Highlander (film)

:For other uses of the word Highlander, please see: Highlander

Highlander : There Can Be Only One

The first film of the series, originally called "Highlander: There Can Be Only One" was released on March 7, 1986. The film features a number of flashback scenes establishing Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod's early history.

Related Topics:
March 7 - 1986 - Connor MacLeod - MacLeod

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According to them he was born in the year 1518 "in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel" (historically this village is better known as the rally point where Bonnie Prince Charlie's troops first concentrated on August 19, 1745 See:Glenfinnan). In 1536 his clan was in conflict with the rival Clan Fraser. Connor had his first battles in the conflict. The Frasers had employed an experienced Immortal only known as The Kurgan (Clancy Brown), and he apparently recognized that Connor was a fellow Immortal, though even Connor had not discovered this yet. The Kurgan managed to mortally wound Connor in battle, but the MacLeods recovered the body before he could decapitate it. The MacLeods mourned Connor, but he revived shortly after his "death." Accusing him of witchcraft, Connor's clansmen tortured him and were about to execute him when his cousin Angus MacLeod (James Cosmo)gave him brief aid. He managed to escape with his life, but left in exile from his clan and birthplace.

Related Topics:
1518 - Glenfinnan - Loch Shiel - Bonnie Prince Charlie - August 19 - 1745 - 1536 - Clan - Clan Fraser - Clancy Brown - Witchcraft - James Cosmo

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Connor eventually settled in Glencoe, Scotland where he married Heather MacDonald (Beatie Edney), his first wife, and received training as a blacksmith from her father. In 1541 he was located by a much older Immortal, who introduced himself as Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez (Sean Connery). Ramirez soon appointed himself Connor's tutor in the situation of being Immortal, their pursuit of the Prize, and the rules of this age-long "Game." He also explained that his own Spanish name was just his current alias. He adopted it while serving as Chief Metallurgist for Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (also King of Spain between 1516-1556). He was originally Egyptian, and his sword was a katana he received in Japan by his father-in-law Masamune. Masamune was the father of Princess Shakiko, Ramirez's third wife, and supposedly a genius ahead of his time in the forging of swords. The novelization of this film gives Ramirez's original name as Tak-Ne, his birth in 896 BC, his first "death" in 851 BC, and his marriage to Shakiko in 593 BC.

Related Topics:
Glencoe, Scotland - Beatie Edney - Blacksmith - 1541 - Sean Connery - Metallurgist - Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor - King of Spain - 1516 - 1556 - Egypt - Katana - Japan - 896 BC - 851 BC - 593 BC

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Connor's training under Ramirez lasted for about a year. In 1542, the Kurgan managed to locate them both. He arrived at their residence while MacLeod himself was absent. The Kurgan and Ramirez dueled, with the frightened Heather their only spectator. The Kurgan managed to decapitate Ramirez and proceeded to rape Heather, in the belief that he was further humiliating his old enemy (Ramirez) by raping "his woman." Connor soon returned to find his residence in ruins, his mentor deceased, and his wife alive but traumatised, although she never told him about the rape. Connor stayed by his wife's side for the rest of her life, until she died of old age and natural causes in 1590. Dying in Connor's arms, she confided that her only regret was not having his children. Connor had not physically aged in more than fifty years of marriage. After burying Heather and burning their residence, MacLeod started wandering the world. A number of other references in the film connected him to many historical figures and events. The movie hints that his experiences over time left him a bitter, cynical man.

Related Topics:
1542 - Rape - 1590

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The action then shifts to New York, circa 1985, where the few surviving Immortals are drawn for "The Gathering," a final series of confrontations to determine the victor of "The Prize." Eventually, the last two surviving are Connor, under the alias of Russell Edwin Nash; and the Kurgan, under the alias of Victor Kruger. Meanwhile, the spike in murders by decapitation has drawn the attention of the police, who suspect Connor as the sole person responsible. Among the investigators of the case is police forensic scientist Brenda Wyatt (Roxanne Hart). Her investigation gets her closer to Connor, and they eventually fall in love with each other. This does not escape the attention of the Kurgan, who abducts her to get Connor to finally stand and fight him, instead of avoiding the final battle. Connor battles the Kurgan, defeats him, and apparently wins The Prize. Connor is left satisfied that the age-long Game is finally over. He proceeds in marrying Brenda and pursuing a new life. (It should be noted that subsequent movies and series have retconned the battle with the Kurgan into a personal victory for Connor instead of the end of "The Game.")

Related Topics:
New York - 1985 - Roxanne Hart - Retcon

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The film was directed by Russell Mulcahy and scripted by Peter Bellwood, Larry Ferguson and Gregory Widen. It remains arguably the best-known film of the Highlander series, and the one better-received by the public. It is noted for its introduction of the themes and concepts further explored by the later movies and TV series.

Related Topics:
Russell Mulcahy - Peter Bellwood - Larry Ferguson - Gregory Widen

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The original movie had a well-regarded sound-track by Queen, most notably containing "Princes of the Universe," which is also used in the Highlander television series title sequence. While an album specifically tied to the Highlander movie was never released, the Queen album "A Kind Of Magic" (a phrase spoken twice in the movie by Connor) featured most of the songs from the film, as well as other music on the same theme. Notably, Queen's version of "New York, New York" (playing while the Kurgan drives Brenda through New York) was never released by Queen. All the Queen songs in Highlander were purposely written for the movie, except the song "Hammer To Fall" which had been previously released on their album The Works in 1984. Queen saw an early screening of Highlander, and decided to do the film's soundtrack. Queen wrote many of the songs specifically to match the mood of the scenes when the songs were played.

Related Topics:
Queen - Title sequence - A Kind Of Magic - The Works - 1984

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