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Highlander: original US theatrical version - to preserve (Released)

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Was wondering if someone possibly could upload a VHS or laserdisc rip of the original US cut of the original Highlander. To my knowledge this version has never been released on DVD and Blu-ray and I think it would be good to preserve it since it was what was seen in theaters in 1986.

Raccoons

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It was released on a French DVD. I have it is you are still looking for it - drop me a PM.

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I believe the French version is a little different: It includes the flashback to WWII, where Connor meets Rachel, (which isn’t in the US cut) and doesn’t have the shot where detective Bedsoe spills his coffee while staking out Brenda’s apartment.

I don’t have the French version, but that’s what I read on the Highlander Wiki page:

https://highlander.fandom.com/wiki/Highlander

(scroll down to “alternate versions”)

I did rip the '93 laserdisc which has the US Theatrical Cut.

http://www.thestarwarstrilogy.com

http://www.the007dossier.com

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I have “Despecialized” the Bluray, finally bringing the US Theatrical cut into High Definition. Here’s how I did it:

Reconstructing Highlander
https://vimeo.com/354753162

If you’ve never seen the US Cut, this is not the better version of the film. The cuts only make it shorter and more confusing, and the added scenes don’t add anything at all. But, hey, if this is the version you watched on VHS in the 80s until you wore out the tape, perhaps it’s worth watching for the nostalgia alone.

Also, having compared the two, I will say that I prefer the original Special Effects sequence at the end - it’s not as slick looking as the new one, but it does seem to do a much better job of hiding the wires…

http://www.thestarwarstrilogy.com

http://www.the007dossier.com

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Willarob good work I saw your video and well done good effort on it all!

Would you like to Help make an extended / ultimate version?

There are a few possibilities left not much I admit but there are instances of some small pieces of missing footage / music.

It mainly would center on the Kurgen end fight which was drastically shortened but also the missing special effects of the Kurgun quickening when he kills Ramirez (Ramirez death Quickening would be a fan edit type fix but one very important original missing special effect Restored).

The final Quickening also has numerous animation shots Removed. This would fit perfectly as The missing scenes contain the original effects look also.

Basically I would propose I will construct a sound mix for the end fight that has been shortened and point you to any cut material that would be possible to restore.

This is sort of off topic but I would like to help restore what was removed if you would be willing?

There is no changes particularly to the story or anything like that it is just stuff that is alternate and extended…Bit of music also.

This would be based on the directors cut or European Version.

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I don’t know if this would be of any help, but I caught Highlander on TV and it was the theatrical cut, in widescreen and HD. It also has the shot of the cop spilling coffee on himself, and presumably has the unaltered effects shots at the end.

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Williarob said:

Cool. Did you record it? If not, what channel was it on and is it going to be on again anytime soon?

I didn’t record it, though it is on a few more times this month. I don’t have the ability to get the recording off the PVR though. It’s the Canadian channel Hollywood Suite, I believe they also stream it off their website.

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Well, I can 100% confirm that the version of Highlander that airs on Hollywood Suite is the U.S. theatrical cut, in all its truncated glory.

It opens on the 20th Century Fox logo. The colour timing resembles the 2010 Blu-ray closest, the print itself is delightfully grainy and shows some dirt but not terribly distracting. The wrestling match B-roll is there, Bedsoe spills his coffee like a dumbass, we don’t see WWII. The original animation is used for the Final Quickening but things get VERY soft and scratchy (which may explain the overhaul in the Director’s Cut).
And finally, the end credits use the original white capitalised font but we don’t get to hear “A Kind of Magic” fade out, instead it cuts to commercial.

I can capture the audio track, but not the high def image yet. I have a DVD recorder but no capture card for HD footage.

EDIT: Added a sample - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MmkRyb0fUHV39nAlXtySMDnaZQ_kfY9j/view?usp=sharing

Fantasy for sale; that’s entertainment.

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Hello everyone. Did anyone ever produce the Highlander Theatrical Cut on bluray here?

KevinStriker said:

Well, I can 100% confirm that the version of Highlander that airs on Hollywood Suite is the U.S. theatrical cut, in all its truncated glory.

It opens on the 20th Century Fox logo. The colour timing resembles the 2010 Blu-ray closest, the print itself is delightfully grainy and shows some dirt but not terribly distracting. The wrestling match B-roll is there, Bedsoe spills his coffee like a dumbass, we don’t see WWII. The original animation is used for the Final Quickening but things get VERY soft and scratchy (which may explain the overhaul in the Director’s Cut).
And finally, the end credits use the original white capitalised font but we don’t get to hear “A Kind of Magic” fade out, instead it cuts to commercial.

I can capture the audio track, but not the high def image yet. I have a DVD recorder but no capture card for HD footage.

EDIT: Added a sample - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MmkRyb0fUHV39nAlXtySMDnaZQ_kfY9j/view?usp=sharing

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Hello!

I hear you made a reconstruction of Highlander into its original Theatrical Release? Do you have any links/product associated with that?

Thanks!

Williarob said:

Great - thanks!