Highlander (1986)

Connor MacLeod, a Scottish fighter in the 16th century, is killed in the battlefield, only to learn that he's unable to die. Banished from his village, he's taken under the wing of an Egyptian warrior, who's also immortal like him. Immortals can die only when they are decapitated, and are fated to be drawn to fight each other throughout the ages, until only one of them remains and inherits the mysterious "Prize"...Highlander is unique action-adventure film. It has a highly original concept conveyed through a simple story which it uses not just to provide an excuse to show sword battles in late 20th-century New York, but also to explore themes such as the how the passage of time affects people and how problematic eternal life would be. The action scenes are not spectacular for today's standards, but I think they work. The atmosphere, from medieval Scottish plains to dirty and dark New York back alleys, is impeccable. Although the side characters might not be very complex, the protagonist's personality does change throughout the film, making him enjoyable to watch. I also find that Christopher Lambert was a great choice for the lead. The British band Queen ended up writing a few songs for this film which, somehow blending perfectly with the story, are one of the main elements that make Highlander unique.Highlander keeps its mystery as far as the origins of the Immortals are concerned, and it concludes in what was, for me, an unpredictable fashion as we learn what the Prize is. Many attempts at following the story up with sequels have been made, but it's virtually agreed that they all fall short. In the end, as the famous line goes, "there can be only one!"

Generally speaking, soundtracks with songs written exclusively for movies that include the content of said movie don't usually work. Actors with thick accents and a serious lack of experience don't usually turn in performances that are actually believable. High-level actors with accolades of amazing performances don't usually lower themselves to do independent, low-budget movies with painted backgrounds and animated special effects.All that being said, every single one of those things happened with HIGHLANDER, and it is fantastic.I'll stick to my original rating of 8, because there's enough goofy material included into this film to bring it down to that number, but it's a HIGH 8, nonetheless. I've never seen any other movie with Christopher Lambert in it, who plays the lead character, Conner McCloud, but I know he's not exactly on the A-list, nor has he ever been. Clancy Brown, who plays the Kurgen, has been in more television shows and impressive films than I can easily count without references, and MAN did he have a ball in this role, playing the heavy. The supporting cast, including Roxanne Hart as the love interest, do very well in supporting the main conflict between Lambert and Brown, and Sean Connery does NOT steal the show from Lambert, although he certainly has the ability to. No, instead, like Johnny Depp in CHOCOLAT, he is there to strengthen the film, not take it over, and he does very well doing just that.The small problems with the film come in its over-the-top elements that we all just kind of accept, because we're left with little choice. The more times you watch films like this, the more you can see the tiny parts not really helping out the overall flow and plot of the movie, and sometimes that can be distracting from the main course of the film, hence the 8 rating I've given it. From painted backgrounds to animation drawn over the main filming, to police procedures and ridiculous side characters, this film has it all chocked full of silly, mixed in with semi-serious, in a way that somehow works, although looking at it from outside the film, there's no good reason why it should. There's a theme here, and it is stronger and more powerful than anything else in the film, and THAT is what makes it all come together.When I heard a few months ago that a remake is in the works, my stomach turned, as it always does when it comes to remakes. Don't get me wrong, I've seen at least a few that were solid films. But none of them have been better than the originals, which always leads me back to the main question: why bother? But I already know the answer. Money. If there's a chance the studios and the corporate fiends that run them can gain more green paper, they'll do it, and damn the consequences. It's amazing to me that those that have more money than I will ever see in my lifetime have nothing better to do with all that amazing potential than to simply spend their lives acquiring more of it, instead of using it to make new and better things.But I digress. HIGHLANDER is a fun, incredibly entertaining movie, that isn't aging too poorly, in spite of all of its silly parts, with an incredible soundtrack and a great cast.When they make the remake, who is going to fill Queen's shoes? And HOW are they going to do that?

