HIGHLANDER

Connor Macleod was born in 1518 in the Highlands of Scotland. In 1536, after facing a mysterious, evil opponent, he survives a fatal stab wound and is banished from his village, for they believe his survival is the work of the Devil. Five years later, Macleod is met by Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, a Spanish swordsman who teaches Macleod the awful truth; he is immortal, one of a race of many who can only die when the head is cut from the body. When one immortal takes the head of another, the loser's power is absorbed into the winner. Ramirez teaches Macleod the ways of the sword, until Ramirez is tragically killed by Connor's ultimate opponent, the evil Kurgan, a murderous immortal brute who lusts for the ultimate power of the immortals, "The Prize"; enough power to rule the earth forever. Connor fights his way through the centuries, until the time of the Gathering, when the few immortals who have survived the endless battles come together to fight until only one remains, and that winner will receive The Prize. The time: 1985. The place: New York City. The final fight is about to begin, and in the end, there can be only one.

Clancy Brown nearly turned down the role of Kurgan, concerned that his allergy to makeup would prevent him from wearing the prosthetics required late in the film.

Christopher Lambert spent time with a dialogue coach, developing an accent which sounded non-specifically foreign.

Non-American versions of this film include a WWII flashback sequence showing MacLeod rescuing Rachel, where he tells her "It's a kind of magic".

Unused footage includes a sequence with Kurgan fighting an immortal security guard named Yung Dol Kim in an office building. Kim, tiring of his immortal life, yields to Kurgan, who takes his head.

Christopher Lambert had just barely learned to speak English when he took this role. The only other English-speaking film he had been in at that point was Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), in which he spoke only a few words.

The brief snippet of "New York, New York" performed by Queen during the movie has never been released officially on an album or single by the group. Several of the songs featured in the film are alternate versions to those released, and also remain in the vaults of Queen Productions. Despite an advertisement in the credits, no soundtrack album was ever released; the closest to a soundtrack was Queen's "A Kind Of Magic" album, which featured many Highlander songs, and some snippets of film dialogue.

In the scenes following Connor taking the Kurgan's head, director Russell Mulcahy had originally envisioned an animated dragon with the Kurgan's skull battle helmet emerging from the Kurgan's decapitated body and challenging Connor again. Only after Connor had defeated this Ghost-Dragon would he have received the final quickening and subsequent Prize. This idea was eventually cut due to budget restraints.

The final fight scene that takes place at the Silvercup studios (the sign is used in a few shots) used to be a bakery for the Silvercup bread company that had gone out of business a few years earlier.

During the final fight sequence between McLeod and Kurgan on the roof of the Silvercup Studios building, cables can be seen in the foreground pulling the studio's neon sign down. After filming had been completed, the production discovered that they had done so much damage to both the set and the actual roof of the Silvercup studios building as to make re-takes impossible.

Sean Connery and Christopher Lambert got along so well during filming that they called each other by their characters' names even when they were not filming and it was at Lambert's insistence that Connery and his character returned for the sequel.

According to the computer screen where Brenda compares the signatures on MacLeod's various birth certificates, Connor's previous aliases were Adrien Montagu, Jacques Lefebert, Alfred Nicholson, and Rupert Wallingford.

Among the many ancient artifacts in MacLeod's storeroom is Ramirez's vest and hat.

According to the director's commentary, the animated lightning on Connor's shoulders when he receives The Prize was actually supposed to disguise the wires -- ironically, this may have just drawn more attention to them.

Kurgan's quote "I've got something to say. It's better to burn out than to fade away!" is from the song "Rock Of Ages" by Def Leppard. This in turn was a reference to the line "It's better to burn out than to fade away" from "My My, Hey Hey" by Neil Young, which was also cited in musician Kurt Cobain's (Nirvana) suicide note.

The quickening is a term for when a baby in the womb shows its first sign of life, its first noticeable movement within the womb.

Queen were invited to see a rough cut of the film so they could get ideas for the soundtrack. Brian May wrote "Who Wants To Live Forever" during the cab ride home after seeing the film, and Roger Taylor used the line "It's a kind of magic" as the basis for the end title song.

The Queen song "One Year Of Love" (which can be heard in the background in the scene where Brenda meets Connor in the bar) was never released as a single in Europe or the US, but was a hit in Japan. The 7" single was released as part of the Highlander marketing wave, and its label said it was from the forthcoming soundtrack album (which never surfaced). It was, however, featured on the "It's a Kind of Magic" album.

The scene in the alley where the Kurgan (Clancy Brown) beheads Kastagir (Hugh Quarshie) and then stabs the Vietnam vet, followed by the explosion, was filmed in an alley in England even though it was set in New York. The director was reluctant to set off the explosion in the alley because the windows were full of Victorian glass, but he was given permission to do so because that particular site was going to be destroyed in a few months anyway. The explosion was so loud that it attracted police from eight different counties.

The church scene involving Kurgan (Clancy Brown) was filmed at night time with the permission of the priests in charge. Still, Brown's lines were ad-libbed and were reportedly considered so sacrilegious that the priests off-camera were making the sign of the cross as he said them.

All of Sean Connery's scenes had to be filmed in a week due to Connery's schedule.

The priest in the church scene was actually an orthodox rabbi.

The brandy scene with Macleod and Brenda was inspired by Russell Mulcahy's dinner with Jim Steinman who, as a wine bottle from 1949 was being opened, sniffed the air between the cork and the bottle and told Mulcahy that he just sniffed air from 1949.

Continuity Error: Fazil loses his mirrored sunglasses, but soon has them back.

Continuity Error: The vigilante drives a 1977 Firebird, which soon turns into a 1979 Firebird.

Continuity Error: Kurgan drives a Chevrolet Impala which switches to a Dart.

