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Blade Runner 2, 4, and 5-disc sets in December

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Taken from TheDigitalBits (edited slightly - original article here):

To be released on December 18, 2007:

Blade Runner - The Final Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/br2007/bladerunner2discdvd.jpg

Blade Runner: The Final Cut, spectacularly restored and remastered from original elements and scanned at 4K resolution, will contain never-before-seen added/extended scenes, added lines, new and improved special effects, director and filmmaker commentary, an all-new 5.1 Dolby® Digital audio track and more.

Disc One - RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM
Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:
- 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 - DOCUMENTARY - 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 - Four-Disc Collector's Edition
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/br2007/bladerunner4discdvd.jpg

The Four-Disc Collector's Edition includes everything from the 2-Disc Special Edition plus three additional versions of the film, as well as an "Enhancement Archive" bonus disc of enhanced content that includes 90 minutes of deleted footage and rare or never-before-seen items in featurettes and galleries that cover the film's amazing history, production teams, special effects, impact on society, promotional trailers, TV spots, and much more.

Discs 1 and 2 are the same as above.

Disc Three
1982 THEATRICAL VERSION
This is 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
The Director's 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)
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Cover Gallery (Images)
- The Art of Blade Runner (Image Galleries)
- Featurette Signs of the Times: Graphic Design
- Featurette Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling
- Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
- Featurette The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
- Unit Photography Gallery
- Deleted & Alternate Scenes
- 1982 Promotional Featurettes
- Trailers & TV Spots
- Featurette Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art
- Marketing & Merchandise Gallery (Images)
- Featurette Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard
- Featurette Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers

Blade Runner - Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/br2007/bladerunner5discultimatedvd.jpg

The 5-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition includes everything from the previously described 4-Disc Edition, plus the ultra-rare, near-legendary WORKPRINT version of the film, newly remastered. The Ultimate Collector's Edition will be presented in a unique 5-disc digi-package with handle which is a stylish version of Rick Deckard's own briefcase, in addition each briefcase will be individually numbered and in limited supply. Included is a lenticular motion film clip from the original feature, miniature origami unicorn figurine, miniature replica spinner car, collector's photographs as well as a signed personal letter from Sir Ridley Scott.

Discs 1-4 as above

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 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.

Also includes:
- Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
- Featurette All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut

Release Date: December 18, 2007

DVD:
2-Disc SE ($20.97 SRP)
4-Disc CE ($34.99 SRP)
5-Disc UCE ($78.92 SRP)

Blu-Ray Disc:
5-Disc Complete Collector's Edition (no briefcase) (price TBA)
5-Disc Ultimate CE (with briefcase) (Price TBA)

HD-DVD:
5-Disc CCE (no briefcase) (price TBA)
5-Disc UCE (with briefcase) (Price TBA)
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this is great,Ultimate Bluray 5 disc for me definitley!
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Yeah, that one sounds pretty good. Assuming I ever upgrade to an HD TV that is. Heh. In the meantime I'll watch my old director's cut DVD.

"Now all Lucas has to do is make a cgi version of himself.  It will be better than the original and fit his original vision." - skyjedi2005

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is all the criterion material carried over?

the workprint only comes in the limited 5 disc briefcase right?

criterion had a cyberpunk documentary years ago on laserdisc i'm surprised that is not here in this set.

Blade Runner was an important film as far as cyberpunk science fiction is concerned since it not only inspired directors in the u.s., but france, germany, and japan. there are a lot of anime heavily influenced by it like akira, ghost in the shell. and armitage III as well as the animatrix and matrix films. and films like dark city and the 13th floor.

I'm glad the author of future noir is included in the commentary, what a great book that it. the original novel do androids dream of electric sheep is also a classic. the so called un-athorized sequel since Phillip K Dick was dead was written as Blade Runner II.
The rumored planned movie sequel and tv series never happened and thank god for that.

the main reason i have always loved this film since i was a kid was how stylized it was, but most importantly it had Harrison Ford in it, who i had liked as child as the character actor for Han Solo and Indiana Jones.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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Originally posted by: skyjedi2005
the so called un-athorized sequel since Phillip K Dick was dead was written as Blade Runner II.


