I remember it being kept vague about what the actual Prize was, beyond the fighting through the ages until 'there can be only one'. But logic and coherence isn't high up on the priority list for the film. I could never defend it beyond the fact I love the film and its characters/situations and the whole world it exists in. It's a true 'one-off' clunky original.
The sequel was DOA once they retconned the whole enigma as aliens from another world. Game Over, Man.
Yes, the film kept it really vague in the end. It's not even explicit that MacLeod is mortal at the end though they reference his ability to now have children. And they're also not explicit about what the feelings and voices are that he can hear and experience - it's akin to someone in Star Wars explaining what it feels like to be "one with the force".
I will say that mortality might be the ultimate prize because otherwise what good is the awareness of everything if you're mortal? Like is MacLeod really going to solve the world's problems in his lifetime? He's not granted the powers of magical diplomacy or Jedi-mindtrickery, like he'd still have to contend with corrupt and ill-intentioned people who won't believe or care that he's been around for hundreds of years.
But this ending was all sort of cobbled together in editing which does remind me that everything kind of holds this film together, barely. The editing is not necessarily tremendously spectacular but it is inventive in parts (like this ending) and there are some cool cuts like the smooth transitions between time periods, although that's more credit to the cinematography that was designed with the edit in mind.
If I were to rank what holds this film together I'd say:
STRONG Sean Connery Sean Connery Sean Connery Michael Kamen's soundtrack Cinematography (that darn Louma crane, man) Production Design Special Effects Location Scouting Script: Basic core romance concept
MEDIUM Editing "Queen" Swordfighting Script: The screenwriters' lore/world-building additions
I look at it as a long-form music video that tries to tell a story. That was Mulcahy's forte, so it could not help but be that. On that level, I think it succeeds nicely.
I look at it as a long-form music video that tries to tell a story. That was Mulcahy's forte, so it could not help but be that. On that level, I think it succeeds nicely.
Kamen is the wonderful icing on the cake.
I agree! I don't know if it's more music video than film, I think it's more film than music video, but the way it kind of moves from scene to scene any time something gets narratively stuck or boring and then using Queen's songs as anchors definitely gives it that music video structure.
Not wishing to flog a dead horse (.. but kinda doing so, obviously!) just wanted to again ask about the current 3 film cd release. As this is my most wanted soundtrack release and all I've heard over the years is that the rights issue is too complicted, how come this was released? As far as i know its not a bootleg but im sure in an interview way back, I remember reading somewhere that Michael Kamen had no knowledge of its release. Okay..I’ll shut up now
Not wishing to flog a dead horse (.. but kinda doing so, obviously!) just wanted to again ask about the current 3 film cd release. As this is my most wanted soundtrack release and all I've heard over the years is that the rights issue is too complicted, how come this was released? As far as i know its not a bootleg but im sure in an interview way back, I remember reading somewhere that Michael Kamen had no knowledge of its release. Okay..I’ll shut up now
Spook is this the one you are referring to? I have this but the only one of your questions that I can answer is that it is NOT a boot.
Not wishing to flog a dead horse (.. but kinda doing so, obviously!) just wanted to again ask about the current 3 film cd release. As this is my most wanted soundtrack release and all I've heard over the years is that the rights issue is too complicted, how come this was released? As far as i know its not a bootleg but im sure in an interview way back, I remember reading somewhere that Michael Kamen had no knowledge of its release. Okay..I’ll shut up now
Spook is this the one you are referring to? I have this but the only one of your questions that I can answer is that it is NOT a boot.
I would hazard a guess that, like many of the CDs of the past (FSM have said they managed to release a lot of their discs without too much interference from too many cooks) things may have been less complicated in dealing with various rights holders. It was probably issued via a deal just between the label and film company and excluded all the potential fingers in the pie who may have had certain rights. That's the only explanation I can think of, bearing in mind what we hear now about how impossible this release would be.
Not wishing to flog a dead horse (.. but kinda doing so, obviously!) just wanted to again ask about the current 3 film cd release. As this is my most wanted soundtrack release and all I've heard over the years is that the rights issue is too complicted, how come this was released? As far as i know its not a bootleg but im sure in an interview way back, I remember reading somewhere that Michael Kamen had no knowledge of its release. Okay..I’ll shut up now
Spook is this the one you are referring to? I have this but the only one of your questions that I can answer is that it is NOT a boot.
I always love the scene in HIGHLANDER where the newspaper-stand guy is sarcastically reading out loud the headlines and comments so the incompetent cops can hear. Cracks me up every time.
