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Blade Runner Versions?

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I have never seen Blade Runner. Mainly because I didn’t know wiich of it’s vast numbers of versions to watch. I didn’t want to buy all of them because I’d end up only watching the same one every time after.

Which version should I watch whenever I get around to seeing this movie at all (which will probably be a while anyway)

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I say go with The Final Cut. It’s a “Special Edition” done right and improves the film. Then if you feel like watching it a second time (WHICH YOU SHOULD) I would suggest watching the Theatrical Cut. Then the Director’s Cut for the third viewing. International Cut for the fourth viewing. Workprint for the fifth viewing. Then dive into the various fanedits if your dick gets really hard for this movie (WHICH IT SHOULD).

Don’t do drugs, unless you’re with me.

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Another vote for the final cut. I recently watched it with some family and then I watched the theatrical cut with them and they all said without any prompting or being given the back story that the Final Cut was a much better film.

Ford did the narration on the theatrical cut badly on purpose thinking there was no way the studio would use it, and it shows. Not to mention the Final Cut just flows better and makes Blade Runner one of the best films of all time. It’s so good that even though it didn’t stick to the book Philip K. Dick liked it.

If you can get it on Blu Ray it is well worth getting in that format. I got my Bluray boxset with all the cuts of the film and the work print a few months after it came out for about $40 and i didn’t regret it. As long as you don’t go in expecting a balls to the wall action movie you are in for a great ride. Blade Runner transports you to another world in a way that has never been match IMO.

Enjoy! 😃

My ratings for the Star Wars movies. EP1 4.5/10. Ep2 4.0/10. EP3 2.0/10. EP4 9.5/10. EP5 10/10 EP6 8.5/10 EP7 8.3/10.

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Funny, I just watched the ADM Fanedit tonight. I also say start with “The Final Cut”.

“First feel fear, then get angry. Then go with your life into the fight.” - Bill Mollison

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Watch whatever version is on Netflix these days, say “meh,” and get on with your life. Worked for me.

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Final cut for being easy and obtainable.

To be honest though the number of tweaks and changes, particularly in the color and sound are so numerous that it begins to not quite resemble the 1982 original production anymore. So if you’re a true film enthusiast, I’d actually say the Director’s Cut-as it’s ONLY downside is that it misses the few tiny bits of violence from the International version. As big of a BR nut as I am, my preferred version is the DC with the IC bits reinstated.

But avoid the theatrical narration and ending. IMO terrible, and this is from someone who can’t get enough voiceover.

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I’ve only ever seen The Final Cut and it’s terrific. I’ve been meaning to watch the other cuts for some time now but I don’t have any reason to suspect any are as good as the Final.

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I have VERY bad news, I’m right and everyone else is wrong.

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TV’s Frink said:

I have VERY bad news, I’m right and everyone else is wrong.

bitchplease

Don’t do drugs, unless you’re with me.

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 (Edited)

captainsolo said:

Final cut for being easy and obtainable.

To be honest though the number of tweaks and changes, particularly in the color and sound are so numerous that it begins to not quite resemble the 1982 original production anymore. So if you’re a true film enthusiast, I’d actually say the Director’s Cut-as it’s ONLY downside is that it misses the few tiny bits of violence from the International version. As big of a BR nut as I am, my preferred version is the DC with the IC bits reinstated.

But avoid the theatrical narration and ending. IMO terrible, and this is from someone who can’t get enough voiceover.

The TC is the only way to see unused footage from The Shining. Kubrick helped Ridley out by giving him all the helicopter footage that didn’t make it into the film.

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Where were you in '77?

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I’ve been wondering about this too, and thought that the best way to go would be PDB’s criterion regrade of the international cut, using the “no narration” audio option, and then disregard the added ending. I haven’t actually gotten around to watching it yet, so any thoughts on this plan?

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THE SUN RACES THROUGH A BLUE SKY FILLED WITH WHITE CLOUDS.
THE WAYS OF HIS HEART ARE MUCH LIKE THE SUN. SONIC RUNS AND RESTS; THE SUN RISES AND SETS.
DON’T GIVE UP ON THE SUN. DON’T MAKE THE SUN LAUGH AT YOU.

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Found it on HBO. Not sure what version it is yet. Guess I’ll find out.

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Loved the film. The narration wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be but it definitely hurt the movie. The tacked-on happy ending was horrible though, and I can’t wait to see a version of the film without it.

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I wonder if the sequel is going to make either ending moot?

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Where were you in '77?

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Who wants to bet the sequel has some nonsensical explanation for why 2019 won’t actually be like it is in the original film?

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Blade Runner is definitely NOT a film that needed a sequel. But I trust Villeneuve won’t turn it into some mainstream dreck. And Ford’s back, and they got Gosling and Deakins. So I’m looking forward to it.

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I figured I would post in this thread instead of making a new one.

This is one of my favorite movies. Am I the only one who enjoys the theatrical cut ending? I love that they used deleted footage from The Shining, because that is another favorite movie of mine. I wish they could’ve had Deckard drive the Spinner, and composited the shots of the Spinner flying with the aerial footage from The Shining. That would’ve been a nice bookend to the movie, since the opening scenes have Spinners flying.

Yeah, the narration sucks of course, but I actually like having an upbeat ending to an otherwise dreary movie. Believe me, I’m a huge movie nerd, so please don’t take my movie nerd card away.

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Bladerunner is a great example of a film being greatly improved by reedits.

The Person in Question

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moviefreakedmind said:

Bladerunner is a great example of a film being greatly improved by reedits.

Scott has a habit of this - Kingdom of Heaven and Legend are both much better in DC form.

(I think the American Gangster and Robin Hood extended cuts are better too but not by much)

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DominicCobb said:

moviefreakedmind said:

Bladerunner is a great example of a film being greatly improved by reedits.

Scott has a habit of this - Kingdom of Heaven and Legend are both much better in DC form.

Not score-wise in regards to the latter (But then, I am a Tangerine Dream fan.)

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Hard disagree. Nothing against Tangerine Dream but that score doesn’t fit in my opinion.