Revealing mistake: Obvious wires suspending MacLeod as he receives The Prize.

Continuity Error: Speed of Sean Connery's legs moving when he runs along the beach VERY different to that of the stunt double's.

Revealing mistake: When the Silvercup sign falls forward, the support wires in front of it remain taut, showing that the crew are pulling the sign down.

Continuity Error: When the Kurgan and Brenda look at the Silvercup building from the bridge, the sign says "Silvercup Studios." When MacLeod and the Kurgan fight on top of the building, the sign simply says "Silvercup."

Continuity Error: Connor and Kurgan fight their final battle on a flat rooftop. After they fall through the skylight, the room they are in clearly has a sloped roof.

Continuity Error: While Kurgan speeds around with Brenda, a stationary van can be seen through Kurgan's window.

Factual error: The wrestling match shown is supposed to take place at Madison Square Garden. That promotion - the AWA based out of Minneapolis, MN never had an event take place in NYC. The WWF were the only promotion running shows at MSG.

Continuity Error: The flap on the torn-open roof of the green car Kurgan steals, swaps sides between shots.

Continuity Error: When Brenda's purse (which she left on the desk) moves between shots when she returns to the office to sneak a look at the file.

Error in geography: At Kennedy airport, a large sign saying "Welcome to Toronto" is clearly visible as the Highlander rides an elevator.

Continuity Error: When the hotel clerk comments on the Kurgan's kinkiness, the drunk moves from standing to sitting between shots.

Continuity Error: When Connor enters the bar and meets Brenda his position, and the amount of drink in the glass changes between shots.

Continuity Error: While Lieutenant Moran visits the injured guy in the hospital the right blue curtain in the sick-room changes position between shots.

Error in geography: Newspaper stand in "New York" displaying "Have You Seen This Man" headline is shot in front of the Sheraton Centre, which is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Factual error: Brenda uses a metal detector to find particles of sword in reinforced concrete. This cannot work as the signal from the metal in the reinforcement bars would swamp the signal generated by the sword particles.

Factual error: We see bagpipes with three drones; the long third drone was added after 1700.

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): Brenda, a weapons expert, calls the sword a "samurai". Samurai refers to the Japanese swordsman. His weapon is called a "katana". (In mitigation, she is talking to non-experts and may well just be dumbing down for their sake.)

Anachronism: The Sword that Connor uses (the one he got from Ramirez) has a screw, fastening the handle to the blade.

Continuity Error: When the Highlander is in the sword duel in 1783, before he is stabbed the second time, his opponent flips his rapier out of his hand. As he falls to the ground and gets back up, his rapier is back in his hand.

Non-American versions of this film include a WWII flashback sequence showing MacLeod rescuing Rachael, where he tells her ``It's a kind of magic''.

The European version also has a scene between Connor and Brenda talking at a zoo about how he's not willing to commit to another relationship after his wife's death. The most important thing about this scene is that Kurgan can be seen in the background trailing the twosome. This solves the continuity problem in the American version about how Kurgen finds Brenda's apartment in the next scene.

Uncut version shows MacLeod having a short flashback about his first battle in Scotland during the wrestling match.

Uncut version has Fazil doing an unnecessary backward cartwheel as he flees from MacLeod in the parking garage.

Uncut version shows MacLeod's girlfriend wishing him luck before the first battle in Scotland.

Uncut version has MacLeod's dueling partner (remember, he kept stabbing MacLeod to no avail?) shooting his assistant in the back for being annoying.

In the uncut version Kurgan licks the priest's hand in the church

Uncut version has a much longer fight scene between MacLeod and the Kurgan at the end of the movie.

The European version and later US Director's Cut does not contain a short scene shot from inside Det. Bedsoe's car as he stakes out Brenda's apartment during MacLeod's visit.

As MacLeod lays on the floor after the final battle, he can be heard saying "I want to go home" on the original US version, but not on the European version and later US Director's Cut.

Complete Director's Cut is available on video in the US, featuring all footage from the European version and still photos from unused footage at the end. This includes scenes of a fight between the Kurgan and an unreferenced Immortal, Yung Dol Kim, a security guard in an office building who fights the Kurgan. Ultimately, he surrenders wearying of Immortal life and willing to suicide himself. The Kurgan takes his head and the body explodes out of the 40th story of the building. Kim fights Japanese two-sword style. Additional unused footage features a flashback where Connor meets with Thomas Jefferson, as well as a bar scene when Connor and Kastagir go out for a drink, and meet Det. Walter Bedsoe.

Reportedly a version shown at the Brussels film festival features a slightly different ending than the theatrical and video releases. In this version after the final battle, the demons circling around Lambert are clearly saying "thank you". The final prize is only that Lambert is not an immortal anymore and that he can now have a normal life.

Versions shown on the Sci-Fi Channel and USA Networks are heavily cut, and not just because of the head-chopping sequences. Many parts of the movie were removed for airing on these networks, including much of the Ramirez training sequence, most of the "Who Wants to Live Forever" sequence, all of the flashback to 1783, and other various pieces of scenes and their dialogue, making for an extremely chopped-up movie.

In the original U.S. release during the scene when Connor and Ramirez jump off the cliff, you can hear Ramirez yell, "MacLeod, this is the Quickening!" In the European version, Ramirez and Connor just yell as they jump.

In addition to the many scene differences, the version commonly shown on TV has VERY degraded sound quality versus the director's cut. For example, the score can not even be heard during the parking lot fight scene on the TV version. Some networks now show the director's cut version.

