DISSECTING THE DIRECTOR: Russell Mulcahy

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

“RUSSELL MULCAHY”

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If I were to make a list naming directors I believed to be underrated and over looked over the past few decades, Russell Mulcahy would be at the top of that list. Hailing from my homeland of Australia, Mulcahy first made a name for himself with the Aussie Exploitation flick RAZORBACK. It was a film that shouldn’t have worked; yet somehow it turned out to be a neat little flick when everyone saw it. He made waves with the now cult classic HIGHLANDER and since then he went on to work with actors such as Denzel Washington, John Lithgow, Alec Baldwin, Sir Ian McKellen, Gerard Butler and Thomas Jane. While a lot of directors tend to go into film from music videos, Mulcahy did the opposite and started off there and continued to go back once in a while. He was the go to man for many artists during the 90’s and 00’s so let’s take a look at this over looked talent….

BEST WORK

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As it is the case with some directors, their early works and the ones they get remembered for are usually their best. It is without hesitation that I proclaim that HIGHLANDER is Mulcahy’s best film. Now I am sure most of you have at least heard about this one, the film that ended without the possibility of a sequel yet spawned many and even a couple of TV series. But as the tag line of the film states ‘There Can Be Only One’, and this is the jewel of the crop.

For me HIGHLANDER is one of those quintessential 80’s films, one that always stood out amongst the rest. Taking cues from other classics such as THE TERMINATOR, Mulcahy developed an action/adventure thrill ride that took us through time. What really made the film work was the mystery that surrounded it as no real explanation was given to why these select few were immortal and there didn’t need to be one. Instead we got a well-rounded storyline which went back and forth between past and present and characters we cared about or took a special interest in.

The film was well acted with superb performances from the trio of Christopher Lambert (who was just learning English at the time), Clancy Brown (as the villain) and Sean Connery (the man, the myth, the legend). The central chemistry between student and teacher with Lambert and Connery helped shaped the character of Connor McLeod. The film would surely have suffered if this did not work with Lambert and Connery actually becoming close friends from the shoot. Clancy Brown is a force to be reckoned with as the Kurgan, his villain is perhaps one of the most badass and threatening from that era of cinema. Lambert’s Connor is a character that spends the film growing; he has a strange type of grace about him. He is one that we the audience somehow relate to and by the end we believe he is strong enough to be ‘the One’.

Mulcahy put a lot of effort into this film as the sets and locations looks authentic and the costume design as well looked breathtaking. It is a testament to the man that was able to pull the film off, and something that on paper probably looked like a mess. Throw in the fantastic soundtrack by Queen and you have an almost perfect film. HIGHLANDER is often imitated, but nothing quite compares to the original.

WORST WORK

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As great as Mulcahy’s films can be though there are a few that are unfortunately less than stellar. The #1 example of this less than stellar work and the prize for his worst work shall be awarded to the 2008 direct to video prequel THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF A WARRIOR. A film so bad that is reaches levels of un-watchability and it does pain me to say that about one of his films. Yes, you heard me correctly; this is more difficult to sit through than the theatrical alien-laced cut of HIGHLANDER II.

The film is a prequel to THE SCORPION KING, which itself is a prequel to THE MUMMY RETURNS, which itself as a sequel to THE MUMMY, which itself is a remake. Yes that is confusing as it is trying to understand the basic plot of this film. I will give it a shot anyway; we have a young Mathayus (aka the one who will become The Scorpion King) who is the son of Ashur, a Captain in the corps of the Black Scorpions (bodyguards). Mathayus wants to join the Black Scorpions but his father won’t hear of it. Mathayus ignores his father and goes ahead to recruitment anyway. After a debacle, Sargon (commander of the army) goes to execute Mathayus but Ashur rescues him and this leads to Sargon getting angry and using a Curse to kill Ashur. Still with me? Did any of that make any sense? Well the film continues on with Mathayus going to a training camp for a few years and then returning to find Sargon has attained the throne and wants loyalty from Mathayus, who refuses and goes off on some quest to obtain a sword.

