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Blade Runner: The Final Cut on DVD

After years of speculation about when a fitting version of Blade Runner would be released on DVD, Warner Brothers have announced all the details about the forthcoming release of Ridley Scott’s sci-fi classic.

Blade Runner The Final Cut on DVD

Blade Runner: The Final Cut will be released as a 2 Disc Special Edition DVD and a 5 Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition DVD on Monday 3rd December. It will also be available on Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

There will also be a limited theatrical release at selected UK cinemas on Friday 23rd November.

According to director Ridley Scott, this version has been seven years in the making:

“The Final Cut is the product of a process that began in early 2000 and continued off and on through seven years of intense research and meticulous restoration, technical challenges, amazing discoveries and new possibilities.

I can now wholeheartedly say that Blade Runner: The Final Cut is my definitive director’s cut of the film.”

All the major cast members including Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos, Joanna Cassidy, Sean Young and Daryl Hannah are among the actors, filmmakers and crew who participate in the extensive bonus features.

The bonus material includes a brand new, feature length documentary called Dangerous Days directed by award-winning DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika. It takes an in depth look into the many different aspects of the film: the literary origins, the difficult production and its legacy.

Here is a breakdown of what will be on the two different editions:

Blade Runner 2 Disc DVDBLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT SPECIAL EDITION (2-DISC)

Disc One: Ridley Scott’s All-New “Final Cut” Version

  • Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio.
  • Commentary by Ridley Scott
  • Commentary by Executive Producer/ Co-Screenwriter Hampton Fancher and Co-Screenwriter David Peoples; Producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber
  • Commentaries by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer

Disc Two: Dangerous Days – Making Blade Runner

  • A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark.
  • Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film – from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.


Blade Runner 5 Disc DVDBLADE RUNNER: ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION (5-DISC)

The 5-disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes everything from the 2-Disc Special Edition plus four additional versions of the film.

It will come in a collectible tin which will include a Blade Runner film lenticular, art cards and a letter from Ridley Scott.

Disc Three: Three Previous Versions of the Film

  • 1982 Theatrical Version: The version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford’s character narration and has Deckard and Rachel’s (Sean Young) “happy ending” escape scene.
  • 1982 International Version: Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.
  • 1992 Director’s Cut: This Cut omits Deckard’s voiceover narration and removes the “happy ending” finale. It adds the famously-controversial “unicorn” sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

Disc Four: Bonus Disc “Enhancement Archive”

  • Featurette – The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick
  • Featurette – Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film
  • Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (Audio)
  • Featurette – Signs of the Times: Graphic Design
  • Featurette – Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling
  • Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
  • Featurette – The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
  • Deleted & Alternate Scenes
  • 1982 Promotional Featurettes
  • Trailers & TV Spots
  • Featurette – Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art
  • Featurette – Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick DeckardFeaturette Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers

Disc Five: Workprint Version

This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes:

  • Introduction by Ridley Scott
  • Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
  • Featurette – All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut
  • An altered opening scene
  • No Deckard narration until the final scenes
  • No “unicorn” sequence
  • No Deckard/Rachel “happy ending”
  • Altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell)
  • Alternate music and much more.

All in all it looks a pretty tasty package for this landmark film.

> Blade Runner at the IMDb
> Pre-order the 2 disc and 5 disc DVDs at Amazon UK
> Find out more about the film at Wikipedia (an impressively detailed entry)
> Follow the latest buzz about the DVD at Tailrank
> Ridley Scott recently spoke to the New York Times about the DVD
> BRmovie – Extensive fansite
> Off World – A Blade Runner wiki
> Blade Zone – Online fan club and museum

3 replies on “Blade Runner: The Final Cut on DVD”

So when is the theatrical release in the uk??? and where?????
i can’t find ANY info on this and would smother my mother to see it on the big screen….

It looks like it will be getting a limited release at Picturehouse cinemas in selected UK cities.

However, it looks like it will only be around only be around 5-10 venues, which is a great shame.

The venues are:

Ritzy in Brixton

Cameo in Edinburgh

Picturehouse in Cambridge

Picturehouse in Liverpool

Tyneside in Newcastle

I was lucky enough to catch it at a recent press screening in London and it was incredible seeing it on the big screen in all its digital glory.

Also, it is worth keeping an eye on the Picturehouse cinemas website and fansites like Bladezone are always useful, especially the forums.

Hope this helps and do let me know what you thought if you do get to see it.

Thats a nice breakdown of the Final Cut, thanks for all of the info. I really can’t wait to see it when it is released on DVD

has anyone here seen the official Blade Runner ‘inspiring the future’ contest that was being held as a promotion for the final cut? Well it’s a great way to check out some AMAZING fan art from the movie. Go to http://www.bladerunnercontest.com and vote for the best art, I would have uploaded some of my own fan art but honestly I doubt i’d even get 1 star for it lol, I am not a great artist but I absolutely love the movie.

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