Retro Video Series: The Numerous Versions of HIGHLANDER II: The Quickening (1991)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
- For this episode, I dive deeply into the four major different versions of the film considered to be one of the worst sequels of all-time with Highlander II: The Quickening! Breakdown of each section is listed below.
00:00 Intro
8:35 The U.S. Theatrical Cut
14:43 The European Cut
35:03 The Renegade Version
43:20 Special Edition
49:48 In The End (Summation)
#highlander #highlander2 #christopherlambert #laserdisc #vhs #dvd #bluray #lostmedia
Featured music:
"Avalon Averted"
by HEMI
From the album AVALON
Leash Records
www.hemimusic.com/
Play on Spotify: open.spotify.com/track/2uaKxy...
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Highlander II Trivia: It also came with a trailer for the Thief and Cobbler that included footage not found in the Miramax release.
Hated this movie when I was younger. Watching it again as an adult I really started to appreciate it because I don't see ambitious movies being made like this anymore, especially the practical effects. The cheese factor of this movie is a total plus. Kind of reminds me of bladerunner meets total recall. It was cool to see all of the background you present about this movie.
What bothers me the most is how they now promote the Renegade Cut simply as Highlander 2 while pretending the original version never existed.
Highlander 2 never ceases to be a source of fascination. Wish it was a source of joy too but still
I've been eagerly anticipating this video since it was announced a short while back, and boy did it not disappoint! An hour VERY well spent. I am in the rarest minority found in Highlander fandom that legitimately and unironically loves this movie. I have many reasons for loving it, mainly being it was the first exposure to Highlander I ever had after seeing it theatrically in '91, however the biggest reason is for the weird place it has in film history. The bizarre story elements, the production woes, and the sheer number of recuts and re-releases I find to be utterly fascinating. I'd like to THANK YOU on a personal level for all of the hard work and research you did making this wonderful video. I'd never known much at all about the European Cut, save for the "Fairy Tale Ending", and to see all the various inclusions, deletions and overall variations between all these versions was special to see, for me anyway! Thanks again and KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! Your channel is fantastic. And no, Oliver didn't send me here... but his stuff it phenomenal, too! Cheers! 🍻
Thank you so much for your positive reactions! It is a weird ass movie, but it’s not the worst Highlander movie. The Source is incredibly worst by a long shot.
@@ravensfilm The Source makes Highlander 2 look like Highlander 1. Where I can defend and appreciate aspects of Highlander 2, The Source is abysmal. The only thing I can say nice about The Source is that it was nice to see Duncan, Joe and Methos again, even as horribly as they were done.
@@ravensfilm Totally agree! The Source is appalling, not just a bad Highlander movie, but a terrible movie in general.
@@ravensfilmdid you ever have the highlsnder tv seris VHS box sets ever
When I was a kid, I was a _HUGE_ fan of _Highlander._ I didn't realize until the following movies that I noticed that the writing could be a lot better.
Great exhaustive review, you should be getting way more views! The European Cut was doing the rounds on pirate video before it was released in the UK (US Cut). Be cool if you could discuss the theatrical, workprint & Producer's Cut for Endgame in the future. Oliver also sent me here😁
I did discuss them a few years ago in my review video for Endgame.
I'm absolutely fascinating with this video because you have answered all my questions about one more rare films of all time! Thank you so much for doing this!
Watching vids like this discussing Highlander 2 is more interesting and entertaining than watching the movie itself!
Wish we could get a Renegade Cut but with Zeist and the corny ending.
Even if it suffered all the backlash, it is what makes more sense to the story. Guy got banned from his planet now he can return.
Agreed. The movie is what it is. Adding nonsense about time travel from the past is just as silly as them being aliens.
You did absolutely great job with this video Nick! Maybe this will also help anyone who wants to know all the differences between the versions and full history behind the film. I always found it interesting how all Highlander films had similar problems with different versions, but what was always most curious thing to me is all the stuff we never saw, like deleted scenes from all films, specially first one. I even remember reading years ago how rough cut of third film was three hours long, although i could be wrong about that so don't take my words for it. Btw, can you imagine how different earlier cuts of this film were, and what else are we missing? Man, i'm sure if there was a workprint of this, we would see yet another crazy version of the film, and which was probably even bigger mess.
I actually think the blue shield is stupid given Louise’s line about ever getting to see a blue sky. The yellow/orange/red one at least fits the expression that the sky is ugly because of the shield.
I personally love the Zeist concept but I think they used it wrong. Instead of being banished to Earth, they should have just been beheaded to Katana’s delight and then have the understanding that when the immortals are beheaded, they are reincarnated on another world. It would also make more sense to leave Ramirez dead on Earth and leave most of Connery’s scenes here be flashbacks to Zeist which can show more dynamics of the whole rebellion. There’d still be a mystery given Katana was an immortal himself and you have to ask, when and for how long, have these characters been being reborn?
