Highlander

by Robbo


Posted on 20 September 2021

Highlander

Rating -

Highlander is a 1986 British fantasy action-adventure film directed by Russell Mulcahy and based on a story by Gregory Widen. It stars Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, and Sean Connery.

The film opens in 1985 in the parking garage of Madison Square Garden where a sword duel is taking place. One man beheads the other and then hides his sword in the garage’s ceiling, NYPD officers detain him for murder but later release him due to lack of evidence.

He goes by the name of Russell Nash but it is revealed that his real identity is Connor McLeod and his history is revealed through a series of flashbacks. In the Scottish Highlands in 1536, Connor is about to enter his first battle as the Fraser Clan is at war with the MacLeod Clan. During the battle, the Kurgan stabs Connor fatally, but is driven off before he can finish him. Inexplicably, Connor makes a complete recovery and is accused of witchcraft. The clan wishes to kill him, but his other cousin, chieftain Angus, mercifully exiles him. Banished, Connor wanders the highlands, becomes a blacksmith and marries a woman named Heather MacDonald.

Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez, a swordsman from Egypt, finds Connor after tracking his old foe, the Kurgan, to Scotland. He explains that he, Connor, the Kurgan and others like them were born immortals and are destined to meet and battle each other until only one rmeains.

Ramírez trains MacLeod, and the two become friends. One night, while Connor is away, the Kurgan finds his home and duels Ramírez. Kurgan decapitates Ramirez, rapes Heather, and leaves.

In 1985, the Kurgan is compelled to come to New York, where Connor now lives as an antique dealer. Brenda Wyatt, a metallurgy expert working for the police as a forensic scientist, finds shards of Connor’s sword at the Madison Square Garden murder scene and is puzzled they come from a Japanese sword dated around 600 B.C. but made with medieval-era methods. Brenda witnesses the Kurgan attack Connor before police arrive, forcing them to flee. She meets with Connor twice afterward, hoping to learn about the paradoxical sword. Connor likes her, but tells her to leave him alone.

Brenda investigates Connor and finds evidence that he has lived for centuries, including faking his death every so often, living at the same address for nearly three hundred years and seeing that all his past identities (the ‘son’ of the previous pseudonym) have the same handwriting. On Heather’s birthday, Connor lights a candle for her in a church, as he has done every year. The Kurgan arrives and confirms that he and Connor are now the last remaining Immortals.

Brenda confronts Connor, who explains his true identity. After spending the night together, they part company on account of Connor’s immortality, but the Kurgan finds out about their newfound intimacy and kidnaps Brenda to draw Connor out. Connor decides it is time to leave behind the Russell Nash identity, and confronts the Kurgan at Silvercup Studios in Queens, rescuing Brenda in the process. After a long duel, Connor outfights and decapitates the Kurgan, absorbing his massive power and winning the Prize.

The film opened to mixed reviews, yet was to become a cult favorite due to release on VHS.

Director Russell Mulcahy had mainly directed music videos and that does show in the flashy feel of the movie. Due to budget constraints he had to film fast, guerrilla-style.

There was also the minor problem with casting Christopher Lambert without having met him, only to find out he could speak very little English.

The film is full of plot holes, strange characterizations, odd pacing and some really, really low budget special effects, especially the final scene where Connor receives ‘The Prize’.

Despite all the problems with production, budget and story, Mulcahy somehow manages to pull together a film that is entertaining and enjoyable.

And it has a kick-ass soundtrack from Queen!


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