The U.S Director's Cut and the European Director's cut differs some in dialogue. Example: When Connor falls from the boat and end up on the sea floor, the U.S version dialogue says: "I´m alive" Europene version says: "I´m alive...I can breath..." Shortly followed by; "I´ll split you in half!" (spoken in the same moment as Connor draws his sword under water)

In earlier versions Ramirez says he's "...chief metallurgist of King Phillip II of Spain" while in later versions and the Uncut DVD he says he's "...chief metallurgist of Charles V." This change is shown in Highlander Two Ramirez still says the first version.

In the American versions, as Kurgen is driving into New York, the opening guitar to the Queen song "Gimme The Prize" can be heard over the news report and the vocals start when Kurgen pops in the tape. However in the Director's cut, the opening guitar part has been taken out and the song starts at the vocals like before when Kurgen pops in the cassette.

HIGHLANDER II: THE QUICKENING

In the year 2025, the ozone layer is believed to have been destroyed. It is up to MacLeod and Rameriz to set things right. Opposition comes from both the planet Ziest (MacLeod and Ramirez's homeworld) and a corporation profiting from the supposed lack of ozone. Also, flashbacks show the story behind MacLeod and Ramirez's exile from Ziest.

Grossly contradicts Highlander, its prequel.

Completed production exactly four years later to the day of the first Highlander (1986).

Christopher Lambert normally wears glasses, as his eyesight is very poor. During one of the sword fights, Lambert (sans glasses) nearly severed Michael Ironside's right thumb.

Director Russell Mulcahy disliked the theatrical cut so much, he left the premiere after only 15 minutes.

In the renegade version, a documentary following the film has the filmmakers explain why the original theatrical release contradicted the first film. According to them, the inflation in Argentina had risen so high during filming that the film's insurance company started to take creative control, and made a film they thought would make the most money.

Cameo: Russell Mulcahy plays a technician at Shield Control during the flashback to 1999.

Sean Connery received $3.5 million for nine days of filming.

In unused scenes, it is explained that the Kurgan from the first film was also a resident of the dreaded planet Zeist, hired by General Katana (Michael Ironside) to kill Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert). The final battle between MacLeod and the Kurgan from the 1986 film is shown on a large screen to Zeist bettors, and when the Kurgan fails, Katana sends down the two assassins featured in the final cut of the film to take out MacLeod.

The final fight scene between MacLeod and Katana is composed of two seperate battles. They are shown correctly in the renegade version.

All the subsequent Highlander productions ignore Highlander II, as if it never happened.

During the course of filming Christopher Lambert cut his finger to the bone in the first sword fighting scene and Michael Ironside dislodged his jaw in the dome fight.

Both Christopher Lambert and Michael Ironside did most of their stunts.

Russell Mulcahy was so frustrated at being locked out of production that he tried to have his credit changed to "Alan Smithee". However, a section of his contract forbade him from publicly attacking the film before it was released; the producers informed him that if he had his credit changed they would consider it an attack and launch a lawsuit against him.

Christopher Lambert was so disgusted with the re-written script that he wanted to drop out of production, but due to contractual obligation he was forced to finish the film.

Originally, Ramirez was not supposed to be in the film. However, Christopher Lambert had become such good friends with Sean Connery during the making of the original, that he threatened to back out of this film if Connery's character was not added to the sequel.

Virginia Madsen had auditioned for Heather in the original Highlander.

Continuity Error: MacLeod (doesn't) lean out of the car at the prison complex.

Continuity Error: MacLeod's sword changes from a broadsword to a shortsword several times during the last fight.

Factual error: Modern day subways have systems against runaways; there's no reason to believe futuristic ones would lack similar precautions.

Continuity Error: When Katana is "beamed" to Earth, he is not wearing gloves. When he arrives on Earth, he is wearing them.

Continuity Error: MacLeod's jacket keeps switching from a black bomber jacket to a full length coat during the final 20 minutes of the film.

Continuity Error: The Highlander fights a villain on top of a train. During the fight the train drives through a waterfall, forcing the villain to take off his sunglasses. He gets his head cut off, but the loose head is wearing sunglasses again.

Plot hole: Ramirez and MacLeod enter the prison with a car. The guards shoot the car with machine guns from all sides. But MacLeod's friend Louise Marcus, in the trunk of the car, not only survives but is even unhurt.

Goof: In the fight scenes in the beginning of the movie, the lines suspending the actors in the air are clearly visible.

Continuity Error: Louise Marcus swims into the Shield Corp., pulls off her scuba hood and mask, and has a immaculate hairdo and makeup.

Continuity Error: Katana brushes his coat against the shield energy and loses a piece, but for the rest of the scene it's intact again.

Continuity Error: During Connor and Katana fighting around the shield energy they destroy several railings, but then after Katana burns his hand they are all intact again.

Revealing mistake: When Katana throws Blake out of a window the dummy that hits the ground is very, very obviously a dummy.

Continuity Error: A fire escape that McLeod uses to reach the ground is seen rising up twice in consecutive shots.

A 108 min. Director's Cut, titled "Highlander II: The Renegade Version", is available in the U.S.A. on video and features 16 minutes of footage not included in the theatrical release.

In addition to the extra footage, the "Renegade Version" of Highlander II features a different sequence of events, providing continuity lacking from the theatrical release. These changes along with the extra footage allow the movie to follow the plot of the original Highlander movie. The idea of the immortals being from another planet has been done away with, and questions like "What happened to Brenda?" are answered.

A third version of Highlander II exists. This version contains some of the footage from the "Renegade Edition" although the sequence of events is more like the theatrical release. It also contains footage and dialog not seen in either of the other versions. Noteworthy differences include the following: While Katana is fighting the rebels on Zeist soliders from both sides use machine guns. Connor and Louise leave earth for Zeist at the end of the movie. This version is the one commonly used for television broadcasts.

All UK releases are cut to get a "15" rating.

