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(1986) |
great eighties film that was undeniably ahead of its time. Even when watching it now it is as good as any present day movie. It anticipated the sophisticated production techniques and style that were to follow a decade later.
It is a film about a romantic action hero MacLeod, who must go on with an immortal life whatever the pain.
MacLeod is a man from another time who until he meets the Spanish Peacock (Sean Connery) does not know his great powers or incredible strength. He lives with passion but is uncertain of his future and haunted by his past.
He is waiting for the gathering when only a few will remain and only then will he know what the prize is going to bring. Once the quickening has happened he will know everthing and be everything, he will be what every immortal man would want to be.
Clancy Brown plays the Kurgan extremely well and will make you squirm. The Kurgans are an ancient people from the steps of Russia, they used to toss children in to pits of hungry dogs for amusement.
MacLeod and the Kurgan are the last two remaining and meet at the gathering to fight for the prize. If MacLeod does not destroy the Kurgan mortal man will be faced with an eternity of darkness.
Stunning cinematography is a feature of this superbly made movie. The locations chosen by director Mulcahy are beautifully photographed and Mulcahy brings a visionary touch to the whole proceedings. He had obviously carefully planned all his scene changes between the various timezones in which the movie takes place as all of them are wonderfully imaginative.
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The movie is superbly written and holds your interest all the time while jumping between different centuries. All the actors were perfectly choosen for their parts and all performed extremely well.
The Scots were passionate about their fighting up in the Scottish Highlands and matched their awesome scenery.
It all leads up to a conclusion is loud and spectacular......so watch it!
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Director Russell Mulcahey had previously cut his directing Rod Stewart's "Young Turks" pop video. He was later the father of the new wave "art" videos of Duran Duran. 
A "kirgan" is an ancient form of burial mound common to the steppes of southern Asia. Maybe the inspiration for the "Kurgan". -Thanks to Charlie Ross
Clancy Brown now provides the voice of "Mr. Krabbs" on the animated show "Spongebob Squarepants". -Thanks to Wendy
Clancy Brown can also be found in the fantastic film "Starship Troopers" and the HBO series Carnivale. -Thanks to Wayne
MacLeod's girlfriend at the start of the movie is played by a star of British comedy in the 90s and today, Celia Imrie. -Thanks to Steven Wood
The man who plays MacLeod's highland friend, Angus, (long red hair, handlebar mustache, powerfully built), also has a major part in Braveheart as part of the clan, along with many of the other actors in both films he is the genuine Scottish article. The actor in question is James Cosmo - he is one of Scotland's best and most prolific actors. As well as appearing in both "Highlander" and "Braveheart", he also played the father of Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor's character) in "Trainspotting". -Thanks to Charlie Ross, Nicholas MacKenzie And Kell
When Connor is confronted by his cousin Dugal upon returning from his first death in 1536, he argues that the two have been kinsmen for 20 years. Later, he confesses to Brenda that he was born in 1518. That means that at the time of Connor's confrontation with Dugal, he would only have been about 18 years old! -Thanks to Rafael Orduna
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Find much more great trivia in the filmmaker's commentary on the Highlander DVD.
Rediscover your favorites! If you like
Highlander or 80's Action classics, then be sure to
check out this list: ..... Angel ..... Raiders of the Lost Ark ..... Beverly Hills Cop ..... Die Hard ..... Predator ..... Terminator ..... Black Rain ..... 48 HRS ..... Untouchables ..... Lethal Weapon ..... Rocky IV ..... Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior ..... Top Gun ..... Streets Of Fire ..... Commando .....[More]
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Sean Connery was only involved in the filming for 7 days. Many of the long shots you see of Ramirez aren't actually Connery! Also the intro voice over he does was actually recorded in his bathroom! The echo effect was accidental, but they kept it. -Thanks to Chameleon
Christopher Lambert barely knew any English when he first signed to the production!
During the opening wrestling scene, a new expensive film technology was used. This was 100 omputer controlled and gave the appearance of filming from a helicopter. Russell did, in fact, use the sound of a helicopter's blades in the background to enhance this illusion.
The dragon sword that Connor uses, originally had no dragon head on it, but was addded on in pre-production. It was put on with a big screw that you can see clearly in the scene where he's reaching for it under the car in the first fight. Also, Ramirez says the sword was made by Masumune. "Masamune" was Japan's greatest swordsmith, who lived more than 800 years ago. You can read more about him and his swords here. -Thanks to Chameleon / Flederschwein
While filming in the Scottish Highlands, the productions medical team were kept busy in the afternoons. After a liquid lunch many of the hundreds of local scottish extras got a bit too enthusiastic during the clan battles with many minor injuries resulting! Many of the extras used in the battle scene were students from Glasgow University, who were recruited purely because of their long hair! -Thanks to Rebecca Mason
When MacLeod is hanging in the air after killing Kurgan, you can see the wires used to lift the actor up in the air, when the lights reflects on them. -Thanks to Mikael Hedman
The 45 cal. revolver that Christopher Lambert pulled from a drawer @ the girls' house, was pulled from the WRONG drawer. The gun was actually put in the 2nd drawer by the girl herself! -Thanks to James P. Brian
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|  |  |  | | Highlander
Locations |
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 Featured Movie Location: Connor MacLeod's Castle
Wanna see the real life filming location used for Connor MacLeod's Castle in the movie? These scenes were actually shot at Eilean Donan Castle, located at Loch Duich in Dornie, LOCHALSH, Scotland.
In the scene where Nash/McCleod reveals his true nature to Brenda, he says he was "born in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel" Both of these are indeed real locations in Scotland, and popular sites for tourists. However, the castle actually used for the early scenes in the movie is Eilean Donan castle. [Thanks to Kell]
The final Kurgan Showdown location was atop the Silvercup Studios, 42-25 21st Street, Queens, NY (This studio was also used for the interiors). As is said in the movie, the wrestling/swordfight location was Madison Square Gardens in NY.
In the opening "wrestling" sequence, I believe it is SUPPOSED to take place in Madison Square Garden, however, it's clearly been filmed in a much smaller venue (probably the St. Paul Civic Center) and is an AWA (American Wrestling Association-which promoted in the midwest) show, not WWF (now WWE) which has had the exclusive MSG rights since its formation in the 60's.[Thanks to John Hebert]
Featured Link: Excellent Highlander locations tour
Can you help? Do you know any of the Scotland (or any other) filming locations used for Highlander? [Please send them in]
|  | | | | ![[16:9 -Widescreen Enhanced]](16_9.gif) | ![[5.1 CH SURROUND]](dd5.gif) | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: Remastered Edition. |
| | | | Trailer, Commentary, Featurette, OutTakes |
| Our
Comments: Remastered Immortal Edition |
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The original music was by Michael Kamen who conducted it with The Philharmonic Orchestra.
The best known song that came out of the film was, of course, "It's a kind of magic." by Queen.
There are 5 or 6 Queen songs in the movie and 4 of them are available on Queen's brilliant 1986 album 'A Kind of Magic'. They are 'Princes of the Universe', 'Gimme the Prize', 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and 'One Year of Love'. The first 2 I mentioned also sample vocals and sound effects from the movie. There is also a fifth song 'Don't Lose Your Head' which was used in the film (abridged), during the scene where the Kurgan drives McLeod's love interest, Brenda Wyatt, too fast in the car. [Thanks to Heather / Stephen Shaw]
The filmmakers could not have choosen better or more moving music for this film.
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