The official BLADE RUNNER SE thread. (Check out page 8 and #790.) - Page 9

I see no real cause to celebrate. The "Director's Cut" again, this time looking the way it should have the first time around? Plus, extras, which to me are just "extras".

Glad I picked up that Criterion LD on eBay so I can watch the Unrated theatrical "European or International" version on what's STILL the best medium available. Picked up some nice true colletibles with it too.

Maybe WB should merge with Sony so they can re-issue to their heart's content. If indeed, an ultimate version with that cut of the film plus an updated true director's cut comes out (though so far I've frowned on Scott's director's cuts) that is indeed the real cause to celebrate.

Otherwise, the 2-disc set had better be available el-cheapo.

ugh.

i have the "original cut" on laser and the "director cut" on dvd.

no way i'm buying again until the ultimate (both versions in one package) release. i doubt a 2005 "remaster" of the same old current DVD will sell great to the masses anyways.

we'll probably have hi-def dvds outselling dvd/vhs combined in walmart before this nonsense is resolved.

Maybe I'm missing something here but can someone please explain this logic to me?

If you are a fan of the film and own the original DVD, why on Earth wouldn't you want a much better quality version of the same cut?

This seems a no-brainer to me.

If you feel so strongly against the DC version, then why do you even own the current DVD???

Now I certainly understand why a fan who does not own the original DVD and who feels strongly against watching the "Director’s Cut" might not be interested in this upcoming 2-Disc edition, but then they would also be missing out on all the quality extras that Warner is accustomed to including with their "2-Disc Special Edition" DVDs.

I would think the only people who wont benefit from this new edition are those who refuse to watch the "Director's Cut" - thus don't own the current DVD. And those who have no interest in special features - thus are not likely to be that much of a fan of the film to begin with.

While the "Ultimate Edition" would have been fantastic, I for one am overjoyed that Warner is going ahead with their plans for a new special edition and will gladly replace my current DVD once it is released.

I think this is good news. I'm certainly interested to see Scott's "final director's cut" some day, but for now, of the two cuts I've seen, I hugely prefer the voiceover-free DC, and I'll be happy just to get a better DVD edition of that for the time being.

For 117 minutes of enjoyment per year i'd rather watch the old DVD and not pay Warner, etc yet again and again. I'd rather buy a different movie i don't ALREADY OWN TWICE!


i like the DC better than the original. now if the original had a better "more enthusiastic" narrative track maybe i'd change my opinion.



The documentaries i never re-watch, even if i'm a huge fan (and i really enjoy BR for the flawed yet great movie it was).

file this under "too much talk" category from the studios who milk releases over and over and THEN decide to give fans what they promised.

Yawn.

I'm a big fan of the original theatrical version and really dislike the Director's Cut so this news is a huge disappointment to me. I don't have the previous DVD and won't be buying this forthcoming one. It's ridiculous that the original film that millions of people saw and enjoyed in cinemas is not available on DVD.

Wow, this was the exact news I was waiting for! While I'm sure the anamorphic picture will be stunning, hopefully the 5.1 track will do the film justice.

My thoughts exactly. And I'm certainly not gonna bitch about this release just because it's not the 'Ultimate' version - Warner cannot release that edition, so I'll take a remastered '92 DC any day of the week. I've got the Criterion LD as well, and I don't give a damn that the new DVD will be the fifth different copy of this movie that I've bought over the years. It will look (and maybe sound) better than any home video version yet released - what's not to like about that? I can't wait.

All I can say is - where do I place my order

I knew it wouldn't take long for some to come and piss on our parade. Pardon our excitement.

I'm with Nils. If you're a fan, why wouldn't you want the best possible transfer available?


Side Note: You know, part of being an enthusiast in any hobby is double, triple, quadruple dipping. Welcome to the neighborhood. Counting VHS, I've dipped, what 5, 6 , 7 times on this title? That's Warner Home Video's fault?

I need to get my dirty paws on that Criterion LD. If I understand correctly it's the only Widescreen LD with the Theatrical cut right?