In 1990, Highlander 2: The Quickening was released in America with a running time of 89 minutes and 53 seconds. The Renegade version features an additional 19 minutes and 34 seconds of restored footage, bringing the final running time to 109 minutes and 27 seconds. Below is a list of scene changes (may contain spoilers):

1. PROLOGUE TEXT: A new prologue eases the viewer into the year 2024, the world now inhabited by Connor MacLeod. The new text establishes that the Earth's Ozone Layer has been severely depleted and, in response, the planet has been encased in an electromagnetic shield to protect the population from deadly radiation. After 25 years, however, the necessity of maintaining the shield is being questioned.

2. CONNOR AT THE OPERA HOUSE: As originally scripted, the Renegade Version opens outside an opera house. A restored shot of a water pail overflowing with rain dripping from the ceiling brings us into the crumbling facility, where we find an aging Connor looking through a program. Connor's P.O.V. reveals that this evening's production of "The Valkyrie" is being performed "in the presence of Dr: Alan Neyman President, TSC." Connor locates Alan with his opera glasses, and the two old friends wave to each other. Later in the scene, Connor recalls a long ago battle between his forces and those of the evil Immortal, Katana, presented through a series of flashbacks that are cross cut with scenes from the opera being performed on stage. Katana's dialogue about wanting all of the rebels' heads has been Cult from the Renegade Version.

3. KATANA AND CONNOR IN THE CAVE WITH THE EELS: Prior to grabbing an eel out of the water, Katana now addresses this additional line of dialogue to Connor: "My friends in here remind me of you and Ramirez'

4. THE SENTENCING OF CONNOR AND RAMIREZ BY THE PRIESTS: A restored shot of Connor in his opera box is followed by a shot of a huge set of double doors on the opera house stage. Through the computer magic of CGI, the doors open into the past, where Connor and Ramirez stand before the Priests awaiting judgement. New dialogue in this scene tells us that Connor and Ramirez are rebels who possess an unholy Immortality like Katana. Their punishment is exile into the future where they must do battle, "For there can only be one." The victor will have the choice to "grow old and die in the future or return here with his freedom and his faith restored.

5. CONNOR WATCHES A SHIELD CORPORATION "NEWSCAST" ON HIS CAR TELEVISION: Connor leaves the opera house and watches a news story broadcast by The Shield Corporation (TSC) on his car's television. New dialogue by the newscaster reveals there are rumours of a management shake-up at TSC. Connor's friend Alan has become increasingly isolated, and the fact that he is "unavailable for comment" makes Connor concerned for his safety. The same footage was seen in the American versions, but before Connor goes to the opera. In that version, there is an extended scene in which Connor drives while considering how the world has deteriorated under the Shield, much like the Renegade Versions new prologue.

6. CONNOR TRIES TO CALL ALAN VIA VIDEO PHONE: Worried about his old friend, Connor stops at a video pay phone to call Alan but fails to get past the TSC receptionist. Connor decides not to leave a message. Several street punks show up and harass Connor for money to use in a street corner oxygen dispenser, but they run off when they realise who they're dealing with. Connor returns to his Porsche.

7. TWO GUARDS AT TSC DISCUSS FISH IN THE LAKE: A restored long shot of the Shield generator bears the title "Shield Control" Two guards standing above the generators man-made lake hear a noise - the sound of Louise's underwater commando squad coming to the surface. The two guards report in to the security guard, but when he sees nothing unusual on his monitor, he tells them the sound was just some fish making noise, prompting the guards to argue about whether or not any fish could live in the lake.

8. LOUISE DISCOVERS THE RADIATION LEVEL ABOVE THE SHIELD IS NORMAL: This sequence contains the same footage as the American version, but reordered to make the scene flow more naturally. Now when Louise attempts to determine the radiation level above the Shield, it seems as if 30 seconds have passed while she and her team wait to get an accurate reading. There is also additional dialogue from one of her cohorts as he tries to convince her to get moving before they're all caught.

9. KATANA AND THE PRIESTS WATCH CONNOR ON A VIDEO SCREEN: When Connor arrives at his favourite bar, Katana and the Priests observe him from the distant past on a holographic projection bearing the caption "New York City

July 16, 2024." Katana and the Priests discuss the fact that Connor hasn't made his choice whether to return to the past or remain in the present a revelation that angers Katana, who leaves to locate his assassins.

10. KATANA SENDS CORDA AND RENO TO THE FUTURE: Corda and Reno argue that since Connor is old and will die soon, there is no need for them to go after him. Katana disagrees and sends them to find and kill Connor anyway.

11. CONNOR'S WOUNDED HAND MAGICALLY HEALS IN THE BAR: Speaking newly added dialogue, Connor asks the woman harassing him if she is the type of person who knows when to stop. After the woman attacks and wounds him with a bottle, Connor's injured hand magically heals itself. Distressed, Connor says "Oh no, not again!" Connor's healing now appears as a direct result of Corda and Reno's arrival in the present.

12. CONNOR AND LOuISE MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME: Outside the bar, Connor has his initial encounter with Louise, where additional dialogue reveals that Connor knows he is becoming Immortal again. This dialogue was cut from the American version because Corda and Reno don't arrive until after this conversation and, therefore, Connor is not yet becoming Immortal.

13. EXTENDED FIGHT SCENE BETWEEN CONNOR AND CORDA: The battle sequence between Connor and Corda, is extended before Connor falls onto the top of the train. An additional shot of the train coming out of a tunnel sets up its arrival during the fight scene.

14. CONNOR AND LOUISE KISS... AND MORE!: The restored footage of this section features an extended scene in which Connor and Louise make love against a wall after their first kiss.

15. RAMIREZ'S FIRST FLIGHT: The scene of Ramirez's airplane flight across the Atlantic has been split into two parts. In this shot, Ramirez is seen through the airplane window looking worried. The scene bears the title "Somewhere over the Atlantic."

