Blade Runner

I've heard that Warner has been working on a new special edition of Blade Runner for a number of years now, but they still haven't released it yet. I know the Director's Cut is avalible on DVD, and I own it, but I feel that the disc is very bared- boned and the film deserves a much better DVD treatment- the only thing on the disc is the option between letterbox and pan- and- scan (with the help of a double sided disc) along with production notes and cast profiles. I think that there should be a deluxe edition avalible that includes both the director's cut and the theatrical version (both presented in an all new anamorphic widescreen transfer), along with audio commentary by Ridley Scott, new Dolby Digital & DTS 5.1 soundtracks, and a whole bunch of new featurettes. Still, does anyone also feel that BR should get a special edition treatment? and does anyone have an info from Warner?

Blade Runner itself has always had a troubled past, especially on DVD. Apparently, the reason it hasn't been released properly is "legal issues." Check out this website - EXTERNAL LINK - This is the most extensive place I've seen on the subject. Looks like it isn't happening soon...

We must ignore Tim, poor thing. He's young and knows no better.

The current edition of "Blade Runner" was one of WB's first half dozen releases way back at the very beginning of the DVD era, along with the current edition of "Batman." Neither film has ever changed editions in over eight years, so, yes, it is about time the films were spruced up. Although both films were already transferred in anamorphic widescreen, a higher bit rate would improve clarity and color depth.

John

I think it belongs in the public library under "Relics that should have never been made!" :D

Tim :D:p

Wasn't there a special edition already?

Blade Runner definetly deserves a better DVD.
Many of Ridley Scott's films are coming to AWESOME SE DVD's (Gladiator Extended, Alien Dir. Cut, etc.) so perhaps this one is coming soon. I have no real info, but an SE of this is likely.

Doubtful, that guy won't ever give up the rights. It looks like we'll be stuck with "Blade Runner: the semi-special, kind of an edition, 1.5 disker". However Ridley Scott said back in 2002 that he had actually created a second director's cut to be added to the multiple editions of this film. The idea was to have a 3-disc release for the film 20th anniversary back in 02' (one disc for each version of the film plus extras, and yes, Ridley Scott did record commentary tracks for the films), but thanks to that tosser it never got off the ground becuase the DVD producers can't legally touch the print in order to clean it up and release it until the producer says "ok". He obviously won't. Some people are just so stupid, it's not like he makes any money by having Blade Runner stagnate and die in its own decay...

It's nice to see some people who also want a serious upgrade of this film on DVD.
Still, isn't there a way for Ridley Scott or somebody at Warner could buy the rights from the mf who seems to be a jackass and doesn't want to let a much deserved SE to be released of the film. Also, the guy holding the rights seems to know absolute nothing- since when there ever is a SE of BR, it will easily be one of the best selling DVDs ever (No Matter what price they charge for it)! And I know that whenever an SE is released, I will be one of the first people at my local Best Buy when it's finally released! Maybe we might get it in time for the 25th Anniversary in 2007 (which will probably be an HD- DVD release)

This was just a post on amazon.com so I don't know how reliable it is, but here it goes:

There is a 3 disc Special Edition DVD of this all time classic film on the horizon. This Special Edition will have 3 different versions of the film: the original theatrical version, the directors' cut, and a new Ridley Scott updated version of the film. It will also have numerous special features. It will be very similar to Scott's Black Hawk Down 3-Disc Special Edition DVD.

The person in charge of the design of this disc is Charlie DeLuzika (sp?) who is responsible for some of the best special edition DVD's made.

Ridley Scott himself stated that the actual completion/restoration of the versions that will appear on these discs was finished in 2002 (see Sound & Vision Magazine-"15 Minutes with Ridley Scott" published in 2002.)

What's holding up the discs are legal problems. Apparently the production company that owned the rights to the movie went out of business, and there is fighting over who now owns those assets. That is also why there is a lack of other Blade Runner related items such as action figures. The only ones of those available are Japanese bootlegs.

The reason that this Director's Cut is so dreadful is that it, along with "Twister", was one of the first DVD's ever released. That's why there is just a blue screen with a WB logo for the menu!

There is no known release date for the 3 disc special edition. It was suppose to be released for the 20th Anniversary of the film in 2002. My guess is that the earliest it will appear is fourth quarter 2004.

Hope this info was helpful. I just can't wait for a DVD release that finally does Blade Runner justice!

That Amazon.com post is two years old. Unfortunately, a special edition DVD of "Blade Runner" does not appear to be in the works. :(