Highlander/The Source

The Source
Airdate	September 15, 2007
Based on	characters created by Gregory Widen
Written by	David Abramowitz and Stephen Kelvin Watkins
Directed by	Brett Leonard
Produced by	Peter S. Davis, William Panzer
Network	Sci Fi Channel
Style	86-minute (US version)/98-minute (Russian version) science fiction fantasy
Company	Lionsgate
Filming Location	Lithuania
Origin	USA
← M01 Endgame	SF1 → Highlander: Reunion
Highlander

Highlander: The Source is the second film based on the Highlander TV series, and the fifth film overall in the Highlander franchise. It was released as a SCI FI Pictures original.

Adrian Paul, Thekla Reuten, Cristian Solimeno, Peter Wingfield, Jim Byrnes, Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Stephen Wight, Thom Fell, Patrice Naiambana

Cast: Adrian Paul (Duncan MacLeod), Thekla Reuten (Anna), Cristian Solimeno (The Guardian), Peter Wingfield (Methos), Jim Byrnes (Joe Dawson), Stephen Rahman-Hughes (Zai Jie), Stephen Wight (Reggie), Thom Fell (Giovanni), Patrice Naimbana (The Elder), Sakalas Uždavinys (Security Guard), Laurynas Jurgelis (Boy in Stadium), Geofry Bersey (Brother Radu), Antanas Surgailis (Monk 1), Laimutis Leonas Ciunis (Monk 2), Rolandas Boravskis (Jurgis), Saulius Siparis (Man in Tyres), Marina Ivenkova (Screaming Woman), Mykolas Dorofèjus (Hanging Man), Alius Makovskis (Old Guardian), Buckley Norris (Captain)

Plot Overview

Methos and other immortals try to find the mythical Source. However, its Guardian is out to stop them. Duncan reluctantly joins when he learns his ex-wife plays some role.

In-Memoriam

• Dedicated in Loving Memory of

Bill Panzer

Notes

The Game

• The Guardian and Reggie attempt to engage in the cemetery. Duncan manages to hit the Guardian with his sword, which he then uses to kill Joe. Despite being reminded that they're on holy ground when Duncan threatens Methos, there are no consequences for the Guardian or Duncan.

Villain pronounced with a K

• The only film in the franchise which the villain's name doesn't start with a "K" nor does it have a K sound like in many episodes.

Music

• Brett Leonard - "Feral Drum Fubar With Psycho Chant"

• Jim Byrnes - "Running Out Of Time"

• John Sloman - "Princes of the Universe"

• John Sloman - "Who Wants To Live Forever?"

• Chris Cawte - "Princes Of The Universe" & "Who Want To Live Forever?"

• Spot - "Life Goes On"

• Sevendaystory - "Between Blood and Stars"

• Fortystore - "Hold On"

• John Sloman and Tamasin Hardy - "The Sun Is Gonna Shine"

Arc Advancement

Referbacks

• Duncan mentions Tessa among the women he's lost (The Darkness) as well as Kate (Endgame).

Trivia

The Show

• First Highlander film not to be released theatrically.

• Curiously, Duncan mentions Kate as among the women who died. Both the workprint and producer's cut of Endgame leaves her alive. This would make the theatrical version canonical (although Duncan is not aware of Kate being alive in the workprint version).

Behind the Scenes

• Was planned to be the first part of a trilogy, but this was scrapped due to the abysmal reception the film got. In fact, The Source almost effectively killed the franchise as there has been no live action feature film released since. All that has followed is the anime film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (released three months later) and the short film Reunion with a reboot being in development hell for over a decade.

• David Abramowitz was brought in after the producers had doubts about Stephen Kelvin Watkins's script. He did a major overhaul to bring it more in line with the franchise's mythos. However, the producers changed their mind and went with Watkins's script, keeping only a few of the changes Abramowitz made. Abramowitz has reportedly gone on to say that the film is a bad dream of Duncan's.

• Adrian Paul initially didn't want to do another Highlander film, but only agreed after being read Abramowitz's script and assumed this was what was going to be filmed. He has since expressed disappointment in the film.

Alternate Versions

• As is something of a tradition, there are multiple versions of the film. However, the differences between them are negligible save for the U.S. version and an early version released in Russia (hence why it is sometimes referred to as the Moscow Cut) a few other countries.

• Technically, the Russian version has a title card and credits over the beginning of the film instead of the U.S. version which has a title sequence with the credits being saved (and displayed in reverse order) for the end credits. There is also no dedication to Bill Panzer, as this version was released just prior to his death.
• Unlike the U.S. version, there is no narration from Anna whatsoever. Instead, the film opens with a narration from Methos and instead of bullet-point factoids about immortals, it's more in the nature of Ramirez's from the opening of the first film.
• There is onscreen text introducing locations and characters (and whether they are immortal or mortal).
• In terms of editing, both films are virtually structurally the same with the Moscow cut having longer scenes.
• One exception is the beginning, which is edited differently in regards to the juggling of scenes. Duncan is the first character to be properly introduced. Longer moments include Giovanni joining the video chat later, Methos figuring out that the Guardian left Zai alive to track down the rest of them, leading to speculation about who or what the Guardian is. Also, as the Guardian approaches the soil sample Zai took begins to glow. In this version, the others ready to depart with Methos calling Joe just before the fight between Zai and the Guardian begins. Additionally, the flashbacks of Duncan and Anna appear when Duncan saves the woman instead of just before he wakes up after being shot.
• Another notable addition to the longer scenes is that the Guardian is shown to taunt and mock his targets more. The extended scene of him and Duncan seems to also imply that he pulls his sword out of his own body.
• Throughout the film, the Russian version has a rather realistic night sky with a cluster of stars and two in the centre spinning in orbit to one another (making Methos speculation of orbital wobble more reasonable in this version). The planets are not visible in this version until the climax.
• Another significant edit difference is the ending. In addition to the fight being a bit longer, Anna begins spinning and levitating off the ground as the event crescendos. As Duncan has the Guardian buried, it then cuts to the two of them standing across from one another in a backdrop depiction of flying through the stars. The Guardian then taunts Duncan about all the friends of his he killed. This reveals the Guardian's motive, as when Duncan refuses to kill him, the Guardian screams "I am cursed forever!" before he disappears into a burst of light. It then shows Duncan go after Anna, seemingly flying off. Because there is no narration in this version, we actually hear Duncan and Anna talk about her being pregnant.

Goofs

• It's been established that because an immortal's neck is vulnerable, they don't heal without scarring. However, Duncan hits the Guardian in the throat, but after pulling it out, there is no scar left over.

• The Guardian attacks Reggie and it's noted that they didn't sense him. However, after burying Reggie, they then sense him.
  • In the Russian version, there is an animalistic noise that is what alerts them to the presence of the Guardian instead.

Quotes

• The Guardian: There can be only me.

• The Guardian: This is the end of time!

• The Guardian: It's time for me and you to dance.

Duncan: In that outfit?

The Guardian: Foreplay.

• Joe: MacLeod, knowing you, watching you, was an honour. It's been my greatest... MacLeod, you... are... my... best friend.

Duncan: You are my friend. You're the father that never kicked me out.

• Methos: It's you, MacLeod! I wanted it to be me, but... you are the best of us. You are totally human and totally incorruptible, and Joe knew that, and... I know it, too.

Duncan: You're such an asshole.

Methos: I never said I was deep.