Cabaret is a 1972 American musical period drama film directed by Bob Fosse and based on the stage musical of the same name. The film was written by Jay Presson Allen and produced by Cy Feuer. It stars Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a cabaret singer in Weimar Republic era Berlin, who romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them. The film is notable for its evocative musical numbers and great performances, which have contributed to its status as a stylish, socially conscious classic.
The plot is set in Berlin in 1931, where Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) meets British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York). The film deals with the rise of Nazi Germany and the impact it has on the characters' lives. The performances of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey are often praised for their excellence, and the film has received numerous accolades, including 8 Oscar wins in 1973.
Plot
Cabaret is a 1972 American musical period drama film directed by Bob Fosse and based on the stage musical of the same name. The film is set in Berlin in 1931 and follows the story of Sally Bowles, a cabaret singer who performs at the Kit Kat Klub, a seedy place with suggestive musical numbers. Sally meets Brian Roberts, a British academic who moves into the boarding house where Sally lives. The film deals with the rise of Nazi Germany and the impact it has on the characters' lives. Sally gets involved in a triangular relationship with Brian and a wealthy playboy named Maximilian von Heune.
Cast
- Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles
- Michael York as Brian Roberts
- Helmut Griem as Maximilian von Heune
- Joel Grey as Master of Ceremonies
- Fritz Wepper as Fritz Wendel
- Marisa Berenson as Natalia Landauer
- Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel as Fraulein Schneider
- Helen Vita as Fraulein Kost
- Sigrid von Richthofen as Fraulein Mayr
- Gerd Vespermann as Bobby
- Ralf Wolter as Herr Ludwig
- Ricky Renée as Elke
- Estrongo Nachama as Cantor
- Kathryn Doby as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Inge Jaeger as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Angelika Koch as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Helen Velkovorska as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Gitta Schmidt as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Louise Quick as Kit-Kat Dancer
- Wolfgang Glattes as assistant director
- Douglas Green as assistant director
- Stefan Zürcher as second assistant director (uncredited)
Director: Bob Fosse
Writer: Jay Presson Allen
Box Office Gross: $42.8 million
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures
Genre: Musical, Drama
Release Date: February 13, 1972 (United States)
Themes
- Decadence and decline of the Weimar Republic era
- Rise of Nazi Germany and its impact on society
- Love and relationships in a turbulent time
- The power of art and performance to distract and entertain
Reception
- The film received critical acclaim for its performances, particularly those of Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey
- It won 8 Oscars in 1973, including Best Supporting Actor for Joel Grey
- The film has been praised for its evocative musical numbers and great performances
Challenges Faced
- The film was shot in Germany, which was still recovering from World War II
- The production team had to navigate the complex political and social climate of the time
- The film's themes and subject matter were controversial and potentially risky
Settings
- Berlin, Germany, during the Weimar Republic era
- A seedy cabaret club, the Kit Kat Klub
- Various locations in and around Berlin
Visual Styles
- Dark, moody lighting
- Expressive camera angles and shot composition
- Vibrant costumes and set design
- Memorable musical numbers
Techniques
- Dynamic [)camera](@leoglossary/leoglossary-camera movements
- Creative editing
- Vivid color palette
- Effective use of lighting and shadows
Trivia and Fun Facts
- The film is based on a stage musical, which was also successful on Broadway
- The film's director, Bob Fosse, was a renowned choreographer and [dancer)](@leoglossary/leoglossary-dancer
- The film's cinematographer, Geoffrey Unsworth, was a British expatriate living in Germany
- The film's production designer, Ken Adam, went on to win an Oscar for his work on the film