It wasn't a great book, but it was definitely worth a read. It was an interesting follow up. There was also a Blade Runner 3 book, though I don't have it, so I can't comment on it.

F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

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Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
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Sounds great except for the "new and improved special effects" crap. I'm half-guessing that's in reference to special effects shots that weren't completed at the time of filming, because I don't want the whole damn film to be overhauled like that Star Wars special edition crap.
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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You've got nothing to worry about. From The Digital Bits:

The Final Cut of the film itself has been edited a tiny bit, with a couple of new scenes added and a little bit of footage excised. But the new effects tweaks are very minor. For example, in many shots involving the practical, on-set Spinner, you can see the suspension cables holding it in the air. These have been removed. In a couple instances members of the camera crew were accidentally captured on the edges of the frame, so they've been removed. And there's an instance where Harrison Ford's dialogue doesn't match his lip movements on screen (a shot through the glass as he's talking to the snake dealer), so Harrison Ford's son, Ben Ford, was brought in. He was dressed in the costume and was given the same scar on his chin as his father via make-up. His face was then shot (at the correct angle, under matching lighting) reading the same lines, and his mouth and chin were inserted over his father's so the lip-synch now matches. It's absolutely seamless.

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Plus you have 4 other versions of the film without new effects to choose from - it's not like he's pulling a Lucas with this, hell he's even including a version that predates the theatrical release that's never seen the (official) light of day until now.

Plus, I'm sure if the new effects stand out too much, someone'll take the scenes with the original effects and splice them into the Final Cut as a fan edit, or "preservation", or whatever. But it sounds to me like they're welcome changes, the kind of stuff that wouldn't have bothered me so much if *that* had been what the Star Wars SE was about.
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This looks awesome the 5 disc set for me as well.

Keep a little sunshine on your face!
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Hey look! All versions in crisp high quality! And it's selling off of the shelves at Amazon before it's even come out! What franchise do we know of that this does NOT resemble?

“What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book, for there would be no one who wanted to read one.”

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Aren't there some features that were listed on those fan made dvd's before the announcement in May '06. I don't see them listed in the upcoming set. A custom cover lists Future Shocks, On the Edge of Blade Runner, Hooray for Hollywood and Gongo soundtrack.

Take back the trilogy. Execute Order '77

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I've never seen Blade Runner, but reading about this set still sounds damn cool. I've just put the movie on my netflix Q, and if it's as good as everyone says, I'll be getting the Hd-DVD version.
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Well, don't go in expecting Raiders of the Lost Ark, as Blade Runner is pretty slow. I thought it was dull the first time I saw it, but now it's one of my favorite films. While it's extremely well made and will challenge you, what sets it apart, for me, is how atmospheric and ethereal it is. The score, the haze, the set designs, the camera angles. Just awesome.
40,000 million notches away
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Originally posted by: Windexed
Well, don't go in expecting Raiders of the Lost Ark, as Blade Runner is pretty slow. I thought it was dull the first time I saw it, but now it's one of my favorite films. While it's extremely well made and will challenge you, what sets it apart, for me, is how atmospheric and ethereal it is. The score, the haze, the set designs, the camera angles. Just awesome.

I couldn't have said it any better!

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Where did the unicorn footage from the dream sequence at around 42 min (introduced in 1992 director's cut) come from? Some people have suggested it was an unused shot from Legend, Ridley's next film after Blade Runner, but it didn't look like the same kind of horse.

Take back the trilogy. Execute Order '77

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Originally posted by: Mike O
Hey look! All versions in crisp high quality! And it's selling off of the shelves at Amazon before it's even come out! What franchise do we know of that this does NOT resemble?


