Brigadoon

Film

Musicals

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>4/5
Rate this  

Time Out says

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

6

Comments

Add +

Release details

UK release:

1954

Duration:

108 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Cast:

Barry Jones, Elaine Stewart, Cyd Charisse, Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Hugh Laing

Songs:

Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe

Art Director:

Preston Ames, Cedric Gibbons

Editor:

Albert Akst

Cinematography:

Joseph Ruttenberg

Screenwriter:

Alan Jay Lerner

Producer:

Arthur Freed

Share your thoughts
  4. * mandatory fields

Comments & ratings

Rated as: 4/5 (3 ratings)

  • Flatly staged, with variousa cting styles delivered in a none-too-energetic fashion, Brigadoon has a certain dated charm bur is certainly far friolpm the unforgettable performances of An American in PAris or Singing in the Rain. If you can let yourself go, it can be touching at time sin it's awkward way, like chhilhood photos of your grandparents... If you don't have a soft spot for hokum, steer well clear...

    richelieu jr Mon Jul 19 2010
    Rated as: 2/5
    Report

  • "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." Did the reviewer catch the film. That wasn't what happened.

    PH Thu May 20 2010
    Report

  • I'm currently writing an essay on how Cinema represents scotland as anti-modern, and i'm having a field day with this movie. Ridiculous joke of a film, and a right slap in the face to Scots. Because we all run around in kilts and tartan, singing and dancing, brandishing fire on a stick. Totally.

    Costello Wed Mar 31 2010
    Report

  • 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.

    Dorothy-Grace Elder Wed Sep 16 2009
    Report

  • 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.

    Rebekah Tue Apr 28 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
    Report

  • 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.

    Rebekah Tue Apr 28 2009
    Rated as: 5/5
    Report
  • Hotwise
  • Cool brands
  • Star