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I’m a huge Blade Runner fan, and have been anticipating Blade Runner: The Final Cut for years. The original director’s cut came out in 1992, was released on DVD in 1997, and due to limitations of the DVD format at that time, the picture was pretty poor (though I guess it was watchable enough for me to obsessively screen it every year or so…). When The Final Cut is released on December 18, Ridley Scott’s 1982 film will finally be given the visual treatment it deserves — and it comes after a series of different cuts in different formats spanning two and a half decades. With slightly updated visuals (scrubbing out cables and a product assistant’s thumb), new surround-sound audio (Vangelis in surround!), slightly tweaked dialog, and a bunch of extra features, this had better be the definitive release. (Note for buffs: there are three different Final Cut release packages, including one with five discs.)
Wired has a Q&A with Ridley Scott (warning: some slightly salty language) which reviews the basic history of the film’s many releases, and gives some insight into Scott’s perception of his work. Better, but way longer: the complete interview (also note the hour-long audio recording at the top of the page). MTV has a similarly detailed article which mentions that the new cut will have a theatrical run in New York and Los Angeles starting October 5 (road trip, anyone?). For those interested in a detailed run-down of the various DVD releases, check out this preview from The Digital Bits. If that’s not enough, watch the slightly corny trailer from the official Warner Brothers site.
I’m really excited about this release; I’ve already preordered the 5 disc HD-DVD set! It’s going to be a long weekend around my house with so many different versions of the film to watch. mental_floss post-viewing discussion, anyone?
posted by Anthony on 10-2-2007 at 10:46 am
I’m up for the road trip! Anyone passing north thru western South Carolina that I can hitch a ride with? If not, anyone wanna help with gas if I drive?
“Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
posted by Doc on 10-2-2007 at 12:06 pm
“The original DVD director’s cut came out in 1992, and due to limitations of the DVD format at that time…”
Like DVDs not being made yet?
posted by Sillstaw on 10-2-2007 at 1:50 pm
Sillstaw — oops, good point. The cut was released in 1992, the DVD was released in 1997. I’ll correct the post.
posted by Higgins on 10-2-2007 at 3:08 pm
When I bought the Director’s Cut it was on Laserdisc (remember those?)
posted by jjaser on 10-3-2007 at 1:27 pm
I read a bit about the Final Cut disc and I’m excited to say the least, been a fan of Blade Runner since I first saw it in the early 90s, back when I was a teenager this movie was like GOD to me and my friends haha.
Have any of you stumbled across the Blade Runner “Inspiring the future” website? It’s an official site for the Final Cut dvd where people have uploaded a ton of fan art or art that was just inspired by the movie, there is also literature, music & some other cool things as well and you get to vote for them.
Check out bladerunnercontest.com it’s a great way to check out fan art for the movie
posted by NovaProspekt on 11-24-2007 at 11:55 am