated 11 Mar 2010
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