I confess, I have not seen all five versions of Blade Runner [1982] contained in the five-dvd "Ultimate Collector's Edition" issued in December 2007 for the noir-fi's 25th anniversary. Let's see, there's the original theatrical release, the original international release, the director's cut released in 1992, the new "final cut," and, exclusive to this set, a "workprint" cut. Me, I want the replica of Deckard's briefcase which houses the set.
This came to mind because of a discussion with my friend and colleague, Curtis Matthews, on twitter yesterday. He asked whether I consider the director's cut of Blade Runner a sequel, which I don't, but it's a good question. The versions of Blade Runner are dramatically different, especially with respect to the voiceover by Deckard [Harrison Ford] and the happy ending with Deckard and Rachel [Sean Young]. Both were included in the original theatrical release, and while the final romantic escape felt a bit disingenuous, I prefer the versions of the film which include at least some of Deckard's voiceover. Our film fiend/friend Wes Wise chimed in that he found the director's cut felt empty without the voiceover, and I think he has a point. The voiceover is one of the strongest links between Blade Runner and the classic films noir of the 1940s and 1950s, Deckard as world-weary, anti-hero detective. Deckard as Bogart.
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