History Franchise / Highlander

* '''''[[Series/{{Highlander}} Highlander]]: [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series was originally intended to be a {{prequel}} to the first movie (resolving the continuity issues the screen was plagued with), being about the larger body of Immortals in the time of the Gathering coming together and doing combat in the large scale ladder match that would ultimately lead up to Connor McLeod versus the Kurgan. After the first season it became clear that the Series was doing quite well in its own right and the canonicity of the original film began to fade in the Series continuity. Currently in Series fandom the original film is considered to be canon excepting where it is contradicted by something in the Series or the films that were based on it, which take priority. Likewise the parts of the first season which are rooted in the original film are also LooseCanon (such as strong references to the Gathering and so on). The series also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received and internally consistant.

* '''''[[Series/{{Highlander}} Highlander]]: [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series takes the original film as its {{backstory}} in BroadStrokes (except, obviously, Connor being the last Immortal and winning The Prize), and (like everything else) it ignores the second film. It also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received.

* '''''Highlander: The Final Dimension''''' (1994) -- [[EitherOrTitle alternatively titled]] '''''Highlander III: The Sorcerer''''' -- ignores the second film and the TV series, making it a direct sequel to the original film. It turns out that The Kurgan was ''not'' the only [[BloodKnight savage]] Immortal out to claim Connor's head, as Kane (Mario Van Peebles) was trapped in a cave for 400 years and so didn't quite make it to The Gathering. Despite following a similar formula to the first film, ''Highlander 3'' was better received than ''The Quickening''.

** Not since the ''[[{{ALIEN}} Alien³]]'' teaser with the alien egg spinning toward Earth has there been [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot a more misleading trailer]].

* '''''Highlander 2: The Quickening''''' (1991) flash-forwards to [[BadFuture the year 2024]]. Connor is back, having parlayed The Prize (the ability to read the minds of all the world's mortals at once) into building a vast planetary [[DeflectorShields force field]] to replace the [[GlobalWarming broken ozone layer]]; the downside is that the entire planet is now [[AlwaysNight permanently dark]]. In other news, the Immortals are revealed to be [[HumanAliens space aliens]] from planet Zeist, while the evil General Katana (MichaelIronside) has come to Earth to kill Connor off. While it enjoyed a much bigger budget, it was panned by critics and scorned by the fans. It should be noted however, that the bizarre changes that contradicted the original film, were due to ExecutiveMeddling (the film ran out of budget halfway through the shooting). Several years after the theatrical screening, the director brutally re-edited the film into ''The Renegade Cut'' for release on home video -- ''twice''. The edit had all references to Zeist removed. The troubled history of the film's production is explained in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcXvG_DoiY this mini-documentary.]]

* '''''Highlander 2: The Quickening''''' (1991) flash-forwards to [[BadFuture the year 2024]]. Connor is back, having parlayed The Prize (the ability to read the minds of all the world's mortals at once) into building a vast planetary [[DeflectorShields force field]] to replace the [[GlobalWarming broken ozone layer]]; the downside is that the entire planet is now [[AlwaysNight permanently dark]]. In other news, the Immortals are revealed to be [[HumanAliens space aliens]] from planet Zeist, while the evil [[AwesomeMcCoolname General Katana]] (MichaelIronside) has come to Earth to kill Connor off. While it enjoyed a much bigger budget, it gained a large amount of hate from the fans. It should be noted however, that the bizarre changes that contradicted the original film, were due to ExecutiveMeddling (the film ran out of budget halfway through the shooting). Several years after the theatrical screening the director re-cast the actors, shot new scenes, deleted the stupid parts out, and basically re-edited ''The Quickening'' into what he called ''The Renegade Version''. That version was released on home video ''twice''. The re-edited film had all references to Zeist removed. The troubled history of the film's production is explained in [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMcXvG_DoiY this mini-documentary.]]

* UndeadTaxExemption: Averted: Connor has to change his identity every so often to blend in with society. Though he doesn't move on, just transfers his home and assets to the next identity. This is what eventually gets him found out once there are enough government records signed with the same handwriting over two centuries to backtrack over.

* BeamMeUpScotty: "There can only be one."

** The same goes for the subway scene in ''Highlander 2'', where Katana somehow gets a New York subway train to go [[BeyondTheImpossible over 400 mph]] and ends with him plowing the train through a wall onto the street. For no reason - this is the very first thing Katana does when he gets to Earth.

