Original subtitles

NARRATOR: He is immortal--

born in the highlands of Scotland 400 years.

He is not alone.

There are others like him, some good, some evil.

For centuries, he has battled the forces of darkness, with

holy ground his only refuge.

He cannot die unless you take his head,

and with it his power.

In the end, there can be only one.

He is Duncan MacLeod, the Highlander.

[MUSIC - QUEEN, "PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE"]

-You're beautiful.

-You're nearsighted.

-You never let me compliment you.

-Maybe because I don't deserve it.

-You deserve everything.

[phone ringing]

-Hello.

MICHAEL [ON PHONE]: I'm sorry to wake you, dear.

-Michael.

MICHAEL [ON PHONE]: But halfway to the airport, I

realized I left my briefcase in the closet.

I just wanted to let you know, I'm on my way back.

-Hurry.

-Would you calm down?

He's still in traffic somewhere.

-I know.

I just don't want to take any risks.

-I love you.

-Be safe.

-What do you say, Akira?

[struggling]

-Akira, isn't it?

Akira Yoshida?

-What do you want?

-Same thing you do.

I'm Michael Kent, Midori's husband.

This is an authentic samurai katana, made by the great

master Muramasa in the 16th century.

30,000 repetitions of pounding and folding

to make this blade.

You know, they used to test the blade by lining up

condemned men to see how many would cut

through in one stroke.

This one did five.

It was recorded under here.

Truly a labor of love.

-I was gonna talk to you.

-Talk to me?

You should have talked to me before you

started screwing my wife.

[screaming]

-I looked for your briefcase in the closet, Michael.

It wasn't there.

-I know about Akira.

He won't be coming back.

It had to be that way.

You understand, don't you?

Come to bed.

Do you know?

Do you understand?

You could never leave me--

never.

Make love to me.

[grunting]

-Come on, Jenny.

Move right.

Move right.

Come on.

Pick it up.

OK, throw it out.

Come on, keep your block up.

OK.

What's that?

Full energy.

Focus your hit.

Now, don't hold back.

Come on.

All right?

-Hey-ya!

-Oh.

-Any more focus, and you'd be eating through a straw.

-MacLeod?

You son of a bitch.

Take five, Jenny.

Welcome back.

Good to see you.

-Good to be back, Charlie.

-Yeah, well, you're looking pretty good.

-Yeah, you too.

I thought the doctor said, uh, take it easy.

-Well, he also said, uh, all the parts work.

Oh, by the way, you've got a visitor.

-But I'm not even here yet.

-Uh-huh.

I don't know how you do it.

-Do what?

-Somebody you know?

-No.

-I'm sorry.

What was it you said?

-I said, are you expecting anybody else, Mrs. Kent?

-Midori.

What makes you say that?

-You seem a little nervous.

And you still haven't told me why you're here.

-I'm not even sure myself.

Look, I'm sorry to have bothered you, but I don't

think I've come to the right place.

-Walk out that door, you won't know whether it's the right

place or not.

-Does it mean anything to you?

-It means your family name must be Koto.

-So you know about the legend.

-A promise made by my family to yours over 200 years ago

that the Kotos could always come to the MacLeods for help.

Yeah, I do.

-They told that story in my family for generations.

My mother swore it was true, but I was never sure how much

to believe.

-Believe it all.

[horses approaching]

-Afternoon.

[celebrating]

-That was close.

Duncan MacLeod.

-But that promise was made by our ancestor 200 years ago.

-Time doesn't weaken a bound, Midori.

Kotos can always come to the MacLeods.

-You're serious?

You'd really honor that promise?

-All my life.

What can I do for you?

-I murdered my husband.

Now will you still help me?

-Yes.

But I need to know why.

-I saw him kill someone.

A man.

He was my--

-Lover?

-My husband was a very powerful man.

I'll do what I can to protect you.

-MacLeod.

MacLeod, can I talk to you for a minute?

-I'll be right back.

Gonna have to wait, Charlie.

I've got to go to Japan.

-Japan?

-Yeah, you know, Land of the Rising Sun.

Hai.

-You just got back.

-That was Paris.

This is a different continent.

-Oh, very funny, MacLeod.

-I'll give you the air miles.

Come on, watch the store for me.

-Don't I always?

-Morning.

-Hello, my dear.

-It's him.

He's alive.

He's come back.

-Calm down.

Who's alive?

-My husband.

It's him.

My God.

