HIGHLANDER: END GAME
US, 2000, 96 minutes, Colour.
Adrian Paul, Christopher Lambert, Bruce Payne, Jim Byrnes, Sheila Gish.
Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski.
Highlander: End Game is the fourth in the series of Highlander films which began in 1986, directed by Russell Mulcahy. That film starred Christopher Lambert as Conor Mc Leod, an immortal from Scotland who lived over the centuries, surviving, righting wrongs. Also appearing was Sean Connery as a highland chieftain.
The film was noted for its exotic futuristic tone while incorporating scenes from the past (and this film uses footage from the original) as well as imagining what a future would be like. It is also a story of people who can never die unless killed by another immortal.
There were two other sequels with Christopher Lambert who also appears in this film – but is killed in it in order that Duncan Mc Leod (Adrian Paul) can confront the renegade immortal (Bruce Payne) and the immortals can survive.
The end game is the final swordfight between the two heroes.
The structure of the film enables it to move from time zone to time zone ranging from Scotland to France to England during different centuries as well as America in the present and future. To that extent, the screenplay seems confused – more like a jigsaw puzzle which comes together at the end with the final confrontation.
In fact, 2005 saw yet a further episode in the Highlander series with Adrian Paul.
1.The popularity of the series? The story of the immortals? Conor Mc Leod? Duncan Mc Leod? The adventures through the series? The end game in this – with the death of Conor and the survival of Duncan as the hero?
2.The structure of the plot, moving from different times to different times, places? A jigsaw puzzle of the life of the immortals and their memories? Scotland, French royalty, the British in the 18th century…? In the United States, in the present and the future? The musical score?
3.The focus on Conor Mc Leod, his story, in New York, the death of Rachel? His memories of the past, the Scottish scenes? His seeking out Duncan, his disappearing because of Rachel? His memories of the confrontation with Kell? His training, his confrontation of Kell? His friendship with Duncan, their working together? The fight with Duncan? His death?
4.Duncan Mc Leod, his past history, cared for by Conor? His relationship with Kate? Her death – and the flashbacks, his being responsible for her death and immortality? Her turning from him, becoming Faith? With Kell? In the present, the confrontations? Duncan and his search, his linking up with the other immortals? The various battles? Seeking Conor? The final fight, his being unwilling to kill him, Conor’s death? The reconciliation with Kate?
5.Jacob Kell, in the past in Scotland, with the priests, the death of Conor’s mother, burnt at the stake, Conor and his being exiled for black magic? The vindictiveness of Kell? His becoming immortal, reappearing in the present, the arch villain, his henchman? His wanting power, relationship with Faith? The build-up to the confrontation with Conor, the final fight with Duncan? His death?
6.The other members of the group, their personalities, immortals – in contemporary American style? Personalities, the fights, the struggles with Kell’s group?
7.The popularity of this kind of film – the touch of the exotic with history, the past? The notion of immortals? The martial arts, the swordfights? The battles?
