Highlander’s World Building Tactics

28th January 2011

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers ahead, however this is an oldish film so if you haven’t watched it by now, Why not!?. Also I’m basing this article purely on the first film.

The World Of Highlander

Highlander uses very simple but effective world building. It is even simple compared to other fiction set in our world. However its simplicity does not detract from the film, if anything it strengthens it. At no point in the film where you feel as though there has been a huge info dump.

How does Highlander achieve effective world building?

The mythology of Highlander is based upon 3 rules attached to our own world. Other parts of the world building is left to the viewer’s imagination as extra story lines are hinted at. An example being:

“You must leave her, brother. I was born 2,437 years ago. In that time I’ve had three wives. The last was Shakiko, a Japanese Princess… When Shakiko died I was shattered.”

– Ramirez confronting Connor about his love life.

1. Immortal Characters

An immortal character cannot die from old age and can only be killed by having his head decapitated. Humans are fascinated with death so this gives these characters an element of awe to the viewer.

2. There Can Be Only One

All immortals are waiting for “The Gathering” a time where they will all gather together and fight down to the last immortal. The survivor becomes “The One” a powerful all knowing being.

This is brilliant because it provides a good reason to have these immortals hunting each other down. It also gives a good explanation as to why they keep themselves hidden as opposed to using their power to rule great nations (though I believe one or two do).

3. Holy Ground

Immortals are not allowed to fight on holy ground. There is no explanation given as to why this is Ramirez simply states that it is an ancient tradition that no immortal will break. Even the Kurgan follows this rule strictly when Connor tries to throttle him in a church.

This simple world building allowed the film to become a cult classic and the window into the world of Highlander. There have been numerous spin offs, Tv Series and novels set in this world. Each new part of the franchise has then been able to raise the complexity of the world building.

Thoughts for your world

Can you sum your world up in one sentence?

How could you break your world down into a simple, easy to digest window. Leave a comment below.

Comments

2 responses

A.J. Zaethe

29th January 2011

Awesome. I always wanted to watch this movie, and was fascinated by the world building. But yes, the simplest world building can be the most effective. A good example was the simple world building in The Host, written by Stephenie Meyer. (note I am not a twilight fan at all, but she did an amazing job with that novel. I was shocked.)

Great post

Reply
Nils

15th July 2011

Highlander didn’t really have world building. Not much, anyway.

In my opinion Highlander was successful for two very simple reasons:

1) It’s high concept

2) The first movie was brilliantly executed, including the awesome music by Queen

For example, whether or not the Immortals can fight on holy ground is completely immaterial. It’s a plot device – the scene in which Kurgan and MacLeod meet in a church serves to raise the tension.

The entire franchise lived off of that first movie. Everything that came after it – the sequels, the TV show – can be safely described as garbage.

You hit on the core of the matter with that question – Can you sum up your world in one sentence? If you can do that, and the sentence distinctly and uniquely describes your world, then you have a high concept design on your hands that could be commercially successful. Perhaps.

Reply