Okay, fellow tape travellers, let's rewind to a time when epic fantasy didn't just mean dragons and elves. Sometimes, it meant trench coats, ancient swords clashing in neon-lit parking garages, and the thunderous rock anthems of Queen. I'm talking, of course, about 1986's unforgettable slice of epic weirdness: Highlander. Pull up a beanbag chair, maybe grab a soda, because this one left an impression deeper than a claymore strike.
It’s hard to forget the first time you encountered Highlander. Maybe it was a late-night TV discovery or that worn-out VHS copy passed around amongst friends. The sheer audacity of the concept, dreamed up by writer Gregory Widen during a visit to Scotland (reportedly inspired by seeing a suit of armour in a museum and wondering what it would be like if the owner were still alive), felt electrifying. Immortals, living secretly among us for centuries, locked in a deadly game where decapitation is the only way out, all vying for "The Prize." It was heady stuff, a potent cocktail of historical sweep, urban grit, and pure fantasy bravado.
### A Kind of Magic On Screen
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, whose background directing iconic music videos for bands like Duran Duran absolutely saturates the film's DNA, Highlander pulses with a kinetic, stylish energy. Forget staid historical epics; Mulcahy brought swooping crane shots, rapid cuts, and a vibrant, almost hyper-real aesthetic to both the 16th-century Scottish Highlands and the grimy, rain-soaked streets of mid-80s New York City. The transitions between timelines, often sparked by memory or a familiar sight, were revolutionary for the time, weaving Connor MacLeod's ancient past and perilous present into a seamless, melancholic tapestry. This wasn't just storytelling; it was visual poetry set to electric guitars.
And speaking of electric guitars... let's talk about that soundtrack. Initially, the producers only approached Queen hoping for a single song. But Freddie Mercury and the band were apparently so captivated by an early cut of the film (around 20 minutes) that they dove in headfirst, crafting multiple iconic tracks like "Princes of the Universe," "Gimme the Prize," and the heartbreakingly perfect "Who Wants to Live Forever?" The music isn't just accompaniment; it is Highlander. It elevates every sword fight, deepens every emotional beat, and lends the whole affair a grandeur it might not otherwise have achieved. It’s simply one of the all-time great film soundtracks, period.
### Immortals and Scene-Stealers
At the heart of the story is Connor MacLeod, "of the Clan MacLeod," portrayed by Christopher Lambert. His casting was a bit of a gamble; his English was still developing, and his severe near-sightedness apparently made wielding broadswords a genuinely hazardous occupation on set (for himself and others!). Yet, there's an undeniable charisma to his performance. His MacLeod carries the weight of centuries in his haunted eyes, a brooding intensity mixed with a surprising vulnerability. He might not have been the most technically polished actor, but he felt like an immortal warrior adrift in time.
Then there's Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez-Villalobos Ramírez. Reportedly paid a cool $1 million for just one week's work, Connery breezes into the film with effortless charm and theatrical flair, playing an ancient Egyptian posing as a Spaniard... with a Scottish accent, naturally. Does it make sense? Not remotely. Is it glorious? Absolutely. His mentorship scenes with Lambert are pure gold, adding warmth and humour just when the film needs it. It's a testament to Connery's screen presence, honed through years as Bond and beyond, that he makes such an indelible mark in relatively little screen time.
And no hero's journey is complete without a truly memorable villain. Clancy Brown delivers exactly that as The Kurgan. Towering, monstrous, and utterly terrifying, Brown’s Kurgan is pure, unadulterated evil blended with a punk-rock sneer. From his chillingly casual cruelty ("Happy Halloween, ladies!") to that gravelly voice that sounds like grinding stone, he's one of the 80s' great cinematic antagonists. The final confrontation between MacLeod and the Kurgan feels genuinely personal and dangerous, thanks in large part to Brown's menacing performance.
### Behind the Legend: Retro Fun Facts
- Budget vs Box Office: Made for around $19 million, Highlander initially underwhelmed at the US box office, pulling in less than $6 million domestically. Its international performance was better, but its true legendary status was cemented on home video, where it became a massive rental hit and built its passionate cult following.
- Sword Master: The thrilling sword fights were choreographed by the legendary Bob Anderson, who also worked on Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Despite Lambert's vision issues, the duels feel visceral and impactful.
- Location, Location, Location: Those stunning Highland scenes? Filmed on location in Scotland, including iconic spots like Eilean Donan Castle. The contrast with the gritty New York City scenes (often filmed in London doubling for NYC!) gives the film its unique visual identity.
- The Tagline: Simple. Iconic. Unforgettable: "There can be only one." It perfectly captured the film's essence.
### Flawed Gem, Enduring Classic
Is Highlander a perfect film? No. Some of the dialogue clunks, certain plot points feel rushed, and Lambert's performance, while charismatic, can be uneven. Some of the practical effects, like the wire-work during the "Quickening" sequences, show their age. Yet, none of that truly matters when weighed against its sheer imaginative power, its stylistic bravado, its killer soundtrack, and its unforgettable core concept. It tapped into something primal – the romance of history, the thrill of action, the melancholy of immortality.
It spawned a franchise of wildly varying quality (let's be kind and just say the sequels and spin-offs exist), but the power of the original remains undimmed. It’s a film that feels utterly unique, a product of its time yet strangely timeless. It’s lightning in a bottle, captured on glorious VHS.
Rating: 8/10
Highlander earns this score through sheer force of will, style, and an unforgettable concept. Its flaws are easily outweighed by its iconic performances (Connery and Brown especially), Mulcahy's visionary direction, that legendary Queen soundtrack, and its enduring cult appeal. It's a film that perfectly blends epic fantasy with 80s cool.
For anyone who remembers the thrill of that first viewing, or for newcomers curious about a truly unique piece of 80s cinema, Highlander remains essential. There really can be only one film quite like it.