Film Screening 28th April, 1999

Poster for Cabaret

Cabaret 

8:00 PM, 28th April, 1999

  • M
  • 122 mins
  • Unknown
  • Bob Fosse
  • Jay Presson Allen, Hugh Wheeler
  • Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Grien, Marisa Berenson, Fritz Wepper, Joel Gray

Wilkommen, Bienvenue, welcome...

To Germany, 1931. The young foreigner Chris Isherwood (Michael York) comes to Berlin. A stranger in a strange land, he becomes involved with American singer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli). Sally works in a sleazy Cabaret where the floorshow serves up a steady diet of sex and politics.

As Chris and Sally explore the strange variations of life and love in the general atmosphere of decadence, they slowly grow aware of the huge changes going on around them. As the nation collapses, the shadowy force of Nazism is gaining strength. A new and different Germany is growing all around them.

Cabaret is based (directly) on a successful Broadway musical and (indirectly) Isherwood's autobiographical books Goodbye to Berlin and I Am A Ccamera. Cabaret is a thoroughly entertaining movie - the script and performances are excellent. Cabaret won eight Oscars including Director, Cinematographer and Score. Acting awards went to Minnelli and co-star Joel Grey (as the marvellously oily Master of Ceremonies).

The music and songs are terrific. Minnelli and co belt them out with great style and energy. The musical numbers range from hilarious to moving to quite chilling and (scarily) are all very hummable. It doesn't matter if you watch this movie for the music, the acting or just the ambience. Just make sure you watch it - you won't be disappointed.

Ian Little