# Cabaret

> 1972 film by Bob Fosse

**Wikidata**: [Q918363](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q918363)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(1972_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cabaret

## Summary
Cabaret is a 1972 musical film directed by Bob Fosse, renowned for its bold storytelling and iconic choreography. Set in 1930s Berlin, it explores themes of decadence and political turmoil through the lens of a nightclub performer's life. The film earned widespread critical acclaim and multiple Academy Awards, cementing its status as a landmark in cinematic history.

## Key Facts
- **Release Year**: 1972
- **Director**: Bob Fosse
- **Starring**: Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey
- **Awards**: 8 Academy Award nominations, 8 wins (including Best Director and Best Actress)
- **Genre**: Musical, Drama
- **Setting**: 1930s Berlin, Germany
- **Based On**: John Kander and Fred Ebb's 1966 Broadway musical
- **Cultural Impact**: Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry (1993)
- **Box Office**: $50 million (1972)
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Language**: English
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Production Company**: Allied Artists Pictures
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 47 language editions
- **Notable Songs**: "Cabaret," "Mein Herr," "Willkommen"
- **Cinematography**: Giorgio Moroder (Oscar winner)
- **Art Direction**: Rolf Zehetbauer (Oscar winner)
- **Sound Mixing**: Keith West (Oscar winner)
- **Film Editing**: David Bretherton (Oscar winner)

## FAQs
**What is Cabaret about?**
Cabaret revolves around the life of Sally Bowles, an American cabaret performer in 1930s Berlin, intertwining her personal struggles with the rise of Nazism. The film uses the Kit Kat Klub as a metaphor for societal decay and political upheaval.

**Who created Cabaret?**
Directed by Bob Fosse, the film is based on the 1966 Broadway musical by John Kander (music) and Fred Ebb (lyrics), which itself was inspired by Christopher Isherwood's semi-autobiographical novel *Goodbye to Berlin*.

**What awards did Cabaret win?**
Cabaret won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Director (Bob Fosse), Best Actress (Liza Minnelli), and Best Supporting Actor (Joel Grey). It also received honors for its cinematography, art direction, sound, film editing, and costume design.

**Why is Cabaret historically significant?**
Cabaret is significant for its dark, avant-garde style, which redefined the musical genre. Its exploration of pre-Nazi Germany serves as a cautionary tale about societal complacency. The film's success also solidified Liza Minnelli's career and showcased Bob Fosse's innovative direction.

**How was Cabaret received commercially?**
Despite its critical acclaim, Cabaret initially underperformed at the box office, earning $50 million against its $6 million budget. However, its reputation grew over time, leading to its preservation in the National Film Registry in 1993.

## Why It Matters
Cabaret matters as a groundbreaking film that transformed the musical genre through its dark themes and stylized choreography. It serves as a cultural artifact reflecting the tensions of pre-WWII Germany, using entertainment as a lens to examine political apathy. The film's influence extends to stage and screen, inspiring countless adaptations and reinterpretations. Its technical achievements, including its use of montage and production design, raised the bar for cinematic storytelling. As a product of 1970s New Hollywood, Cabaret exemplifies the era's risk-taking and artistic innovation, challenging audiences with its morally ambiguous characters and bleak narrative.

## Notable For
- **Academy Award Dominance**: Won 8 Oscars, a rare feat for a musical.
- **Cultural Preservation**: Added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
- **Innovative Direction**: Bob Fosse's use of nonlinear storytelling and provocative choreography.
- **Iconic Performances**: Liza Minnelli's breakout role as Sally Bowles and Joel Grey's androgynous Emcee.
- **Historical Commentary**: A unique blend of entertainment and social critique, foreshadowing Nazi rise.
- **Technical Mastery**: Groundbreaking cinematography and production design that immersed viewers in 1930s Berlin.
- **Musical Legacy**: Revitalized interest in Kander and Ebb's Broadway show, ensuring its enduring popularity.
- **Fashion Influence**: Minnelli's costumes, designed by Charlotte Flemming, became cultural touchstones.

