Highlander poster & wallpaper

Alan North, Beatie Edney, Celia Imrie

Among humans for centuries, an immortal specie existed. Connor MacLeod is a member of this specie. Unaware of his powers, he is unable to explain his revival after his apparent death in a clan-fight i...( read more  read more... )n the 15th century. This convinces the superstitious villagers to stone him and drive him out of the village. He then encounters another one of his kind, Ramirez, who indoctrinates him in the ways of the immortals. The only way these "immortals" can die is by having their heads cut off. Given the credo that there can only be one, you can imagine a race where everyone tries to chop everyone else's head off. Of course, in such a race, there'll be factions, and MacLeod and Ramirez are one side battling the forces of evil immortals who want to take over the planet and wreak destruction on it.

Flixster Users

78% liked it

115,344 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

29 critics

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Directed by: Russell Mulcahy

Release Date: March 7, 1986

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: March 15, 2000

Stats: 5,701 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites
report incorrect info

Photos

Highlander Highlander Highlander highlander Highlander highlander Highlander Highlander Sean Connery Highlander Highlander Highlander Highlander Highlander highlander highlander dvd cover Highlander Highlander
Upload a Photo |

View All Highlander Photos (33)

Your Rating


clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (5,701)

  • Chiefilms
    August 9, 2009
    Chiefilms
    Probably the best thing about this movie is the fictional accolade, "Oscar for Best Movie Ever Made" given to it by Ricky Bobby. The plot is very interesting but is not drawn out well and is vague. Yes it has Sean Connery as a 2,000 year old Egyptian dressed like Don Quixote, it...( read more) also has a great soundtrack by Queen. But Christopher Lambert and the bad guy are soooo baaadddd, weird and kind of creepy. Christopher Lambert's accent is crazy, I don't know where that guy came from.
  • organgrinder136
    July 30, 2009
    organgrinder136
    has to be in my top five of worst ever movies. the plot is so miniscule it's barely even there. we see random duels and if they've got to kill each other then why do we only follow one protagonist? if the idea is for survival of one then how is there a good guy or a bad guy? it's...( read more) also never explained why there has to be only one... and why they actually bother to fight? aside from that the cinematography is good and the fight scenes are okay, but unless you're into simply action and nothing else in your movies then you're gonna be bored. the bum bandit soundtrack don't really help things along either
  • AgentLexi2132
    August 20, 2008
    AgentLexi2132
    ''There can be only one!''

    He fought his first battle on the Scottish Highlands in 1536. He will fight his greatest battle on the streets of New York City in 1986. His name is Connor MacLeod. He is immortal.

    Christopher Lambert: Connor 'The Highlander' Mac...( read more)Leod

    There is an important part missing in the US cut of Highlander.
    During World War II, MacLeod finds an orphaned little girl hiding amongst ruins. When a Nazi guns them down, his body shields hers, absorbing the bullets, and they both fall. In answer to her amazed, "You're still alive?", he flashes that winning smile and whispers, "Hey, it's a kind of magic!"

    We learn that the orphan is his present secretary, Rachel, now an attractive older woman, whom MacLeod never took as a lover, though it is obvious she spent years yearning for him to do so.

    When MacLeod leaves Rachel to face The Kurgan, both knowing it is the last time they will ever see each other, his parting words, ''Hey, it's a kind of magic, lack the tear-jerking poignancy they should possess, for in excluding the war scene, this line is not a callback but simply a cute phrase tangentially apropos to the moment.

    It's a kind of lethargic.

    Notwithstanding this omission, Highlander is still a fantasy masterstroke, a film of 80s proportions but with nowadays dated effects.
    Brought to life by former music-video director, Australian Russell Mulcahy and writers Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood and Larry Ferguson, this tale is so original and well-executed, it is hard to imagine it was not culled from Scottish folk legend. As far as I can tell, there is still no evidence to suggest this.

