AFI (2007) • AFI-063
Cabaret
1972 • Bob Fosse
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ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
124 min
FAMOUS QUOTE
“Life is a cabaret, old chum.”
Set in Berlin during the final years of the Weimar Republic, Cabaret follows American nightclub performer Sally Bowles as she navigates romance, ambition, and political upheaval. The story unfolds around the Kit Kat Klub, where musical performances mirror the growing instability of German society as the Nazi movement rises to power. Directed by Bob Fosse, the film combines bold choreography, striking visuals, and a darker dramatic tone rarely seen in traditional movie musicals. Liza Minnelli’s performance as Sally Bowles became iconic. Blending music with historical drama, Cabaret explores themes of identity, decadence, and the fragile nature of freedom.
Why it matters
- A defining work in the AFI canon, it showcases the craft of classical Hollywood storytelling (or its modern evolution) at a high level.
- Its influence shows up in later films—through structure, tone, or visual language—making it a useful reference point for how the medium developed.
- It endures because its core conflicts feel human and repeatable, letting new audiences find fresh meaning in familiar moments.
Watch for
- How the opening establishes tone and stakes—often more is set up visually than in dialogue.
- Key scenes where performance choices (pauses, glances, timing) do the emotional heavy lifting.
- Editing and transitions: notice what the film hides, what it reveals, and when it decides to do each.
Vibe
Musical DramaWeimar DecadencePolitical UnravelingNightclub SeductionSexual FreedomRise of FascismPerformance MasksBerlin GlamourDark EntertainmentFosse Style
AFI RANK
1998: —
2007: #63