Blade Runner Final Cut Arrives for Triple Dip
Daniel Swensen
Found this morning on Sci Fi Wire:
Warner home video will issue a new remastered director’s cut of the classic SF movie Blade Runner in September now that it has cleared up rights issues, followed by a theatrical release of a version promised to be truly director Ridley Scott’s final cut, Variety reported. Warner’s rights to Blade Runner lapsed a year ago, but the studio has since negotiated a long-term license.
The movie has a troubled history. When Scott ran overbudget, 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.
Scott started working on the final cut version in 2000, but that project was shelved by Warner soon after, apparently because the studio couldn’t come to terms with Jerry Perenchio over rights issues.
The restored “Director’s Cut” will debut on home video in September and will remain on sale for only four months, after which time it will be placed on moratorium. Blade Runner: Final Cut will arrive in 2007 for a limited 25th anniversary theatrical run, followed by a special-edition DVD with the three previous versions offered as alternate viewing. Besides the original theatrical version and director’s cut, the expanded international theatrical cut will be included. The set will also contain additional bonus materials.
Well, on one hand, I want to say this is great news, because it is. Blade Runner is a sci-fi classic that deserves better than the sorely lacking, barebones DVD treatment it’s gotten so far (and I say that as someone who is not a fetishist when it comes to DVD sound and picture quality). But what’s with this trend of “this will only be on sale for four months, then go into hiding forever to artificially inflate its value?” I understand that the media companies have to wring every last possible penny out of us poor willing suckers, but still, I can’t help but feel the “this will only be available for a short time!” ploy is an unabashed attempt to trigger consumer panic.
Anyway, just as a heads-up, if you’re a fan of the film and want a better Blade Runner, don’t pick it up in September. Wait until 2007.
May 26th, 2006 at 10:57 am
This, of course, would be announced mere weeks after I spent five whole days downloading a dvd someone made of the 92 Director’s Cut based off of an HD broadcast. It looks really sweet.
I will probably be purchasing this, then.
June 28th, 2006 at 11:25 am
I still like the original theatrical release. I only saw the DC once and … meh. I’ve always wanted them to issue a DVD with both versions. Now they will … plus a THIRD version. I’ll wait for that one.