Customer Reviews

Blade Runner: The Complete Collector's Edition [Blu-ray]

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2 star:		(1)
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This 5 disc edition of Ridley Scott's 1982 Blade Runner is the most detailed celebration of a single Sci-Fi Film Masterpiece on DVD so far!

The set is contained in a facsimile of Deckard's briefcase which originally contained his Replicant finding equipment, the Voight-Kampff Test in the film.

The set contains FIVE versions of this creepily prophetic and ultimately moving film of what it is to be Human, and humane:

1) The original Workprint version which was shown to test audiences before the film's 1982 general release. It contains over 70 scene differences to the other four versions as stated by Paul Sammon, author of "Future Noir"-The Making of Blade Runner", who gives an interesting and informative optional commentary throughout. One of the most interesting differences in this rough-cut version is the use of musical "temp" tracks - music used from other past film scores to back key scenes. Thus, in major scenes like the love scene and the climactic duel between Ford and Hauer, we hear music from "Planet of the Apes" by Jerry Goldsmith, as well as some music by "Titanic" composer, James Horner, NOT the final unique music by Vangelis! A fascinating insight into the filmmaking process.
In addition, there is an interesting documentary on this disc detailing the many versions of the film, as well as an amazing section with actor Joanna Cassidy, who returned in 2007 after 25 years to digitally re-shoot her death scene whereby replacing the head of the original stunt woman in the film with her own, thus finally correcting one of the famous flaws of this cult movie.

2) The original Theatrical U.S. version which contains the controversial "voice-over" narration by Harrison Ford's character, Rick Deckard, and the bizarre upbeat ending.

3) The 1982 International Cut, which is similar to the U.S. version but contains extended scenes of graphic violence. This is the version that was originally released on VHS tape in the 80's.

4) The 1992 so called "Director's Cut" which was put together without the direct input from Ridley Scott as a result of an accidental (?) showing of the workprint version at a film festival. This is the first version released without the voiceover and including the director's unicorn sequence.

5) Ridley Scott's "Final Cut" of the film which was completely supervised by him, and has crystal-clear digital picture restoration, and is by far the best sounding version of the film in 5.1 Dolby Surround which sounds incredible and showcases Vangelis's amazing music as no other version does! In addition to Ms. Cassidy's revised death scene, the infamous "flight of the dove" shot that ends Rutger Hauer's moving "tears in rain" death scene is finally digitally corrected in this Final Cut.
As Ridley Scott says, this version is really "cool"!
This version also has THREE separate commentaries: one by Ridley Scott, one by the writers and producers, and one by the special effects technicians. All contain fascinating insights and anecdotes by the participants.

ALL the versions contain a brief introduction by Ridley Scott. It is obvious that the director put a lot of time and detail into the making of this DVD set. All archival versions are made from the best available sources and look and sound remarkably good; even the rare Workprint is good - a bit contrasty, but clear and was made from the only existing print.

The documentaries are exhaustive and detailed, the main one being over three hours long. There is even an audio interview with "Electric Sheep" author Philip K. Dick, on whose story Blade Runner is based, made shortly before the author's death.

Why get this 5 disc DVD set? I got it just for the Workprint, which is the ONLY version of the sets that has it! In the briefcase, there are a number of collectibles, only found in this set, such as Gaff's origami unicorn, made of plastic (!) , a little model of the Spinner vehicle whose doors open, an interesting moving sequence of frames from the film encased in thick plastic like a little paperweight, and a colour portfolio of production artwork by the film's futurist designer, Syd Mead.

In addition to this 5 disc set, there is a 2 disc set that has the Final Cut and three hour documentary, and a four disc set that has the Final Cut, the two 1982 versions and 1992 version (minus the Workprint) and most of the documentaries, minus the one on the various versions with Joanna Cassidy (which is on the Workprint disc only).

If you are a fan of this film, you MUST have this set; nothing less will be satisfactory. It's also available in Blu-Ray and DVD-HD versions. If you are a student of film, get this set just for the Workprint!

What can I say. I have eight different copies of this movie, and could be considered a cult fan of Blade Runner. This copy is in Bluray, which gave me a new experience in that the movie almost jumps off the screen in this media. It is still the same Blade Runner that I know and love, but so much more vivid and viewable. I saw things that I had not seen in prior viewings, and am very impressed with Bluray. I don't know what they will follow this media with, but it will need to be impressive. The movie? What the hey, I ain't no film critic, but I love it. There are only a few movies that I watch more than once and this is one of them. Give it a go. You also may love it like I do.

