Today’s quick review: Brigadoon. While lost in the highlands of Scotland, Tommy Albright (Gene Kelly) and Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson), a pair of hunters from New York, stumble across the picturesque town of Brigadoon. There they spend a pleasant day drinking in the local atmosphere, and Tommy falls in love with Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse). Their romance is perfect except for one thing: the ancient secret to the town’s seclusion.
Brigadoon is a classic romantic musical with a gorgeous soundtrack and a simple plot. Fittingly enough, Brigadoon’s main appeal is its music. The songs are catchy and lyrical, a mixture of upbeat dances and gentle love songs. The cast has plenty of talent to go around, with no weak links even in the film’s most elaborate musical numbers. The story is slow-paced, light in tone, and free of any serious drama, and it takes frequent breaks for music.
Still, Brigadoon offers little beyond its music. There isn’t much in the way of plot, only a typical romance with a few wrinkles specific to the town of Brigadoon. The story does have a few novel ideas that help give the movie a storybook quality, but these are not enough to make the movie tense or thrilling. Instead, Brigadoon is merely a reprieve, a refreshing peek into an idyllic, rural world full of love and song.
Fans of classic musicals will enjoy Brigadoon. Memorable songs, a quaint tone, and an endearing lead couple in Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse make it well worth a watch. Those who prefer musicals with more substance should give Brigadoon a miss. For another classic musical with similar music, try White Christmas or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. For a more sedate romance set in Wales, try The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain.
6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for gorgeous music and a charming, if straightforward, story.