Highlander II: The Quickening (1991)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Russell Mulcahy

Writers (WGA):

Gregory Widen (characters)
Brian Clemens (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1 November 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

It's a kind of magic.

Plot:

In the future, Highlander Connor MacLeod must prevent the destruction of Earth under an anti-ozone shield.

Plot Keywords:

Immortal | Ozone Layer | Highlander | Sequel | Flashback

Cast

Christopher Lambert	...	Connor MacLeod
Sean Connery	...	Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez
Virginia Madsen	...	Louise Marcus
Michael Ironside	...	Gen. Katana
Allan Rich	...	Allan Neyman
John C. McGinley	...	David Blake
Phil Brock	...	Cabbie
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Drunk
Ed Trucco	...	Jimmy
Steven Grives	...	Hamlet (as Stephen Grives)
Jimmy Murray	...	Horatio
Pete Antico	...	Corda
Peter Bucossi	...	Reno
Peter Bromilow	...	Joe
Jeff Altman	...	Doctor
Diana Rossi	...	Virginia
Randall Newsome	...	Max guard
Karin Drexler	...	Brenda
Max Berliner	...	Charlie
Eduardo Sapac	...	Holt
Michel Peyronel	...	Kid #1
Sebastian Morgan	...	Kid #2
Bruno Curichelli	...	Zeist Chief Justice
Daniel Trovo	...	Justice #2
Diego Leske	...	Justice #3
Julio Breshnev	...	Voices (voice)
Jonathon Slator	...	Supervisor
Theodore McNabney	...	TV reporter #1 (as Ted McNabney)
Patricia De Biaggi	...	TV reporter #2
André Gere	...	TV reporter #3
Jorge Ochoa	...	Stage manager
Jorge Varas	...	Latin supervisor
Alan McCormick	...	Teenager
Miguel Fernández Alonso	...	Roy
Roderick Cameron	...	Security technician
Nora Zinsky	...	Cabin attendant
Ezequiel Eskenazi Storey	...	Max leader
Jacques Arndt	...	Scientist #1
Nicolas Deane	...	Scientist #2
Helen Buck	...	Asian technician
Andres Geringer	...	Russian technician
Matt Johnston	...	Cobalt man
Héctor Malamud	...	Psychic chef
Pedro Loeb	...	Gen. Katana's aide
Americo Gallo	...	Gravedigger
Dana Swain	...	Safety spokesperson
Nicolas Frey	...	Yuppie #1
Eduardo Nutkiewitz	...	Yuppie #2
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mausi Martínez	...	Ciudadana oriental
Russell Mulcahy	...	Shield Control technician
Paul Bucossi	...	(uncredited)
Harry K. Garvin	...	Alarm technician (uncredited)

Directed by
Russell Mulcahy

Writing credits (WGA)
Gregory Widen		(characters)
Brian Clemens		(story) and
William N. Panzer		(story) (as William Panzer)
Peter Bellwood		(screenplay)

Produced by
Donald P. Borchers	....	line producer: additional photographic unit
Chris Chrisafis	....	line producer
Robin S. Clark	....	co-producer (as Robin Clark)
Guy Collins	....	executive producer
Jack Cummins	....	line producer
Peter S. Davis	....	producer
Jean-Luc Defait	....	producer
Ziad El Khoury	....	producer
Stephen Kaye	....	associate producer
William N. Panzer	....	producer (as William Panzer)
Mari Provenzano	....	associate producer
Alejandro Sessa	....	co-producer
Mario Sotela	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Stewart Copeland

Cinematography by
Phil Meheux

Film Editing by
Hubert C. de la Bouillerie
Anthony Redman
Charles Simmons		(uncredited)

Casting by
Pamela Basker
Fern Champion
Sue Swan

Production Design by
Roger Hall

Art Direction by
John Frankish
John King		(supervising art director)
Cliff Robinson

Costume Design by
Deborah Everton

Makeup Department
Greg Cannom	....	special makeup
Roland Blancaflor	....	special makeup effects technician: Cannom Creations Inc (uncredited)
Alberto Moccia	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
John A. Amicarella	....	additional post-production supervisor
Joe Camp III	....	production manager
Craig Holt	....	post-production supervisor (2004 video re-release)
David Pauker	....	post-production supervisor
Aron Warner	....	production manager
Alicia Alexander	....	production manager: additional photography (uncredited)
Sabina Sigler	....	unit production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
J. Stephen Buck	....	first assistant director
Jack Cummins	....	first assistant director
Carlos Gil	....	second assistant director
Randall Newsome	....	second assistant director
Claudio Reiter	....	first assistant director (as Claudio Reitter)
Mike Topoozian	....	first assistant director
Arthur Wooster	....	second unit director
Michael Schroeder	....	first assistant director: additional photography (uncredited)