Finally, we get treated to a real director's cut of this fabulous film.
I've just barely started to watch the final cut and some of the documentaries in the box, but so far I am very pleased.
It's great to have 5 versions of the movie so we can see how different the feel and interpretation of the story is with each one.

The packaging is just great... just what this big kid geek needed! It's (almost) worth the price in itself :-) :-) The Deckard briefcase is cool, and the little Spinner replica and unicorn origami figurine are great.

Overall, a great gift for anyone who loves Blade Runner.

BUYER BEWARE ! Please read the reviews on this product on this website and amazon.com before making final decision to purchase .... some people's disks have been ok with no problems but a bunch haven't. note there are no bold warnings or apologies posted on either amazons or warner bros websites to notify customers of the potential problems.

NOTE: A number of Blade Runner 5-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition briefcase gift sets and Blade Runner 5-Disc Complete Collector's Editions in the Blu-ray format may contain an incorrect disc #5 labeled The Work Print. In some cases disc #5 does not have the work print content but rather the content of disc # 1 Blade Runner: The Final Cut, which is already included in the collector's set as disc #1. One way to recognize the error is to play disc #5 and go to the Special Features page. If you see one commentary track by Paul M. Sammon, the disc is correct. If you see three commentary tracks, then they have an incorrect disc. also check the length of time on the disc. a proper disc 1 is around 117 minutes and a proper disc # 5 is 110 minutes. Also In some cases disc #1 does not have the proper content but rather the content of disc # 5 the work print. disc #1 sometimes has the correct artwork on it but the wrong content. To receive a correct replacement Blu-ray disc contact Warner Home Video. 1-800-553-6937 is one number to try.

i bought the 5 disc complete edition because initially it turned out cheaper than purchasing here in canada. now i wish i hadn't. not only did the version that arrived today have the wrong disc 1 .... disc 5 was completely unplayable due to a huge crack all the way thru it from the inside hole to the outer egde. shame on amazon for shipping defective products that they should have fixed long ago !

I would have to say, without a doubt, that this is a worth while purchase for anyone who has come to appreciate this fine example of cinematic glory. Here we are given an opportunity to examine the differences between the versions of the film and watch it evolve into the masterpiece that it is now recognized for.

I am very pleased with this product, the price and the delivery. In fact - there isn`t more to say. Amazing.....

One of my favorite 'special' cases for a movie. the VK test's briefcase shell to start, all 5 edition of the film, well labels, and geniusly arranged. unicorn is great, my car/ship was broken, oh well, and great transparence to cover it, its great

THE BLADE RUNNER MOVIE IN BLUE RAY
AND THE 5 DISC ARE GREAT
I HAVE BEEN A FAN OF THE MOVIE
WHEN IT CAME OUT IN 1982
THE DISC WILL WORK ON BLUE RAY PLAYERS
A DAY AGO IT DID NOT WORK
I HAD TO UPGRADE THE FIRMWARE

One of them must be "Blade Runner in its many varied and excellent versions. This film is what sci-fi is all about. Instead of wasting time on gratuitous blood squirting, the story is much deeper with not only a message but a question.

"Early in the 21st century, the Tyrell Corporation advanced Robot evolution into the Nexus phase - a being virtually identical to human - Known as `Replicant.'"...Replicants were used Off-world as slave labor ...Replicants were declared illegal on earth ...Special police squads - Blade Runner Units - had orders to shoot to kill ..."

This was not called execution.
It was called retirement.

The film from beginning to end is treated with an overlay of original musing by the renowned Vangelis. In many films music can be a distraction or is needed to enforce spooky scenes. In this film the music is more of a co-character.

One image that staid with me is of Daryl Hannah with her fancy eye shadow.

It is now possible to see the many variations of this film based on the novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep" by Philip K. Dick.

Ladyhawke - Rutger Hauer, Michelle Pfeiffer

i will always shop at Amazon.com..bought the full series of The West Wing and saved 60$ even when using express shipping due to Christmas rush

better selection and far better pricing with the US Site..I don't understand why Canadians have to put up with this stuff