    The opening tracking shots across a frenzied wrestling arena foreshadow how the movie intends to move us in great arcs, with the bulk of humanity becoming a blur, as grander designs are played out. Long before Michael Bay abused the swooping camera pan, Mulcahy utilized it with heady effect for the grandeur it purveyed in tales such as this. The sweep homes in on the hawk eyes of a lone serious figure amidst the multitude of ululating rednecks, Christopher Lambert (A French Actor playing a Scotsman, what the hell??!), who makes his apprehensive way to the parking garage and the first of many charged sword battles! Intrigue is piled high in these first few scenes, as the samurai milieu is juxtaposed with the grittiness and cynicism of modern-day New York, harried talk about blade-steel folded 200 times and millennia-aged weapons.
    Look closer, this is a white guy in blue jeans and sneakers wielding a samurai sword, an iconic image, soon to be burned into our minds eye.

    After Lambert beheads his immortal opponent and before any questions can be formulated, let alone answered, the Scottish Highlands are revealed in a breath-taking horizontal montage.
    A piece of the puzzle is given to us, it is the 16th century and we see Lambert in another role, a young man adorning a kilt and flowing mane, riding into his first battle with his clan. He is Connor MacLeod, of the Highland MacLeods.

    Back and forth, between present-day New York and medieval Scotland, in creative transitions, Mulcahy reveals ever more details of MacLeod's storied life until the character of Ramirez (an overdressed Sean Connery, A Scot playing a Spanish Lord, does this ever end??!) fills in all the gaps after his timely appearance and battle-training of the inexperienced Connor.

    Ramirez and MacLeod are a breed of Immortals who cannot die unless beheaded. They anticipate The Gathering, a time hence when every remaining Immortal will battle to the death, for There Can Be Only One to claim The Prize,the unknown condition that overcomes the last man standing.

    That time is now!!! present-day New York, where MacLeod must face the most malevolent of the last Immortals, The Kurgan (''Better to burn out than fade away!!).

    The invented Highlander mythology provided the sturdy skeleton upon which to drape the incredible story. It would nevermore be so seamless, as the film's cult success was its undoing, systematically murdered by its own inappropriate and diabolically inferior sequels and offshoots.

    So overall Highlander has some brilliant music especially from Queen and some moving scenes that make me want to watch this time and time again. Admittedly it's plot is abit chaotic and it's effects look a little worn but there's some brilliant originality there.

    Connery's closing monologue achieves it's harrowing yet meaningful purpose, as applied to ALL mere mortals: "You are generations being born and dying. You're at one with all living things. Each man's thoughts and dreams are yours to know. You have power beyond imagination. Use it well, my friend."

    "Don't lose your head."
  • kenstachnik
    March 25, 2008
    kenstachnik
    One of the two "Queen" scored films that are more 80's than most can handle. Nothing likea French guy playing a Scottish guy...and a Scottish guy playing an Egyptian Spainard
  • senorperfecto1
    March 16, 2008
    senorperfecto1
    A Scotsman born in the Highlands in the 1500?s is left for dead on a battlefield. Connor cannot die, he is immortal. Traveling through time, Connor battles other immortals for the ultimate prize. The only way he can die is by having his head severed off in battle. Now as the few ...( read more)immortals left in the world come to New York City for what the immortals call The Gathering, one wants the prize for the good of man, the other wants the prize for the destruction of mankind.
    Highlander is a cult classic. While viewing this film you can see the cheesiness of the eighties incorporated into the film. The premises of the story is fantastic and people that love fantasy mixed with action will be pleased with the film. The acting is good for a popcorn action movie and the direction is solid. The only downfall of the movie is what transpired after the movie. The countless sequels and the movies not following canon with the original storyline, even though the sequels can be enjoyable if each movie is taken as an individual story and not a timeline of an entire universe. Highlander receives four quickening out of five for creating a masterpiece in cult cinema.
  • mattsigur1
    November 18, 2009
    mattsigur1
    My brown eye acts better than Christopher Lambert, but at least it's fun to watch.
  • ratschella
    November 15, 2009
    ratschella
    So horrible it's good!
  • 21rclemente
    November 13, 2009
    21rclemente
    Great story on immortality and ritualistic fighting.
  • BurtHarbinson
    November 4, 2009
    BurtHarbinson
    Setting: 1536

    "There can be only one!!"