Art Department
John Naulin	....	body armor construction (uncredited)

Sound Department
Tim Drury	....	boom operator
Richard Shorr	....	sound effects
Richard Shorr	....	supervising sound editor

Special Effects by
Nick Finlayson	....	senior special effects technician
Christian Gruaz	....	prosthetic assistant
John Richardson	....	special effects designer
Chris Corbould	....	special effects floor supervisor (uncredited)
Neil Corbould	....	special effects workshop supervisor (uncredited)
Ray O. Hardesty	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Kate Murray	....	special makeup effects (uncredited)
L. Danielle Villegas	....	effects camera assistant (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Mario Ghersi	....	computer graphics
Allen Gonzales	....	visual effects: animator
Jason Korber	....	digital compositor (2004 edition)
Sam Nicholson	....	visual effects designer
Jesse Silver	....	visual effects matte department supervisor
Larry Arpin	....	optical effects (uncredited)
Geeta Basantani	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Jared Jones	....	digital compositor (2004 edition) (uncredited)
Alan G. Markowitz	....	optical effects cameraman (uncredited)
Jeff Nicholson	....	optical effects (uncredited)
Laura Vineyard	....	visual effects production coordinator (uncredited)
Joshua Weisel	....	visual effects production assistant (uncredited)
Raulette Woods	....	visual effects: Stargate Films (uncredited)

Stunts
Sandy Berumen	....	stunts (as Sandy Beruman)
Kurt Bryant	....	stunt coordinator: additional unit
Thomas Dewier	....	stunts (as Tom Dewter)
Andy Gill	....	stunts
Tommy J. Huff	....	stunt double: MacLeod (as Tom Huff)
Jeff Imada	....	stunts
Matt Johnston	....	stunt double: Katana
Eddie Matthews	....	stunts
Carl Milinac	....	stunts (as Carl Milnac)
Arturo Noal	....	stunts
Frank Orsatti	....	stunt coordinator
Frank Orsatti	....	stunts
Roxanna Palouzzi	....	stunt double: Louise
Kristyn Randall	....	stunt double: Louise (as Christy Randall)
Jerry Spicer	....	stunts
Mike Stone	....	stunts
Rocky Taylor	....	stunt double: Ramirez
Steve Walters	....	stunts (as Steve Walter)
Danny Weselis	....	stunts
Minor Mustain	....	stunt performer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Phil Abraham	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Mike Frift	....	camera operator: second unit
Harry K. Garvin	....	camera operator
Etienne George	....	still photographer
Ian Jones	....	Steadicam operator
Steve Mcleod	....	best boy
Terry Potter	....	gaffer
Rick Raphael	....	Steadicam operator
Julio Serna	....	video supervisor
Peter Turner	....	camera operator
Kevin Fraser	....	key grip: second unit (uncredited)
John Joleaud	....	gaffer: USA (uncredited)
Jamie Thompson	....	cinematographer: USA (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lois DeArmond	....	costume illustrator (uncredited)
Marisa Urruti	....	assistant to costume designer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Albert Coleman	....	first assistant editor
Sharon McGeeney	....	negative cutter
Brian Ralph	....	negative cutter
Clay Walker	....	post-production assistant
Maria Montoreano	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Music Department
Michael Dittrick	....	music editor
Seth Kaplan	....	music supervisor
Jonathan Sheffer	....	orchestrator
Blake Martin Moulin	....	assistant music editor (uncredited)
Jeff Seitz	....	music scoring mixer (uncredited)
Jonathan Sheffer	....	conductor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Geno Hart	....	transportation coordinator (uncredited)
William R. Peck	....	driver (uncredited)
Adam Pinkstaff	....	driver (uncredited)
Mark White	....	transportation (uncredited)

Other crew
Chris Casady	....	director of animated effects
Jill Gurr	....	script supervisor
Martin Larumbe	....	location manager
Frank Orsatti	....	sword master
Andy Birmingham	....	production accountant (uncredited)
Mark Carlton	....	adr loop group (uncredited)
Yvonne Eastmond	....	assistant production accountant (uncredited)
Julie Hansen	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)
Alejandro Levi	....	location scout (uncredited)
Catherine M. McDonald	....	travel and shipping coordinator (uncredited)
Adam Samuelson	....	louma crane technician (uncredited)
Gustavo Tieffenberg	....	location manager (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Lamb Bear Entertainment

