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 The newly remastered 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 enhanced even more by the remastering. 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. When 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.
Van Johnson, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse
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 fiancée waiting to walk down the aisle. Tommy has known for a long time she's not the girl for him.
 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.
Special Features
€˘ First-ever New Digital 16x9 Transfer (2:55:1)
€˘ Soundtrack Remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1
€˘ Three Outtake Musical Numbers: "Come to Me, Bend to Me,"
€˘ From this Day On and Sword Dance
€˘ Audio Outtake: There But for You Go I
T €˘ Theatrical Trailer
€˘ Languages: English & French
€˘ Subtitles - English, French and Spanish
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
DVD Release Date: 3/15/2005
Run Time: 108
Format: Anscocolor CinemaScope
Studio: Warner Home Video
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