-Midori, Midori, I won't let him hurt you.

MIDORI [OFFSCREEN]: But I killed him.

I know I did.

-Apparently not.

-I felt the knife go in.

I saw it.

I--

I still see it every night in my dreams.

How could he still be alive?

-Your ancestors would have said, [japanese].

Odds are you missed a vital organ.

Now, try that.

It'll calm your nerves.

Drink.

-I want to know everything there is to know

about Duncan MacLeod.

I want to know where he lives, what he's worth, who he knows,

if he's connected.

-Sounds like more than business as usual, sir.

-He has my wife.

-My family had some difficult times.

Our business was failing.

Michael cam in like a white knight.

He loaned us money.

Then more money.

-You couldn't pay him back, so you married him.

-I thought I would grow to love him, and he to love me.

But Michael doesn't love.

He possesses.

And I hated being an object.

Look, I know you want to help, and I appreciate that.

But I was wrong to get you involved.

-I'm involved because I want to be.

-Because of an ancient promise?

-Yes.

-Somehow I don't think this is what our ancestors had in

mind.

-What difference does that make?

I'm here to help.

-I married Michael for the money I thought would restore

my family's honor.

-Honor has nothing to do with money, Midori.

-No?

They were going to tear down our family shrine for a

parking lot.

Hideo Koto's shrine.

I don't expect you to understand.

Do you wish to rest for a while?

This must be another Western custom.

Shall I have a servant bring you a pillow?

-I will let you know when I have had enough.

I'd like to see you try that one again.

-As you wish, honorable guest.

-I think I've had enough.

-I thought I faced a gaijin with the spirit of a samurai.

What was the superior Western art you wished to show me?

Ah yes, the many art of loxing?

-That was boxing, and you can forget it.

Just show me what you do.

Whatever--

whatever that was.

-Feel your weight where it meets the

weight of the mountain.

When you swing your sword, bring the mountain's power

through you.

-Bring the mountain's power through you?

What is this, swordplay or poetry?

-Both.

Good.

Put the strength into your arms through the

soles of your feet.

-Oh, aye.

-Hm.

Hm, you learn quickly.

Maybe you have a samurai spirit after all.

-Maybe I just like poetry.

-You might even best me one day.

-Not you, Hideo.

But maybe once I leave this place.

-No.

You must never venture beyond these walls.

-What are you saying?

-The laws.

Gaijin--

whites are not welcome here in Japan.

They are thought of as a contagion, a disease to be

destroyed before it spreads.

-But who thinks that?

-The Shogun.

My kingdom.

Barbarians have been put to death for over 100 years.

-Yeah, but I was shipwrecked.

-No matter.

You are a barbarian.

If they see you, you will be crucified.

-Eh.

-And then beheaded.

-That's a pleasant thought.

But why do they hate us?

We're not so different.

-What do you see?

-A man.

Hideo Koto.

-What you see is not just Hideo Koto but all the Kotos

that lived and all the Kotos that ever lived

or ever will live.

We are different.

Our rulers want no part of the West.

That is why you cannot go beyond these walls.

Daughter, while I am gone, you will attend to

our guest, Furo da.

Will you excuse me?

-Hello, Maia.

[humming]

[speaking japanese]

-Excuse me, but I am trying to have a bath in here.

-It must be a new experience.

-I bathe once a month.

-You smell like it.

-Stop.

What do you think you're doing?

-Get out of the bath.

-What do you mean, get out?

-Wash outside tub, soak inside.

It is Japanese custom.

-Well, this is a Scottish body, and it can wash itself.

Now, get out.

Go on, get out.

They call me a barbarian.

I can get used to wearing this thing.

-Or to bathing every day, it seems.

-This is interesting.

-It is a delicacy.

-Looks like raw octopus.

-It is raw octopus.

-It's delicious.

Your father's a good man.

-Sometimes he's too good.

-What do you mean?

-I will serve you as my father wishes, but I do not have to

talk to you.

-Was it something I said, Maia?

Did I offend you?

Please tell me, because I do not understand.

-Of course you do not.

You are a barbarian.

-Barbarian?

Maia.

-I've brought so much shame upon my family.

-You don't have to stay married to him.

-I have no other choice.

-Where would Kent stay in the city?

-He has a boat he keeps there--

The Golden Mystique.

-Good.

-Where are you going?

-To talk to Kent to try and work this out.

-Well, what makes you think he will even see you?

-Because I can be very charming.

When I want to be.

