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A Kind of Magic: Making the Original Highlander Hardcover – November 17, 2020

by Jonathan Melville (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 268 ratings
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The story of an immortal Scottish warrior battling evil down through the centuries, Highlander fused a high-concept idea with the kinetic energy of a pop promo pioneer and Queen’s explosive soundtrack to become a cult classic.

When two American producers took a chance on a college student’s script, they set in motion a chain of events involving an imploding British film studio, an experimental music video director still finding his filmmaking feet, a former James Bond with a spiralling salary, and the unexpected arrival of low-budget production company, Cannon Films.

Author Jonathan Melville looks back at the creation of Highlander with the help of more than 60 cast and crew, as they talk candidly about the gruelling shoot that took them from the back alleys of London, to the far reaches of the Scottish Highlands, and onto the mean streets of 1980s New York City. With insights from Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor on the film’s iconic music, exclusive screenwriter commentary on unmade scripts, never-before-seen photos from private collections, and a glimpse into the promotional campaign that never was.

If there can be only one book on Highlander then this is it!
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Polaris
  4. Publication date
    November 17, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1913538052
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1913538057
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An engrossing read with plenty of on-set anecdotes' 4 out of 5 stars."
Total Film

"A definitive history...which every fan should read."
Starburst

"As well as being the story of the Highlander film itself, it’s a fascinating look at the film-making process...Jonathan Melville's A Kind of Magic - Making the Original Highlander is an absolute joy to read and an absolutely essential purchase for any Highlander fan."
We Are Cult

"There really can only be one Highlander… and you’re highly unlikely to find a better account of it. 9/10"
Sci-Fi Bulletin

"Jonathan Melville rounds up an impressive number of the key players… and mixes new interviews with plenty of material from the archives."
SFX

"At over 300 pages, this is literally Everything You Wanted To Know About Highlander But Were Afraid To Ask. An epic with a cast of thousands."
The Dobermann Always Rings Twice

"A Kind of Magic: Making the Original Highlander tracks down an astonishing number of the film's cast and crew to give an unparalleled account of its creation... if you’re one of the film’s many fans this is the perfect companion."
The Courier, Book of the Week, 9/10

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Polaris (November 17, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1913538052
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1913538057
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 268 ratings

About the author

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Jonathan Melville

Jonathan Melville

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As a fan of film and TV for as long as I can remember before becoming a film journalist in my home city of Edinburgh, I wanted to write a book about subjects I can't easily read about elsewhere.

In 2022 I'll be publishing my third book, this time on the making of Bill Forsyth's Local Hero, talking to cast and crew about the Scottish classic.

It follows my 25th anniversary overview of Tremors franchise, an unauthorised book featuring interviews with more than 50 people involved in the first four films and the TV series, and my 35th anniversary look at 1986's Highlander. For that one I spoke to dozens of people involved in the film, including stars Christopher Lambert and Clancy Brown, and Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Next up I hope to publish a book of interviews with creatives who worked with Jim Henson on his various projects.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
268 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Matthew Bracher
5.0 out of 5 stars A great look at a much-loved film
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
I didn't see Highlander until my second go at university and it captured my attention as a modern faerie story.

I bought the 4K disc based on its two new audio commentaries, one by this book's author, and ironically I haven't listened yet to either of them. It remains on my To Be Watched shelf.

The book though... a fascinating though occasionally slow look at the film's origins, making, and legacy, and after reading it I'm *really* looking forward to hearing Jonathan Melville's commentary.

The book covers every stage of the film's creation in careful detail and I'm glad I read it.
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Nerine Dorman
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful to discover so much about one of my favourite films
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2021
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Way, way back, in that delirious summer vacation between my primary and high school years, I watched a film that I'd best describe as pivotal in my development as an author and musician. The original 1986 Highlander, starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery, and Clancy Brown, lodged itself in my imagination, and taught me two things: fantasy is my calling, and Queen's music is the best.

In A Kind of Magic: Making the Original Highlander, Jonathan Melville sets about the ambitious endeavour of chronicling the making of the film that sparked a cinema and TV franchise, accompanied by tie-in fiction and card games that have garnered a small but rabid fan following over the intervening decades.

It can be argued that the original Highlander has its flaws, yet for those of us who've comfort-watched it more than a score of times (yes, I'm one of those people who can say the lines before the actors even open their mouths), it's an immortal classic that provides a visual feast thanks to director Russell Mulcahy's savvy eye and the creative team that had his back. And of course, let's not forget the killer soundtrack developed by British rock band Queen and composer Michael Kamen.

Melville's legwork and interviewing skills result in deep dive into the process of how a film comes together, from the writing to pre-production, filming, and eventual distribution, as well as life beyond the big screen. For all the things that did go wrong (as it inevitably does in the production of any film), so much somehow came right. We get the good, the bad, and the ugly, as well as a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes into the unique pressures in the industry back in the 1980s. Knowing what I do of contemporary filmmaking thanks to my own involvement in the industry, exactly how cast and crew managed back then absolutely blows my mind.

I savoured every chapter of this book, and value it as an important artefact and time capsule of sorts to both entertain and inform those of us who have enjoyed this fantasy cult classic that's part-romance, part-historical adventure epic. This is one for the fans.
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Michael Manning
5.0 out of 5 stars A solid work of considerable research and detail about an iconic movie
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2021
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The author has spent a great amount of time in seeking out so many who worked on the film, while also exploring other avenues regarding the 1986 film and resulting franchise. For a movie made 35 years ago, Mr. Melville does tremendous work in being able to discuss the original film with nearly all of the surviving principals, including the famously private Clancy Brown. Thoughts from the surviving members of Queen also make it into the narrative.

