Highlander 2 (Highlander II: The Quickening) (1991)

[Chen Chow Mein]

Originally Posted by BNex99

The movie itself has never been a big moneymaker; as others noted, Umbrella practically had to give their edition away.

Also, because of the various cuts and rights-holders in different territories, the elements are probably a mess to sort out. Even if it could be done, it would almost certainly be hard to convince the business folks at even the boutique labels that it would be worth it.

I don't believe in curses, but the Highlander franchise seems to have had one put on it a long time ago. Aside from the first movie, no one seems to have much desire to dig through all the ins and outs of the various versions of the sequels.

The currently distributed version of #3 (at least in the US) is a careless mashup of the International Version's picture and the US Director's Cut audio, and when it goes to cable and/or streaming, it's usually missing the subtitles for the Japanese dialogue. With Endgame, it seems to be a crapshoot as to whether the theatrical or producer's cut goes out. As for The Source, I've never even seen that one, so I don't know.

I'd definitely buy an edition of Highlander 2 with all the different versions included, but the work needed to achieve that would likely be a tall order for any label, studio or indie.

Wow. As a big fan of the movie, that's disheartening to hear. Judging by screenshots of those two out of print blu rays, they don't look much better than the 2004 dvd. Truly a shame

[KevinStriker]

Originally Posted by BNex99

The movie itself has never been a big moneymaker; as others noted, Umbrella practically had to give their edition away.

Also, because of the various cuts and rights-holders in different territories, the elements are probably a mess to sort out. Even if it could be done, it would almost certainly be hard to convince the business folks at even the boutique labels that it would be worth it.

I don't believe in curses, but the Highlander franchise seems to have had one put on it a long time ago. Aside from the first movie, no one seems to have much desire to dig through all the ins and outs of the various versions of the sequels.

The currently distributed version of #3 (at least in the US) is a careless mashup of the International Version's picture and the US Director's Cut audio, and when it goes to cable and/or streaming, it's usually missing the subtitles for the Japanese dialogue. With Endgame, it seems to be a crapshoot as to whether the theatrical or producer's cut goes out. As for The Source, I've never even seen that one, so I don't know.

I'd definitely buy an edition of Highlander 2 with all the different versions included, but the work needed to achieve that would likely be a tall order for any label, studio or indie.

On some level, I agree. But I also think that every Blu-ray copy of Highlander 2 has been a hard sell because it's not the most infamous cut of the movie, the U.S. theatrical version. The genie's already out of the bottle, you can't un-say Zeist. So I bet a 4K/BD of the original cut, struck from a print instead of that same 1080i master from 2004, would stir up interest and make better money. Highlander 2 obviously isn't the cultural touchstone of a Star Wars that people will buy a monkeyed-with version in spite of the Special Edition changes.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by Chen Chow Mein

Wow. As a big fan of the movie, that's disheartening to hear. Judging by screenshots of those two out of print blu rays, they don't look much better than the 2004 dvd. Truly a shame

To be clear, all of that is pure speculation on my part. I'd love to be wrong.

Originally Posted by KevinStriker

On some level, I agree. But I also think that every Blu-ray copy of Highlander 2 has been a hard sell because it's not the most infamous cut of the movie, the U.S. theatrical version. The genie's already out of the bottle, you can't un-say Zeist. So I bet a 4K/BD of the original cut, struck from a print instead of that same 1080i master from 2004, would stir up interest and make better money. Highlander 2 obviously isn't the cultural touchstone of a Star Wars that people will buy a monkeyed-with version in spite of the Special Edition changes.

I dunno. I think Highlander 2 would be a hard sell in any version, even to Highlander fans. That's why I get the sense that it's not a high priority.

But you never know, I guess.

[DR Herbert West]

Originally Posted by KevinStriker

So I bet a 4K/BD of the original cut, struck from a print

Yes please.

[KevinStriker]

If money and licensing was no object, I'd sort out the whole mess.

Highlander has four-ish versions.
Highlander 2 has four or five known versions.
Highlander 3 has at least three (The Sorcerer, The Final Conflict, The Final Dimension).
Highlander Endgame has three.
Highlander: The Source has three, not including the Sci-Fi broadcast version.
Highlander: The Search For Vengeance has two.

A set of all these would be like those King Crimson boxsets with 20 CDs.

[Telemachus]

I wish I could still buy the Lionsgate Highlander II disc cheap or the Olive. I keep wanting to grab that Japanese Blu ray, but I always find better things to spend money on. Don't need 3, but I must have seen the Final Dimension cut only cause that's what it was called when I saw it at the theater. Endgame I probably never want to watch again but I could be tempted. I saw the Source on Scifi it was so awful would never bother again. In some ways it's for the best only the first film got a great UHD.

[KevinStriker]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

I wish I could still buy the Lionsgate Highlander II disc cheap or the Olive. I keep wanting to grab that Japanese Blu ray, but I always find better things to spend money on. Don't need 3, but I must have seen the Final Dimension cut only cause that's what it was called when I saw it at the theater. Endgame I probably never want to watch again but I could be tempted. I saw the Source on Scifi it was so awful would never bother again. In some ways it's for the best only the first film got a great UHD.