Extended but Theatrical right?

That's all well & good except that I don't think it applies to Warner Brothers because of the fact that the only other DVD release of Blade Runner they did was the 1997 release...Seven Years Ago...not exactly "milking" re-release after re-release if you ask me. And since they actually want to release the UE DVD but are being legally held back by a rich european asshole with a god complex I can't fault Warner Brothers in any way in this matter.
I am quite happy that it will get an up to date HD remaster and will happily buy it.

Actually I think I'll file it under the "doesn't have a clue" category.

Seriously, your logic continues to baffle me. First of all, had you bothered to even read some of the posts on this thread you would know why Warner is unable to release anything but the "Director’s Cut".

Not only that, but you are mistaking Warner for the likes of *cough* Universal *cough* (AKA Re-Releasal).

Warner hasn't been releasing multiple versions of this film on DVD. In fact, the current DVD was one of the very first DVDs released commercially back on March 25, 1997. In seven years the technologies involved in the creation of DVDs (Restoration, transfer, filtering, mastering, compression, and pressing) have drastically improved!

You sound like the guy that buys a new car and five years later complains because the manufacturer now makes a better model.

Either be happy with the choice you made at the time and live with what you have, or sell it and get what will certainly be a much better improved DVD, but complaining that Warner is ripping you off by releasing multiple versions and not releasing a definitive version is being completely ignorant to the facts.

I’m sorry if this is sounding too harsh, but it’s attitude like yours which has caused many a studio exec to feel like they are damned if they do and damned if they don’t when it comes to releasing improved versions of older DVDs – which is also why many older DVDs which are in much need of a new edition get ignored.

Some films have gone through three or more distinct DVD versions in the last five years. Some in less time than that!

Warner isn't "milking" anything. They are giving us the best version that is currently feasible after seven and a half years have passed since the previous edition. Many of us fans have asked for a better version even if it were bare bones, and I thank Warner for addressing this need.

Anybody who doesn't like it can ignore it and wait for the 'ultimate' edition, which, as always, will come out when all the legal issues are worked through to everyone's satisfaction. It is obvious that this is going to take a while and I am glad that Warner is helping to fill the gap. One cannot blame Warner alone that the 'ultimate' edition is not here yet. Just because you are frustrated doesn't mean that there's any one entity to be pissed at.

No way. It will sell just fine. Depending on the quality of the disc and set, possibly the most anticipated discs of 2005. I'd predict a best-seller.

I'll happily pay for a newly remastered version of what is, hands down, THE most played disc in my 200 dvd collection.

In fact, I am surprised I haven't ruined my original.

BR is the best late night movie to watch.

Like my signature says...Let's Go...To the Colonies !

I really hope master director Ridley Scott does a commentary for this release. For me it would be the icing on the cake.

simply wonderful news indeed

ALex, why did you remove the photo?

I haven't resized it yet to meet with the HTF sig requirements. It was too big. I need to do that...

bah. alot of misdirected anger.

i enjoy the movies... moreso than technology. i don't care if it's Warner, Universal or whomever. the current dvd is not great but acceptible... a rerelase is hardly exciting, except to those who might not have the film already or never saw HDTV or are just techno-nuts! (not that there is anything wrong with that). It will NOT be a top seller by any stretch of the imagination. Places like target and walmart will barely inventory it after the initial release.

i have a nice widescreen FP setup with great audio. i can easily afford this dvd or boxset, but as a point i'd rather buy 2 OTHER movies that I don't already own (among my several hundred DVDs & some LDs) than double-dip here. This goes for most other movies that are re-released (once, twice, 3x, whatever).

Other than T1 and Alien Quad and a few early 007s (replaced by all 3 boxsets) i have not double dipped on DVD.

It's the same reason i didn't buy the last (third?!) T2 release. I'm not buying films (ie. investing in dvds) again and again for marginal improvements and a few interviews.

sorry if my non-excitement rains on your parade and you need to rationalize it and call me clueless.

ps - the car analogy was really off the mark!!

