Highlander: Celebrating 40 Years of Iconic Fantasy Film

The 1980s introduced many memorable films, including director Russell Mulcahy's fantasy action movie Highlander, featuring Christopher Lambert as an immortal Scotsman who must battle other immortals until only one remains. The original film has maintained its status as the best in the franchise, despite the release of two direct sequels, two television series, and a long-gestating reboot planned since 2008.

Screenwriter Gregory Widen crafted the first draft of Highlander while he was a college student at UCLA, initially titled Shadow Clan. The story drew inspiration from Ridley Scott’s 1977 film The Duelists, as well as Widen's visits to Scotland and the Tower of London, which showcased historical armor. Widen sold the first draft for $200,000—a significant sum for a college student—and after some revisions, Highlander was ready for production.

The film opens during a wrestling match at Madison Square Garden, where Connor MacLeod (Lambert) senses an imminent threat. Following a sword fight in a parking garage, MacLeod beheads his opponent, triggering a magical energy release that causes structural damage and attracts police attention. As detectives investigate, MacLeod's backstory unfolds through flashbacks, revealing his past and the nature of his immortality.

Flashbacks take us to the Scottish Highlands in 1536, where MacLeod is mortally wounded in battle but survives, causing his village to suspect witchcraft. He finds solace in a quiet life with his wife, Heather (Beatie Edney), until the arrival of the wandering swordsman Juan Sanchez-Villalobos Ramirez (Sean Connery), who explains MacLeod's true identity as one of many Immortals destined to battle until only one survives. They possess a sixth sense known as the 'Quickening,' and when one Immortal kills another, they absorb the fallen Immortal's power.

The antagonist, the Kurgan (Clancy Brown), is a formidable Immortal responsible for MacLeod's initial injury. Ramirez trains MacLeod to prevent the Kurgan from becoming the last survivor. Tragically, Ramirez is beheaded by the Kurgan, leaving the fate of humanity in MacLeod’s hands. In a climactic duel, MacLeod emerges victorious, gaining mortality while acquiring the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of every human. He can finally settle down with Brenda (Roxanne Hart) and start a family.

While Highlander is not universally regarded as a cinematic masterpiece—receiving mixed reviews and a modest box office performance of $13 million against a $19 million budget—it has become a quintessential 1980s action film. It features familiar tropes, including exaggerated masculinity and female characters in distress, as seen when Brenda is kidnapped by the Kurgan.

Lambert was cast as MacLeod after Mulcahy recognized his potential in a still from Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984). At the time, Lambert was relatively unknown and had to quickly learn English, which contributed to his distinctive accent in the film. Despite the challenges, Lambert infused his character with humor and a sense of hope, differentiating his portrayal from the original script.

The Kurgan's character underwent significant changes, evolving into a more simplistic villain than Widen’s initial vision. Widen sought to create a more complex antagonist, reflecting on loss and the emptiness of immortality. Despite its initial failures, Highlander has become a cult classic, with strong sword-fighting choreography, visually striking shots, and an iconic soundtrack featuring Queen, including hits like 'Princes of the Universe' and 'Who Wants To Live Forever.'

Ultimately, Highlander’s compelling mythology and unique storytelling have allowed it to endure over the years. Widen noted its timeless appeal, centered around profound themes of immortality that continue to resonate with audiences.