[humming]

-MacLeod, aren't you supposed to be in Japan, the Land of

the Rising Sun?

-Well, I had a change of plans.

My business came to me.

You said if I ever needed anything.

-Yeah, that's a standing offer.

What's up?

-I have to leave Midori upstairs for a while.

Can you keep an eye on her for me?

-No problem.

Look, do you want me to keep her in or keep someone else

out?

-Well, someone might be asking for her.

-Well, I can handle that.

-No.

Don't take anyone on.

Just get Midori out.

-Well, if that's what you want.

-Thanks, Charlie.

-What have you got?

-It hasn't been easy, sir.

The computers usually come up with more.

But this guy has very little history.

-You'd be surprised.

-We found a business on the east side.

It's not much.

Cash flow's nil.

Just some kind of martial arts gym.

-Dojo.

Great.

That's perfect.

-Do you want us to try to find more?

-No.

I want you to go there, and I want you to get Midori.

Trust me, she'll be there.

She'll be alone.

No, the back way.

Duncan MacLeod.

Welcome aboard.

You know, I really ought to thank you, MacLeod.

You've saved me a lot of trouble.

-I know you're a busy man.

-Not near as busy as you.

-I'm just trying to protect a friend.

-Friend?

She's my wife.

-She doesn't want to be.

-She told you that?

Well, of course she's upset.

We had a little, uh--

a little misunderstanding.

-She saw you murder someone.

-Did she tell you who I killed?

Did she tell you it was her lover?

You have any idea what that's like, MacLeod?

Secret meetings, lies, his smell on my pillow.

Of course I killed him.

What would you have done in my place?

-Look, I'm not here to judge anyone, Kent.

-Oh, you're no saint, MacLeod.

She's a beautiful woman.

Is that why you've come here?

-No.

Long ago I made a vow to protect her family.

-And now you think you have to protect her from me?

She's my prize, MacLeod, my treasure.

-She's a human being.

-Oh, she's more than that.

Didn't you see the light in her eyes?

The way the light plays on her skin?

Like porcelain.

She's a work of art.

You don't destroy a work of art.

-Let her go.

-I understand this is about honor for you.

What about my honor?

I'm her husband.

She tried to kill me-- me.

She could have had anything she wanted.

A man of honor doesn't come between a husband and his

wife.

-I won't unless I have to.

She's under my protection.

-For now.

-If anything happens to her, I'm going to have to kill you.

-We'll see.

-You guys must be getting paid a lot for this.

[clearing throat]

-What's up?

Feel free to join in anytime, MacLeod.

Thanks for your help, man.

-Oh, you were having so much fun, I hated

to spoil the party.

-Hey, how long have you been gone?

-Six months.

-Yeah, right.

So for six months, everything is quiet.

I don't even get a hangnail.

And all of a sudden, you show up, and I'm

fighting to save my teeth?

-Don't thank me all at once, Charlie.

Midori?

-Oh no.

Damn.

I thought I had her, MacLeod.

They must have got somebody around behind me.

-No one got past you, Charlie.

Midori left by herself.

-What's that, a telescope?

-It's a vow, and she's releasing me from it.

-Hideo, look.

It's the best you'll find anywhere.

Six generations of craftsmen from Dover, England.

-It's very fine work, but what does it do?

-Come.

Look through the end.

No, this way.

-The edge of the sky.

It is as near as my hand.

-It's called a spyglass.

-Strange to think of barbarians as craftsmen.

Exceptional ones.

-We have a few.

Now, that--

that is what I call craftsmanship.

-Masahiro--

the finest swordmaker in Japan.

It is almost 200 years old and somewhat stronger than your

iron sword.

-So I noticed.

Keep it.

It is for you.

It's a gift.

-I will honor it as a token of our friendship.

-I would like that.

-Now I must greet the men who approach.

Maia.

You will honor our guest with a tea ceremony.

-Father?

[horses approaching]

-Come with me.

It is as he wishes.

-Do I drink it now?

Guess not.

You know, where I come from, they just pour hot water in a

pot and bottoms up.

-Here, it is not the end that matters but the path to it.

-I'm beginning to understand that.

But I'd still like to know when to drink the tea.

-My father asked me to do this for you to honor you.

When you drink it is your choice.

-Maia, tell me something.

Your father is my friend.

Why do you hate me?

-Where you come from, are friend and

enemy the same thing?

-Where I come from, a friend is someone that you would lay

your life down for.

