Well it has happened at last.
The most eagerly awaited DVD release of a cinematic flop in history; Blade Runner, the ultimate cult sci-fi movie has a past so troubled it could have a movie made about it, particularly with the finale in sight.
Filmed in 1982, directed by Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, and based upon the Philip L. Dick novel Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, the movie had problems before cinematic release. The movie has a troubled history. When Scott ran over budget, completion bond guarantors took control of it and made substantial changes before its 1982 theatrical release, adding a voice-over and a happy ending. That version was replaced by the much better-received director’s cut in 1992, but Scott has long been unhappy with it, complaining that he was rushed and unable to give it proper attention.
Although the movie bombed at the box office, it has a devoted fan base and sells big on every format that it is released on. All that has been available on DVD is the 1992 director’s cut with 2.0 sound, yet now, finally, it looks like there is an end in sight.
Warner have been planning a special edition release for some time, with Ridley Scott having admitted preparing a real director’s cut, restoring the movie to his ultimate vision, yet when Warner realised that their rights to the movie were due to expire, it was shelved last year. Now, with rights reacquired, the movie is being released as a remastered 1992 director’s cut 2 disk later in the year, for a limited 4 month release.
That’s not the good news, though, for in 2007 we will see Ridley Scott’s brand new Final Cut, released theatrically and followed with an ultimate DVD release along the lines of the recent Alien Quadrilogy release. Allegedly containing three to four versions of the movie, and brimming full of deleted scenes, commentaries and documentaries, this movie is finally getting the attention it deserves. However I’m not getting too excited until the movie is actually in my possession…
Check out wikipedia or BRZone for more information on the movie.