A full-blown sci-fi Highlander would have been cool to see.
Great video! So interesting. I never saw Higlander one, BUT as I child I watched Higlander 2. And it was GREAT. I remembered it some years back, and just had to find it. And i did find it in 2004. Have watched it several times since, and still love it. I think, if you did not watch Higlander one, that Higlander 2 is a fun movie. Enjoyed it as much as Total Recal and Robocop.
Very interesting, and complete stuff!
All of us Highlander fans could have come up with a bette story that this. I am convinced the writers were on drugs or took a script from another movie and just slapped the name Highlander on it
I'd like to see "Final Cut" of Highlander 2 where they don't try to cut out the zeist stuff, because to me in these later forms the movie makes even less sense than before. You'd think it wouldn't be that hard. I mean, they fucked this movie up long before the principal photography began, might aswell go all the way with it and keep the pacing going.
Great video. I always thought this movie was unwatchable after the original. I eventually came across "The Renegade cut' and gave it another go and to my surprise I actually didn't hate it. The documentary that came with that release shed some light on the problems off screen and you got a sense of the huge disappointment they all must have felt after the failure of this movie.
I do agree the stuff behind the scenes and all the cuts of this movie are what makes it so interesting. It would be nice to have it all included in one box set with maybe a modern documentary/commentary or featurette with the director and Lambert involved. It almost become a Classic due to it being a bad sequel but interesting sequel too...dare I say I enjoy it now...I wonder if with a remake this film will generate more interest...will they dare to discuss the origins of the immortals or let Mulcahy get involved?
firstly, thank you so much for this deep analysis. I know Highlander II gets a bad rep, but honestly, I like how you can splice the "Meanwhile on Planet Zeist" scenes into every single movie that was ever made, and it would still make as much sense as it did in Highlander. Shutter Island, Tommy Wisseau's The Room, Platoon, or Ten Things I Hate About You could all have the Quickening and General Katana's coup de tat and it would be just as hilarious and awful.
On a side note, I love Alien 3
Hopefully when this comes out on 4K they do this movie good.
Oliver sent me here too
I watched the theatrical cut in the late 1990s but I don't remember much of it...just that it was bad. After over 20 years of "Should I watch this?", last night I finally watched the Renegade Version and it was really bad. I don't even know why they bothered.
Anyway, thanks for the video. It must've taken a long time to compile all that information.
Took a good two months, and then, a couple weeks to shoot and edit the whole thing.
@@ravensfilm Thanks for the reply. I'll definitely check out your other videos.
As a side note, I watched H2 for the first time in Italy. That cut had 2 or 3 Robocop style bad TV commercials. No other version I've seen has those. Now my question is what is the superior presentation of Renegade DC Red shield is LD? Because 2 dvds were made one in 1997 and 2000, are both dvds the exact same?
I have to think the LD is superior. The footage I used was from the original DVD release, which just didn’t have the best encoding. Of course neither did the original DVD for the first film.
Great analysis! But didn’t the UK version have something different about the judges’ dialog, where they tell Connor and Ramirez they’re going to be reborn on earth? I remember that was in the original script, but I always heard the UK version had it as well. I thought it explained the backstory better than the other cuts
I'm from Russia and it happens I always saw European version here on vhs and tv, which is why I probably never understood all the criticism of this movie as I saw it already patched.
I think Highlander 2 was not as bad as people think. Yes it has retcon that makes you feel cognitive dissonance when you try to connect what you know from 1st movie and the fact they are aliens now and there are still immortals around. But if you will forget 1st movie for a minute, you will find out that highlander 2 is actually much better in almost every aspect and its quite interesting futuristic sci-fi movie. If only this movie could be re-dubbed and credited that way that it wouldn't retcon first movie with aliens, and would turn enemies to, let's say, some parallel reality immortals that traveling between alternate earthes and killing other immortals to gain their power and knowledge, because in infinity of alternative earthes there can be not only one, but infinity, and also to explain how Connor knows enemy from parallel universe you can explain that Connor from that universe somehow channeled his knowledge and power to Connor from original universe, which also made him immortal but made him forget his alternate past , and then made him remember it once he regained immortality from parallel universe immortals, and also if you will change enemy motivation to go to this earth Connor because he finds out that on this earth Connor is the only one remaining immortal who has power and knowledge of every other one, including those killed by Connor in alt universe, which makes him one of the most tasty and empowered immortals to take his soul, and also if it will be explained that enemy known what prize is abs keeps bunch of loyal immortals around while killing rest in parallel universes to cheat the system and gain more power and knowledge while remaining immortal (yeah this adds some mortal Kombat and sliders and BioShock infinite and Fringe vibes) ruler of all parallel universes he conquered - this would fix entire continuity and will retcon the retcon and will be respectful and logical sequel to first movie. We have ai that can learn and imitate any voice so its actually possible to re-dub some scenes with original voices imitated by ai , and som re-editing of all existing edits to make this new origin story fit well will make highlander 2 as good sequel as terminator 2 was to terminator 1. Also such explanation could fix and fit tv series continuity as another parallel universe Connor. Maybe a simple line that his next target is Duncan in another universe where he killed Connor - would make better connection between everything. Even animated series (which was great by the way, its opening tune was amazing) would fit into this concept.