The author made visits to filming sites, and even presents accounts of stand-ins, stunt people, and extras who worked on the film. In some cases, children of those who worked on the film, such as Frazer Diamond, son of the legendary Peter Diamond(actor and stuntman), contributed additional gems of information.

This book stands as an obvious labor of love for the author, and a treat for fans of the movie. Some production photos included, along with references/note citations. No index, but the book is laid out in a logical and for the most part chronological manner, following the originator of the story, Gregory Widen, through optioning, screenplay treatments, casting, filming, and so forth.

Highly recommended for fans of the film and franchise, devotees of 1980s-era movies, and cinephiles everywhere. At this time, regarding books about this iconic movie, there can be only one - this one.
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P. Andre Bennett II
4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of magic.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2021
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I never thought I'd read such an in-depth text on Highlander. Everything you ever wanted to know about the making of the original movie is here. Melville interviewed just about everyone involved, from the stars to the stand-ins to the stans. Perhaps a little too exhaustive at times, but on the whole, a phenomenal journey through an immortal film.
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AmazonShopper
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun, thorough overview of the making of a classic film
Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2022
Verified Purchase
As a huge fan of the original "Highlander," I was enthralled by this extremely detailed overview of the making of the film. Great interviews with the cast and filmmakers sprinkled throughout. The interviews with some of the Scottish extras were also fun and added some nice flavor. A must-have for any "Highlander" fan!
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Ian
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic deep dive!
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I loved this book. I've been a fan of Highlander since the early 90s when I happened across the television show one night and since I always enjoy hearing stories from behind the scenes I picked up this book. The author did a ton of interviews with those who were involved in the actual production of the original film in 1984/85 and really takes readers on a deep dive into that production. As both a Highlander fan and a fan of behind the scenes accounts I can't recommend this highly enough.
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Mike
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on one of my favorite movies!
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
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Being a huge fan of Highlander (the original film) I thought I knew everything there was to know about the movie but oh boy how wrong I was! The author goes into great detail on everything from who Gregory Widen is all the way through the entire making of the movie. Lots of interesting stuff! If you are a fan of this "cult classic" pick it up and I won't be able to put it down!
One person found this helpful
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JR
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a book about the original classic film.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2021
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If you love the movie 'Highlander' than this book is definitely for you. Written by an unabashed fan of the first, (and only the first), film, this book is full of information about the making of the movie, using interviews of just about everyone associated with the production. If you love 'Highlander' you must get this book!
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Top reviews from other countries

alan
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2023
Verified Purchase
Top marks to Mr. Melville for a thoroughly entertaining, engaging and enjoyable read. My friends and I first came to this film when it released on the video rental market- I suspect somewhere around 1987. The music of Queen and Connery was a major draw though we knew precious little of Lambert. I really enjoyed the backstory of toil in getting this film made- it's fascinating and precarious production is made for books and I'm really glad I picked this up. I'll have to move onto Local Hero next.

Perhaps there's another tale to be told about Highlander 2 for Mr. Melville? We all followed Lambert and co across the series of films in the years that followed and this book- should you have any doubts- I can highly recommend for the depth and spirit it has been written. It's really worth your time. Bravo!
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O. Grau
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read - even if you're not a super fan of Highlander
Reviewed in Germany on January 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Between books about the making of movies "It's a Kind of Magic" stands out. It is especially well written, always interesting and enjoyable. It details everything about the making of "Highlander" - from the first idea up until its legacy 30 years later - in chronological order.

It is aided by the fact that "Highlander" is a bit unusual in every aspect. The story, the direction, the actors and the iconic soundtrack are all worth being written about. Jonathan Melville did a lot of digging and unearthed an incredible amount of information about all those aspects, going way deeper than any of the making of featurettes you can find on the official "Highlander" Blu Rays/DVDs. Even uncredited extras get a word in.

The books never feels like it is written while wearing the rose tinted glasses of a super fan, which is a very welcome exception between most ultra detailed accounts about singular movies.

If you are a fan of the "Highlander"-franchise this is pretty much a must-read. At this point it represents the definitive account about the making of the original movie, unlikely to be surpassed in the future. If you are just interested in the making of movies in general, the book is probably still worth your while. Being very well sourced it is a great addition to any serious movie making library.
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J.M Nemo Moreau
5.0 out of 5 stars There can be only one book !!
Reviewed in France on October 11, 2020
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It's almost like reading a Police report. Chronologically events with tons of names and functions and stories... Everything is scrutinized. Every details reveals.
Great work. A lot of quotes and interviews. What an achievement !!
The ultimate Highlander book. A lot of informations in a fluid style. You will know everything and also what is the real deal when making a movie from scratch to a franchise. Great read !!!
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Mr Rubin
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for Highlander fans!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2022
Verified Purchase
I knew absolutely nothing about this book until I saw a Youtube video about it.
My love for this film is such that I purchased it in a big hurry, to say the least.

I must congratulate Jonathan Melville for writing such an enjoyable, well researched book,
which I've been waiting for since the release of the film. It was worth the wait.
If he was here with me now, he wouldn't be able to get away for at least a week.

Please buy it now. Buy two in case you lose the first, and then another one for your Highlander
loving friend as well. It needs our support as faithful Highlander
fans, a clan in our own right.

Have you bought it yet? No? Shame on you, you have to buy four copies now as penance for your
tardiness or I'll send the Kurgan round to your house to gently encourage you.
2 people found this helpful
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Firthophile
4.0 out of 5 stars Informative
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 13, 2024
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An interesting detailing of the making of the original Highlander movie, with a summary of the follow ups (for me, there can be only one, so this part brought me up to speed on what came after).
Wish there had been more photographs, but the composite of the construction of 'Glenfinnan' was a great inclusion.
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