Connor MacLeod - character of the films "Highlander", "Highlander-2"

In 1986, the movie "Highlander" appeared on the screens. Despite its unassuming name, it instantly gained popularity around the world. The phrase: "Only one will remain" - became winged and sounded in many languages. On the wave of success, several proceedings were withdrawn, and after the television series of the same name was launched.

What attracted the audience in this film? Undoubtedly an interesting story, breathtaking sceneries of Scotland, great music written especially for the "Mountaineer" by the band "Queen" and the main character is Connor MacLeod, performed by Christopher Lambert.

Cinematography "Highlander"

Starting the shooting of the film "Highlander" few people could have thought how much the audience would like the story of the immortal knights who have been fighting each other for centuries. Moreover, the plot of the first picture looks completely finished, and in this connection it was necessary to explain a lot in the proceedings, and therefore some things look drawn to the ears.

In total there are five films in this series: "Highlander", "Highlander 2: Revival", "Highlander 3: The Last Dimension", "Highlander: The End of the Game" and "Highlander: The Source". The character of Connor MacLeod is present only in four of them. In the film "Highlander: The End of the Game", he dies at the hands of his distant relative and friend, who later becomes the central hero of the epic film, as well as the television series. Thus, the place of the main immortal hero of the series is Duncan MacLeod.

It's a remarkable fact that the events of the second motion picture are quite contradictory. They are ignored in further extensions.

The plot of the films "Highlander", "Highlander-2"

According to the story, in all ages immortal creatures lived among people. Most of them were unaware of their gift, which could only be manifested if their bearer died a violent death. Kill these creatures can only one way - after cutting off his head. All of them must fight with each other for the so-called "prize", which will be given to the last surviving immortal.

The first film tells how Connor MacLeod, a Highlander from Scotland, became immortal. Having perished from the sword on the battlefield, afterwards he revived and returned to his family.

But the native clan did not accept it, declaring the sorcerer. Expelled from the house, Connor settled down to work as a blacksmith and married a girl named Heder.

Once he met a stranger named Ramirez. He opened the guy the truth, taught to fight and use his abilities.

However, soon Ramirez was killed by another immortal named Kurgan, he also hunted for Connor, but did not find him.

After the incident, Connor MacLeod lived with Heder all her life, and then left his native land.

For many centuries of life I have seen and experienced a lot. He killed some immortals, and made friends with some. In the twentieth century, he settled in London, opening a small antique shop here and changing his name.

Once, after another victory over another immortal, the police became interested in the hero, in particular the young criminalist Brenda White. Soon the girl managed to learn the secret of Connor, but she kept it, because she fell in love with the hero.

Meanwhile, the Mound gradually kills all the immortals and only Connor MacLeod remains alive. To lure him, the scoundrel kidnaps Brenda. To save his beloved, the mountaineer comes to fight and defeats the enemy in a difficult battle, and also becomes the owner of a mythical "prize."

The film "Highlander-2" shows the future, in twenty-five years. During this time the hero grew old and weakened. Because of problems with the ozone ball, the planet is in danger. Connor, along with other scientists, is developing an artificial energy shield that protects the planet.

It turns out that all immortals are not from the Earth. They were rebels on their home planet against the brutal regime of General Katana. Unfortunately, they were seized and sent to Earth.

Years passed and Connor MacLeod remained the only survivor and General Katana decides to kill him. For this he sends mercenaries, but the hero defeats them and again becomes young and immortal. He also gets the opportunity to bring Ramirez back to life. Together they remember the old days and amuse themselves with might and main.

But when Katana arrives on Earth to deal with them himself, Ramirez sacrifices himself to save Connor. In the final fight, Connor defeats his enemy and disconnects the shield he once created, as the ozone layer has recovered over the years.

Connor MacLeod of the MacLeod Clan

This character was born in the early sixteenth century in the village of Glenfinnan in Scotland. At the age of eighteen was first killed during the war of the clans, and after his resurrection he was expelled from the village.

About three years he traveled until he met his Heather, on which he married.

He was very fond of his wife and all her life remained faithful to her. The wife died when Connor turned 69 years old, but he looked young.

After the death of his beloved, the mountaineer went to study in Edinburgh. Here he acquired the profession of a sailor and secular manners.

In the early seventeenth century, Connor MacLeod traveled for almost twenty years in Africa.

In the middle of the seventeenth century, the hero travels to Japan and finds the immortal teacher of his friend Ramirez - Nakano. He has been studying mysteries of skill for several years, until one day another immortal sorcerer kills Nakano.

Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Connor traveled around the world, participated in many wars and revolutions. Repeatedly falling in love and making novels, but they all ended sadly.

Disillusioned with politics, he returns to London, where he opens a small store of antiques and takes the name of Russell Nash. Here he manages to kill his main opponent of the Kurgan. However, over the next ten years, almost all of his native people are killed.

Tired of the constant struggle, he gives Duncan the opportunity to kill himself, so that he gained sufficient power and destroyed Jacob Kellum - another immortal, bringing evil.

Weapons of Conor MacLeod

Throughout the life of the highlander, he had different weapons. However, the main role was played by two swords.

