There can be only one restore!
I just watched this on my old Laser Disc from the early 1990s this weekend. Tonight I watched the Blu-Ray Director's Cut 2010 version!
Generally I hate director's cuts. I want the theatrical version, and I want the director to stick a fork in it and call it done. But this is the exception.
Technically, they did a GREAT JOB lifting this copy from the master.
How can you tell? Because you can tell its stunt doubles and not Lambert or Connery fighting on the cliffs in the Scottish Highlands! The resolution is that good.
Its much brighter than the other versions as well. Two full F-Stops brighter would be my guess.
Also, we Americans finally get a few important deleted scenes that I saw many years ago while in Europe that help tie the story together. For those who haven't seen it, lets just say the phrase "Hey, it's a kind of magic" will now make sense. You also will no longer need say "So how did the Kurgan know Brenda...
Highlander on Blu-Ray is phenomenal.
I bought this Blu-Ray Disc with much apprehension as I was very disappointed with the Special Edition DVD. I am glad to say that the Blu-Ray did not disappoint in the least. The colors are all rich and vibrant. The scenes are very clear for the most part, every so often a scene is a little "grainy" but not enought to affect the pure enjoyment of watching this classic movie that is finally on Blu-Ray. It actually felt like I was watching this movie for the first time, a big accomplishment as I have watched Highlander many, many times. The sound quality is also excellent. This Disc plays fine in my Blu-Ray player in America.
"It's a kind of magic"
This movie is a real gem. I don't really understand why critics were so hard on it, much less do I understand why a few people here are insulting the movie itself (I know the DVD transfer was bad, so I relate to those people) or why the movie was so cheap, then again, the quality of the transfer of this movie would explain it. But this movie is excellent in all aspects. It's unique, and it unfortunately has had its glory destroyed by lousy sequels and TERRIBLE TV shows.
In terms of the acting, contrary to what other people claim here, Christopher Lambert's performance is first rate, and I think it a shame that he has subsequently appeared mostly in bad 1 1/2 star flicks and hasn't since had a real breakthrough in movies. Sean Connery adds real style to the movie with his acting, but it's a shame that he's in there for such a short time. Clancy Brown is as sinister as ever as Kurgan.
The visuals and effects are great by any standard and the swordfighting scenes are excellent
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