When I say Blade Runner, which movie do you think of? The one released in 2017 starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford or the original 1982 version with Ford?
For fans of the original, did you know how many different variations the 1982 movie had?
At least five.
The very first release of the sci-fi classic, known as the theatrical cut, had studio-mandated voiceovers and a happier ending which movie director Ridley Scott failed to want.
Then came the global cut released with regard to audiences worldwide which was gorier and more chaotic.
There was also what was called the workprint, referring to a rough cut of the movie, discovered by a film preservationist in 1989.
The discovery of the workprint is said to have triggered the idea of releasing new and much more definitive versions of Blade Runner for the public.
Hence in 1992, a new version – the particular director’s cut : was released and both the voiceover and joyful ending were lowered. While it was called the director’s cut, Scott did not actually watch over the film when he was working on another project and so he was not totally satisfied with the outcome.
For that 25th anniversary discharge of Blade Runner in 2007, Scott wanted a true director’s cut to be released into the world and thus he did exactly that and called this the final cut.
No voiceover, simply no happy ending, not a problem (for Scott at least).
Five versions of the film have been put together in to a Blade Runner greatest collector’s edition therefore for all of you avid fans, here is how it looks.