The final meeting
In 1980s New York, MacLeod faces another Immortal.
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In 1980s New York, MacLeod faces another Immortal.
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A victorious MacLeod absorbs the energy of his defeated opponent.
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A victorious MacLeod absorbs the energy of his defeated opponent.
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Forensic metallurgist Brenda (Roxanne Hart) finds MacLeod’s ancient sword
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Forensic metallurgist Brenda (Roxanne Hart) finds MacLeod’s ancient sword
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A victorious MacLeod absorbs the energy of his defeated opponent.
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Forensic metallurgist Brenda (Roxanne Hart) finds MacLeod’s ancient sword
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The Kurgan takes on a new 80s look.
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And then there were two: the Kurgan vs MacLeod
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Lambert, relatively unknown as an actor at the time, was cast in the lead role after Mulcahy noticed a photo of Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984) and decided that Lambert (who played Tarzan) had the look he wanted for MacLeod. The French actor didn’t even speak English but he learned it quickly; That explains Lambert’s strange accent in the film (Brenda actually comments on it) and his rather stilted performance, although how much can an actor do with that clunky dialogue? However, Lambert was able to bring wry humor to the character and persistent optimism despite all he has endured, which was a marked departure from the original script.
The Kurgan also changed significantly as a character, essentially becoming a one-dimensional “laughing psychopath,” as Widen notes. once described him. Both Brown and Widen wanted a more complex villain. “I imagined him as a guy who loses everything over time.” Widen told the Daily Telegraph in 2016. “The only thing he could hold on to, that would give him a reason to get up in the morning, was finishing this with our boy (MacLeod). Otherwise, what’s the point? Everything is impermanent, everything is lost. That made him much more serious; in a strange way, a sympathetic bad guy.”
That said, as is often the case when a box office disappointment becomes a cult classic, the pros ultimately outweigh the cons. The sword fighting choreography is well done, there are some visually striking shots, and Mulcahy cleverly adapted the quick-cut style of music videos for his story. Plus, there’s that incredible soundtrack of Queen songs, particularly “Princes of the Universe” and the haunting “Who Wants To Live Forever” (which plays as MacLeod sits by the now-elderly Heather’s deathbed). Hell, even Connery’s ridiculous outfit and Scottish accent (it’s supposed to be Spanish, though Ramirez implies he’s significantly older than that) is more entertaining than annoying.
Above all, Highlander It has a compelling mythology that captures the imagination and makes up for the cheesier aspects. “I think its appeal is the uniqueness of how the story was told and the fact that it had a heart and a point of view about immortality.” Expand said in a 2006 interview. That’s a theme that is timeless and can’t help but resonate with audiences across the decades.
