Damn it.
I'm Richie Ryan.
Don't be afraid, Richie Ryan.
Now, what makes you think I'm scared?
I just wanna talk. About what?
The weather? Monday Night Football?
- Peace. - Oh, hey, buddy. Totally.
It's a good line, pal, but no dice.
I swear you're in no danger.
I stopped taking heads long ago.
I'm not even armed.
Come on, buddy, You know the drill.
Everyone carries a sword. Everyone takes heads.
We fight or we die.
That's what we were taught.
But what if we could end the fighting?
Imagine.
What if all Immortals could live in peace...
real eternal peace?
Who are you?
I am...
the oldest of us living still.
I am Methos.
It's up to you, Richie Ryan.
You can take my head...
or you can think about what I said.
He is Duncan MacLeod,
the Highlander.
Born in 1592, in the Highlands of Scotland,
and he is still alive.
He is immortal.
For 400 years, he's been a warrior,
a lover,
a wanderer,
constantly facing other Immortals in combat to the death.
The winner takes his enemy's head...
and with it, his power.
I am a Watcher,
part of a secret society of men and women...
who observe and record, but never interfere.
We know the truth about Immortals.
In the end, there can be only one.
May it be Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.
Here we are
Born to be kings
We're the princes of the universe
I am immortal
I have inside me blood of kings
I have no rival
No man can be my equal
Take me to the future of your world
I thought your friend was a-coming.
Yeah. Richie gets here when he gets here.
You're right about her, Harry. She has got good lines.
But she's gonna need a major refit.
She'll need new rigging, the engine's taken salt,
and she's probably got rot below the waterline.
She's not worth $50,000. She's not even worth $40,000.
Nope.
What'd you bring me down here for?
Because... she'll go for 20.
Oh, I might've known it.
You're an old goat.
- So, you want her? - I'll be right back, Harry.
I'd been running slaves through the Underground Railway...
for a couple of years,
helping them escape north to freedom.
I'd promised Jeffrey we'd get him past Confederate lines...
so he could join his future bride,
who I'd already led to safety in Philadelphia.
Move up. Let's go! We're gonna check out the field over here.
Come on. Spread out! We'll get him. We'll get him.
- Over there! - Get going!
No! Don't!
Hold it right there! Don't move now, boy!
We got him! We got him over here! I'll shoot you! I swear I will.
Move it along, all of y'all. Easy, Jeffrey.
Move it along. Keep moving. My leg's shot up pretty bad.
I don't think I can make it.
It's all right, Jeffrey. We'll get you to a doctor as soon as we get there.
Get on your feet, boy!
The bullet's shattered his leg. He can't walk.
Well, then you carry him, or he stays here.
- No! - If you ride with the devil, you fry with the devil.
Jeffrey, come on. Come on. Up, up. Up. Now, get going.
Tell that slave he better hurry.
We don't belong here, Mr. MacLeod.
We ain't even soldiers.
It's all right, Jeffrey. You stick close to me. I'll take care of you.
Come on, now. Move it up. Move it up, boys.
Keep walkin' now. Keep walkin'.
Get going there. Move it!
Don't you look at me, boy! Move on now.
Welcome to hell, boys.
Away from the gate. Get away from the gate.
Let's go. Get in there. Come on now.
Don't be eyeballin' me!
Stay back. Come on! You stay back.
Move it!
Yeah, get up there! Get back! Get back!
Get back there.
Sweet Jesus. Back off!
He's got water! Gimme that!
Gimme... Ohh!
God help me, these are Union soldiers.
They were.
Who's in charge of this hellhole?
Speak up, soldier.
I think we're about to find out.
Attention, fellas. You have been warned!
Get back. Get back. Get it back, boy. Move back. Shut your mouth!
There is no escape from Andersonville. It is futile.
It is suicidal for those that try and for others.
What I do now...
is on your heads, not mine.
What is he talking about? Sergeant Hickson.
Yes, sir! Select three men.
You! You! Come on.
And you! You know the rules!
For every one that tries to escape, three others die!
Silence! Silence!
- Yeah, well, that's murder! - No one questions my authority here.
Bring him to my quarters.
You can't do that! We're Union soldiers!
Stay right there. Move back!
Stay back. Hold it right there, or I'll shoot you where you stand.
Come in.
Thank you, Sergeant.
Colonel William Everett Culbraith.
Duncan MacLeod.
Have a seat, sir.
I'll stand.
I'm guessin' that you're an abolitionist, MacLeod.
It may surprise you to learn that I, myself,
harbor ill feelings towards the institution of slavery.
