Happy 36th Anniversary!
To commemorate the 36th anniversary of the Highlander (Russell Mulcahy, dir.) film that premiered this day in 1986, I rewatched the original theatrical version this evening because it had been several years since I had last seen the film.
I remembered much of the film as being entertaining and incorporating good choreographed sword fights. The scenic vistas of Scotland were still breathtaking and I recalled how much I wanted to travel there after watching Highlander. Queen’s music was still perfect and well placed throughout the 116 minutes, however I was surprised by the fact that only brief snippets of the songs were included. It goes to show just how powerful and relatable Queen’s songs were at that time and over the decades since.
I had forgotten about how much humor and sometimes biting one-liners were in the film. For example, the hot dog vendor articulating supposedly difficult words which conveyed the ineffectiveness of the police to handle the the beheading incidents in the city. Or, the Kurgan’s (Clancy Brown) exchange with the prostitute, Candy (Corinne Russell).
There were several well-crafted shots and scenes. The opening sequence that shifted between the wrestling match and a clan skirmish that would involve the Kurgan and Connor MacLeod’s (Christophe Lambert) first death was a fascinating way to edit two violent events together, leaving this viewer to wonder how far had civilization come or more appropriately, not come. The glass windows shattering towards to the camera to reveal a panorama of the city in the background after the Kurgan loses his head is still a powerful visual.
On the flip side, the pacing and jumps in logic weakened the narrative. How did Brenda (Roxanne Hart) decide to investigate Russell Nash’s birth certificate, property, and probate records? Why was Connor away that night from Heather (Beatie Edney) and Ramirez (Sean Connery)? Where was Kastagir (Hugh Quarshie) as Connor faced his most humorous duel in 1783? While the audience witnesses the fights, perhaps having more character development relating to the various immortals, Fasil (Peter Diamond), Kastagir, and even the Kurgan would have strengthened the story. I read that Garry Kilworth’s novelization expands on some of the characters and events in the film.
Overall, I enjoyed the film and even though there were some shortcomings, the positives outweigh them. I’ll definitely not wait so long between viewings and now I need to go rewatch the sequels.
Photo credit: Original movie poster image from Art of the Movies website.