The Highlander is a fictional character from the fantasy action film and television franchise of the same name. He is an immortal swordsman who engages in combat with other immortals in a quest to obtain a mysterious “Prize”. When the Highlander defeats another immortal in combat, he absorbs their power and knowledge in an event known as “The Quickening”. This has led to the Highlander’s signature quote: “There can be only one”.
The Highlander is known for his skill with a sword and engaging in dramatic sword fights. He utilizes a range of kicks and acrobatic maneuvers during combat. This has led fans to wonder: what does the Highlander actually say when he kicks? Does he have a signature battle cry or one-liner that he utters while launching into a flying kick?
The Origins of the Highlander
The original Highlander film was released in 1986 and starred Christopher Lambert as Connor MacLeod, the titular Highlander. It depicted MacLeod as an immortal Scottish swordsman born in the Highlands of Scotland in the 16th century. He realizes his immortality after being fatally stabbed by a masked horseman but soon recovering from his wounds.
The film follows MacLeod through several centuries as he becomes aware of other immortals and learns that he must engage in a battle to the death against these immortals to obtain the mysterious “Prize”. The film culminated in a final sword duel between MacLeod and the villainous Kurgan within the ruins of a castle. MacLeod emerges victorious after beheading the Kurgan, with the Prize being revealed as mortality, allowing MacLeod to finally live and age normally.
The original film spawned a franchise including four sequels and television series like Highlander: The Series and Highlander: The Raven. Through all of these, the character of Connor MacLeod has been portrayed engaging in choreographed sword fights with acrobatic kicks and maneuvers. This has led many fans to speculate on his battle cries and one-liners when kicking.
The Signature Kicks of the Highlander
Throughout the Highlander franchise, MacLeod has been shown engaging in a variety of signature kicking moves:
– Flying jump kicks – MacLeod will frequently launch into a flying jump kick to knock down opponents or create distance in sword fights.
– Spinning hook kicks – Spinning and turning his body, MacLeod can deliver devastating hooks kicks with his heel aimed at an opponent’s head.
– Flashy butterfly kicks – For dramatic flair, MacLeod has been known to perform butterfly kicks that incorporate splits and aerial twists.
– Wall-jump kicks – MacLeod will utilize his environment, running along walls to deliver a wall-jump kick to opponents.
– Dramatic slow-motion kicks – For important battles, MacLeod’s kicks are highlighted through slow-motion effects, showcasing his form.
These kicks are an important part of MacLeod’s fighting style, showcasing his immortal strength and athleticism. But when executing these kicks, does MacLeod utter any words or one-liners?
The Quickening – “There Can Be Only One”
The key to unlocking MacLeod’s kick catchphrases lies with the concept of “The Quickening”. As mentioned earlier, this is the phenomenon that occurs when an immortal beheads another in combat and absorbs their power and knowledge.
During a Quickening, arcs of electricity transfer power from the fallen immortal to the victor. In the franchise, this moment is accompanied by MacLeod shouting his iconic phrase: “There can be only one!”
This line gives insight into when MacLeod is most likely to utter battle cries related to his kicks. During the Quickening, MacLeod acknowledges that only one immortal can remain standing. Similarly, when engaged in dramatic slow-motion kicks against an opponent, he may be likely to shout his signature catchphrase.
Other Possible Kick One-Liners
While “There can be only one!” is MacLeod’s most iconic line, there are other one-liners he could potentially shout when delivering a powerful kick:
– “You’re history!” – Indicating his opponent will soon be defeated.
– “Head over heels!” – Descriptive of his spinning kicks.
– “Lights out!” – Suggesting a knockout kick.
– “Feel my power!” – Boasting of his immortal strength.
– “Take off!” – Visualizing his jump kicks.
– “Fly away!” – Said to dramatize launching an enemy.
– “Meet your maker!” – A threat of their looming beheading.
– “Final blow!” – The end is near for his opponent.
– “Your time is up!” – Their time on Earth is finished.
So while “There can be only one!” remains his most famous quote, the Highlander undoubtedly has a range of possible one-liners to choose from when delivering powerful kicks to his enemies. He may adapt his catchphrase to the unique situation at hand for maximum impact!
When Does He Stay Silent?
An important thing to note is that the Highlander does not shout during every kick. When engaged in general swordplay without a climatic Quickening on the horizon, his kicks are typically executed silently.
This adds drama and impact for when he does unleash a battle cry with a kick. The shouts are reserved for pivotal moments against major adversaries when a head is close to rolling. During standard duels, he will fight with steely determination in silence to build tension.
MacLeod also remains silent if attempting to stealthily execute a surprise kick against an unaware opponent. Only when confidence of landing the blow does he audibly announce it with a cry. So the context of the fight dictates when verbalization accompanies his kicks.
Conclusion
In summary, the Highlander’s signature battle cry is undoubtedly “There can be only one!” which he shouts during the Quickening. But he also has a range of other suitable one-liners to choose from when executing his acrobatic kicks against adversaries. This includes phrases like “You’re history!” and “Head over heels!” that complement the visuals. He strategically stays silent during standard duels, saving the one-liners for critical blows. So while not every kick is accompanied by a quote, the Highlander has no shortage of dramatic lines to make his aerial maneuvers even more cinematic when the time is right!