I've marked as spoiler alert but if you haven't seen this to date (been out since 86 by the way) then i don't mind ruining it for you hahaha.. Great concept, loved the charters especially Sean Connery playing the most Scottish Spaniard ever. As they say.. "There can be only one" so make sure you keep your head. I ended up watching all of them including the series. so for my 2 pence its definite worth a watch. Look past the datedness and you will find a great bit of science fiction / fantasy filmmaking with plenty of action. Like the music too

Highlander (1986) is a science fiction fantasy action the original cult classic best film in the 86's that I absolutely love to death so damn much! This a childhood film of mine, I grew up watching this film. I was introduced in to series Highlander and my first film was Highlander II: The Quickening was my first film before I watch this one. What can I say: It is the best 80's action film and favorite Christopher Lambert film he ever did! I love this movie to death I own the trilogy on Blu-ray and it is my favorite 80's childhood epic sci-fi action film of all time! I love the cast, the story, the plot, the epic beautiful music songs by Queen and excellent music score by Michael Kamen. I love the cast Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown and Sean Connery. All of the actors did a terrific job playing their characters. The movie was filmed in New York and entire filmed in Highland, Scotland, UK it was filmed in 1985 which the movie was set. An excellent movie. Full of adventure and romance! Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery make this movie shine! "There can be only one!" Plot: An immortal Scottish swordsman must confront the last of his immortal opponent, a murderously brutal barbarian who lusts for the fabled "Prize".This is one of the greatest movies. The plot and concept are brilliant and Christopher Lambert's performance is awesome. Christopher Lambert, with his beetle brow, broken nose, and vaguely crossed eyes, remains an amiable oddball presence, and Sean Connery radiates charm and nobility in a bit as an elder immortal who shows Lambert the rules of the game. The film is actually the battle for "the Prize"—a special ability which is given to the last living immortal warrior, vast knowledge and the ability to enslave the entire human race. There area good and bad immortals. Christopher Lambert is a swordsman Connor MacLeod from Scottish Highlands, known as the Higlander, one of a number of immortal warriors, who can only be killed by decapitation. After initial training by another highly skilled immortal swordsman, the Spaniard Ramirez (Sean Connery), MacLeod lives on for several centuries, eventually settling in New York City, managing an antiques shop. In 1985, he falls in love with a policewoman named Brenda and finds out that he must face his biggest enemy, Clancy Brown's Kurgan, who wishes to kill MacLeod and to obtain "the Prize"—a special ability which is given to the last living immortal warrior, vast knowledge and the ability to enslave the entire human race.I absolutely love this film to death, I love the swords fighting, the songs from Queen for the movie. I love the actress Roxanne Hart as Brenda J. Wyatt I love her to death, she is extremely gorgeous and hot! I love the chemistry between her and the Higlander MacLeod! I love Ramirez (Sean Connery) in this movie to death! I love Clancy Brown as Victor Kruger - The Kurgan he is one of the best bad ass villains on screen I have ever seen. The last and final battle between MacLeod and The Kurgan was an epic kick ass fight I have ever saw! I absolutely love the last fight. This is an absolutely fantastic cult classic epic 80's sci-fi action film my favorite childhood of mine! I watched this movie over 1000 times on TV. my computer and I even watch it on Blu-ray and I love it to death! I still don't know why this movie was banned in my country Slovenia but only 2,3 and 4 come out on TV but never this one I don't get it. Thank god I do have a Blu-Ray directors cut I own it together with Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) renegade version which I love both of the movies to death! "Highlander" is one of the all-time great films of the fantasy genre. Blending fantastical elements with a more gritty and realistic world, with over-the-top villains and thrilling sword fights, throwing in a dash of romance and the pains and pleasures of immortality, and you have a thrilling story of men fighting to be the last of their kind! Overall: I am giving this movie a perfect score 10/10 for one of my favorite best action films from the 80's. I love the song A Kind Of Magic performed by Queen my all time favorite music song, Princes of the Universe the song for Highlander TV series and New York, New York where Brenda was kidnapped that was an epic scene and an epic song score to listen. I love this film to death forever!! Highlander is a 1986 British-American epic adventure action fantasy film directed by Russell Mulcahy and based on a story by Gregory Widen. It stars Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, and Roxanne Hart. The film narrates the climax of an ages-old battle between immortal warriors, depicted through interwoven past- and present-day story lines.10/10 Score: Bad Ass Seal Of Approval Studio: Cannon Films Highlander Productions Limited Starring: Christopher Lambert, Roxanne Hart, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery, Beatie Edney, Alan North, Jon Polito, Sheila Gish, Hugh Quarshie, Christopher Malcolm, Peter Diamond, Celia Imrie, James Cosmo, Corinne Russell Director: Russell Mulcahy Producers: Peter S. Davis, William N. Panzer Screenplay: Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood, Larry Ferguson Story by Gregory Widen Rated: R Running Time: 1 Hr. 56 Mins. Budget: $16.000.000 Box Office: $12,885,193