-Then my father is a great friend.

Because he has given his life for you.

-What do you mean?

I saved him.

That is why he brought me here.

-You would not understand.

-Then Maia, tell me, please.

By not killing you on the beach, he has killed himself.

-Why?

-Because the Shogun has ordered the

death of all gaijin.

And disobedience is punished by death.

That is what those men have come to tell him.

You should have let him die in battle.

At least it would have been an honorable death.

-Hideo, Maia has told me everything.

-Do not be distressed.

It is as it must be.

-But not if our friendship has cost you your life.

That is not right.

-If my lord chooses to have me die, that is his

right and my duty.

-So you're just going to wait here until they come for you?

-My Lord has been generous.

They will come when it is done.

-When what is done?

-When I have taken my own life.

An execution would stain my family forever.

My Lord has been generous by allowing me to choose an

honorable death.

And it would be an honor if you would assist me.

-I can't help do that.

You are my friend.

-And that is why I ask.

Because if I should falter, you must keep me from shame.

You must end my pain with a pure stroke.

-But there must be some other way.

We can get a boat and leave Japan.

-I could no more run than I could fly.

Koto is a noble samurai name, a name I have

been honored to borrow.

To dishonor it for all who follow me would be

unthinkable.

I don't ask you to understand.

After all, you are a barbarian.

-I have it.

When they come for you, you run me through with your sword

and you kill me.

-You have a strange sense of humor.

-I will not die.

-If I kill you, you will die.

-You cannot kill me.

When you found me on the beach, I was not breathing.

You thought I was dead.

-I made a mistake.

-No, you did not.

I had been in the water for days.

I am immortal.

You know the difference between a dead

man and a live one.

On my honor, I am not lying to you.

-You are truly immortal?

-Aye.

-Are many gaijin immortal?

-No.

But some of your people are.

-Amazing.

-So what's your answer?

-I say no.

-Why?

You love life.

You love your children.

-You cannot save honor with a lie.

-Is there nothing I can do?

-I have already asked a favor.

-Perhaps.

-There is one more thing.

-Anything.

-My family.

-They will always have a protector.

Their children will know, and their children's children,

that if the Kotos ever need help, they can

come to Duncan MacLeod.

This I promise you.

-I thank you.

And now, my first favor.

-I will be honored to be your second.

-When it is over, the sword is yours.

-Welcome home.

-I don't know, MacLeod.

If I was her, this would be the last

place I'd come running.

-She didn't run.

She made a choice.

-What, you think she went back to him?

-I know she did.

-Well, if that's the case, it's out of your hands now,

man.

-It's not over.

-Oh no, I've heard that before, and I never liked it.

Now, MacLeod, what next?

-You go back to the dojo.

Then I catch a plane.

-Now, don't tell me.

Japan, right?

-You're getting the hang of it.

-MacLeod, how did you know I was here?

-Where else would you come, Midori?

This is where your heart is, not with Kent.

-You shouldn't have come.

-When I said I had a vow, I meant it.

The Japanese aren't the only ones bound by honor.

-Then you understand why I had to come back.

-After all that Kent's done, you still think he deserves

your loyalty?

-I chose this destiny.

I have to live with it.

What happens to me isn't important.

A great man rests here--

Hideo Koto.

It's because of him that the Koto name has remained great.

-Not because of his money.

-It's funny that a gaijin would teach me about honor.

-This is a mistake, Midori.

Why perpetuate it?

-Honor.

It isn't about making the right choice.

It's about taking the consequences.

And if I stay, I can regain that honor.

My family's sword.

How did you get it?

-From Hideo, through the generations.

-No, I released you from the vow.

-You can't.

The vow wasn't made to you, Midori.

-You could have left us alone, MacLeod.

-That's just it.

I couldn't.

-I'd never hurt her.

-Sometimes it's not the body you have to protect.

It's the spirit.

Let her go, and we can walk away from this.

-I can't let her go.

And your honor won't let me have her.

-We're on holy ground.

-Of course.

You're a guest here, MacLeod.

Die anywhere you like.

-Sometimes I come here and I half expect Hideo Koto to come

marching towards me.

He died over 200 years ago, yet I still feel him.

Maybe there is such a thing as immortality.

-Maybe there is.

-I can't hear his voice.

I've never even seen a picture of him.

Yet I miss him.

How can I thank someone for giving me back my life?

-You already did.

[MUSIC - QUEEN, "PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE"]