Highlander: The Search for Vengeance

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Highlander: The Search for Vengeance
Directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri
Produced by Peter Davis
Bill Panzer
Thomas K. Gray
H. Galen Walker
Masao Maruyama
Written by David Abramowitz
Starring Alistair Abell
Scott McNeil
Janyse Jaud
Jim Byrnes
Kathleen Barr
Music by Jussi Tegelman
Nathan Wang
Release date(s) June 5, 2007
Language English
Japanese
IMDb profile

Highlander: The Search for Vengeance is an animated spin-off of the cult franchise Highlander. It was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust) and was written by David Abramowitz, also the writer for Highlander: The Series, Highlander: The Raven and Highlander: The Source. The film was a joint venture between Imagi Animation Studios and Madhouse Studio with Imagi providing the script and the soundtrack while Madhouse produced the animation. It was produced in association with Davis Panzer Productions and was distributed by Manga Entertainment on June 5, 2007. It aired July 30, 2007 on Sci Fi's Ani-Monday block.

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[edit] Synopsis

Colin MacLeod became Immortal after his first death in 125 AD in Roman Britain when his village was attacked by the conquering Romans. Immortal Marcus Octavius was leading the Roman Empire's military forces in hopes of creating his dreamed utopian society. Octavius killed Colin's lover, but was not able to kill Colin as his body had landed within Stonehenge on holy ground.

Waking days later within Stonehenge, Colin is left confused about who and what he is, and how he is not dead. It is at this moment that the spirit of a former Druid of this holy site, Amergan, begins communicating with MacLeod and explaining to him what he is. Colin learns of The Game from Amergan and the druid becomes his life-long teacher and conscience.

The movie interlaces flashback scenes of this and Colin's following plight for vengeance throughout time as Marcus attempted to re-enact his utopian society through force and fear. Colin finds Octavius in a post-apocalyptic future New York City, where he is busy making plans to release a deadly virus. After a final duel, Colin defeats Octavius and his quickening destroys the virus in question.

[edit] Cast

Role Seiyu English Actor
Colin MacLeod Shun Oguri Alistair Abell
Marcus Octavius Koichi Yamadera Zachary Samuels
Amergan Kosei Tomita Scott McNeil
Dahlia Romi Pak Debi Mae West
Kyala Megumi Hayashibara Janyse Jaud
Doc Unsho Ishizuka Jim Byrnes
Rudy Yusaku Yara Jim Byrnes
Moya Yurika Hino Kathleen Barr
Gregor
Lab Director		 Scott McNeil

[edit] MacLeod Heritage

Colin was born in Roman Britain but his true surname, which is never given, was not MacLeod at birth. One of the flashback scenes shows him achieving this honor after he fought alongside Clan MacLeod in an unknown battle, presumably because Octavius was fighting for the opposition. The Clansmen honor Colin and name him a MacLeod for giving his life for their cause. Once he regains life, as all Immortals do, Colin adopts the name and keeps it for the rest of his life, as it was with the Clan that Colin learned values that would one day assist him in overcoming his unyielding lust for vengeance which was driving him into a reckless state. This makes Colin the second Highlander MacLeod that was not born one, as Duncan was also born outside of the bloodline and adopted.

[edit] Director's Cut

The American version of the film is shorter for pacing and timing than Kawajiri's original edit which has more scenes but no opening exposition text sequence which is traditional for Highlander films. Kawajiri was unhappy with the American version but his original version will be released as a director's cut edition in 2008.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Scott Green. "AICN Anime-Interview of Highlander: Search for Vengeance Producer Galen Walker", Aintitcool.com, 2007-06-05. Retrieved on 2007-06-06. 

[edit] External links

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