Highlander III: The Final Dimension
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| Highlander: The Final Dimension aka Highlander III: The Sorcerer |
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| Directed by | Andrew Morahan |
| Produced by | Guy Collins Charles L. Smiley Claude Léger |
| Written by | Gregory Widen Brad Mirman William N. Panzer Paul Ohl René Manzor |
| Starring | Christopher Lambert Mario Van Peebles |
| Release date(s) | November 25, 1994 USA |
| Running time | 106 min / UK:99 min / Argentina:102 min |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Highlander II: The Quickening |
| Followed by | Highlander: Endgame |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Highlander III: The Final Dimension, also known as Highlander III: The Sorcerer, is the third installment in the Highlander film series. It was first released on November 25, 1994. It stands alone as a sequel, effectively contradicting the second film and the television series.
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[edit] Plot
The film starts with a flashback that occurs some time after the death of Connor's wife Heather. Connor has travelled to Japan to request training from the immortal Japanese sorcerer Nakano. Nakano held his residence in a cave of Mount Niri and had gained a reputation as a master of illusion.
However, another immortal named Kane was also interested in mastering the power of illusion. He was making his way across Asia in order to reach Nakano again, with two henchmen in tow (Khabul Khan and Senghi Khan). Entering a nearby village seeking information, they proceeded to burn it to the ground and massacre its population. Eventually they managed to reach the cave. Kane soon managed to defeat and decapitate Nakano, despite Connor's attempts to prevent this. However, the energies released during the battle caused the cave to collapse. Connor managed to escape in time, but Kane and his men were left trapped. They were apparently soon forgotten, and their situation prevented them from participating in the Gathering of 1985.
Flash forward to 1994, when Connor is living with his adopted son John in Marakesh. It is revealed that in 1987, Brenda Wyatt (his romantic interest in the original film) was killed in a car accident. Although he survived the accident himself, he still believes that the Game is over.
Meanwhile, in Japan, two archaeologists have started excavating a cave in order to discover whether the legend of the sorceror Nakano was based on fact. One of these archaeologists is Dr. Alexandra "Alex" Johnson, whose interests in the legend will eventually lead her to Connor MacLeod.
The excavations free Kane, who goes in pursuit of Connor. MacLeod leaves John in the care of his friend Jack Donavan, and then departs to New York City to engage in the final showdown for the Prize. However, as Khabul's decapitated body is found in a hospital washroom, Lt. John Stenn goes on the trail of the main suspect of the 1985 "headhunter" case, Russell Nash (Connor's old alias).
As Alex investigates a piece of cloth found on the site, she discovers that it is a shred of a kilt, with a design that designates a branch of the MacLeod family. This leads her to Nash Antiques, where Connor has returned in preparation for the battle against Kane.
Connor is confronted on Holy Ground by Kane, who proceeds to challenge him. The resulting fight is a violation of the Immortal Golden Rule, and the battle ends as a Buddhist shrine destroys Connor's katana. Kane flees, and Connor decides to return to Scotland to rebuild the sword. Alex tracks him down, and the two fall in love. However, the trip is cut short as Connor learns from Jack Donavan that his son John is on a plane for NYC. Connor returns as quickly as possible, but it's too late: Kane has captured John and is holding him for ransom.
MacLeod meets Kane in a church, and then follows his lead into an abandoned warehouse for the final battle. Connor defeats Kane, wins the Prize, and returns to Scotland with Alex and John to live out the rest of his life.
~
Another extended flashback describes events in the late 18th century. In 1788/1789, Connor was in France when he made the acquaintance of Sarah Barrington, an Englishwoman visiting relatives there, and who happened to resemble Alex Johnson. The two eventually became lovers. However, when the French Revolution began, Connor became involved in it, while Sarah had to return to England.
Connor was captured and sentenced to death by guillotine for treason against King Louis XVI of France. His Immortal friend Pierre Bouchet explained that he was tired of his immortal life, and so offered to die in his place. Connor was falsely reported deceased. Believing her lover dead, Sarah was left grieving.
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Christopher Lambert | Connor MacLeod/Russell Nash |
| Mario Van Peebles | Kane |
| Deborah Kara Unger | Alex Johnson/Sarah Barrington |
| Martin Neufeld | Lt. John Stenn |
| Mako | Nakano |
| Raoul Trujillo | Senghi Khan |
| Jean-Pierre Perusse | Khabul Khan |
| Daniel Do | Dr. Fuji Takamura |
| Gabriel Kakon | John MacLeod |
| Louis Bertignac | Pierre Bouchet |
| Michael Jayston | Jack Donovan |
[edit] Trivia
- Most of the film was shot in Morocco.
- After the poor reception of the previous Highlander movie, fans joked that this film would be entitled "Highlander III: The Apology".
- The US theatrical release was rated PG-13, and a slightly-longer R-rated "Special Director's Cut" was later released on home video.
[edit] External links
- Highlander III: The Sorcerer at the Internet Movie Database
- Highlander III: The Sorcerer at All Movie Guide
