Cabaret

I bought this 1972 dvd as it has been so long since seeing the original and there have always been such excellent reviews. It didn't disappoint. The acting; the atmosphere created of that decadent period was brought to life but the major enjoyment was seeing again Minelli's superb portrayal of Sally Bowles. She was just brilliant.

Those who saw this ‘must-see’ classic film in cinemas’ back in the nineteen seventies will not require any description of the unique constructs that deliver the film’s power and potency.For those that have not yet experienced seeing Cabaret I offer the following as an insight.I begin with the novel and all-important trailblazing CONSTRUCT. Understanding the underlying construct brings comprehension to the plot, story, sub-texts, characters; allegories; and the SEMIOLOGY that drives EVERY film forward - which brings forth deeper clarity, meaning, and depth.Based on the play by Jon Van Druten, Cy Feuer, the director of Cabaret, uses the ‘turns’ performing in an on-going cabaret at ‘The Kit Kat Klub’ threaded throughout the narrative, as a ‘crystal ball’ into what is REALLY taking place in 1930’s Berlin at the time of the Nazi uprising.The film starts with the Master of Ceremonies of The Kit Kat Klub (brilliantly played by Joel Gray) bidding his guests AND the cinema audience ‘Welcome friends and strangers – leave your worries outside because in here life is beautiful’. And as the poignant words of the song are sung – supplemented with raunchy dancing (choreographed and directed by Bob Fosse), and we meet the ‘stars’ of the cabaret, we see Brian Roberts (Michael York) - a young British scholar - arriving in Berlin to seek accommodation so as to progress his studies, being ‘welcomed’ by Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) – a singer at the Kit Kat Klub.It is ‘love at first sight’, and the ‘love story’ that arises and develops serves as the ‘glue’ to drive the narrative forward along many harrowing twists and turns.Returning back to the Kit Kat Klub, we see Sally Bowles perform ‘Mien Herr’ – and as she sings the words ‘You have to understand what I am mien Herr; a tiger is a tiger – not a lamb mien Herr; it was a fine affair – but now its over! Although I used to care; I need the open air; you’re better off without me mien Herr’, she gives us insight into future events that will reverberate throughout the film - and eventually deliver the extraordinary finale.A ‘mud wrestling’ event is presented – which is a semiology to describe the persecution that is taking place with the Jews outside – during which a member of the ‘Hitler Youth Movement’ is escorted off the premises by an elderly manager, juxtapositioned against the development of the delicate love relationship between Sally and Brian; and as we watch a bit of ‘thigh slapping and bottom slapping’ set to the ‘oom pah pah’ of a Bavarian folk tune – the cabaret action once again hinting at what is about to take place – interjected with the cabaret performance we see the person who escorted the Nazi off the premises being brutally and violently murdered by a gang of Nazi youths.And so the masterwork progresses as each cabaret ‘turn’ gives us an insight into what is about to unfold as we meet many many characters – characters whose lives are all intertwined with each other – until we reach the amazing climax.As we take the journey there are some wonderful classic songs on the way – songs such as ‘Money makes the world go around’; ‘Maybe this time’; and ‘If you could see her through my eyes’ being just a few of the many gems that await you – all poignant – all memorable - and all beautifully performed with stunning delivery that leaves you breathless and wanting more – with each song ‘foretelling the future’ that is about to unfold before your eyes.The only downside (and it is small) is that if your mother tongue is ENGLISH, this BluRay defaults to a STEREO soundtrack overdubbed in SPANISH and Spanish SUBTITLES – but the ORIGINAL soundtrack is right there on the disk – realised in 5.1 Dolby Surround Sound – together with ENGLISH subtitles for those of us who do not comprehend Spanish or German - and wish to comprehend the German dialogue in the film – or simply learn the words of the amazing songs.As to the transfer – the cinematography is wonderful – but the transfer lacks a little ‘crispness’ and it would benefit from proper restoration (not digital enhancement).Having fully restored the original Technicolor negatives of ‘The Red Shoes’; ‘Taxi’; ‘Casino’ and now ‘Goldfinger’, maybe Martin Scorsese has it in his sights to restore this amazing film – a film that has so much to say on so many levels!Happy viewing!

This is the only Blue Ray version worth buying. No black borders. Brilliant sound. It's a bit grainy but I guess that's because of the film stock it was originally shot on, so it's more like DVD quality than Blue Ray. It's expensive but if you are fan it's well worth it.

I already had this on dvd, but it had been transferred wrong and has two thick, black bars on top and bottom of the picture. With the bluray Warner Archive edition it has been transferred in the anamorphic way, so it is finally the right aspect. One of Liza's greatest performances on film. I had the pleasure of watching her live some years ago and that beat everything.

I have given this only 4 stars because apart from a glitch where the picture freezes at 01 hr 23 mins and 33 seconds for 2-3 seconds it is a good film. This appears to be a fault as far as I can determine with the DVD Master, as I sent mine back, but the replacement had exactly the same fault. I am surprised no one else has mentioned it, as I have read all of them. I then purchased the original VHS tape which I think Amazon still have at the time of writing and no fault exists at the same point in the film on VHS video tape. For the reader's information, the scene is in a street by a bridge where Michael York is walking down towards some Nazi Party propargandists selling their literature and he then procedes to denounce them! The same scene on the VHS version is at 1Hr 24 mins 33-35 secs approximately. Nevertheless good music from John Kander and Fred Ebb. The usual classics including Welcome Emsee announcing "Where are your troubles now? So life is disappointing in here the girls are beautiful even Z orchestra is beautiful". Also the title track Cabaret and Money are two of my favourites. Overall a good depiction of Nazi pre war 1930s Berlin. No wonder they all headed for the Kit Kat club to leave their troubles outside!PS One lady has recently given it one star " as it freezes half way through and was unable to watch the rest of the DVD". I think this maybe the same fault,although it could be coincidence(I doubt it),but I stress it is only for 2-3 seconds and if the viewer leaves the disc alone it picks up again and one can see the rest of the film.

I guess as a younger person I was a bit put off by Lisa Minnelli’s personality. I’m past that. She’s a star and wonderful to watch.Having said that, the star of the show is undoubtedly the Master of Ceremonies - Koel Grey. He’s simultaneously horribly seedy and wonderfully entertaining. He captures the essence of what I imagine inter-war Berlin to be like.Michael York is entirely forgettable, but what’s new.The songs and choreography are superb. I’ll watch it again and again.The only downside is the formatting of the DVD. It works okay on my older Sony TV, but shrinks into the middle of my Samsung TV screen. All attempts to fix that failed.

classic movie

Über den Film von Bob Große was zu Schreiben hieße Eulen nach Athen tragen! Ich hatte das Glück diese Stück 2003 in New York im Studio 45 zu sehen! (Molly Ringwald als Sally Bowles - das war noch schöner als der Film!

Es perfecta

C'est vrai qu'on dit plus quand ça ne va pas !! Alors je dis là que c'est parfait !!Merci

Entrega demorada, mas dentro do prazo e produto conforme previsto. excelente.