The official BLADE RUNNER SE thread. (Check out page 8 and #790.)

Mr. Scott didn't say it quite like that. When asked "what is the implication of the unicorn dream sequence" he replied "that he's a
Warning Spoiler! Click to show He never said "Deckard is a
Warning Spoiler! Click to show Nothing he said destroys the ambiguity of the film.

Question for Charlie

The R2 website R2-dvd.org has a rumoured release date of november 18 here in the UK through Warner Brothers. Would it be that there different legal issues that prevent it from being released in region whie there is no problem in another region.

Oscar Merkx

So when can we expect a release date?

Mick,

Since Deckard is the one having the Unicorn dream wouldn't it stand to reason that when scott say's
Warning Spoiler! Click to show that he means
Warning Spoiler! Click to show . just my thought.

A release date will be coming when Charlie is finished, and he and Ridley are happy with it

Given the greatness that is Legend UE, I'm happy to wait for it if that's the result. I believe Charlie has expressed their desire to include all 3 versions of the movie in the set

The mystery surrounding Deckard hasn't been a mystery for some time now. Ridley Scott revealed the truth a while ago in an interview for a British TV documentary.

For those who are dying to know:

Warning Spoiler! Click to show

I can conject here that the delay has something to do with who owns the rights to the film.

Not to offend Charlie (who did a wonderful job on the LEGEND DVD), but here's what I know...

The film was released by the Ladd Company through WB, and until its initial video release had distribution rights. Embassy Pictures had a financial stake in the film, and originally held the video rights. Embassy eventually released the international version on cassette and the domestic theatrical cut on LaserDisc. Embassy also held the television rights (which were passed onto Columbia Pictures Television when Embassy's TV division was sold to Coca-Cola, the then-owners of Columbia).

When the director's cut was released in 1992 or so, WB bought back the rights to "Blade Runner", but only the rights to the director's cut. WB got full rights including television and home video.

Meanwhile, as we all know, Embassy consolidated into separate companies over the years, with the theatrical division becoming Nelson Entertainment (its library eventually passing from owner to owner--DeLaurentiis, ParaFrance Communication, and finally to its current partial owner, StudioCanal) and, as I just mentioned, the TV division becoming ELP Communications (as part of Coca-Cola, and currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment).

It is quite possible that all other versions of "Blade Runner" (including the two seminal original 1982 theatrical versions) could now be owned by MGM and StudioCanal, which is why the original theatrical versions haven't been seen in years (although WB did make available the U.S. cut to television for a short time to the Sci-Fi Channel).

If that's so, then if the legalities change, we could see a "special edition" of "Blade Runner" on DVD soon via either MGM Home Entertainment or Anchor Bay Entertainment (both have home video output deals with StudioCanal).

A 3-DVD set would be nice, as it would contain SIX versions of the film (three on each disc via seamless branching--Disc A containing the upcoming "special edition" re-edit, the San Diego Preview, and a later rough cut; Disc B containing the International Theatrical version, the U.S. theatrical version, and the 1992 director's cut; and Disc C containing the BBC "making-of" documentary, supplements, trailers, outtakes, etc.)

Hope I'm making sense of all this...

I sure wish they would get on the ball and get this set out!
With the exception of Star Wars I want this one more than any other I think!

Sorry to revive this old thread again, but this column about the issue seemed pertinent!

Comments about Karen's column. Anyone?

David,

It would seem that Karen has expressed the same sentiment a number of us hold. Whilst I'm confident that Ridley Scott & company will be trying to get the very best disc out possible (Legend, Alien etc), it seems sad that other people involved in the film continue to have bad feeling towards it.

Harrison Ford rarely speaks of it, and was tellingly absent for Mark Kermode's documentary "On The Edge Of Blade Runner".

Have the problems that "(Found Vangelis) unable to release these recordings at the time" resurfaced ? (Quote from CD liner notes from Blade Runner - Vangelis).

There was also a sad rumour that contractual issues of some sort that precluded Sean Young from taking part in the documentary. Could this be part of the issue ? Royalties from the new cut of the film or supplimentary material ?