If you managed to survive that clunky description, congratulations you might be able to sit through the film which is actually far more complicated. THE SCORPION KING was a cool character and his stand-alone film was flawed but a lot of fun. This film undoes all of that and instead of continuing on his story, it backtracks it to a point where it makes absolutely no sense. In short this is a lazy effort, and an attempt at a quick cash grab. It didn’t feel like Mulcahy really cared about what he was doing with this and the man deserves much better. The script was poor as it should not have been nearly this complicated. The performances are horrible with perhaps only Randy Couture coming out of it still pretty solid and secure. A huge disappointment and a film that honestly should be avoided by everyone to say the least. For a better Direct to Video film from Mulcahy, I suggest TALE OF THE MUMMY which while not perfect is still decent fun.

TRADEMARKS

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Russell Mulcahy is a director whose trademarks are few but memorable ones. He doesn’t often work with the same cast, with the exceptions of Christopher Lambert and Alec Baldwin. Each of his films are very different from one another but he keeps centralised themes throughout. The good vs. evil aspect is utilized a lot, with a main clear protagonist and a clear calculated antagonist. The pair tend to play dangerous cat and mouse games where the main plot itself will derive from.

He is a very visual director and is sure to make good use of the cinematographer. His films are vibrant with colour, and attention to detail is very precise for so much. He loves fantasy and mythological stories but ones that can be played out in the real world. The man is a storyteller and he makes good use of everything he has got to do so. When you look deep down, you can tell you are watching a Mulcahy film.

HIDDEN GEM

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The man has basically built a career out of hidden gems but there are two in particular that I don’t think receive enough love. First off I want to talk about THE SHADOW which is an adaptation of a character that began in the 30’s through pulp magazines and radio serials all the way through to comics. The film came out in 1994, a time where audiences weren’t really ready for this type of hero. It really failed to connect; however for a young 10-year-old Marcey, it hit the right spot. Yes as young lass, THE SHADOW was one of my favourite films and I would watch it every couple of weeks. A store at my local Mall actually carried a replica dagger and I would always go and see it every time we went there. The film first and foremost is fun; it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It immerses itself in the feel of the 30’s, even adding a dash of film noir. It supports a fantastic cast all of whom deliver quite entertaining performances, with Alec Baldwin making the perfect Lamont Cranston aka the Shadow. The film gets an unfair bad rep, and take it from me having re-visited it again recently it holds up well and worth watching. Mulcahy really shone as a director here as his visuals are stunning and it rivals HIGHLANDER on that front.

The other film I wanted to briefly mention is HIGHLANDER II: THE RENEGADE CUT. It is well known that HIGHLANDER II: THE QUICKENING was not the film that Mulcahy had in mind, and what we got was a huge disappointment and a terrible film. Mulcahy then had the chance to go back and recut the film into what he wanted and the result is a much better film. It flows better, makes a little more sense and keeps an air of mystery about it. This is the version that should be seen and thankfully it has become more widely available for the first time.

NEXT PROJECT

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Currently Mulcahy is not attached to a film, he was tapped to direct BAIT 3D but that film has changed hands to Paul Schrader. However he has kept himself busy, having directed a good portion of MTV’s TEEN WOLF reboot series. His episodes have received some good reviews and the show has since been renewed for a second season. He will also get to bare witness to HIGHLANDER getting the remake treatment with the currently signed on Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (much to the disgust of movie fans everywhere). With any hope, Mulcahy will get back on-board with another good film. His previous film GIVE ‘EM HELL MALONE being a pretty solid effort.

OVERALL

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The man has had a pretty incredible career where’s he’s done so much, and he’s certainly given us all some pretty amazing films. HIGHLANDER remains in my Top 20 favourite films list, and one that I often revisit. His style isn’t for everyone but if you haven’t grooved to his films before, they are worth giving a shot. I hope he continues to direct, and even if he doesn’t he has left quite an amazing legacy, and to that I say thank you.