Highlander
In New York City, the owner of a sophisticated antique shop Russell Edwin Nash is challenged to a sword fight in the parking lot of the Madison Square Garden by a man called Iman Fasil that is beheaded by Russell. He hides his sword and is arrested by the police while leaving the stadium. Russell recalls his life in the sixteenth century in Scotland, when he is Connor MacLeod, and is fatally wounded in a battle against another Clan. However, he surprisingly survives and his Clan believes he has a pact with the devil and expels him from their lands. Then he meets Juan Sanchez Villa-Lobos Ramirez, who explains that he is immortal unless he is beheaded. Further, the immortals dispute a game killing each other and in the end only one survives receiving a prize with the power of the other immortals. Russell is released by the police, but the snoopy forensic agent Brenda J. Wyatt is attracted by the case since she found fragments of an ancient Katana and follows Russell. But the also immortal Kurgan is hunting down MacLeod, and Brenda is in the middle of their battle.
The film disappointed at the box office against its respectable budget of $19.0M, earning $12.9M globally (-32% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its bold vision within the action genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Highlander (1986) reveals carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Russell Mulcahy's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 11-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 56 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.8, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Connor MacLeod watches a wrestling match in Madison Square Garden, appearing as an ordinary antiques dealer living anonymously in 1985 New York, concealing his immortal nature.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Connor beheads a fellow immortal in the parking garage, triggering a massive Quickening. This kills the lights and draws police attention, disrupting his carefully maintained anonymity.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
At 59 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat The Kurgan murders Connor's beloved wife Heather (shown in flashback), demonstrating his cruelty. In present day, the Kurgan reveals himself to Connor and Brenda, raising the stakes and making the conflict personal and immediate., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Connor realizes Brenda is in the Kurgan's grasp and he must face his greatest enemy alone. This echoes the death of Ramirez (his mentor, killed by the Kurgan centuries ago), bringing the "whiff of death" - Connor could lose everything again., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 93 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The final battle between Connor and the Kurgan on the rooftop. Connor defeats the Kurgan, receives the Prize through a massive Quickening, and gains the knowledge and power of all immortals. He rescues Brenda and becomes mortal., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Highlander's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 11 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Highlander against these established plot points, we can identify how Russell Mulcahy utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Highlander within the action genre.
Russell Mulcahy's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Russell Mulcahy films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Highlander takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Russell Mulcahy filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Russell Mulcahy analyses, see The Shadow, Ricochet and Highlander II: The Quickening.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Connor MacLeod watches a wrestling match in Madison Square Garden, appearing as an ordinary antiques dealer living anonymously in 1985 New York, concealing his immortal nature.
Theme
Ramirez tells young Connor: "You cannot die, MacLeod. Accept it." The theme of accepting one's true nature and embracing destiny is established.
Worldbuilding
Intercut between 1985 New York and 1536 Scotland, establishing Connor's dual existence: his modern isolated life as Russell Nash and his origins as a Scottish clansman who discovered his immortality after being "killed" in battle.
Disruption
Connor beheads a fellow immortal in the parking garage, triggering a massive Quickening. This kills the lights and draws police attention, disrupting his carefully maintained anonymity.
Resistance
Connor deals with police investigation led by forensics expert Brenda Wyatt while flashbacks show Ramirez arriving in Scotland to mentor young Connor, teaching him about immortality, the Game, and the Prize. Connor resists both modern exposure and his ancient destiny.
Act II
ConfrontationPremise
The "fun and games" of immortal warriors battling through time. Connor trains with Ramirez, experiences romance with Heather in Scotland, and engages in the cat-and-mouse game with Brenda while the Kurgan hunts remaining immortals in New York.
Midpoint
The Kurgan murders Connor's beloved wife Heather (shown in flashback), demonstrating his cruelty. In present day, the Kurgan reveals himself to Connor and Brenda, raising the stakes and making the conflict personal and immediate.
Opposition
The Kurgan intensifies his assault, taking Brenda hostage and taunting Connor. Connor must face memories of all he's lost through the centuries while the final confrontation becomes inevitable. The few remaining immortals are eliminated.
Collapse
Connor realizes Brenda is in the Kurgan's grasp and he must face his greatest enemy alone. This echoes the death of Ramirez (his mentor, killed by the Kurgan centuries ago), bringing the "whiff of death" - Connor could lose everything again.
Crisis
Connor experiences despair and reflection, remembering Ramirez's lessons and all those he's loved and lost. He must find the will to fight knowing he may fail or, if he wins, face eternity alone again.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final battle between Connor and the Kurgan on the rooftop. Connor defeats the Kurgan, receives the Prize through a massive Quickening, and gains the knowledge and power of all immortals. He rescues Brenda and becomes mortal.