Blade Runner: Director's Cut and Final Cut SEs

[flyonthewall2983]

Why do you guys keep throwing the $40 more out there? The briefcase set will more than likely be $50-$55 at retail with the 4-disc set probably being priced at $20-$25. So, it's not going to be $40 more.

I sure hope you're right.

[denti alligator]

I think the question is, "Has anyone here seen the workprint?" Is it good? Is it, in fact, so incredibly good and important that it is worth paying $40 extra dollars for? What is it that makes it so great, and so different from the other versions? Let us assume for the moment that I don't give a flying fuck about plastic toys and origami unicorns. Does the workprint version of the film actually merit a $40 investment?

Thank you, Jeff. That, indeed, is what I'm getting at. Anyone?

[exte]

I'm sure Costco will have a sweet instant rebate deal or something...

[flyonthewall2983]

I wonder if the workprint retains the original temp track, which I believe included music by Goldsmith, Herrmann, among others (probably a lot of classical, as well). Of course, the Vangelis score was completely synth, so it'll be interested to see if the temp track retains any of the orchestral music so we can see how that plays against the film's images.

It sounds like the producers of the DVD would have went through some pretty high hoops to get the rights to use this music, if this indeed the case.

[THX1378]

I can't find it now, but davisdvd had a page up with info and background information about the workprint version when it was screened up in SF at the Castro theater back in the early 90's. I can't find the page, but if anyone can find it post it.

[ola t]

I don't know if it's the one you'd seen, THX1378, but here's a detailed list of differences between the workprint and the released versions.

59. As Deckard parks in front of the Bradbury apartment building, Vangelis' music score bows out from this version. From this point on, we hear "temp music" in it's place, by the composer Jerry Goldsmith. This music, lifted from FREUD and PLANET OF THE APES, is very loud on the soundtrack and wildly different in mood from Vangelis'. At times, it's annoying. At other times, it seems appropriately suspenseful and jumpy. This music lasts until the last scene in the movie! Vangelis must not have been finished scoring the film when this version was being assembled. This is probably the only thing in the workprint that betrays it's rough format.

No mention of Herrmann.

The most interesting sequences from the workprint ought to be included with the "Deleted & Alternate Scenes" on disc four, but who knows. Disc five may well have the most interesting commentary track, though.

[Luke M]

5-Disc up for pre-order at Amazon for $54.99

[Antoine Doinel]

Here's a look at the briefcase packaging.

[exte]

The photo is actually a little misleading. I wish they would show various photos instead of one. I mean, I know that there aren't two briefcases included, but still... Oh well, it's just a few months away anyway...

[patrick]

I know what I'm getting for Christmas! I'm also very glad that the discs themselves appear to be in a standard fold-out digipack so I can put those on my shelf and the briefcase in the closet.

the HD and BD sets will no doubt just be inside cases similar to the planet earth set, with no fancy packaging. oh well...

Warner did make the Forbidden Planet HD-DVD available in the "Ultimate Collector's Edition" tin, so I'm betting they'll probably do something similar with this set.

[Dylan]

On the Film Score Monthly message board there is a discussion going on that has some tidbits on the work print between a few who saw it at the Nuart in LA:

The workprint has dozens of instances of alternate lines, shots, music, etc. Some extra violence (smoke pouring out of Holden's back wound, a fake hand used for the close ups of Deckard getting his fingers broken).

This also has an entirely new love theme, minus sax.

The workprint has no narration except for an alternate voice over for Batty's finale.

I wonder if they had to license the Planet of the Apes and Humanoids From The Deep music tracks that were used in the temp.

Humanoids from the Deep (one of James Horner's first scores)? Interesting. Not sure where I saw the reference to Herrmann's music in the workprint all those years ago, but I think what was referenced were his original Twilight Zone scores.

[patrick]

It turns out that the trailer is actually not on the 300 DVD as rumored (they gave us 10+ minutes of various videogame and product commercials instead), which is kind of a shame. It's the only reason I bothered taking home a copy from work this weekend - I was excited to see a high-quality version of the trailer on my TV.

[flyonthewall2983]

Dangerous Days Trailer.

[exte]

The photo is actually a little misleading. I wish they would show various photos instead of one. I mean, I know that there aren't two briefcases included, but still... Oh well, it's just a few months away anyway...

Clear photos are now up at Amazon.com

[Gigi M.]

Warner launches

[exte]

Warner launches

"Did you get Harrison?"

Holy Mother of God! They got Harrison Ford to agree to talk about Blade Runner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Forgive me, but this is absolutely astounding! Amazing! Fucking A!

[flyonthewall2983]

Holy Mother of God! They got Harrison Ford to agree to talk about Blade Runner!