Matter of fact, on my farm just outside of Atlanta,
my wife and I have no slaves of our own.
Really? But you have Andersonville.
-You don't approve of my prison. -Prison?
This is not a prison. It's a slaughterhouse.
It's all slaughter, MacLeod...
what they do, what we do.
I seen more death in this war than I'd see in a dozen lifetimes.
I'm sick of war...
theirs and ours.
But I'm a soldier, sir, and I have my orders.
Do your orders tell you to treat these men like animals?
If they behave like animals, it's because of the way they treat each other.
No discipline. No honor.
They kill each other for a crust of bread.
Because they're starving.
These men are soldiers. They demand respect.
These soldiers are destroying the South!
My South!
And the truth is, I have nothing to feed them.
Times are hard. My own troops are on half rations.
What would you have me do?
For a start, I'd spare those men you're about to have killed.
Move it along, linin' up right along the fence.
Come on. We don't have all day.
I can't afford mercy. Move along. Move along!
Let's go! I let one escape attempt go unpunished,
discipline breaks down.
Without discipline,
descend into chaos.
And I will not suffer chaos under my command.
They're not animals, they're soldiers!
- Killing them won't stop others from trying to escape!
I don't like killing, MacLeod, but I will if I have to.
Wait! I need to talk to you about a doctor.
I need to talk to him about a doctor!
Mac! Don't do it!
Just give me a chance to explain.
What's to explain? Because of you, that murdering bastard's alive.
So what? You wanted Culbraith to live? You have any idea what he is?
Mac, it doesn't matter what he is. It's gotta stop.
- What's gotta stop? - All of it. The fighting, the dying, the taking heads.
Mac, it's gotta go. Listen to me.
We can end it. Because you say so?
Just hear me out, okay? Someone taught you to fight.
Someone taught him that, and someone before that.
Because that's the way it is. That's not the way it has to be.
Mac, I am talking about peace.
All of us living in peace.
It can't happen. Why not?
Because of men like Culbraith.
Oh, thank you.
This is gonna hurt, Jeffrey.
You go ahead, Mr. MacLeod.
You do what you have to.
Tell me again how my Sara looked.
She looked beautiful, as usual.
We're gonna get married.
We're gonna name our firstborn Duncan...
if it's a boy.
Okay.
How is it?
I'm sorry, Jeffrey. It's the gangrene.
It can't be. Easy.
No, no. Jeffrey, the leg's gotta come off.
No. No. If it doesn't, the infection will spread.
We've got to do it, Jeffrey. It's gonna be okay.
You'll see Sara again, and you'll have lots of children.
Just won't be able to run no races with them.
You stay here, okay?
Hold that. I'll be right back.
I'm gonna get a doctor.
Gangrene.
Your friend should have stayed on the plantation.
If the leg comes off now, he'll live.
My surgeon's occupied.
I have wounded of my own.
It'll have to wait. But if he waits, he dies.
I didn't put him in harm's way, MacLeod.
You did.
Colonel, he's just a boy. He's a scared boy.
They're all scared boys.
I'll do what I can.
If my surgeon's available,
I'll send him in the morning.
Good night, MacLeod.
Thank you.
I didn't figure he'd come.
You have to hold on, Jeffrey.
I promise you. He'll be here in the morning.
Oh, I can wait.
It ain't like I'm real anxious to see him.
Mr. MacLeod. Yeah?
Thank you.
For what?
I was the one that got you into this.
Mm. I may be a prisoner,
but I ain't no slave.
Tell the colonel... I beg your pardon, sir.
The courier said it was important.
Please! He's suffering! It's from your brother-in-law.
Just two minutes of your time! Thank you, Sergeant.
I need to talk to you!
"Dear William,
"this heinous war has taken an even darker turn.
"It grieves me to tell you this,
"but your wife, my sister,
and the children..."
Dismissed, Sergeant.
I need to see Culbraith!
Tell Culbraith it's about the...
You are not going in here!
Sergeant.
I've come about the surgeon.
- Your request is denied. - What?
You promised he'd be tended to today.
- That is all. - Damn it, Culbraith! The man's dying in agony.
Agony is what this war's all about, Mr. MacLeod.
At least give me a knife. Let me try and save him.
You've had your answer. Sergeant.
Get him outta here.
It hurts, Mr. MacLeod. I'm sorry, Jeffrey. I'm so sorry.
Make it stop.
There's nothing I can do.
Please. I don't wanna die like this.
I can't. I can't do that.
Mr. MacLeod.
