The men are speechless when they stumble upon Brigadoon, a Scottish town right out of a storybook that comes to life every 100 years for one day only. Cute people in colorful clothes are singing and dancing in preparation for a wedding. While one of the villagers gets his gun, as visitors are not welcome in Brigadoon, the groom is in a cheerful mood so he invites them to join in the fun.
When Tommy meets Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse), the bride's sister, it's instant love for him. Now he has to tell Jeff he may not want to go back to New York and especially to the fiancÊe waiting to walk down the aisle. Tommy has known for a long time she's not the girl for him.
Gene Kelly & Cyd Charisse
This is when the musical sets its tone. With singing and dancing by Kelly (choreographed by him as well) and Charisse, musical fans will be glued to the set and thoroughly enjoy musical numbers by Frederick Loewe such as "Almost Like Being in Love" and "The Heather on the Hill." The sexual tension between Kelly and Charisse is more sweet and romantic than intense, and they dance together divinely.
Soon Fiona is in love with Tommy and even decides to leave Brigadoon, until she's told to do so would break the magical spell of the town and it and its inhabitants would disappear forever.
So Tommy goes back to New York without her, sure he'll never see her again, as Brigadoon won't reappear for another 100 years. But just maybe...
Academy Award nominations for Brigadoon include for Cedric Gibbons, E. Preston Ames, Edwin B. Willis and F. Keogh Gleason for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration (Color); Irene Sharaff for Best Costume Design (Color); and Wesley C. Miler for Best Sound Recording.
Director: Vincente Minnelli
Writer: Alan Jay Lerner, screenplay and musical
Cast: Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Van Johnson, Elaine Stewart, Barry Jones
Rating: Not Rated - okay for family viewing
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Run Time: 108
Studio: MGM
Format: Anscocolor CinemaScope
Photo credits: MGM
Brigadoon (1954) embodies the movie's theme of enchantment from the very first shot. The way the scene is masterfully lit by cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg is beautifully enhanced. The sun slowly moves over elements of the sleepy town of Brigadoon, producing a shinning glow that brings it and its inhabitants joyfully awake. Vincente Minnelli is in his element directing. The story involves two American hunters get lost in the highlands of Scotland, they turn to their map to find their way out. Tommy Albright (Gene Kelly) is charming and optimistic, while his buddy, Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson) is more of a curmudgeon. 