Very interesting talk, thank you. Highlander has always been one of my favourite movies. I saw H2 at the theatre and hated it but I want to see the Renegade version now after having listened to all of this. Do you know if it's possible to get hold of the script for Highlander 2?
I don’t know that it’s freely available. I’ve seen scraps of it online, but I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask Ewan (HippieDalek) if he knows anything.
@@ravensfilm Thank you, I'm looking forward to what you can find. I ordered H2 Renegade and H4 Endgame Producer's today, thanks to your reviews, and I'm looking forward to seeing them. I'm just listening to your review of H3 right now but I think I'll skip that one. I've seen it once, the standard version, and it was so terrible that I doubt that any director's cut can improve on it to make it worth seeing again.
According to Cinefantastique magazine, many screenplays from different people were written for Highlander 2.
22:09 Literally all of the music is superior in the European cut. Used to have it on a VHS. I've tried to download it for over a decade - WHERE THE FUCK CAN I FIND IT IN ENGLISH???!!! I love the badass music when Ramirez gets his new clothes, in fact it's so badass that when I experienced the nightmare that is all of the other cuts that play that horrible, horrible fucking William Tell Overture, it drives me up the fucking wall.
Hunt down HippieDalek on Twitter. He’s done a lot more restoration on this 35mm scan than when I did this video, and it’s synced with the English Laserdisc audio from Hong Kong.
If they had just done a prequel, they probably could have made one of the greatest sequels of all-time. I mean, there was so much talent involved. The director is obviously capable of cinematic greatness, he proved it with the first film. I think their own desire to assuage the fans who were so determined to know the "why" did them in, because those same fans swiftly realized they didn't wanna know and turned on them for giving them what they were so sure they wanted (but didn't really want).
Watching this again I have the UK theatrical version, r1 renegade, 2004 special edition too
Recently got the Italian version on bluray with dts 2.0 English audio. This is the 2004 version.
Crazy bit have a fascination with it. Is so bad it is good 😁
Managed to get the theatrical version of Endgame too via German import. Crazy just want all the versions 😆
I hear ya. I am just missing the European version. I have the other 4 versions & the 2 highlander 3 versions
I have the original script of Highlander 2.
The priests dialogue is much longer in the script than any of the cuts.
I appreciate your review of the different versions. I find it is fascinating to learn about the financial mine field of making art film. I like the future world and message of the environment but the bitterness of the mythology and rules being broken such as losing your head means you don't come back makes it a difficult watch but at the same time having Connery in the film makes it better as well. So many contradictions. I really like the practical effects and the set is magnificent. I like Michael Ironside generally but he is too over the top as the villain and isn't scary like the main villain in the original film. The repair and added scenes in the Renegade version are poor in my opinion and I cringe at the line "oustanding" by Conor's love interest. I watch the renegade version with it in mind being a half-finished film and I forgive it when I watch it as a guilty pleasure.
Will you be uploading the European version here? I have the US theatrical, renegade, extended & special edition versions. European is the only version I am missing. I also have the 2 versions of highlander 3
I will not be doing that. I cannot upload full movies to my channel without risk of getting hit with copyright strikes that could shut me down. You will have to seek out HippieDalek online if you are looking for a copy of the European version.
@@ravensfilm understand, tnx
Do you have the Extended Zeist Edition?
No, I don't own any fan edits, just the restoration that in progress for the European Cut.
I know you’ve said it’s an abomination but please could you do a review/Retrospective of the source? The full film is just a mess start to finish and with the ending they cut it short and leaves you confused as to what you’ve just seen. I had heard that the source was going to be a planned trilogy but I can’t find any information supporting that. Would just love to hear you’re thoughts on it
I absolutely will never watch The Source ever again. I only saw it once when it premiered on the Sci-Fi Channel. Never again.
Putting lipstick on a pig at this point
Do you find some difference between some scenes style?
I’m not sure I understand your question.
the Renegade Version of Highlander II was a HUGE improvement over the theatrical version, but DID need some clarification on the "ancient times" and the three priests in the "distant past" in some exposition.
Like maybe clarify the "Three Priests" are leaders of LEMURIA an advanced civilization that combine sorcery with technology, and that McCloud and Ramirez's get banished to different time periods and made to loose their memories of their past life as rebel leaders of the Resistance against the 3 Priests of Lemuria it made sense to me, so I disagree with you on it "not making sense"
It’s still a tenuous concept change that falls on its face. Why go back in time to a civilization you know becomes extinct in the lifetime you’ve already lived through?
