Brigadoon

by Vincente Minnelli

Hardcover

About the author

Born Lester Anthony Minnelli, with his background in theatre, Vincente Minnelli was known as an auteur who always brought his stage experience to his films. The first movie that he directed, Cabin in the Sky (1943), was visibly influenced by the theater. Shortly after that, he directed Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), during which he befriended the film's star, Judy Garland, although it is probable the two had met casually earlier. The two began a courtship that eventually led to their marriage in June, 1945. Their one child together, Liza Minnelli, grew up to become an Academy Award-winning singer and actress.

Though widely known for directing musicals, including An American in Paris (1951), The Bandwagon (1953), Brigadoon (1954), Kismet (1955), and Gigi (1958) he also helmed comedies and melodramas, including Madame Bovary (1949), Father of the Bride (1950), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), The Long, Long Trailer (1954), Lust for Life (1956), Tea and Sympathy (1956), Designing Woman (1957), Some Came Running (1958) and The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963). His last film was A Matter of Time (1976) starring his daughter Liza Minnelli and Ingrid Bergman. He received an Oscar nomination as Best Director for An American in Paris (1951) and later won the Best Director Oscar for Gigi (1958). He was awarded France's highest civilian honor, the Commander Nationale of the Legion of Honor, only weeks before his death in 1986.

Reviews

[Lauren McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely one of the better plays I've ever read, a very cool concept and a happy ending with great overall themes. I listened to the broadway soundtrack as I read it and that really elevated the experience, hope I get to see it performed some day!

[Israel Drazin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this 1954 film, directed by Vincent Minnelli, decades ago when I was 19 and wanted to see it again, but did not do so until after I saw the two film versions of Lost Horizon, read the book, and wrote a lengthy review in which I pointed out that some people do not like paradise, as apparently Adam and eve disliked the Garden of Eden, the biblical garden. I wanted to see Brigadoon again to see if, among much else - a beautiful story, love, music and dancing - the film showed that even in the magical city of Brigadoon, there would be someone who for some reason disliked the fun and pleasant time in the enchanted place. There was. And as in Lost Horizon, there was a man who abandoned paradise and wanted, despite the need for struggles, to go back, even as many humans today seek paradise.
I enjoyed the film at age 81, as I did at age 19.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself is good and fanciful, but the movie version was lacking, particularly because of Gene Kelly being a poor actor and a showboat dancer.