Rating: 
Summary: Same Theme, Different Genre
Review: See this film for Shirley Maclaine's spectacular performance- she is an amazingly good dancer with an incredible amount of energy and sparkle. Bob Fosse's original choreography is not to be missed. I can't say enough about the musical numbers and the stylized, sometimes-wacky, 60s atmosphere.This film is not Nights of Cabiria (wonderful in its own right) and should not be compared to it anymore than West Side Story should be compared to Romeo and Juliet.
Rating: 
Summary: For Serious Fosse Fans Only
Review: Shirley McCain is wonderful in this movie. Kudos to Gwen Verdon, but unlike many other movie versions or broadway shows, this movie has the ultimate actress for the role. She is strong, naive, vulnerable and eternally hopeful as well as charming.
In additions there are great musicall numbers, of which, Rich Man's Frug is the worth the price of the dvd or tape.
Rating:
Summary: Such Fun
Review: Shirley McCain is wonderful in this movie. Kudos to Gwen Verdon, but unlike many other movie versions or broadway shows, this movie has the ultimate actress for the role. She is strong, naive, vulnerable and eternally hopeful as well as charming.
In additions there are great musicall numbers, of which, Rich Man's Frug is the worth the price of the dvd or tape.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Musical
Review: Sweet CHarity is a brilliant movie. Did you know the opening sequence in Austin Powers Man of Mystery is a loving homage of the dance scene Somebody Loves Me in Sweet Charity? I really like the part where Shirley Maclaine sings what became her theme song If My Friends Could See Me Now. The beautiful message at the end is that there is always hope. I cried when I saw it as a kid, but as an adult I see the beauty in it. Besides, Charity is better off without that jerk anyway! WHY ISN'T THIS MOVIE IN WIDESCREEN DVD YET! COME ON BOYS, GET WITH IT!
Rating: 
Summary: Just the threshold to Cabaret.
Review: Sweet Charity is too ambitious a musical for a debut on the silver screen. At its best it should be regarded as the first steps of Fosse as a director, just a work whose shortcomings would improve in the future. Once the thrill of the first viewing from the viewpoint of a musical movie fan wears away, anyone who appreciates good cinema making notices its overblown production,long-winded and somewhat contrived action, some good acting here and there, too many camera and editing tricks (typical of the 60s), great score and unforgetable musical numbers, which unfortunately cannot take the cake. Pity! Nevertheless, I cherish Sweet Charity as a kind of threshold to Fosse's masterpiece: Cabaret. Really unsurpassed as a backstage musical.
Rating: 
Summary: Drag queen chic!
Review: Sweet Charity is very, very Fellini-esque and rightfully so as it is based on Fellini's stellar film Nights of Cabiria. If you've never seen Sweet Charity I would suggest that you view Nights of Cabiria first to get the full effect of the story, then immerse yourself in the sinuous, sexy world of Bob Fosse.
If you're a drag queen or an aspiring drag queen or just like drag queens then Sweet Charity is the film for you. The art of exaggeration is what drag queens are all about and Sweet Charity is an overly exaggerated stylized 60s musical. Edith Head's costumes are outrageous (there's also a behind-the-scenes extra entitled the art of exaggeration featuring Head), the set designs are stupendous and the music, most of it anyway, is phenomenonal.
There are a few faults with the film however. The main fault is its length at two plus hours. That's a lot of singing. Some of the musical numbers go on a bit longer than necessary although Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, . . . Something Better Than This and Sammy Davis Jr.'s number Rhythm of Life are the highlights for me. Who knew Sammy Davis Jr. was such a hip cat? Rich Man's Frug is one of the coolest numbers but it's also one of the overly long numbers. Chita Rivera is fabulous as always and McClaine camps it up in a very over the top manner but that's only because she's trying emulate the essence of Guillietta Masina's brilliant Cabiria.