16. CONNOR AND LOUISE TALK ABOUT THE BLUE SKY: Louise asks Connor if he has ever seen the blue sky, since she is too young to remember it herself. He describes what it was like and she expresses her wish to see the sky at least once before she dies.

17. KATANA WATCHES RENO DIE: From the distant past, Katana watches Connor defeat Reno.

18. THE PSYCHIC COOK TV COMMERCIAL: As in the American version, Katana smashes through the roof of a speeding subway car when he arrives in the present. Restored footage inserted before his arrival shows us the state of television in 2024 as a TV monitor features a tacky promo for a program entitled "The Psychic Cook."

19. MOTHER AND BABY ON THE SUBWAY: Aboard Katana's subway car, extended footage reveals a mother with a baby in a carriage. As Katana hurls the train through the tunnel at blinding speed, there is also additional footage of several passengers being thrown against the back of the car and more blood and gore than in the original release.

20. CONNOR ARRIVES AT TSC: Connor drives up to the TSC entrance in his Porsche. He is allowed to enter the building after a hand scanner at the security desk validates his identity.

21. ALAN AND CONNOR DISCUSS THE SHIELD LAUNCH (RESTORED FLASHBACK 1): The first flashback restored to its correct position in the film occurs when Connor and Alan discuss the day the Shield was launched. In the restored footage, Connor and Alan look at a miniature model of Shield Control (although the plaque still reads "December Installation"). Connor puts on a pair of goggles he finds next to the model and his movement triggers the flashback transition. The camera follows his movement and continues around his body coming to rest on a younger Connor and Alan watching the Shield launch in 1999. In the American version, the 1999 Shield launch scene was placed at the beginning of the film in an attempt to arrange events chronologically :

22. ALAN AND CONNOR DISCUSS THE OZONE LAYER: A new transition from The Shield launch flashback (see description 21) occurs as the camera tilts down from the ceiling to reveal Connor and Alan in Alan's office. Alan communicates to Connor, via computer screen, that the Ozone Layer may be back to normal. Alan tries to give Connor the coordinates he'll need to get above the Shield to take a proper ozone reading, but he has only given Connor half of the information when he is interrupted by Blake.

23. KATANA TAKES A CAB: This scene, in which Katana is driven to an empty warehouse by garrulous cabbie Jerry Pritchett, contains both extra footage and dialogue. Jerry's added dialogue concerns the decayed state of the world and the availability of his sister. In the American version, this scene is immediately followed by Katana's arrival at Blake's board meeting - as if the empty warehouse and the Shield Corporation were the same place.

24. RAMIREZ'S NEW TWO SIDED CONVERSATION WITH A FEMALE AIRLINE PASSENGER: This is the second part of Ramirez's flight across the Atlantic. It bears the title: "Still somewhere over the Atlantic." Ramirez's conversation with a female passenger now includes an added line of dialogue from her. Now, when Ramirez says "Forgive me for asking yet again, but, ah, how do we remain so high above the earth with safety?" She replies "By drinking!"

25. KATANA CALLS TO CONNOR FROM THE TOP OF AN EMPTY WAREHOUSE: Standing atop the warehouse, Katana says "My kind of town. I'm waiting MacLeod. Come to me. I'm waiting." This visual was originally placed at the end of the American version after Blake is killed, without the additional dialogue.

26. RAMIREZ JOKES WITH FEMALE PASSENGER: The producers used Ramirez' "off the wall" line of new dialogue at the end of his Helen of Troy monologue. He says, "But on the contrary, Virginia, all of the most beautiful women had dark hair: Helen of Troy, Cleopatra, Nephertiti, Joan of Arc, to name but a few. In fact, it's well known that the dark haired ladies..." Well you've got to hear it.

27. BRENDA'S DEATH IN NEW YORK, 1998 (RESTORED FLASHBACK 2): Connor visits the grave of his dead wife, Brenda. In a new voice over, Brenda tells him she is sorry to be leaving him so soon. There is a dissolve into a shot of the setting sun (used as the opening shot of the American version) bearing the title: "New York, 1998." Totally new footage follows, revealing Brenda in a hospital bed, burned and covered with bandages, the victim of radiation poisoning. She makes Connor promise to help save others from the radiation that is killing her. This promise becomes Connor's motivation for building the Shield. Brenda dies while holding his hand. As he walks away, the camera pulls back to show a vast hall full of radiation victims. This shot was also found in the American version, but at the beginning of the film. This sequence also includes new music.

28. CONNOR ENTERS THE WAREHOUSE: Connor arrives at the empty warehouse in his Porsche and opens the door. A long shot from inside shows Connor walking in through the doorway.

29. ALAN IS SENT TO MAX AND BLAKE HOLDS A BOARD MEETING: Now correctly re-ordered in the Renegade Version is the scene in which Blake sends Alan to MAX, as well as the scene of the board meeting where Blake discusses "re-shuffling the deck" at TSC. In the American version, these scenes were reversed. At the end of the restored board meeting scene, Blake now has additional dialogue, saying "Ah, Wilson, could we get on this Highlander thing as soon as possible?"

30. CONNOR AND RAMIREZ DISCUSS THE SHIELD COORDINATES: Connor tells Ramirez about the system failure and reveals the Shield coordinates he received from Alan. Ramirez points out that they need the second half of the coordinates before they can go above the Shield.

31. CONNOR AND RAMIREZ ACQUIRE MAX SECURITY UNIFORMS: After the doctor faints, a restored shot shows Connor and Ramirez catching him, followed by another restored shot where they take the guards' uniforms.