## Body

### Production and Release
Cabaret was released in 1972 by Allied Artists Pictures, directed by Bob Fosse. The film premiered in New York City on February 13, 1972, followed by a wider release across the United States and internationally. Despite initial modest box office returns ($50 million), it gained momentum through word-of-mouth and awards recognition.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Bob Fosse, known for his distinctive choreographic style and previous work on *Sweet Charity*.
- **Lead Actors**: Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles and Joel Grey as the Emcee, both delivering career-defining performances.
- **Cinematographer**: Giorgio Moroder, whose innovative use of shadows and lighting earned an Academy Award.
- **Screenplay**: Jay Presson Allen, adapting the Broadway musical with Christopher Isherwood's original stories as source material.

### Themes and Style
Cabaret juxtaposes the vibrant, decadent nightlife of the Kit Kat Klub with the looming threat of Nazism. Fosse's direction employs quick cuts, montages, and surreal sequences to mirror the characters' emotional states and societal fragmentation. The film's black, white, and red palette symbolizes the moral ambiguity and danger of the era.

### Musical Numbers
The film features iconic songs like "Willkommen," "Mein Herr," and the titular "Cabaret," each advancing the narrative or reflecting character development. Choreography blends jazz, burlesque, and avant-garde movements, emphasizing the Emcee's role as a narrator and provocateur.

### Historical Context
Set against the backdrop of the Weimar Republic's collapse, Cabaret critiques the indifference of the elite to rising fascism. Scenes depicting Nazi rallies and anti-Semitic violence underscore the era's tensions, serving as a warning about the dangers of political complacency.

### Legacy and Preservation
In 1993, the Library of Congress deemed Cabaret "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant," selecting it for preservation in the National Film Registry. Its influence persists in musical films like *Chicago* and *Moulin Rouge!*, and it remains a staple in film studies curricula worldwide.

### Awards and Recognition
Cabaret's 8 Academy Awards include Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and technical honors for cinematography, art direction, sound, film editing, and costume design. It also received Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress.

### Cultural Impact
The film's success revitalized interest in the original Broadway musical, leading to revivals and adaptations. Liza Minnelli's performance and Bob Fosse's direction became benchmarks for excellence in their respective fields. Cabaret's exploration of sexuality, politics, and art continues to resonate with audiences, ensuring its relevance decades after its release.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Aspect Ratio**: 1.85:1
- **Sound Mix**: Mono
- **Film Stock**: Eastmancolor
- **Budget**: $6 million
- **Box Office**: $50 million (1972), over $127 million adjusted for inflation

### Related Works and Adaptations
Cabaret has inspired stage revivals, including a 1998 Broadway production starring Alan Cumming, and influenced films like *The Great Gatsby* (2013) in its use of music and spectacle. The film's soundtrack, featuring Liza Minnelli's vocals, remains a classic of American musical theater.

### Academic and Critical Analysis
Scholars often cite Cabaret as a prime example of New Hollywood's innovative storytelling, blending genre conventions with serious themes. Its non-linear narrative and unreliable narration have been subjects of film theory discussions, particularly regarding the role of entertainment in societal critique.

## References

1. [Liza Minnelli Stirs a Lively ‘Cabaret’ (Published 1972). 1972](https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/14/archives/liza-minnelli-stirs-a-lively-cabaret.html)
2. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
3. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1973)
4. [Source](https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/)
5. The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures
6. Cabaret. Rotten Tomatoes
7. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/de/title/tt0068327/releaseinfo)
8. [Filmdienst](https://www.filmdienst.de/film/details/6494/cabaret)
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068327/parentalguide)
11. [The Numbers](https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Cabaret#tab=summary)
12. Kinopoisk
13. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1335109)
14. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/cabaret/)
15. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=12.html)
16. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
17. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2022&s_month=11&e_year=2022&e_month=11&pageID=2)
18. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/39780)
19. Online-Filmdatenbank
20. [Source](http://www.mecd.gob.es/cultura-mecd/areas-cultura/cine/industria-cine/calificacion/calificacion-por-meses.html)
21. Bechdel Test Movie List
22. mymovies.it
23. The Movie Database
24. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/2DC8-B638-A986-0124-BF77-P)
25. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/79568)
26. Trakt.tv
27. FilmVandaag.nl