No anger or "rationalization" here Glen, I just think you have the wrong idea regarding WB and the whole BR situation.

I currently have the DC which I believe is anamorphic (not sure though, it's been awhile). I will most likey double-dip here for a nice sounding 5.1 track.

I didn't buy the original DVD because it was the Director's Cut only. I didn't even know at the time what the quality of it was. DVD was new, so I assumed it was good or great, but I didn't want it.

So 7 years later everyone's pleased as punch to get the same version a lot of people like myself resisted buying again. That's fine, but I'm sure they could have done a Special Edition a couple years ago if no additonal rights have been cleared. This isn't a gift to the fans; it's to make money until they have something more substantial and more desired to offer. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's certainly not going to make everyone cream their pants, nor should it.

I happen to have the original DVD only because it came in the lot I bid on to get the LD, along with the original VHS, some posters and CD's. Haven't even put it in the player yet. Just because it's the best quality available to me hasn't been enough since it's not the version of the film I like.

To those who are pleased, fine, but don't throw it in the faces of those who are disappointed and demand that they join your ranks. For some of us who were early-adopters it's the opening of an old wound. After 7 years of waiting, we're again tormented that we can't buy the movie we love. Sure, it's polished up with some extra features that are again extras, not the film we want.

I didn't know Blade Runner had taken on the Star Wars "true fan" syndrome, but apparently it has, since apparently a "true fan" of the film should be overjoyed at the mediocrity of this news.

I guess it should be expected; just as film discussion threads, 9 out of 10 times, should be labeled film PRAISE threads since the dissenters get thrashed for not agreeing with the majority and their OPINIONS are labeled as incorrect.

I'm definitely in for this 2-disc deal. The original DC version that we all have is better than absolutely nothing but, when I watch it or, more accurately, when I sit and listen to Blade Runner, I can only imagine how much better it would sound with a well done 5.1 mix.

Looking forward to this release!

Grant, feel better now that you got that off your chest?

Good. Now go back and read the posts more carefully. No one, including myself said you can't be considered a fan if you don't like or even prefer the Director's Cut. All this brouhaha is over one person's comments that are clearly way off base.

As I said before, if you aren't a fan of the Director's Cut then it makes perfect sense why this release (not re-release BTW) would not interest you, but to say this release is just Warner trying to gouge the DVD buying public is completely unreasonable. Warner has spent several years trying to acquire the rights to the original film, or at the very least the rights to distribute it, but all the efforts to date have been futile. There has been an outcry for sometime for Warner to at least release an improved copy of the "Director's Cut" for which they are finally doing. Why on earth you and perhaps a few others have a problem with that is beyond me.

It's obvious you are bitter over the fact that Warner is unable to release the version you want (and many including my self would also like), but I believe you are venting to the wrong group.

This is not a debate over which version is better, (in fact the author that started this even made it clear that he prefers the DC version), it's certainly not a debate over what qualifies any of us as "true fans", it is however a debate of whether this new release is worthy of replacing the original DVD.

If Perenchio has it his way, and so far there is nothing that indicates that he wont have it his way, the original theatrical version of Blade Runner will never again be released, even beyond his eventual death. While that might seem severe, he has both the personality and power to back that up.

Not angry Glen(Grant). Many of us are simply excited about this news. Most of us have admitted "it's bittersweet." As to preferring an "Ultimate Edition" we are all in agreement.

Grant, before calling this a simple "praise" thread, read it. It was very friendly, informative and very light on speculation, for which is to be commended.


I think the criticism was merely to the timing and tact of the posts. You knew fans of Blade Runner and those in favor of an interim(improved) transfer were going to be happy today. Or did you just happen top wander in here?

It was us who gave this thread its' 9 pages, checked it daily and it(the body) has the right to be happy for a day. I don't think you're "clueless" because of your opinion. They are certainly welcome here. Blade Runner fan is a bit emotional today. Like I said initially. "Please forgive the excitement."

Let's all slow it down, and when the excitement calms a bit, I think you'll find "Blade Runner fan" a pretty reasonable breed.