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Highlander (1986) (R, 1986)

common sense media says

Very violent, time-tripping immortality fantasy.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the abundant violence in this fantasy includes, most famously, the bloody beheading of several characters via swords. Other characters, some gifted with miraculous healing powers, others not so lucky, are stabbed, shot, slashed, impaled, beaten, drowned, etc. There is one darkened sex scene montage and hints of prostitution. Some scenes involve immortals indulging themselves in dangerous and reckless behavior, including one getting repeatedly stabbed while drunk (immortals do seem to enjoy their liquor). This inspired a series of movies, some (like the first sequel) going further with nudity and profanity than this one does.

Positive messages: A pretty clear line between Connor Macleod and Ramirez and other immortals as good guys, while those like the Kurgan are wicked and corrupted by their immortality and near-invulnerable states. Nice romantic touch: Connor, though ever-youthful, remains faithful and loving to his 16th-century wife, right up through her dotage and death from old age. Respect for spirituality insofar as immortals cannot duel in churches or other "holy ground," but a feudal warrior-priest is shown blessing enemies on the battlefield as he kills them.
Violence: Decapitations. Bloody clashes on a medieval battlefield result in slashings, stabbings, drownings. Brutal beatings. "Immortal" characters sprayed with machine-gun fire or run through with swords, injuries from which they recover straightaway. Pedestrians run down in deliberate car mishaps. The villain boasts of committing a rape.
Sex: Cleavage in a prostitute character. Vulgar verbal references to homosexuality and gay sex acts. One lyrical, shadowy (heterosexual) sex scene.
Language: "S--t." A Spanish profanity. "Jesus Christ."
Consumerism: Food product labels and names of newspapers. The wall-to-wall Queen music on the soundtrack is almost as famous as the movie itself. A plug for pro-wrestling and Madison Square Garden opens the drama.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Mention of cocaine and marijuana. Tavern drinking in ancient and modern times, comical drunkenness, and a vintage wine appraised by Macleod lovingly.
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More on Highlander (1986)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the dilemma of immortality that this premise sets up. How would an immortal be expected to behave living through the centuries, watching loved ones die and the world change? You might research legends and folklore about "real" immortals, like the Wandering Jew and Saint-Germain. Some of the brighter vampire movies (and the Harry Potter stories) are concerned with the pursuit of immortality at any price as well. Ask kids what they would do with (or for) eternal life, and what are their favorite fictional treatments of this theme.

What's the story?

What's the story?
In modern Manhattan, a youngish antiques dealer (Christopher Lambert) confronts a challenger in a parking garage of Madison Square and beheads him in a ritualistic swordfight. Flashbacks reveal this extraordinary duelist was born Connor Macleod, in Scotland in 1518, and is heir to a mysterious, spontaneous condition of virtual immortality. He and the scattered few like him, hailing from all around the world, never age, have children, or ordinarily die, and can only be slain via decapitation in personal combat; then the winner gains a mystic boost from the victim's life force. The ultimate victor remaining after these fights will be endowed with all the power, and this climax is now being reached in NYC. As frustrated cops puzzle over the murder and paranormal mayhem and a pretty forensics scientist gets close to the truth, Macleod faces an old, old adversary, a gleefully wicked immortal called the Kurgan (Clancy Brown), who desires to be the only one left.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

With rock-operatic flash reminiscent of MTV music videos (believe it or not, still a fresh idea in 1986 A.D.) and a compelling, time-jumping premise, HIGHLANDER managed to appeal to worshippers of Queen music, sci-fi f/x fans, and those medieval-costumed re-enactor types whose idea of a romantic weekend is staging Robin Hood-esque antics. Acting and action are properly bigger-than-life, with one memorable clash that completely knocks down a stone castle.

While there is a compelling theme of how the gift of immortality could feel more like a curse (having to lose all your loved ones), you wish more thought had gone into laying out the subculture of these immortals in detail. The sequel, Highlander 2: The Quickening, was so lame (turns out they're...aliens! Huh?) that the filmmakers apologetically re-shot and re-released a Highlander 2: Renegade Director's Cut that made measurable improvements and is the preferred home-viewing choice. Also on DVD: a Highlander TV series, starring Adrian Paul as a different Macleod (Christopher Lambert made guest appearances) that more fully explored the mythology, added the bonus of female immortals, and toned down the bloodshed and swearing. A 2007 Japanese-animated Highlander spin-off also exists.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Clancy Brown, Sean Connery
Genre: Fantasy
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: March 7, 1986
DVD release: April 16, 2002
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: restricted
This review was written by Charles Cassady Jr.
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Chambear
teen, 17 years old
13
 
A great magic/myth film!
This film starring Christopher Lambert is very well-made! The only things that make it bad are a few medium gory decapitations (That is how the highlanders can only die), some non-gory violence, a sex scene with no nudity seen and infrequent cursing. So for ages 13 and up, go for it!
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evolinag
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Highlander
Some sexual references, and some language - not too strong. The violence is very brief and nothing compared to modern movie. There are decapitations, but mostly bloodless. I watched this movie as a 10-year old and i handled it. Not all 10 year olds will handle the movie, but i can say, that 12 year olds can easily handle it.
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