Him talking about it is alone worth the 78.92 price tag.

[kevyip1]

I think the question is, "Has anyone here seen the workprint?" Is it good? Is it, in fact, so incredibly good and important that it is worth paying $40 extra dollars for? What is it that makes it so great, and so different from the other versions? Let us assume for the moment that I don't give a flying fuck about plastic toys and origami unicorns. Does the workprint version of the film actually merit a $40 investment?

To get the workprint version cheaply, get the HD or BD editions. The specs says the HD/BD Collector's Edition will only cost $39.99 SRP and will include all content of the Ultimate Collector's Edition. I guess that's an incentive for people to upgrade to HD/BD.

One thing I don't understand. There will be a HD/BD UCE with "Deckard's briefcase" packaging that will cost $99.98 SRP. Why will it cost $59.99 extra to include some fancy packaging, miniature figurines, and photographs?? Doesn't make sense.

[Greathinker]

Saw this the other night-- interesting film.

Having seen just the DC, can someone tell me why there seems to be a general consensus that Ford's character is a replicant? The question seems to be left open.

Also, what are the differences between this and the theatrical cut as far as just the plot, events shown?

[flyonthewall2983]

In answer to your first question, here's why.

[Greathinker]

In answer to your first question, here's why.

Yikes, way to kill interpretation.

[Awesome Welles]

Ridley says Sci-Fi films are as dead as Westerns.

[lord_clyde]

Saw this the other night-- interesting film.

Having seen just the DC, can someone tell me why there seems to be a general consensus that Ford's character is a replicant? The question seems to be left open.

Also, what are the differences between this and the theatrical cut as far as just the plot, events shown?

In answer to your second question, mainly a noir style voice over by Harrison Ford and

Spoiler

a happy ending. After Deckard and Rachel leave his apartment it cuts to the two of them driving a convertible in the countryside. Voiceover says something like 'How much time do we have? Who really knows. Guess you have to make the best of it.' Credits.

[exte]

New "Blade Runner" cut is "how it should have been"
By Silvia Aloisi

Twenty-five years after "Blade Runner" was panned by critics and pulled from theaters, British director Ridley Scott savors revenge with the final cut of the science-fiction film now considered a cult classic.

Presenting the new version of what he considers his most accomplished movie, Scott recalled the difficulties he had when he first pitched the work to Hollywood.

"I was a new kid on the block in Hollywood, so driving to those studios every day was a magical mystery tour. But it was hard, the whole process of making the movie became quite difficult," he told reporters at the Venice film festival after a press screening.

"I wasn't used at that point in my career to having too many cooks in the kitchen, and I think there were many people who started to get involved.

"So out of it came a hybrid version of what I'd originally intended. Consequently ... we had a bad opening, bad previews, confused previews. I was killed by some critics ... then I thought it would be gone away for ever," Scott said.

The futuristic thriller is set in the year 2019 and follows policeman Deckard (Harrison Ford), a "blade runner" trying to catch and kill four human replicants who have escaped from a space-based colony.

The response at early sample screenings before the official release in June 1982 was so weak that the producers forced Scott to add voice-overs to the film and change the final scene to make it a more "happy ending."

"I thought I'd really nailed it, I really thought I'd nailed it. And the person I used to show it to was my brother (director Tony Scott). And my brother, he loved it so much. Then we preview, and the previews are really, really bad, and my confidence is really dented," said Scott.

The reworking of the film led to "voice overs which started to explain what was about to happen, who the characters were and who was going to do what to who, which is the antithesis of a good movie making process," he said.

CULT MOVIE

Despite the changes and two Oscar nominations, bad reviews and the almost simultaneous release of Steven Spielberg's hugely popular "E.T." ended the theater run of "Blade Runner" prematurely.

Yet the film eventually achieved cult status through re-issue on television and home video.

Scott, 69, said he had almost forgotten about it until he saw clips on music television channel MTV and realized that his film "was having a strong influence on younger generations."

Over the years, five versions of the film have been released, including a director's cut in 1992. But Scott said the "Final Cut" -- which will be issued as a collector's DVD edition later in the winter -- was "really as it was intended to be."

"A good film is like a good book, you might go to the shelf and take it off and revisit it. There are not a lot of films I can do that with from my collection of material," said Scott, whose other titles include international hits such as the first "Alien," "Thelma & Louise" and "Gladiator."

At present, Scott is working on "Body Of Lies," one of several Hollywood movies on the war in Iraq due for release in the next few months.

But he said he would like to make another science fiction film. "I am continuously looking for that so if anyone has got a science fiction script in their briefcase, give it to me."

[eez28]

To be released for R2:



For the right price I would love to get this since I really don't have any need for the suitcase.

Also to be released in Australia.