You have to.
Okay.
Maybe Culbraith was doing what he thought he had to do.
You don't know what made him like that. You're right. I don't.
And I don't care. But, Mac,
if you talk to him, you might find that you understand each other.
You know, you might even find a reason not to fight.
I don't need a reason to talk to him, Richie.
Some people are evil... not bad, not misunderstood, just plain evil.
And you don't talk to evil. You destroy it.
But, Mac, evil only exists because of fear.
That's what Methos is talking about.
Methos? You talked to Methos?
I know. Imagine that.
The oldest Immortal alive.
Here I thought he was a legend and then he shows up out of the blue.
And feeds you this stuff about peace and love.
Mac, this guy's got wisdom and strength.
Listening to him is like listening to some kind of saint.
Hmph. He's no saint. I don't care how old he is, he's wrong.
Mac, you're not hearing what I'm saying.
I'm talking about a chance to change our lives forever,
to live without being afraid.
What, without a head?
Sometimes I don't get you, Mac. Sometimes I just don't get you at all.
Hey. Grab a beer. There's a cold one in the fridge.
Yeah, I know. It's my fridge.
I thought you were out wandering the world.
Ah, Tibet. Yak butter plays hell with the digestion.
Besides, I'd had all the enlightenment I could use.
Maybe you should've kept it to yourself.
Sorry. I must've dozed off.
Uh, what is it we're talking about?
All that crock you're feeding Richie.
Right. And what crock would that be, exactly?
Oh, you know. "Stop fighting. Lay down your sword. Give peace a chance."
- Ring a bell? - Wow.
- So he's here, is he? - Who's here?
The other Methos.
What? I never actually met the guy.
Yeah, but I've heard rumors.
He wanders around the place...
spreading his message to other Immortals.
Using your name?
Well, it's not like I took out a patent or anything.
Sounds like the guy's started a franchise or something.
What about this line about peace and love?
What's that all about? Well, maybe it's just exactly what he says it is.
Turning the other cheek only gets you slapped harder.
But it's got such a nice ring to it.
You know, no more fighting, no more killing.
Peace and harmony. Don't tell me you never fantasized about that.
Some young sucker's always gonna fall for it.
Richie has. Voila.
He thinks the guy is some kind of prophet.
Well, who's to say he isn't? You are!
- This guy's a fraud. - Look.
There are enough people out there who want my head for who I am.
Now, I say if he wants to play Methos, let him.
Even if it gets him killed?
Yeah.
Look. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Look at these boots.
What happened to craftsmanship? I only put a thousand miles on these.
You're gonna convince Richie that this guy is a fake.
What makes you think he will believe me?
Because you are going to be very sincere.
I left Kathmandu for this.
I mean, this has gotta be some kind of joke.
Joe, help me out here. I mean, 5,000 years of wisdom... him?
Well, I don't know about the wisdom,
but, uh, yeah, 5,000, that's about right.
I know it's a little hard to believe, but what you see is what you get.
This is the real Methos.
You guys don't understand what I'm saying.
It's not the name that I care about.
I mean, this Methos, that Methos.
It's the message I believe in.
Richie, the message is wrong. and it's gonna get you killed.
You just met this guy.
What he's saying goes totally against everything that we know.
Why would you want to believe him?
Because he offered me his life.
- Now, why would he do that? - Because he's afraid to fight you.
-Or because he knew you wouldn't take it. - Oh, yeah. Right.
There's one born every minute.
Okay. Fine. Whatever. I mean, I am talking about peace here, fellas.
I'm talking about a chance to end the killing forever.
And you know something? Of all people, I thought you would understand.
He's young, all right?
Young people, they make mistakes.
Yeah. Look at disco.
I've gotta get going.
I've got someone to find.
I'm gonna go, uh, and check on this...
uh, this other Methos.
Maybe I'll turn something up.
Maybe I'll go and buy some socks.
Who are you?
They call me Methos.
And you're looking for me.
Yes. But not for the reason you think.
I carry no sword.
Then you're a fool.
If you kill me, we won't be able to talk.
Nothing to talk about.
There's you... what you are, what you were,
why you feel as you do.
You don't know a damn thing about me.
I know others who have known you.
They say that William Culbraith was a soldier.
They say he lost his loved ones.
Everybody has.
Does that make it any less painful?
I told my family about holy ground.
They thought they were safe.
The Union soldiers found them hiding in a church.
They burned it to the ground with them in it.
You wanted to weep, but you couldn't.
You wanted to raise them up,
hear them laugh again.