32. ALAN REVEALS THE REMAINING SHIELD COORDINATES AND DIES: The scene in which Connor and Louise find Alan in MAX contains both additional footage and dialogue. After giving Connor the remaining Shield coordinates, he tells Connor to go above the shield to confirm that radiation levels are normal. Before Alan dies, Connor assures him they were right to build the shield.

33. KATANA AND BLAKE DISCUSS LOUISE: As they watch Alan's death via video screen, Blake reveals to Katana that Louise is the leader of COBALT. Katana mocks her. Blake vows that Louise and Connor will never make it out of MAX alive.

34. CONNOR AND LOUISE STEAL A TRUCK FROM MAX: Connor and Louise escape from MAX by Knocking out a guard and commandeering a truck. Katana tries to block their path as they drive out of the parking lot, but Connor runs him over.

35. CONNOR FIGHTS KATANA ON THE TRUCK: Connor and Louise follow Alan's coordinates into a deserted area. Katana climbs onto the roof of the speeding truck where an extended fight scene ensues. The fight moves from roof to hood and ends when Katana is thrown from the truck.

36. CONNOR AND LOUISE AT THE SHIELD CONTROL ACCESS TOWER: Alan's coordinates lead CoNNor and Louise to the Shield access towel. They pass a sign reading "Danger Shield Ceiling - Authorized Personnel Only." There are several shots of Connor and Louise climbing a long ladder, surrounded by sparks and explosions.

37. KATANA AND BLAKE DISCUSS CONNOR: When Katana tells Blake his life will be very predictable once Connor is dead, Blake expresses concern that Katana is being overly confident. Katana asks if Blake is betting on him, Blake answers that he always plays the favorite.

38. CONNOR AND LOUISE CLIMB ABOVE THE SHIELD: Connor and Louise emerge onto a mountainside where they discover the blue sky. There are several shots of mountains and clouds as they discover the Ozone Layer has repaired itself

Connor decides that the Shield must come down and that there is only one way to do it. This sequence was filmed in southern Argentina near the ski resort town of Barriloche.

39. BLAKE AND KATANA DISCUSS CONNOR'S NEXT MOVE: Blake worries that Connor, who has been missing for 24 hours, has gotten above the Shield. He fears TSC will end up in Chapter 11 if the truth about the Ozone Layer is revealed. Katana is convinced that all of Connor's roads lead back to him. Blake smugly points out that Katana is wrong, as he points out Connor and Louise speeding through the desert en route to the Shield generator. Katana kills Blake for suggesting he has made a mistake. The American version of this scene is much shorter, with Blake telling Katana he is wrong after Connor and Louise escape from the exhaust fan room in MAX. Katana's reaction in both scenes is the same.

40. GUARDS PATROLLING OUTSIDE OF SHIELD CONTROL: New footage of The Pyramid's exterior and floodgates is followed by a shot of two guards standing on a platform. The final shot of the sequence reveals the bridge over the floodgates is crawling with guards.

41. THE WORLD WITHOUT THE SHIELD: When the satellite above the Earth explodes, there are two new shots of the earth and the city covered by the Shield. These are followed by an extremely wide shot of the Shield as it disappears from the Earth's skies. The two restored shots that follow show open night skies over Jerry's, Connor's favorite bar and over the city skyline.

42. CONNOR AND LOUISE KISS AS SHIELD CONTROL BURNS: Connor and Louise kiss on the edge of a lake as the Shield generator burns in the distance. In voice over, Ramirez reprises his thoughts: "Most people have a full measure of life and most people just watch it slowly drip away. But if you can summon it all up at one time, in one place, you can accomplish something glorious." The films final image is that of the planet Earth, now no longer covered by the Shield.

The 2004 Special Edition version has a scene cut (featured in previous versions). The 2004 version doesn't have the breaking into Shield Control scene near the end of the movie and the shoot out with the Shield Control guards. In the 2004 version, it goes from the shot of the Shield Control guards outside to Louise looking on as Connor walks in to fight Katana.

HIGHLANDER III: THE SORCERER

In feudal Japan, Connor McLeod, the immortal highlander, seeks out an immortal master of illusion in order to learn the magician's art. He is unknowingly followed by an evil immortal, Kane, who want Connor's head. They fight and Connor gets away while Kane is trapped in a cave. Now in the present Connor's peace is destroyed once again as the evil Kane is released from his imprisonment and the struggle of the Gathering begins again. Using Connor's loved ones and his acquired powers of illusion, Kane lures Connor in for a fight where there can be only one winner.

Ignores the events of Highlander II: The Quickening (1991) (after the poor reception of Highlander II, the fan-rumor was that this film would be entitled "Highlander III: The Apology").

Although Khan's "Warrior #1" is never referred to by name on-screen, the script refers to him as "Khabul Khan."

Actress Deborah Unger did her love scenes with Christopher Lambert herself, declining to use a body double.

Error in geography: "Bienvenue à Montréal" ("Welcome to Montreal") sign in an airport supposedly in Newark.

Goof: US Navy Submarine Service insignia pin (Dolphins) on Japanese security guard's hat.

Goof: Dolly tracks visible when Conor is in the Psycho ward.

The version released to video tape in the US has two extra scenes. The first addition is a scene early on when Kane first arrives in New York in which he picks up a prostitute. The second is the love scene between Conner and the reporter Alex, which contains more explicit footage. Both scenes are reported to be present in European theatrical prints.

In the trailer for this film, there was a clip of the scene where Kane tells Connor about Kane and says, "Some say he is the Devil himself..." This line never made it to the final cut of the movie.

In the European version of the film, Kane says, "Highlander is out there somewhere, and he owes me for all those years." after he escapes from the cave in 1994. In the US version, he says, "Highlander is out there somewhere, and he owes me 400 years." It makes a little more sense in the European version because Kane would have no way of knowing how long he was in the cave.

