The Griffin or the Agate

Okay, okay, I know there's a new episode of the Highlander saga currently in the theaters (but don't blink - it might be gone already), but I just can't bring myself to cough up the 8 or 9 bucks to go see what will no doubt be a terrible flick. Not that the original of the series was something from Kurosawa, but the film helmed by Russell Mulcahy had a certain charm that made up for the editing oddities (why the touching farewell with the blonde woman we know nothing about?), seriously deranged but startlingly effective casting (Frenchman Christopher Lambert as the titular character? Scotsman Sean Connery as the Egyptian Spaniard, or was it Spanish Egyptian?), and some serious plot questions (the so-called 'Prize' seems awfully lame in exchange for your immortality). Indeed, it was a quirky little film, almost stolen by Clancy Brown's performance as the chief evil guy, the Keirgan. To have spawned so many (wretched) sequels (both on film and television) would indicate that the cult following is either large enough or rabid enough to support it. In any case, the epic about the struggle between immortals stretching through time, locales, and a kick-ass Queen soundtrack had finally found it's way to the DVD format, and it is most welcome arrival.
     I'm not going to do a review of the movie itself - it came out in 1986 and I think I'm a little late in that department. What needs to be addressed is the question of whether or not the DVD is worth buying. Well, the DVD has most of the goodies you'd expect to find on a release in this format. Widescreen is here, as well as the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and the theatrical trailer. THX and Dolby make sure that you'll be able to wake the neighbors up with ease. These are fairly standard. But fans of the film will truly appreciate the director's cut (which was previously available on VHS) which includes scenes edited from the European version of the film (oh, THAT'S who she is!) and the fascinating and often humorous running commentary by Mulcahy and producers Ptere Davis and William Panzer. There are other treats as well.
     If you're a fan of Highlander, this is essential for your collection. I'd be surprised if you didn't own a copy already. Even for a casual fan of the movie, there are enough insights and revelations to make it a worthy purchase. The director's cut restores lost footage and makes the movie make sense. Well, I'm still a little hazy on the ending. I mean, I prove I'm the baddest of the bad, and I get . . . Roxanne Hart? Always makes me want to root for the Kiergan.   §

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