* NeutralFemale: Heather exemplifies this during the Kurgan's fight with Ramirez; then again, with the tower falling apart around her she might have been more concerned with avoiding a concussion. Fortunately for Connor, when he loses his sword during his own DuelToTheDeath Brenda averts this and clobbers the Kurgan from behind with a metal pipe, distracting him long enough for Connor to recover his sword.

->''"In the end, there can be only one."''

* '''''Highlander: The Search for Vengeance''''' (2007) is an {{Anime}} unrelated to any of the films or other adaptations. It starts in AD 125, somewhere in RomanBritain. A small village is wiped out by Roman troops led by Immortal Marcus Octavius. He is a WellIntentionedExtremist who thinks an Empire is [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans necessary to build a utopian society]]. This battle leads to the rise of another Immortal, Colin [=MacLeod=]. He is mentored by Amergan, the ghost of a druid. Colin devotes his life to seeking vengeance by killing Octavius. The film follows them in brief scenes taking place during a period of two millennia. The film was a critical hit and is thought to have a far more complex plot than most of the live-action sequels.

* '''Highlander: The Animated Series''' (1994-1996) mostly ignores the established canon, though Connor [=MacLeod=] and Ramirez (from the original film) both make an appearance. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the Immortals have agreed to a truce. Once everyone else has taken the oath, however, a {{jerkass}} Immortal named Kortan [[ILied takes advantage]] of the binding truce to become [[TakeOverTheWorld ruler of Earth]]. Several centuries later, new Immortal Quentin [=MacLeod=] is born. He is [[CurseEscapeClause not bound by the oath]], making him the sole warrior able to face Kortan. His mentor Vincente Ramirez leads him on a quest to find the other Immortals and receive their knowledge, before Kortan does. Tagging along is Clyde of the Dundee, Quentin's adoptive sister. The series eventually spawned a game ''Highlander: The Last of the [=MacLeods=]'' for the AtariJaguar.

* It all started with a single film: '''''Highlander''''' (1986) introduces Connor [=MacLeod=] (Christopher Lambert), an Immortal born in the [[TitleDrop Scottish Highlands]]. In a series of flashbacks, Connor is mentored by Juan Ramírez (SeanConnery), a [[TheObiWan wise]] Immortal who teaches him the basics before being beheaded by Connor's sworn enemy, [[BigBad the Kurgan]] (ClancyBrown). The film's other half takes place in [[TheEighties Eighties]]-era [[BigApplesauce New York City]], where all the world's Immortals, whose numbers are now growing thin, are drawn together to [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne battle to the last man]] [[DuelToTheDeath in a final showdown]] dubbed "The Gathering". By the end of the film, Connor and the Kurgan are the only Immortals left. Connor kills him in a FinalBattle, [[DistressedDamsel saves the girl]] (Roxanne Hart), and gains The Prize.

A [[LongRunner long-running]] HistoricalFantasy [[SeriesFranchise franchise]] about a rare collection of beings known as The Immortals. They can live forever, but with a catch -- When one Immortal [[OffWithHisHead takes the head]] of another, the winner gets the loser's power, while the beheaded Immortal is dead for good.

This power exchange manifests as an explosion of energy called The Quickening, in which [[MadeOfExplodium everything within 50 yards]] [[StuffBlowingUp blows up]]. Drifting invisibly through the history of the world, they battle each other in [[SwordFight swordfights]] until only one Immortal remains; the last one standing gets "The Prize", the exact nature of which is unknown.

The various film and television incarnations of ''Highlander'' include:

* It all started with a single film: '''''Highlander''''' (1986) introduces Connor [=MacLeod=] (Christopher Lambert), an Immortal born in the [[TitleDrop Scottish Highlands]]. In a series of flashbacks, Connor is mentored by Juan Ramírez (SeanConnery), a [[TheObiWan wise]] Immortal who teaches him the basics before being beheaded by Connor's sworn enemy, [[BigBad the Kurgan]] (ClancyBrown). The film's other half takes place in [[TheEighties Eighties]]-era [[BigApplesauce New York City]], where all the world's Immortals, whose numbers are now growing thin, are drawn together to [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne battle to the last man]] [[DuelToTheDeath in a final showdown]] dubbed "The Gathering". By the end of the film, Connor and the Kurgan are the only Immortals left. Connor kills him in a FinalBattle, [[DistressedDamsel saves the girl]] (Roxanne Hart), and gains The Prize.

