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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Film

Highlander

Highlander is a 1986 fantasy action-adventure film that launched the Highlander franchise.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Highlander is a 1986 fantasy action-adventure film that launched the Highlander franchise. It follows Connor MacLeod, a Scottish immortal, through centuries of battles culminating in a modern-day New York City confrontation.

What it is

Highlander is the first installment in the franchise, directed by Russell Mulcahy and written by Gregory Widen, Peter Bellwood, and Larry Ferguson. The film stars Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, with Sean Connery as his mentor Ramirez, Roxanne Hart, and Clancy Brown. Its mythology centers on immortals who can only be killed by decapitation, with the last surviving immortal winning the Prize.

Plot summary

The story follows Connor MacLeod from his origins in Scotland to his battles as an immortal in modern-day New York. He learns the rules of immortality—decapitation is the only way to die—and must fight other immortals across centuries, leading to a final showdown for the Prize.

Franchise legacy

The 1986 film became the basis for a broader Highlander franchise, which includes multiple sequel films and a 1992 television series spin-off. The franchise has had broad international popularity, including in Canada through film, television, and home-video circulation.

In short

  • First film in the Highlander franchise, released in 1986.
  • Stars Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, a Scottish immortal.
  • Immortals can only be killed by decapitation; the last one wins the Prize.
  • Franchise includes sequels and a TV series spin-off.
Canadian angle

Highlander has had broad international popularity, including in Canada through film, television, and home-video circulation; no specific Canada-only origin or setting is indicated in the provided sources.

Quick questions

Who is the Highlander?
In the film, the Highlander is Connor MacLeod, a Scottish immortal swordsman.
What is the Highlander movie about?
It is about Connor MacLeod, an immortal who fights other immortals over centuries, leading to a final battle in New York City for the Prize.
How many Highlander movies are there?
The franchise began with the 1986 film and includes four sequels, for a total of five films.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highlander_(film)
    Supports: Film identification, release year, plot, cast, director, and franchise status.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091203/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot details about Connor MacLeod, immortality, and the Prize.
  3. Fandom — https://highlander.fandom.com/wiki/Highlander
    Supports: Franchise information including sequel films and a television spin-off.
  4. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/highlander-1986
    Supports: Release date, cast, director, and basic plot description.