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Brigadoon (1954)

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Average user rating
3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

A classic - if not the classic - Minnelli musical, Brigadoon is an explicit statement about (and partial criticism of) the notion that an artist only lives through his art, preferring its reality to the world's. The film begins with a disenchanted Kelly in flight from 'civilised' New York, lost in the Scottish Highlands and stumbling on the legendary village of Brigadoon which only appears for one day each century. There he meets the love of his life Fiona (Charisse), only to discover both the truth about Brigadoon and that some of its inhabitants want the real life he is fleeing from, even though it will destroy Brigadoon. Disillusioned when the villagers kill the would-be escapees, Kelly leaves. But in New York, amidst the chaos of modern living, he discovers he is yearning for Fiona and Brigadoon. He returns to Scotland where his faith (and Fiona's love) conjures up Brigadoon. This time he settles there, accepting that the price of happiness is to live but one day a century. As this description of the film makes clear, it (and Minnelli's musicals in general) is escapist to say the least. However, Minnelli's musicals must be seen alongside his dramas which examine the other side of the coin, the problems of confronting reality, rather than evading it or constructing one's own.

Author: PH 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Dorothy-Grace Elder said...
    Posted on Sep 16 2009 03:57 Possibly the worst film ever made - a joke; despised in Scotland for its crass non Scottish accents, checked tights, glitter kilts, fake scenery. Just no effort at all to create atmosphere. How anyone would film it all on a sound stage instead of real and magnificent scenery defies belief.
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  • Rebekah said...
    Posted on Apr 28 2009 07:47 I loved this film! It had a really good story in my opinion and a really good moral behind it. a bit cheesy in places, but its a musical. =D Overall, its a great film.
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  • Rebekah said...
    Posted on Apr 28 2009 07:47 I loved this film! It had a really good story in my opinion and a really good moral behind it. a bit cheesy in places, but its a musical. =D Overall, its a great film.
    Report as inappropriate

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Cast & crew

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Producer: Arthur Freed

Cast: Gene Kelly, Van Johnson, Cyd Charisse, Elaine Stewart, Barry Jones, Hugh Laing full cast

Genre(s): Musicals

Duration: 108 mins


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