I can say with certainty that what you're getting on the Olive Blu-ray, you'll also get on the Japanese Blu-ray: BD-25, 2.0 Stereo, no extras, but better cover art than Lionsgate. I would love Highlander 2 to be treated nicely in HD (or UHD) at least once. The Special Edition's presentation is quite hideous in some places, not helped seeing it in its full "glory" on Blu-ray.

I could complain that the current Highlander UHD is missing the U.S./French cuts, or the Director's Cut 5.1 for the sake of completeness, but it's so damn good for what it is.

[HippieDalek]

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned in this thread yet, but about a month or so ago Amazon UK put up a HD transfer of the US Cut of Highlander 2 for streaming. It's not an amazing transfer, but definitely better than many parts of the Special Edition Blu Ray. Annoyingly it's 25fps so PAL speedup. Hopefully there will be some sort of physical release for this transfer at some point.

Now if only we could get a HD release of the International Cut!

[Stanis]

The theatrical cut is the sold gold standard, the revisions turn it into a mediocre scifi film while the original is a charlie foxtrot mess that is fascinating. Considering the bts and the director doing his best to change and bury it, and the lost revenue, probably will never be released

[HippieDalek]

Originally Posted by Stanis

and the lost revenue

Despite the hellish behind the scenes drama the film was actually a financial success for Davis-Panzer. The film was a huge hit in Germany and did fairly well in the UK. Around Europe it didn't get amazing reviews but it sold tickets...it's only when the trashed version hit the US towards the end of '91 that it truly got it's reputation.

The film made enough money for Davis-Panzer that they were able to self fund the TV series.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by HippieDalek

Despite the hellish behind the scenes drama the film was actually a financial success for Davis-Panzer. The film was a huge hit in Germany and did fairly well in the UK. Around Europe it didn't get amazing reviews but it sold tickets...it's only when the trashed version hit the US towards the end of '91 that it truly got it's reputation.

The film made enough money for Davis-Panzer that they were able to self fund the TV series.

Interesting. I didn't realize any of that.

[Telemachus]

It doesn't surprise me at all Highlander II made money, it had Connery who was a big draw internationally. I'm sure Lambert was in a similar way. Also the poster and promos actually made the film look much bigger/cooler than it was. The funniest thing about the film is it could have been a stand alone scifi movie reuniting Connery/Lambert and would be just as good if not better without having anything to do with Highlander. And they could have even done sequels to it to start a new franchise! Then they could have leaned more into the tech noir aesthetic maybe had more gunplay and some terminator type stuff without the swords and immortals plots. Picture a movie more like Hardware.

[HDTV1080P]

The Highlander series of movies are all fictional. It’s been many years since I have seen this Highlander 2: The Quickening movie. While I liked the first movie the best, I thought the sequel movie was an excellent and well done. Not planning on watching it now. But some of its scientific concepts seemed far out at the time. However, who knows one day the world might need to be 100% nuclear powered for zero CO2 emissions and at the same time a world shield company to generate a temporary human made ozone layer shield over the entire earth until decades later the ozone layer naturally repairs itself and the human made ozone layer shield can be turned off. Also there might be earth based organic materials that humans might be able to one day help the ozone layer to repair itself. However, in real life if scientist are correct with their data, the Ozone layer around the year 2066 will finish the natural process of repairing itself since 99% of ozone depleting substances are no longer being used. Only time will tell what will happen to the Ozone layer, and under ideal conditions future generations well not need a worldwide human made laser-based ozone layer protection shield like what this fictional movie shows. Such a shield in real life would require a new generation of nuclear reactors to power the shield. Highlander 2 was an interesting movie even though many people laughed at its scientific concepts.

Would love a 4K Blu-ray release for all the Highlander movies and not just the first one. I bought the first one on release date but forgot to watch it, then ended up on a back shelf. One day the Highlander will be watched again.

[HippieDalek]

Happy Highlander 2 day to all those who celebrate!

July 16, 2024

[drush9999]

There's a 3-disc media book coming in Germany May 16th

No idea if multiple cuts or just the usual "Renegade" version missing the scene fighting guards at the base.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Highl...lu-ray/383083/

[HippieDalek]

Originally Posted by drush9999

There's a 3-disc media book coming in Germany May 16th

No idea if multiple cuts or just the usual "Renegade" version missing the scene fighting guards at the base.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Highl...lu-ray/383083/

You can find a thread about this new release here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=383534

[moviemaker]

I wanted to highlight this brilliant and very accomplished fan edit (calling it a fan edit does it a disservice) by forum member HippieDalek.

Hope this doesn't embarrass them too much. But when I see great work, I feel the need to share it.

YouTube

[Streamingsux]

Every time I see this thread bumped it gives me hope

[DR Herbert West]

Bumping until we get a 4K.

[HippieDalek]

Originally Posted by DR Herbert West

Bumping until we get a 4K.

Lofty goals! I'm simply bumping until we at least get all major cuts of the film in decent quality, in English, at the right frame rate!

A fan can dream.