* '''''Highlander: The Raven''''' (1998-1999) was a short-lived [[SpinOff spin-off]] of the TV series and centered on Amanda (Elizabeth Gracen), Duncan [=MacLeod=]'s sometime love interest. By all accounts [[http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/highlanderraven.php a disastrous shoot from start to finish]], making it the ''[[TerryGilliam Lost in La Mancha]]'' of spinoffs.

* '''''Film/HighlanderTheSource''''' (2007), released as a [[SyFy Sci-Fi Channel]] [[MadeForTVMovie Original Movie]], marks (probably) the final appearance of Duncan [=MacLeod=] and the rest of the TV series' gang. Following an [[AfterTheEnd apocalyptic event]], the dissolution of the Watcher's Council, and a lot of other, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot more interesting stuff not explored in this movie]], Duncan, Methos (Peter Wingfield), and the last few immortals on Earth go on a quest to find "[[TitleDrop The Source]]" of immortality. Standing in their way is The Guardian (Cristian Solimeno), a shirtless [[EvilAlbino albino]] man. All of it culminates in yet another final battle in which Duncan wins what may be the lamest interpretation of The Prize yet -- [[BabiesEverAfter he gets to be a daddy]], which means the whole point of the game was one [[GainaxEnding gigantic, cosmic case of penis envy]]. Amazingly enough, it does not directly contradict ''Endgame'' -- though ''II'' and ''III'' are still out of luck.

* In 2001, a [[WebAnimation Flash animated]] fan series entitled ''The Methos Chronicles'' was [[http://www.highlanderworldwide.com/world/animation/methoschronicles/index.html made available]] online. The eponymous character is voiced by Peter Wingfield, reprising his old role from the TV series.

* '''''Highlander: The Search for Vengeance''''' (2007) is an {{Anime}} unrelated to any of the films or other adaptations. It starts in AD 125, somewhere in RomanBritain. A small village is wiped out by Roman troops led by Immortal Marcus Octavius. He is a WellIntentionedExtremist who thinks an Empire is [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans necessary to build a utopian society]]. This battle leads to the rise of another Immortal, Colin [=MacLeod=]. He is mentored by Amergan, the ghost of a druid. Colin devotes his life to seeking vengeance by killing Octavius. The film follows them in brief scenes taking place during a period of two millennia. The film was a critical hit and is thought to have a far more complex plot than most of the live-action sequels.

* ThereCanBeOnlyOne
* WhoWantsToLiveForever

* ActuallyNotAVampire: One episode of the TV series features what appears to be a string of vampire attacks in South London in 1840. The victims in Paris all have missing blood and piercing wounds on their neck. There's even a Van Helsing-type character hunting the vampire. He catches him too, [[WrongGenreSavvy only the be shocked when the vampire gets up from being staked]]. Turns out the vampire was an immortal faking vampire attacks so that he could kill his young bride and inherit her money.

* AlternateUniverse

* AllThereInTheManual: While the flashbacks do supplement some of the information, the [=DVDs=] (at least, for the Series) have the Watcher Chronicles, which include date of birth/first death, first teacher, background on the immortals, notes from the watchers, and information on the different swords used.

* BallisticDiscount: An episode of the series did this with swords. An Immortal walked into an antiques shop that sold assorted bladed weaponry. He asked the proprietor to show him an authentic sword that could stand up to the stresses of combat. The Immortal tested and took a Toledo sword by stabbing the proprietor with it.

* BestServedCold: Jacob Kell is peeved at Connor for [[CreateYourOwnVillain killing his foster father]], a Scottish Priest. Kell bides his time for five centuries (!) before carrying out his vengeance.

*** Some editions of ''Final Dimension' 'have it titled as ''Highlander 2''.

* TheCastShowoff Jim Byrnes was showcased numerous times playing guitar and singing blues music.

* CycleOfRevenge:

* DoingInTheWizard: '''Infamously''' mishandled in ''Highlander II.''

* EternalLove: Duncan and Amanda's very-long-running off-again, on-again relationship.

