30 November 2007

Who'd have guessed back in 1986 that the sword and fantasy movie Highlander would develop into a franchise that is still producing new material 21 years on? The original film, directed by Russell Mulcahy and starring Christopher Lambert, developed enough of a cult following to spawn three movie sequels (Highlander II: The Quickening, Highlander III: The Sorcerer and Highlander: Endgame), a straight-to-video spin-off (Highlander: The Adventure Begins), 2 TV series(Highlander, Highlander: The Raven), an animated series and a Japanese anime (Highlander: The Search for Vengeance). Now the franchise continues with Highlander: The Source, directed by Brett Leonard, whose iffy CV includes The Lawnmower Man and the wretched Feed, and starring Adrian Paul (Highlander: Endgame), Thekla Reuten (Twin Sisters, Everybody's Famous), Peter Wingfield (Holby City, Highlander: Endgame), Jim Byrnes (Highlander: Endgame) and Cristian Solimeno (Footballers' Wives).

Regarded as a myth by most immortals, The Source may hold the answers to the unexplained origin of the immortals and the key to great power. As the world falls into chaos and destruction, Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander, aimlessly roams a crumbling city in the remote reaches of Eastern Europe, haunted by memories of happier times and a lost love, his wife Anna. Unexpectedly sought out by a band of Immortals, including his old friend Methos and the mortal Watcher Joe Dawson, McLeod finds himself leading them in search of The Source. But unbeknown to them, their prize is protected by an ancient warrior, The Guardian, a being destined to hunt down and destroy any who seek its secrets.

Highlander: The Source will be released on UK DVD by Momentum Pictures on 7th January 2008 at the RRP of £15.99. We're checking on this, but it does look like a movie-only release.