Gee, let me think...
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v72/greencapt/hansolovsindy.jpg
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Originally posted by: Windexed
Well, don't go in expecting Raiders of the Lost Ark, as Blade Runner is pretty slow. I thought it was dull the first time I saw it, but now it's one of my favorite films. While it's extremely well made and will challenge you, what sets it apart, for me, is how atmospheric and ethereal it is. The score, the haze, the set designs, the camera angles. Just awesome.


I just finished watching the movie, (director's cut DVD) and I really didn't get it. It was slow, not much happened between beginning and end, and the ending didn't make sense to me. The only part I really, thouroghly enjoyed and thought was brilliant were the scenes with Rachael, when she found out she wasn't human. It was eerie, and brought up some strange concepts. When Deckard had his "unicorn" dream, I was a bit shocked. Was the movie suggesting he was a replicant too? But the movie didn't seem, to me anyway, to keep running with that concept. I thought that the acting, the cinematography, the effects, the music, etc. were all very, very well done.

Anyway, I went on Wikipedia and started reading some of their essays on the themes of the movie, and I started to get what the movie was saying. I have a much greater appriciation for it after reading about the themes, and I get why a lot of it was done like it was. When I have time, I'll watch the movie again, and maybe this time I'll have a better appriciation for it.
Watch DarthEvil's Who Framed Darth Vader? video on YouTube!

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It's much better the second and third time through. It's not something you can immediately appreciate the first time you see it, it's something that has to sink in.

Also, while the narration is extraordinarily sub-par and out of place sounding on the original theatrical version, were it recorded better (as in, more in Deckard's character) I would prefer it to be included as it contains some nice information that helps understand some things.
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I also feel I might like the movie more if I were watching the remastered 06 dvd. Netflix only had the 97 DVD, and on my 32" hi-def LCD screen, it looked like crap. Some of it was barely watchable. I know it was an early DVD, so the quality is excusable. I might go buy the 06 DVD though. It's only like 10 bucks and I have about 25 dollars in store credit at FYE, so I might as well. The new dvd sets don't come out until 12/18, so it'll be good for rewatching until the knew kick-ass set comes out.
Watch DarthEvil's Who Framed Darth Vader? video on YouTube!

You can also access the entire Horriffic Violence Theater Series from my Channel Page.
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Hell, I got the old dvd back in '04/'05 and still got the remaster in december knowing full well it would also be included in the '07 dvd. Then again, I probably bought it more out of compulsion to avoid buying the non-remastered star wars dvd's than anything else.
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http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2401

Comparison between the 2 dvd versions. Some of the caps such as 7 and 12 have a blue tint in the new dvd which is dissapointing. Did Lowry Digital work on this too? Either way, what the hell is up with this blue tint showing up in "digitally remastered" films. It's not restoration, it's Turnerizing.

Other comparisons available on Bullets n Babes (the 2006 Star Wars dvd's are among them):
http://www.bulletsnbabesdvd.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1900

Take back the trilogy. Execute Order '77

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Cap 7 doesn't look bluer to me. It looks brighter. Since they were watching a projection of the replicants dossier, the projector probably gave off a blue hue. When they brightened it up, that showed through just a little. The non-brightened cap is much darker though, with almost a purple tone.

As far as cap 12 goes, they're probably trying to impress on the viewer the feeling of coldness. That is the scene where Roy talks to Chuy in the freezer, so it almost makes sense that it be blue.

It's not like they went through and made white corridors look blue. Overall, I think the reviewer nailed it. The scenes appear to be mostly brightened, which may have had the side effect of bringing out a bluer tone (other than the freezer scene). The unicorn scene looks fantastic!
F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
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the blue tinge in the snow scenes on hoth in empire strikes back in the 2004 edition are competely unforgivable.

The original in the bullets and babes screen cap is the right color scheme but looks very bad because of dirt and emulsion on the print.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.