* EvilSoundsDeep:

* FacialCompositeFailure: The news media, unaware of The Gathering or what is happening, attributes each of the original film's beheadings to a single killer. The newspapers release a composite sketch of The Kurgan, dubbing him the "Headhunter".
* FairCop: Brenda J. Wyatt, Forensics specialist for the NYPD.
* FakeNationality: Christopher Lambert (American, raised French-speaking Swiss) plays Connor [=MacLeod=] (Scottish). Sean Connery (Scottish) plays Ramirez (ancient Egyptian pretending to be Spanish). Clancy Brown (American) plays the Kurgan (early Russian or Ukrainian). Adrian Paul (English of Greek parentage) plays Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Scottish). However, Lambert pulls off a decent Scottish accent for Connor's early days, then puts on a deliberately vague "layered" accent for the present-day scenes, having lived all over the place. Brown doesn't attempt a Russian accent.

** And, of course, SeanConnery [[NotEvenBotheringWithTheAccent doesn't even try]] for Spanish or originally-Egyptian-and-by-now-Spanish. Scottish all the way.

* TheFogOfAges: Even before meeting him, Duncan has heard that Methos is five thousand years old. Methos tells him that he's actually older, possibly ''much'' older, but "before that, it all starts to blur".

* HeyItsThatGuy: Too many to list. The series had a regular string of musicians in guest roles: Roger Daltry, Joan Jett, Nia Peeples, and more. Also, Wesley and Giles from the {{Buffy}}verse and Nick from ''{{Forever Knight}}''.

* ImmortalityBeginsAtTwenty: Averted, the Immortals seem to stop aging at the age where they first experience a violent death.

* MayflyDecemberRomance: Any love interest for an Immortal. Duncan and Amanda are both immortal, but they come and go over time, not willing to attached to each other for centuries.

** Not since the ''[[{{ALIEN}} Alien³]]'' teaser with the alien egg spinning toward Earth has there been [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot a more misleading trailer]].

** Immortals are only allowed to fight one-on-one, and are forbidden to do so on "holy ground". These rules are [[RetCon malleable]], to put it lightly.

* ResurrectiveImmortality: Immortals can die just like anyone else, but their bodies then heal and they revive. And it can turn into a cycle if conditions are bad, which can lead to an insane immortal or at least an immortal with a huge desire for revenge.

** "'''[[SayMyName MAAAARCUUUUSS!!!]]'''" in the anime.... [[RunningGag repeatedly]].

* ThatsGottaHurt: "Oh. That'll hurt," as the resident ObiWan observes as [=MacLeod=] falls off a skyscraper in the {{anime}}.

* TrainingMontage:

** The third film includes a sequence in which Connor returns to Scotland, and several beats from the first film's montage (running on the beach, rowing on the lake) are re-created with solo Connor.

** ArtisticLicenseAstronomy: A character who is observing the phenomenon warns that the entire Earth will be bombarded with "cosmic radation". Methos, for his part, contends that the planets are merely exhibiting "[[DidNotDoTheResearch orbital wobble]]". And, of course, in the film's climax, not only do the planets quickly move into alignment, but they're close enough to be clearly visible and huge in the night sky.

* WretchedHive: the Kurgan stays in a motel/brothel that seems to be a hangout for prostitutes, drug addicts, and sexual degenerates.

* '''''Highlander: The Source''''' (2007), released as a [[SyFy Sci-Fi Channel]] [[MadeForTVMovie Original Movie]], marks (probably) the final appearance of Duncan [=MacLeod=] and the rest of the TV series' gang. Following an [[AfterTheEnd apocalyptic event]], the dissolution of the Watcher's Council, and a lot of other, [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot more interesting stuff not explored in this movie]], Duncan, Methos (Peter Wingfield), and the last few immortals on Earth go on a quest to find "[[TitleDrop The Source]]" of immortality. Standing in their way is The Guardian (Cristian Solimeno), a shirtless [[EvilAlbino albino]] man. All of it culminates in yet another final battle in which Duncan wins what may be the lamest interpretation of The Prize yet -- [[BabiesEverAfter he gets to be a daddy]], which means the whole point of the game was one [[GainaxEnding gigantic, cosmic case of penis envy]]. Amazingly enough, it does not directly contradict ''Endgame'' -- though ''II'' and ''III'' are still out of luck.

* AfterTheEnd: A strangely popular setting for ''Highlander'' spinoffs, for no explicable reason. ''Highlander II'', ''Highlander: The Source'', ''Highlander: The Search for Vengeance'', and the animated series all occur in post-apocalyptic settings. It's justifiable in ''The Search for Vengeance'' and the animated series, as they take place in the far future and immortals are one of the few likely to survive the end of the world, but less so in the case of ''The Quickening'' and ''The Source''; both take place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture and have most ''normal'' people living through the apocalypse as well.

* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning: The final battle of ''Highlander: The Source''. Just... don't ask.

* KryptoniteProofSuit: The Guardian from ''The Source'' wears neck armor to stop from being decapitated.

* PunctuatedForEmphasis: In ''The Source'', Cardinal Giovanni reacts to the Elder's revelations about the titular Source by exclaiming that "This is blasphemy!" The Elder's response? "'''"IT... IS... TRUUUUUEEEE!!"'''
** Despite what you might think (and the incredibly similar delivery), however, this actually ''wasn't'' a rip-off of the former TropeNamer, as ''The Source'' was written and shot almost two years before ''[[ThreeHundred 300]]'' hit the cinemas, and held up in DevelopmentHell until after that film had been released.

* RememberTheNewGuy: ''The Source'' introduces a love interest who has apparently been Duncan's true love for many centuries, and has ''never'' been mentioned before, even with the presence of another immortal lover. Of course, she fell into the [[CanonDiscontinuity discontinuity hole]] with the rest of ''The Source''.

* WreckedWeapon: After stabbing [[spoiler: Joe Dawson]] through the chest with Duncan's sword in ''The Source'', The Guardian pours salt in the wound by snapping the blade in two.

* ForgingScene: The third ''{{Highlander}}'' film has Connor's sword shattering, meaning he has to go home to reforge his Katana.

* SyntheticPlague: This is the sub-plot in the anime ''{{Highlander}}: The Search for Vengeance'', where Marcus has released a virus over New York to wipe out all of people who haven't conformed to his ancient Roman ideals. The virus only had an 80% kill rate but by the end of the movie he's managed to make a 100% version.

* '''''[[Series/{{Highlander}}|Highlander]]: [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series takes the original film as its {{backstory}} in BroadStrokes (except, obviously, Connor being the last Immortal and winning The Prize), and (like everything else) it ignores the second film. It also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received.

* '''''''[[Series/{{Highlander}}| Highlander]]'': [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series takes the original film as its {{backstory}} in BroadStrokes (except, obviously, Connor being the last Immortal and winning The Prize), and (like everything else) it ignores the second film. It also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received.

* '''''[[Series/{{Highlander}}| Highlander]]: [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series takes the original film as its {{backstory}} in BroadStrokes (except, obviously, Connor being the last Immortal and winning The Prize), and (like everything else) it ignores the second film. It also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received.

* '''''Highlander: [[RecycledTheSeries The Series]]''''' (1992-1998) follows the life of Duncan [=MacLeod=] (Adrian Paul), an Immortal who happens to be a cousin of the movies' Connor [=MacLeod=] (then again, who isn't?). The series takes the original film as its {{backstory}} in BroadStrokes (except, obviously, Connor being the last Immortal and winning The Prize), and (like everything else) it ignores the second film. It also introduces the Watchers, a [[AncientConspiracy mysterious group]] which has observed and chronicled Immortal activities throughout history. The series coined the term "The Game", which refers to the Immortals' ongoing battle. For the most part it was well-received.

* It all started with a single film: '''''Highlander''''' (1986) introduces Connor [=MacLeod=] (Christopher Lambert), an Immortal born in the [[TitleDrop Scottish Highlands]]. In a series of flashbacks, Connor is mentored by Juan Ramírez (SeanConnery), a [[TheObiWan wise]] Immortal who teaches him the basics, and is beheaded by Connor's sworn enemy, [[BigBad the Kurgan]] (ClancyBrown). The film's other half takes place in [[TheEighties Eighties]]-era [[BigApplesauce New York City]], where all the world's Immortals, whose numbers are now growing thin, are drawn together to [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne battle to the last man]] [[DuelToTheDeath in a final showdown]] dubbed "The Gathering". By the end of the film, Connor and the Kurgan are the only Immortals left. Connor kills him in a FinalBattle, [[DistressedDamsel saves the girl]] (Roxanne Hart), and gains The Prize.

* AfterTheEnd: A strangely popular setting for ''Highlander'' spinoffs, for no explicable reason. ''Highlander II'', ''Highlander: The Source'', ''Highlander: The Search for Vengeance'', and the animated series all occur in post-apocalyptic settings. It's arguably justified somewhat in the instance of ''The Search for Vengeance'' and the animated series, as they take place in the far future and immortals are one of the few likely to survive the end of the world, but ''The Quickening'' and ''The Source'' both take place TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture and have most ''normal'' people living through the apocalypse as well.