THE LOWDOWN
Blade Runner (1982) is considered one of the best freakin’ sci-fi films of all time, which is amazing considering everything about the film’s creation, from writing the script to shooting to editing for release, was Hollywood’s version of Open Warfare.
[If you want to get a real taste of how screwed up the filmmaking process is, I suggest you follow this link for the full story on Imbd.com. Make sure you check out the T-Shirt wars on the set during filming. I kid you not!]
Based (somewhat) on Philip K. Dick’s story, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” this sci-fi Classic with a capital 'C' has been re-released 3 times and re-cut for re-release twice. The first release of the film had this really horrible voice over (by Harrison Ford) that explained the entire film to the viewers. This was added because the producers at the time fired Ridley Scott and took control of the project right near the end. They didn’t think audiences would understand the film without help. They also insisted on the “happy ending.” By some miracle, it was recognized as an amazing film anyway.
In 1989, the original print was discovered and released to a limited number of theaters. A few years later, the entire film was re-cut and re-released without the voice over and without the really stupid “drive off into the sunset” final shot, and, again, it was absolutely amazing!
However, Scott only considers the most recent cut (2007) to be the FINAL final cut because the re-cut and re-release #2 team did not allow him enough time to participate to the extent he wanted to [or he turned them down. You never know with these auteur types].
Basically, it’s a miracle this film didn’t suck major A$$.
What makes this story even weirder is Scott’s insistence that the film’s thematic discussion of what it means to be alive and what it means to be a slave and when to draw the line between the two isn’t really what the film is about. In July of 2000, Scott “revealed” that Deckard (Harrison Ford) is actually a replicant himself. Both Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer have publicly expressed their disappointment and/or disagreement with Scott’s assertion [most likely on the basis that it’s FLIPPING STUPID, and the entire film makes no sense whatsoever if Deckard is a replicant].
In the end, Blade Runner set the bar for scifi flicks that think without being boring or pedantic or overly complicated. It’s absolutely beautiful. Take my advice and watch it immediately, or watch it again! (The second version, "The Director's Cut," considered the best of the three, is my personal recommendation).
You’ll be amazed it was created nearly 30 years ago.
[caption id="attachment_13277" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Special Effects brought to you from 1982. No kidding."]
[/caption]