But they were gone forever.
So you went out to kill.
As many as I could. But that didn't end the pain,
so you kept on killing...
until you could no longer see their faces.
I tried.
I tried to remember. Jesus, but I couldn't.
I know what you're feeling, William Culbraith.
And I know how to end it.
I'm Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod.
This doesn't have to be.
Please, put up your sword.
You must be the new prophet.
Well, we can talk about it afterward.
Whatever he did to you, he did out of pain...
because of what others had done to him.
But it can end here.
You can end it. It'll end when I take his head.
Is this what Darius taught you?
Yes, I knew Darius.
I know what he tried to do for you, how much he loved you.
Would he be proud of this?
You shouldn't be taking part in this tragedy.
I was raised a warrior.
I choose battles I believe to be just.
Oh, I'm sure. You're quite loyal to your convictions and compatriots.
I wonder what these men think about death... about convictions and compatriotism now.
When Darius asked you to consider peace,
you listened, you tried.
You're not Darius. I carry the same message.
Even if you convince a thousand to follow you,
it just takes one to start the killing.
Just one. Will you be that one, MacLeod?
The one who wouldn't consider peace?
Choose peace.
- Methos, I presume. - So they tell me.
You know, it's, um, interesting.
I was always told that you were a myth.
And yet you look very, very real.
Tell me, is it true that you were a friend of Socrates?
Oh, I've had many friends.
And, um, I've always wondered...
uh, Cleopatra, what was she really like?
She was a woman.
She loved. She lived. She died.
Yeah. Speaking of death, uh...
You seem very vulnerable.
We're all vulnerable.
Yes, but you a little more than me, I think.
I mean, a lot of people might want the head of a 5,000-year-old man.
A lot of people might want to listen to a 5,000-year-old man.
I suppose that's true.
I mean, 50 centuries. After all, you must've learned a lot...
uh, knowledge, wisdom, that sort of thing.
Truth is my beliefs are very simple.
about your beliefs.
Do you really think that there's no such thing as evil?
Only fear.
So, what, Genghis Khan and Hitler were just children playing up?
They were men... driven by fear...
to commit evil acts.
And if their mother had loved them truly,
then it would have been a different world.
Could you say it wouldn't?
What about the game? Do you really think we can end the game?
-I think it's worth trying. -Even if it costs you your head?
Can anyone live for 5,000 years and say they did nothing?
Risked nothing? Merely stayed alive.
It'd be pointless.
Some might think that that experience was worth saving.
But...
we can talk about it.
No. I've got a prior engagement, I'm afraid.
I, uh, didn't catch your name.
No. That's right. You didn't.
A little pathos, a little pop psychology...
the guy is either delusional or he is a fraud.
And you are buying it!
I'm not buying anything. No?
One speech from the wise one, and you forgive Culbraith.
I mean, what's next, friendship rings, the Love Boat?
I haven't forgiven him. It just made me think.
I'm just saying don't think too much,
'cause we can't afford another one on the list.
- What list? - Ask Joe.
I, uh, did some checking on this Methos flake.
The other one.
Anyway, uh, there's a trail of dead Immortals behind him.
He's killing them off. No.
He's just suckering them in,
and then the Immortal lays down his sword...
and the next Immortal doesn't.
Meanwhile, our gentle friend moves on spreading the word.
Well, I'm not a convert, and I don't intend to be.
Well, great. What about Richie?
It's a lot to think about...
what life and death means, if it means anything.
I want him to be right, Mac.
I know.
I don't like killing. You're not supposed to.
You see, Mac,
change has got to start somewhere.
Wouldn't you like to live your life without looking over your shoulder?
Yeah, but it's not possible, not in this life.
We do what we do because we have to. We have no choice.
There's a lot of evil out there, Richie, and...
it's up to people who can stop it to do so.
If we don't, if we do nothing, then evil wins.
That's it? It's just that simple?
Whatever it is, it's not simple.
Listen, Mac, I respect you more than anyone I've ever known.
but I have to make my own decision about this.
I know you do.
For, like, 20 minutes you haven't said a word.
Go home, Richie. Why?
What did I do?
You're not ready yet.
You'll give it up when the time is right.
So you're pissed.
No.
I would just rather not have weapons in my presence.
I know.
But I told you. This goes against everything I was taught.
Spartans left their children on a hillside to die.
It wasn't right,
but it's what they were taught.
We act because we're taught to act.
We kill because we're taught to kill,
because we fear death.
Aren't you afraid to die?
Of course. I'm no fool.