    Holy shit, why do I enjoy this film so much. Maybe because of the endless folklore surrounding the Highlander mythology, the loopholes in the rules, explained coyly by Sean Connery. Or maybe it's seeing Christopher Lambert's bare ass. No,...( read more) I think it is just the fact, that there can be only one!! No, for real though, there are like four or five I think, or maybe they aren't Highlanders, they are just immortal guys. Either way, what the fuck? How confusing can we be here. Clearly I am impressed a lot by this film's ability to confuse me.

    Actually, there are really cool things about this film, as silly as it is on the surface with all the cheesy effects, and at times, ridiculous writing/acting. To enjoy such a film, it helps greatly to have a healthy and nurtured fantasy/sci-fi appreciation. Otherwise, I think it could easily bounce off the deflector shield of your mind's eye.

    The most enjoyable aspect, for myself, honestly, was the soundtrack... Graciously and exclusively supplied by Queen. For an 80s action film, it doesn't get much more bad-ass than that!

    The impact of Highlander has been huge though, inspiring countless other Highlanders to emerge. There are five films alone, not to mention countless television episodes, spin-off series, and even animated series, Nintendo games, and even CCG's.

    The consensus seems to be= either you're on-board, or you're not.

    One more time..

    "There can be only one!!"
  • HateYouIgnorant
    October 31, 2009
    HateYouIgnorant
    !Comercial or Stupid! :|

View All Highlander Reviews

Critic Reviews

No recent reviews.

View more Highlander reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • IsaacMahomie
    June 18, 2008
    IsaacMahomie
    The first half was pretty good / intriguing. I really liked the flashbacks to all the time periods, especially the Scottish Highlands. The fight between Sean Connery the bad guy in the tower was SWEET, easily the highlight of the film.
    However, the second half focused too much on the present day and showing how "creepy" and 1980's the badguy was. Highlander's developing relationship with 20th century forensics specialist felt empty compared to his original Scottish wife.
    In the end, some cool stuff, but strange story, and weird ending.
  • mincklerjd
    July 24, 2007
    mincklerjd
    It won the academy award... for best movie EVER.
  • bodeen70
    May 5, 2007
    bodeen70
    Well well well Mr. Nash! Where were you going in such a hurry?!?
  • akacrazyboris
    October 18, 2006
    akacrazyboris
    HAPPY HALLOWEEN LADIES!!!

    I AM THE ONE THE ONLY ONE I AM THE GOD OF KINGDOM COME JUST GIMME THE PRIZE!!!
  • akacrazyboris
    October 13, 2006
    akacrazyboris
    I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ITS BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN TO FADE AWAY!!!!!
    THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!!!!
Post A Comment | View All Comments

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

All Rotten Tomatoes content is used under license from Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh, and the Tomatometer are the trademarks of Incfusion Corporation, d/b/a Rotten Tomatoes, a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment, Inc.

Official Trailer

View Larger Highlander Trailer

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Spider-Man 3
    Spider-Man 3 (53%)
  • Braveheart
    Braveheart (60%)
  • Underworld: Evolution
    Underworld: Evolution (61%)
  • Schindler's List
    Schindler's List (35%)

More Movies like Highlander

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Highlander : Watch Free on TV

Highlander Trivia

  • In what movie did Sean Connery help Christopher Lambert realize that he is immortal?  Answer »
  • Name the original Highlander in the series of films?  Answer »
  • Which actor was Beowolf, a highlander and the lightening god Lord Rayden?  Answer »
  • In what movie will you hear this line "there can be only one"  Answer »
More Highlander Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Highlander Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Highlander to favorites

Recent News

Submit a Story |

View Highlander News

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?