It was the worst sequel until "The Source" came out.
Yes, it’s the film I will never waste my time watching ever again.
@@ravensfilm I found the uncut/Russian version of "The Source" to be seizure inducing with how.......STUPID it was.
Anna spinning about as she flies up into the air while Duncan and Mr Gimp Suit man throwing sand at each other and then Gimpy spinning around as well, drilling himself into the ground like Bugs Bunny was so pathetic.
Plus, like what Spoony said in his review, Duncan is NOT pure of heart.
Agreed. They ruined the mystique of the immortals
If you get the Japanese blu ray release of highlander 2 it comes with the u.s. theatrical version on dvd
Due to all the various versions... im still at a loss as to what the actual lore is meant to be. Are the immortals from another planet? Are they from another time? Does anyone actually have a definitive answer?
I don’t think anyone does. It’s a giant mess that folks have tried to mitigate the damage of with these re-edits.
@@ravensfilm Fair one. Its a bit of a shame really. Seems all the decent franchises are butched sooner or later down the line.
I remember hiring this from vhs store when i was younger
It's the nonsense editing and internal logic that I call Highlander 2's US theatrical cut a "chewtoy" movie for me.
Something I can just sit back, relax and nitpick the inconsistencies like a brain exercise. Like Katana walking into an abandoned warehouse and ending up in a board meeting at the Shield Corporation, or the warehouse and shield generator fights being edited into one, shit like that.
Good review, bad movie. It would be nice to have a blu ray with all of the different versions in it though. I love the first film.
37:00
Does make some sense if you're knowledgeable about Ancient Eqyptian Hieroglyphs, along with other cultures around the world.
Sure, ancient lost civilizations existed, but they didn’t have advanced future technology and time travel teleporters. Also, it makes no sense to banish people to the future where your society is long dead just so you can return to the distant past to fight a war that will be forgotten about and deemed seemingly pointless because history shows no signs that it ever happened. It’s trying to put an infected band aid on a gaping chest wound. Not only does it not fix the problem, it kind makes it worse somehow.
To me the big problem with Highlander 2 is that its a sequel to Highlander lol. The movie just feels really removed from that first to the point of if you like what was going on in that original then you are probally not going to jive with this film. I do wonder if you watch the film on its own if it would play better.
The best version is the American theatrical version because it’s the shortest version of an awful film. Outside of a few ideas and scenes there isn’t much here really. Adding more material to a bad film doesn’t make it a good film, it’s just a longer bad film. The ultimate version should be the American version but running time cut in half.
Hi. I'm from Argentina. I made a few videos about Highlander 2 if you want to check them out because It's the 30th anniversary of its screening. Bye.
The outrageous narrative knots these guys tied themselves in trying to explain where new immortals come from when Macleod was the last one alive is hilarious - Other planets? magic caves? - At least by the fourth one they just said "f*ckit"
Armor
24:12 😵💫
Oliver Harper sent me here
Oliver has been a very good friend for many years now. Thanks for checking out the video!
Can you do a review of highlander the source. Which ended up in same situation as highlander 2. The bonding company had to step in there's 2 cuts of the movie the shitty USA version that ended up on Syfy channel and the 99 min Russian cut which came out on blu ray a year before the usa release. The Russian cut a tolerable movie you can see what they were trying to do.
The Source is the worst film I've ever seen. I've vowed never to watch it ever again. I can't do it.
@@ravensfilm you don't have to see again just review your completionist you done all the movies so far. Check out highlander heart channel on you tube they did episode with Brett Leonard he talks about what happened to the film. It's almost the same story just liked highlander 2. Also if you haven't seen the 99 min cut (Russian cut) its away better cut you can see more of what could of been if they had the money to make the film they wanted.
@@MrFidel2525 I just have no desire to watch a single frame of that film for any reason whatsoever. I have much more interesting films to spend my time on. For me to cover a film in any fashion I do need to sit down and watch it to take notes on it. I haven't watch The Source since it premiered on the SyFy Channel.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, if you don't take it out and watch it, it's going to..." uhm... decay and crumble into oblivion. Yeah, it's called entropy, I guess... Well, good riddance or something, what do I care.
- No. 1 was simply awesome, No. 3 is watchable. All the rest, any variance of no. 2, the TV-shows etc., they are all just unintended parodies (which BTW is the worst kind of parody).
Fair enough. I enjoy the series, but I’m hard pressed to defend much beyond the original because it’s all contrived excuses to extend a cult franchise.
Your wrap up was a rambling mess. The rest of your observations were interesting. Learn how to bottle up your thoughts.
Sorry I let you down in that regard. I’ll keep trying to do better.