The Shawshank Redemption

Film Review

I. Title of the Film : Cabaret (1972 film production of a stage musical)

II. Director: Bob Fosse

III. Actors/Characters:

Liza Minnelli - Sally Bowles

Michael York - Brian Roberts

Helmut Griem - Maximilian von Heune

Joel Grey - Master of Ceremonies

Fritz Wepper - Fritz Wendel

Marisa Berenson - Natalia Landauer

Elisabeth Neumann-Viertel - Fraulein Schneider

Helen Vita- Fraulein Kost

Sigrid von Richthofen - Fraulein Mayr (as Sigrid Von Richthofen)

Gerd Vespermann - Bobby

Ralf Wolter - Herr Ludwig

Georg Hartmann - Willi

Ricky Renйe - Elke (as Ricky Renee)

Estrongo Nachama - Cantor

Kathryn Doby - Kit-Kat Dancer

Inge Jaeger- Kit-Kat Dancer

Angelika Koch - Kit-Kat Dancer

IV. Setting:

The film Cabaret takes place in a setting in the early 1930's in Berlin, Germany in the theater that Liza Minnelli's character, Sally Bowles works. Clearly this film is what is called a period piece since it was made in the 1970's.

V. Summary:

It is the city of Berlin in 1930, a time when political unrest racks the country, the economy has been destroyed, and millions of unemployed roam the streets. Enter into this chaos an American cabaret dancer, working at the downtown "Kit-Kat club" where anything goes on the stage. Into this young dancer's life come several characters such as a rich German politician, a young Jewish man struggling with his identity, an Englishman teacher from London, and of course the all-knowing, all-seeing Master of Ceremonies.

VI. Questions

1. Who is the most interesting character? Why?

> The most interesting character in the film isSally Bowles. She has the classic, complex character. She plays the role not simply as a sexy femme fatale, but more like a silly, spontaneous girl, who comes alive as a sex kitten when she enters the Kit Kat Club. Her performance is coloured also with some choice comic moments, most memorably the scene when Fraulein Landauer is introduced. Sally rolls her eyes, slyly and sarcastically mocking the woman, and harshly stares down upon the other guests, (and of course, explains the meaning of the word "screw"), effortlessly endearing the audience to her character with her spirit and verve.

2. Who is the least interesting character? Why?

> The least interesting character in the film is Joel Gray. He is the Master of Ceremonies. His character is never seen as doing anything except performing (he never has is even named).

3. Which is the most interesting part of the film? Why?

> The most interesting part is the scene when fresh young healthy teenage boy sings the first verse of a German folk song so sweetly, then gradually the song takes on a menace and by the end of the number the audience (including some young girls)are all standing and singing in unison and victory and the boy is revealed for what he has become - a Hitler fanatic. One of those moments on film that cannot be forgotten.

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