The first sword of Connor MacLeod was a heavy two-handed claymore. A similar weapon was used by most of its relatives in the sixteenth century. This sword was Connor's main weapon until the death of his wife Heder. Then he left the claymore on her grave, as his hilt looked like a cross.

In the future, Connor used the sword of his deceased friend Ramirez - a katana. It was forged long ago by the legendary Japanese armourer Masamune, especially for Ramirez, who was married to his daughter. After the death of Ramirez, Connor in memory of his teacher used only them. In the third film, the katana of Connor was broken, but the hero repaired it, using the ingot of metal left to him by Nakano.

Favorite women of Conor MacLeod

Throughout all 482 years of the hero's life (if you do not take into account the events of the film "Highlander-2"), he often fell in love.

His first girl was from the clan of the MacLeod, after his resurrection, she rejected him along with everyone.

After meeting Scottish Heder, Connor married her and lived until her death. In addition, he remembered her all his life. You can say that she was his greatest love.

At the end of the eighteenth century Connor had a serious affair with noblewoman Sarah Barrington. However, because of the Revolution in France, lovers had to part. Although the hero for a long time remembered her.

During the Second World War, MacLeod fought on the side of the Allies and somehow saved a tiny Jewish girl Rachel Ellenstein. Later he adopted her and cared for his whole life. Rachel became his close friend for many years.

In the second half of the eighties (the events of the movie "Highlander"), Connor meets Brenda White. However, soon she perishes in a car accident.

In the nineties, the case is reduced by a mountaineer with archaeologist Alex. It turns out to be an almost exact copy of Sarah Barrington's former sweetheart Connor. Relations between them are established, but not for long.

Conor's Friends

Besides Rachel, who was Connor's faithful friend throughout his life, almost all his other friends were immortal.

The first friend and teacher was the Egyptian Juan Ramirez. He taught MacLeod much and saved his life, at his own cost.

Another friend of Connor is the Japanese master Nakano. He not only teaches him the secrets of the immortals, but also helps MacLeod to become a more skilful blacksmith. Later the master perishes, saving the mountaineer.

Sunda Kastagir is another immortal friend of Connor. They had great relationships and they often liked to have a drink. But Kurgan kills Castagira in a duel ("Highlander").

And, of course, Connor's closest friend was his distant relative, Duncan.

Duncan MacLeod

When in 1992 they began to shoot the series "Highlander", the lead actor Adrian Paul persuaded the screenwriters and the director to present his character as a separate hero, not Connor MacLeod. So there was Duncan MacLeod.

This hero came from a neighboring branch of the clan MacLeod. Like Connor, after resurrection, he was expelled from his home.

When he was thirty-three, Connor found him and made him his disciple. Subsequently, the MacLeods often spent time together.

Only an urgent need forced these friends to hold a duel, in which Duncan won. This was done with the aim of uniting their forces into one and defeating a cruel enemy.

In 2007, the screens went to the fifth part of the epic, where the main character was only Duncan.

Christopher Lambert, an actor who played Conor MacLeod

In the filmography of this actor more than seventy works.

The future highlander was born in New York, but because of his father's work Christopher's childhood was spent in Switzerland and France.

Professionally engaged in music and dancing. He made his debut in the cinema in the late seventies in the French film "Ciao, les mecs".

Until the middle of the eighties he was filming mostly in French movies, which did not bring him much fame.

A breakthrough in his career happened after filming in the film Luc Besson's "Underground". Here, Christopher's partners in the film were future movie stars Isabelle Adjani and Jean Reno.

Having flashed in Besson's work, the following year Lambert was invited by Russell Malkahi to play an immortal highlander named Connor MacLeod. The actor agreed, still not even realizing that this role would become his business card.

In the interval between the first and second films about MacLeod, Christopher Lambert starred in several English-language films, but they did not have much success.

In 1991, the actor was invited to star in the continuation of the "Highlander", he gladly agreed, putting the condition of participation in this picture of Sean Connery, with whom they became friends during the filming of the first film.

After "Highlander-2" Lambert's career went up the hill. He was actively invited to shoot in all sorts of action movies around the world. It was at this time that such famous films as "Fortress", "Steep Trunks" and "Mortal Kombat" appeared.

In 1994 and 2000, he returned to the role of a mountaineer until his character was killed.

Also starred in one of the episodes of the television series "Highlander".

With the advent of the two thousandth Christopher Lambert continued to often film, but he became less popular.

Today, the artist continues to act in both American and French cinema. In 2016 with his participation came the film "Long live Caesar!".

Thirty years have passed since the first "Highlander" came on the market. All these years, the audience watched with fading all the extensions, dreaming to find out how the fate of their favorite by the name of Connor McCloud will develop.

The film "Highlander" has long been a classic of world cinema. It is unfortunate that all attempts to remove a worthy continuation were not successful. The series is a separate project with a completely different character. Several years ago there were rumors that a remake of the "Highlander" would be filmed. In any case, no matter how many sequels or remakes are removed, only one image of Connor MacLeod - performed by Christopher Lambert - will remain in the memory of all admirers of this film epic.