In the US version of the film, a rock song plays over the final credits. In the European version, "Bonny Portmore" by Loreena McKennit plays over the final credits.

In the US version of the movie, we see Kane use his sorcerer's powers to transport himself to New York. In the European version, we simply see Kane walk out of a shipyard, implying that he got to New York by stowing away on a ship.

UK video version is cut by 57 sec. to maintain a "15" certificate.

HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME

When Connor Macleod sees his old friend Rachel die in an explosion, he's had it with his immortal life and the endless pain it brings him and those he loves. He locks himself inside the Sanctuary, a Watcher-organized retreat stationed on holy ground, where immortals who are tired of the game can go to forever escape it, as well as to ensure that The Prize never falls into the wrong hands. But when an old enemy, Jacob Kell, and his posse of assassins attack the Sanctuary and kill everyone there but Connor, he is forced out into the open and into battle. Kell and Connor were friends once, and knew each other back when Connor was cast from Glenfinnan; he returned when news came that his mother was to be burned at the stake, and in the attempt to free her, Kell was killed by none other than Connor himself, and became an immortal, bitter with hate, and devoted to making Connor's life a living hell. In the present day, Connor's kinsman Duncan Macleod is attacked by Kell's posse, including Kate, an old love of Duncan's who seeks revenge for her unwillingly being made an immortal centuries ago. This attack had something to do with Connor, and Duncan goes in search of him to find out why. In the process, he learns that in the 450 years since Connor and Kell's encounter in Glenfinnan, Kell has taken more than 600 heads and gained enough power to be called nothing less than the most powerful immortal alive. To make things worse, neither Connor nor Duncan are strong enough to face Kell alone.

There are four shots in this film from the original Highlander film. The first is a computer-altered and -enhanced shot of Glenfinnin, which was originally the shot of Connor walking away from his village. The second is a shot of the Silvercup sign, pulled from the scene of the Kurgan taking Brenda to the building. And in the rooftop Quickening, two shots of Connor and Heather together are also taken from the original.

The scene of Duncan in the hilltop in Scotland was the last shot filmed, and arrived for the editors the day they started making release prints.

As Duncan travels toward his rendezvous with Connor, there is a shot of his vehicle passing Silvercup Studios, the scene of the final battle between Connor and Kurgan in the original Highlander.

In the video and DVD releases, the "JVC" logo originally seen in the rooftop scene in the theatrical cut has been airbrushed out. This is because the producers believed it to be "too distracting". They also claim that this particular product placement was unintentional.

The flying shots of Scotland are stock footage from Highlander III: The Sorcerer .

In the theatrical version of the film, Methos refers to the Sanctuary as Holy Ground. Many fans were upset that Kell killed Immortals on Holy Ground with no consequences, So all references to the Sanctuary as Holy Ground were deleted from the DVD version of the movie.

In the beginning of the movie, Jacob Kell has 661 kills. At "the last supper" (which can be understood as the metaphore of the Jesus's last supper) he kills five more immortals. That makes him the immortal with 666 kills. Which is the number of the devil.

The original trailer for the film featured Conner MacLeod splitting Jacob Kell in two with his sword and in turn becoming two people. This never happened in the film.

During the fight Connor and Duncan have with the "Tax" thieves one of the men (Lachlan) picks up a rock as a weapon. As the McLeods go on the defensive Duncan says to Lachlan "Looks like you've lost the edge, lad". This is a reference to Adam Copeland's (Lachlan) "stage" name of Edge in the World Wrestling Federation.

The main villian in each Highlander movie has a name starting with the letter "K" (in order: Kurgan, Katana, Kane, Kell).

The broadswords used by Connor and Duncan as they spar in the flashback are reproductions of the sword used by Clancy Brown in Highlander.

The old Asian immortal in Kell's "Posse" is in real life Adrian Paul's martial arts instructor.

The original title was "Highlander: World Without End".

Originally meant to act as a bridge between Highlander: The Series and the spin-off series Highlander: The Raven continuing on TV. These plans started to go awry when Highlander: The Raven was canceled, and production delays started occurring due to cast availability problems. Dimension Films, who had taken on the project as a way of invigorating the franchise, soon realized that their plans for the film were not going to meet expectations and scaled back on its release, effectively throwing the movie away.

The main bulk of filming took place in Romania, at Miramax's behest. Producers William Panzer and Peter Davis were initially opposed to this move.

Not screened for critics prior to release.

Bruce Payne came down with bronchitis during filming, forcing the production to reschedule until such a time when he was well enough to perform, which was about three months later.

The Faith fashion show was filmed in London's Millennium Dome exhibition.

Continuity Error: In the rooftop battle, the "B" in the sign appears reversed in one shot.

Revealing mistake: The Volkswagen's windows blow out in all directions despite being caused by an exploding building on one side of it.

Revealing mistake: Duncan has to stop in order to avoid walking into the obvious blue screen during the final scene. (Corrected in the Director's cut DVD.)

Continuity Error: The lack of dust in Connor's war room after ten years of disuse.

Factual error: In the flashback that begins "Kildare, Ireland 1712" a fuss is made over the rogues exacting a toll on Kate's carriage "by order of the King". While Connor, Duncan and even Kate's party are aware that the "King's decree" is a fake, it seems strange that no one mentions the most obvious proof of this: the reigning monarch in 1712 was Queen Anne.

Revealing mistake: When Duncan stabs Kate you can see under Duncan's arm the tube holding the blood that connects to the knife.

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Kell enters the Sanctuary he is heard speaking, but for a brief moment his lips are not moving.

Factual error: When Connor discovers Duncan after the Battle of Glen Fruin, the caption says that it is the year 1625. The Battle of Glen Fruin took place in 1602, 23 years earlier.