Distributors

• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Future Film (1998) (Finland)
• Hemdale Film (USA) (laserdisc)
• Highlight Film (Germany)
• Interstar (USA)
• Maple Pictures (2006) (Canada) (DVD)
• RCA (video)
• Republic Entertainment
• Republic Pictures Home Video (USA) (DVD)
• Republic Pictures Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Seymour Borde & Associates
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (Argentina) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Stargate Digital (digital effects)

Other Companies

• Atlantic Records  soundtrack

Also Known As:

Highlander II: The Renegade Version (UK) (director's cut) (USA) (video title (director's cut))
Highlander - Le retour (France)
Highlander 2 (Argentina)
Highlander 2: The Quickening (USA) (video box title)
Highlander II (USA)
Highlander, le retour (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, and some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

91 min | USA:109 min (director's cut) | Argentina:92 min | UK:86 min (DVD version) | UK:100 min (theatrical version) | Sweden:100 min (theatrical version)

Country:

France | UK | Argentina

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | France:Unrated | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 (director's cut) | Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | Singapore:M18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (cut) | USA:R | Norway:15 (video premiere) (1991) (cut) | Norway:(Banned) (1990-2003) (cinema release)

Filming Locations:

Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Company:

Lamb Bear Entertainment

Trivia:

Both Christopher Lambert and Michael Ironside did most of their stunts.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the Renegade version, the closing credits list Bruno Curichelli as "Zeist Chief Justice" even though the film has eliminated the whole Planet Zeist angle from the film.

Quotes:

Juan Ramirez: You've remembered almost everything I taught you.
Conner MacLeod: I've had a lot of practice lately.
Juan Ramirez: There is no substitute for experience.
Conner MacLeod: What experience? You've been dead for five hundred years.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Undergrads: Rivalries (#1.8)" (2001)

There should have been only one!

Ug!

This movie runs the decathlon of stupidity and comes in first in every event. In every other area it gets the booby prize with high honors. As much as I hate to admit it, I saw this movie in a movie theater without having seen the first movie. Grudgingly I visited the first Highlander expecting the same torpor that I that got here, but to my surprise I actually like that movie. That depressed me because it made me hate this movie even more! I didn't see Highlander III, I just thought I would quit while I was ahead.

Highlander 2: The Quickening is a movie that doesn't require suspension of disbelief so much as it requires a full-frontal lobotomy with a chainsaw. The script was edited with a cheese grater and written with the wan hope that anyone watching the film wouldn't ask too many questions. We're not supposed to shake our heads when the movie begins in 1999; shift ahead 25 years then shifts backwards 500 years to medieval Scotland and then to another planet. I make it a practice not to dismiss a movie right off the bat but when the movie shifts time three times 15 minutes, I begin finding a better use for the cinema light to examine my ticket for the refund policy.

It begins 500 years in the past on the Planet Zeist and I assume that the rotation works on that same time table as earth even though it's sun is so close that the inhabitants should be deep fried. It coincides with earth time so that it can explain why the movie shifts to medieval Scotland to explain how Connor McLoed, one of the planets "immortals", has found himself in a kilt on horseback. He is sent to Scotland as punishment for leading a rebellion and as a term of his sentence, he's immortal. But not really. Well sorta.

Actually the movie tries to explain this in a bit of dialogue that isn't much help. A character says: "You're mortal there, but you're immortal here, until you kill all the guys from there who have come here, and then you're mortal here. Unless, you go back there, or some more guys from there came here, in which case you become immortal here, again." It's pretty bad when the characters are as confused by the plot as we are.

Also, in 1999 there's some business about the O-Zone finally collapsing and threatening to fry mankind. Connor offers up a shield called Shield (?) to keep the rays of the sun from turning us into charcoal. The idea of the shield isn't quite as difficult to explain as that immortality thing but it isn't any more logical. McLoed's big idea involves concentrating the planet's energy into a "lay-zur" and is shot up into a satellite. Therefore Earth is saved from solar radiation (proving, I suppose, that if we would have depended on solar power, there would be hell to pay).

But, there's a drawback, there is no sun and the temperature consistently 99 degrees. Being 99 degrees raises another question of why, in 2024, we find Conner attending the Opera surrounded men in tuxes who should all be passing out from the heat. Furthermore there would be a major loss of food production and the land would be desert, but hey at least the arts are finally getting a boost.

Sean Connery puts another dent in his reputation by appearing as Ramirez, a Zeist- banished warrior now clanking swords in medieval Scotland. He doesn't appear much in the movie and I wasn't surprised given the material. But then I saw Highlander and I wondered how managed to fit into this movie since we last saw him in the previous film minus a head. Maybe Zardoz had something to do with that.

Maybe it's asking too much, but this movie has to be seen to be believed. Nah, that's asking too much, don't see it and just believe me, it sucks.