Highlander

"There Can Be Only One"

Highlander

Connor MacLeod was born in the year 1518 "in the village of Glenfinnan on the shores of Loch Shiel." In 1536, his clan is in conflict with the Clan Fraser, and Connor rides along into his first battle. The Frasers are working with a towering monster of a man known as The Kurgan who has recognized that Connor is a fellow Immortal, and hopes to use the battle to kill Connor before he becomes aware of his abilities. On the battlefield, Connor wonders why none of the Fraser's forces will attack him, until he comes across the Kurgan and is struck by an odd pain. This leaves him open to attack. The Kurgan mortally wounds Connor and prepares to decapitate him, but the MacLeod's kinsmen intervene just before this occurs, with the Kurgan vowing to return. The clan mourn Connor, but he miraculously revives shortly after his 'death'. Accusing him of witchcraft, Connor's clansmen beat him and prepare to burn him, but his cousin Angus persuades them to exile Connor instead. He escapes with his life, but is banished forever from his clan and birthplace.

Highlander (1986)

​Director: Russell Mulcahy
Cast: Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, Clancy Brown, Roxanne Hart.

Christopher Lambert and Sean Connery star in the epic tale of immortality that launched one of the most beloved action-adventure series in film and TV history. After Scottish clansman Connor MacLeod (Lambert) discovers his true identity as a member of a legion of immortals, he embarks on a legendary journey spanning continents and centuries, eventually landing in modern-day New York City. Connor faces his ultimate test when other immortals begin to appear in the city, leading to a titanic showdown where only one can claim victory. Directed by Russell Mulcahy and featuring a soundtrack by Queen, this is the modern classic that has attracted millions of warrior fans worldwide.

Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a 16th-century immortal born in Glenfinnan, Scotland near the shores of Loch Shiel. Under the alias Russell Nash, he lives and works as an antiques dealer in present-day New York.

Sean Connery as Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez, an Egyptian immortal. Born Tak-Ne in 896 BC, he became an immortal after being run down by an out-of-control horse and cart. At the time of meeting Connor, he was living in Spain and working as the Chief Metallurgist to King Charles V. He is beheaded in 1542 while fighting the Kurgan.

​Clancy Brown as The Kurgan, a Russian immortal living under the alias Victor Kruger. Born on the border of the Caspian Sea in the 10th century BC, he was a member of the Kurgan tribe. He travels to New York with the intention of killing the few remaining immortals and claiming the "prize".

Highlander II: The Quickening, the second film, Highlander III: The Final Dimension, the third film and Highlander: Endgame, the fourth film...

I am Duncan MacLeod, born four hundred years ago in the Highlands of Scotland. I am Immortal and I am not alone. For centuries we have waited for the time of the Gathering, when the stroke of a sword and the fall of a head will release the power of the Quickening. In the end, there can be only one.'

​Highlander: The Series (1992-1998)

Star: Adrian Paul

​The Series is a fantasy-adventure television series featuring Duncan MacLeod (Adrian Paul) of the Scottish Clan MacLeod, as the Highlander. It was an offshoot and another alternate sequel of the 1986 feature film with a twist: Connor MacLeod did not win the prize and Immortals still exist post-1985. In fact, original Highlander star Christopher Lambert appeared in the Pilot episode so as to pass the torch to Adrian Paul. The series was an international hit and was nominated three times for the Gemini Awards and once for a Saturn Award in 1998.


Related Pages: Highlander, Sean Connery