Like Karen and BR fanatics around the world, I do hope that whatever problems are holding this one back are resolved soon. Interest in the film is as strong and passionate as ever, barring it's initial release!

For those who haven't yet done so, I heartily recommend Paul M. Sammon's book Future Noir: The Making Of Blade Runner. Aside from being a nigh on definitive guide to the films conception, production, release and ongoing life, it makes for a fantastic account as to how films get made. Or nearly not.

Cheers,

Brendon

i feel like i've lost my spirit about this. i'm not going to believe anything else until i see the damn package on the shelf.

Wow...i hadn't read the until you posted it.

ANyone have any ideas about what she's referring to? I haven't heard ANYTHING new.

I know Harrison doesn't like the movie and NEVER has. The only publicity he did for the movie came around that time and since he has rarely spoken about it. I respect that and you don't necessarily need his insight if he really didn't like the shoot. The only thing you're going to get is his point of view which was OBVIOUSLY not as interesting as one might thing and may be a bit more personal than technical. Not that I'm criticizing him for his opinion. On the contrary, I own every single movie he's ever made...but when you have a bad experience making a film or whatever (from personal experience), you just don't want to relive that. That's ALL that he would have to contribute...his bad experience. I'm sure it would just make him come off as a grouch and then everyone would criticize him for being bitter. So what's the point, really??? He has nothing to gain. Do it without him.

As for the others...that's...that. I guess. I wouldn't doubt Sean Young wanting some more money... But again...i have no idea WHAT is going on.

Some better news found over at BRmovie.com is that the special effect "fixes" have been put out to bid. (Companies can vie for the honor of removing wires, etc).

So this means the work on the film itself is going on.

Click here for the October 1, 2002 update at BRmovie.com

I think I have permission to quote this excerpt, the guy is a regular on alt.fan.blade-runner. But do please visit his site sometime, lots of great coverage there (he's really giving bladezone.com a run for its chinyen!):

Mr Scott's "Idiot" version can wait as long as need be, I just want the original theatrical version on DVD. It was to be included on the new release, making it a hug box set of all 3 versions of the films. I wonder if the theatrical cut could be released on it's own, or if that's "tied up" as well.

Any news on this release yet?

I second the question!

Last 31st January, brmovie.com updated its DVD page with the following news: "There is no new news".

The disc will come out, sometimes there are difficulties, especially on the big SEs. There may be some pissed off investor or something

Ho hummm... the DVD release of Metropolis this
week got me all eager to revisit Blade Runner.
In my film class, we even talked about
Blade Runner in relation to
Metropolis just the other night.

Man, oh man, (or should I say, "replicant, oh replicant?")
where is the SE of this film on DVD?

Any new news from anyone in the know?


Mark

I second that as well.

Charlie, are you out there ? Can you shed some light on this

*bump*

Any news?

They might as well just wait until HD-DVD at this rate...

-Dennis

Pick up the DVD of "Armitage III" (a Japanese anime) for your Bladerunner fix. Plays exactly like a sequel. There's two versions on the market; look for the one that says "episode 1, episode 2, episode 3, episode 4" in the upper right corner under the barcode on the backcover.

I envision a scenario wherein Zinema was asked not to say anything on the net for fear of upsetting the legal process.

I'm betting 2004. The statement above doesn't sound optimistic.

Might as well... Hey I have my LD, I'll keep watching that while this S.E. continues it forever gestation.

I'm quite upset, I sold my old copy when I heard the new DVD was coming out... got a good price for it, too. Now I'll have to wait longer. As long as they include both the theatrical and extended versions, I'll be a happy little human who dreams of unicorns.

I can't seem to understand why some persons rush to sell their LDs the second there is a rumor about the release of that film on DVD. That is taking a risk, if something happens that delays or cancels the DVD.

I am optimistic that we'll see Warner's "Two/Three-Disc Special Edition" of Blade Runner in time for Christmas of this year.


Gordy

Meanwhile, when I hear that a DVD of a film that I don't have in my LD collection is rumored to be coming out, I immediately start cruising my local LD shops to snap 'em up at bargain prices.