The extras are cool. It's nice to see the alternative "happy" ending although I for one am glad that it wasn't used. The tragic realism of the original ending remains true to Fellini's vision although the continuity of the alternative ending maintains a similar continuity to Fellini's film as well. I still highly recommend Nights of Cabiria as a precursor to Sweet Charity for nothing else than to view the tragic/comic performance of Guillieta Masina. All in all this is a classic.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet Charity Shines on DVD.
Review: The magnificent 1969 film version of the Broadway musical 'Sweet Charity', starring Shirley MacLaine has been released on DVD at last. Based on an original screenplay co-written by Federico Fellini, this film is a classic in every way. It has a fascinating visual style: For instance, the opening titles are a kaleidoscope of psychedelic freeze frames as Charity makes her way through the city towards a meeting with a potential 'beau'. There is an edginess and jumpiness to the editing that meshes well with Bob Fosse's dramatic and exaggerated choreography and direction, exemplified by the heightened fashion statements in some costume and set designs: 'The Rich Man's Frug' nightclub dance number is a stunning example. New York, its energy, vitality, character and magnetism, plays another major role in the film. Charity embraces the city and its many attractions as her 'personal property' in the first song. Famous locations such as Yankee Stadium, Wall Street and The Lincoln Centre are used to great affect in 'I'm a Brass Band', featuring Charity and chorus in red marching uniforms. A bridge in Central Park is the setting for two critical events in Charity's life where her survival is tested and rebirth tempted. But then there is the 'hope' and optimism that shines through the jigsaw puzzle of conflicting emotions and expressions that is Shirley MacLaine's face as Charity Hope Valentine: The look, the smile, the vulnerable glance and hesitant stare. And the tears, all those tears: But after they have gone, remarkably she keeps going. Whether it's a "chance" rendezvous with an Italian movie star, trying to get a normal job and escape the "seedy" life of a dance hall hostess or finding "love" with a respectable guy. And through it all this central performance of rich, raw emotion and mesmerising complexity touches the viewer and propels 'Sweet Charity' into the realms of great "musical" drama. The supporting cast also play an important role. Sammy Davis Jnr. is dynamic as Big Daddy as is Broadway legend, Chita Rivera, as one of Charity's dance hall colleagues. John McMartin reprising his stage role as Oscar Linquist, paints his character with many unusual shades. The rest of the cast are outstanding especially in the many hypnotic dance sequences and production numbers like 'The Rhythm of Life'. The film is wrapped in a lively, energetic and tuneful score by Cy Colman and Dorothy Fields that contains many well known favourites. On DVD the film looks great. The widescreen print is virtually flawless and the sound mix is set at a wonderful 4.0 channel surround. The Overture and Intermission music are also included. There are some valuable extras as well including a glimpse at how the film was made featuring interviews with the Director, Bob Fosse and Costume Designer, Edith Head. So 'Sweet Charity' is definitely a must buy, if only to see Shirley MacLaine's best screen performance.
Rating:
Summary: When Will This Come Out On Widescreen DVD
Review: The Most wonderful piece of film work ever, please bring out the ultimate DVD of this feature.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous; musical numbers of rare sophistication
Review: The story is charming, simple but on a very high artistic level. The dance numbers are unbelievable. There's no musical like it I know, except other Bob Fosse works, e.g. Cabaret.
Rating:
Summary: As long as there is life, there is hope!
Review: This film adaptation of the Broadway hit updates the original it was based on, namely Federico Fellini's "Nights of Cabiria". "Sweet Charity" is set in the "hip" 60s, the times of "flower power" and bubble gum. Shirley MacLaine is wonderful as Charity, the "hooker with a heart of gold" who is determined to settle down with a good man and live a respectable life. Unfortunately Charity gets used and abused by most of them, until a shy, well mannered accountant offers her marriage. Thrilled about the prospects of settling down, Charity rushes to the marriage license bureau, only to have her "fiance" get cold feet (after he learns of all the "other" men Charity has known). Shattered and suicidal, Charity "gets her smile back" when "flower children" ask her to be their friend. -- Like "Nights of Cabiria", this film leaves the viewer heart broken, yet with a glimmer of hope: Never give up on your dreams and one day they will come true!
| 