You wonder if that's why I do all this...
because I'm afraid to fight.
- Get up. - What?
Get up.
Come at me.
Come at me, please. You can do better than that.
I wasn't ready for that.
This time, use your sword.
- Strike. - No.
- I said, "Strike." - No.
Strike!
Sometimes the best peacemakers...
are those who are most experienced in war.
It's not that I won't fight.
It's that I refuse to kill.
And that's why you don't want them around?
My faith is my defense. So far, it's worked.
I'm sorry I doubted you.
Richie, don't believe because of my strength.
Believe because of your own...
because you want to.
I do.
Hey, Rich. You hungry?
Um... No thanks.
Well, uh, how about a workout?
I could put this away and we can go and have a workout afterward, huh?
I don't think so.
So why'd you come?
Richie, think about this.
I have, Mac.
I've thought about it as much as I've thought about anything in my life.
Do you realize what you're doing?
This is not just a weapon. This is... part of us.
Part of who we are.
Not me.
It's not who I am.
Not anymore.
Look, we don't have to agree on this.
I'm sorry.
So am I.
I'll see you.
You're not hard to find.
I don't try to be.
I thought about what you said,
about how I was...
and how I came to be what I am.
You had no choice, William.
You were made into what you are.
And you think I could change?
I know you can. If I wanted to,
and I don't.
I don't believe that.
This is a mistake, William.
Your mistake. I'll have the head of Methos.
I looked in your heart. I know I reached you.
And found your death.
If this is what is in your heart,
to kill an unarmed man...
who kneels before you...
then I was wrong.
But I don't believe I was wrong.
Believe.
So Richie's his newest disciple. Isn't that cute.
Oh, and I suppose you would know just what to do.
Oh, yeah.
Standard response to unforeseen dilemmas...
perfected over many centuries.
What?
Nothing.
You know, I think I like the other Methos better.
You asked.
I think maybe I'll just go look at the graffiti in the men's room.
Is it just me, or is this guy really being a jerk!
There's nothing to do. It's Richie's decision. We have to respect it.
What? Even if it kills him?
I taught him how to survive. What he does with that is up to him.
Hey. I didn't mean to surprise you.
I never thanked you for saving my life.
It's not a problem. I mean, it's what he teaches.
Yeah. Yeah, I've never met anyone quite like the old man.
It's hard to imagine how he's lived this long without a sword.
How are you managing? Well, I...
I guess faith can take you a long way.
You?
Faith? I don't have any faith.
No faith at all.
Some guys comes along, says, "Everything's just rosy.
No more death, no more fear."
Hell, Richie's gonna buy into that.
But it's a mistake that's gonna cost him, Mac.
Well, it's his to make. It's about integrity.
Hey, buddy, don't do it.
You know this is wrong. Is it?
Well, I guess old habits die hard.
But he saved your life. I mean, didn't you listen to him?
Right up until the end. Now, are you gonna make it as easy as he did,
or are you gonna put up a fight?
Okay. There's this Spanish guy...
Alejandro Diego Spinoza.
One day he gets called in by the Inquisition for questioning.
Red hot pincers, tongs... the usual drill.
Now, all he has to do is say, "No."
Okay? Very simple word.
They take his home, his money, his lands, but he will not give in.
And so what happened?
He died screaming in agony.
But he kept his integrity.
Don't save my seat.
Let yourselves out.
Hmph. You are one calculating son of a bitch.
I guess when you get down to it, we're all the same.
Not all of us. He was different.
We were meant for war.
You can't interfere, MacLeod! The battle's been joined.
I wouldn't think of it.
Is this the part where I beg for mercy,
or will you say we don't have to do this?
Neither.
You really think peace between us was possible?
I'd like to think so.
Would've been nice.
You know, I don't even know what his real name was.
I mean, I know he wasn't the real Methos.
Maybe he wasn't right, either, but...
he was a good man.
Listen. I'm sorry I disappointed you, kid.
That's okay. Later.
Old-timer, you got any words of wisdom for me?
- Nope.
Well, uh, thanks for saving my life... again.
Well, all I did was level the playing field.
You know, Mac, I think I'm gonna head out of town for a while...
just get on my bike and try to figure some stuff out.
All those big questions?
Oh, yeah. If you don't find the answers,
keep looking.
I will.
Richie.
Be safe.
You too, Mac.
And here we are
We're the princes of the universe
Here we belong fighting for survival
We've come to be the rulers of your world
I am immortal
I have inside me blood of kings
I have no rival
No man can be my equal
Take me to the future of your world
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