Continuity Error: In the last fight scene between Kell and Duncan, the location of their fight jumps from the 1st floor of the factory to on top of a catwalk. After they jump off the catwalk, the same "1st floor fight scene" is used again.

Continuity Error: Duncan's shirt suddenly changes when he sees the remains of Connor's store for the first time.

Error in geography: Kate/Faiths apartment is in the National History Museum in London. This is where Duncan and Jacob start their final battle, which ends up in a factory and then to the USA - there is an obvious US Skyline in the final moments of the battle.

The producers of the film disagreed with Dimension Films on the running length and story structure of the film. They were unsatisfied with the theatrical cut and for the DVD release, they re-edited portions of the film, and added twelve minutes of new footage. These changes include:

There is an addition to the opening scene. We see Connor and Duncan roaming the streets of New York, and Duncan buying a hotdog. Connor tells Duncan he has an errand to run, and he leaves a concerned Duncan behind. Then we go to Rachel walking up the the store.

The shots of the photographs with Rachel and Connor in them are not in the DVD cut. Instead, we see Rachel enter the store, go to the loft, and find a television playing videos of herself and Connor at various points of her life. One part of the video shows Connor giving a young Rachel a music box, which we then see in the loft. The phone rings, and when Rachel answers, the store explodes, just as Connor has walked up to it.

The shots of Connor walking up to the store and Rachel entering are different from the theatrical cut.

The DVD cut has Duncan walking past a payphone on his way to Methos. He answers the phone, and a woman (later revealed as Faith) tells him, "Whatever you fear about Connor MacLeod, fear the worst." She identifies herself as "a friend" and hangs up. As Duncan walks away, we see the Watcher named Matthew sitting at a cafe spying on Duncan and saying into a cellphone, "He's on the move."

Methos's line about the Sanctuary being only holy ground has been removed, and the part of the shot in which he states this has been taken out.

The posse enters, and Winston says, "It's time to show our immortal brother a thing or two."

Cracker Bob has more of an entrance. We see him crash into the loft on his motorcycle, swing his bat, and say, "Did anyone order a club sandwich?" Duncan mocks Bob's outfit, and Bob complains to Faith.

After Methos and Joe have rescued Duncan and are driving away, Methos hands Duncan his katana, which was last seen in the loft where Duncan left it. Methos says, "I managed to retrive that from their lost and found." Duncan, examining the sword, says, "There's blood on it." "I didn't say it was easy," Methos snaps.

The flashback to Kate and Duncan's wedding has been re-edited. We see Duncan sitting at a table with Kate, and one of their friends gets drunk and collapses, while urging them to kiss. They do so, and then we see Duncan, Kate, and their guests dancing. From there, we cut to Connor walking through the door and Duncan embracing him.

The sound of the MacLeod claymore hitting the ground and marking Heather's grave is louder in the DVD cut than in the theatrical cut.

After Duncan and Faith separate at the studio, we see them roaming the streets. Faith goes to Kell's temple, and her apartment inside, where Kell is waiting. The dialogue makes it clear that they have a sexual relationship, and Kell suspects that she may turn over to Duncan's side. We go from this scene to Faith walking about the streets of New York and then entering Duncan's hotel room.

The JVC sign in the rooftop battle has been digitally blurred. It's not the best job, and on the audio commentary, the flaws are pointed out. "One more night," Bill Panzer says sadly.

The fight scene between Kell and Duncan is extended. After Duncan jumps over the railing and retrieves his sword, he lands on the ground underneath the scaffold. Kell jumps down to meet him, lets Duncan get to his feet, and they fight until they cut into a gas main, starting a fire that Duncan runs away to escape. Kell moves to a room full of chains hanging from the ceiling, and Duncan runs in, attacking Kell. Kell knocks Duncan's sword away, and it gets caught in a chain. A control key is accidentally hit, and some of the chains including the one holding the katana move up. Duncan grabs onto another ascending chain to retrieve his sword, and he escapes Kell.

We go to Duncan bandaging a leg wound and taking off his coat. As he walks back towards the complex to find Kell, we pull back to find Matthew looking through a riflescope and aiming at Duncan. "Just watch it!" someone says. Matthew turns to see Joe Dawson. Matthew raises his rifle to aim at Joe, but Joe fires several shots at Matthew with a revolver concealed in his jacket. Matthew dies and Joe walks away. We then go to Duncan standing before Kell on a platform for their final battle. There is swordfight footage not in the theatrical cut before we get to, "A valiant effort, Duncan. Too bad."

In the theatrical cut, Duncan's face morphed into Connor's and back a few times as Duncan stood up and raised his sword. These have been reduced in their visibility and intensity. In the theatrical cut, there were face morphs during the Quickening, and these have been removed completely. After the Quickening, the shots of Duncan falling to the ground have been trimmed so that we see little of the sky, because the special effects for the background had some problems.

The dissolve to Duncan standing at Connor and Heather's graves is faster.

Connor cuts Kell in half down the middle, but the two halves simply transform into two full, separate bodies.

A sword comes flying blade-first towards Kell, and he telekinetically freezes it in mid-air.

Kell holds up a small floating crystal ball with Connor's face in it. The face screams and the crystal ball shatters.

The DVD release features a 100 minute "earlier cut", featuring many different scenes and/or variations.

The theatrical version ends with Duncan on the hilltops of Scotland standing over Connor and Heather's graves. In the DVD there's additional footage.

HIGHLANDER: THE SOURCE

The world is falling into chaos. As he roams a crumbling city, Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander, remembers happier times before the love of his life left... Hopeless and alone, MacLeod finds his way to a band of immortal companions, including his mysterious friend Methos, and a mortal, Watcher Joe Dawson. Together this small group sets out on a quest to find the origin of the first Immortal and The Source of their immortality.

Released 2006