Directed by Ridley Scott, the 1982 sci-fi favorite with Harrison Ford gets the deluxe treatment (again).
Harrison Ford in a scene from 1982's "Blade Runner." Casual movie-goers may consider it too much of a good thing, but for "Blade Runner" fans the latest home video release of the Ridley Scott sci-fi favorite offers an embarrassment of riches.
Based on "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick, Scott's dystopian action film stars Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. Set in a dark, overcrowded future, "Blade Runner" introduced audiences to genetically manufactured beings called "replicants" – built to do dangerous and work on Earth's "Off-World colonies." Identical to adult humans, but with a built-in expiration date, a group of replicants hides out in Los Angeles after a bloody mutiny.
Warner Home Video released the mega-disc "Blade Runner: 25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition" DVD set five years. But the "Blade Runner 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition" – due in stores Tuesday –goes beyond "Ultimate." It offers the 10 hours or so of extras found on the 2007 DVD release with the added bonus of now being available in high definition on Blu-ray. (Whether it is worth the upgrade depends on how fanatical your about "Blade Runner.")
Anchoring the set is Scott's impressive "The Final Cut" version, as well as the other four versions: 1992 Director’s Cut, domestic and international theatrical versions, and the rare workprint feature version, which was previously only available in the "25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition."
The 30th anniversary is being marked with two box sets: A 4-disc Blu-ray and DVD combo pack with ultraviolet (UV) priced at $64.99; and a more affordable 3-disc Blu-ray book edition ($34.99 list price).
The contents of the four discs are as follows. (The book edition contains only discs 1 through 3).
Disc 1—The Final Cut
- The Final Cut by director Ridley Scott
Disc 2
- 1982 Theatrical Cut
- 1982 International Theatrical Cut
- 1991 Director’s Cut
Disc 3
- Rare Workprint Feature Version
- Dangerous Days: The Making of documentary
- Featurette The Electric Dreamer: Author 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 and Styling
- Screen Tests: Rachael and Pris
- Featurette The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
- Deleted and Alternate Scenes
- 1982 Promotional Featurettes
- Trailers and TV Spot
- Commentary by Future Noir Author Paul M. Sammon
- Syd Mead Gallery
Disc 4
- Commentary by Director 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