MovieChat Forums > Blade Runner (1982) Discussion > Theatrical Cut

Theatrical Cut

posted 6 years ago by Neckk (342)
16 replies | jump to latest

I watched both versions back to back, and the differences are interesting. I watched the Final Cut first before rewatching the theatrical cut. First thing I noticed while watching the TC was how much more vibrant, clearer, and sharper it was compared to the FC. That was crazy. The TC "pops" more, while the FC just falls flat, as far as PQ is concerned. I did like the enhancements and corrections made in the FC, but the TC is clearly superior as far as picture quality is concerned.

I heard that the Directors Cut is the best of both worlds regarding PQ and the omission of the narration. Is this true?

[–] TheHungryHippo (821) 5 years ago

Final cut is the best, it’s essentially the same as the directors cut story wise except there are enhanced special effects, additional violence, and batty calls tyrell “father” instead of “fcker” which makes a whole lot more sense. Stick with the final cut. Scott has also said that the final cut is the version he intended

[–] agentalbert (3080) 13 days ago

I agree with that, Final Cut is the definitive one for me.

[–] rateater (10009) 2 years ago

the theatrical cut does look really good, sharper, clearer. unfortunately deckard uses the n word.

[–] MovieChatUser497 (18943) 2 years ago

Who cares if he uses the N-word, it’s not like the movie is saying it’s OK to use that word.

[–] rateater (10009) 13 days ago

imagine indiana jones saying that line

[–] ak47wong (563) 13 days ago

Deckard doesn't call anyone an n-word or refer to anyone as an n-word though. He uses it only in narration, as a way of describing Bryant's outdated attitudes.

"Skin jobs", that's what Bryant called replicants. In history books, he's the kind of cop who used to call black men n****s.

[–] rateater (10009) 13 days ago

bryant always came off to me as likable and couldn't tell he was racist besides the narration telling me so. but i get it.

[–] fawltybasil (249) 2 years ago

Blade Runner's one of my favourite films but for me there's no perfect version of it which is why I regard it as a 9 instead of a 10.

I like the theatrical cut the best but I don't care for the voiceover. The director's cut removes the voiceover but also some violence, and I don't like the unicorn scene. And the final cut looks terrible. Too much blue tint and teal.

I keep meaning to make my own edit of the film but I just haven't got around to it yet.

The director's cut with no unicorn scene, the extra violence from the theatrical cut, Batty saying f***er instead of father, and Zhora's death from the final cut with Joanna Cassidy is my ideal cut.

[–] Satan2016 (25525) 2 years ago

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083658/alternateversions?tab=cz

In 2007, Ridley Scott released "Blade Runner: The Final Cut", digitally remastered with improved visual and sound effects, and with numerous revisions to the 1992 Director's Cut. The more noticeable differences between The Director's Cut and The Final Cut include:

The overall film has been brightened considerably, revealing previously hidden details in many shots. Additionally, the digital enhancement reveals many heretofore obscured details, such as dirty dishes in Deckard's apartment and a freeway high above Pris as she approaches the Bradbury.
The new Unicorn footage is longer and shows Deckard to be awake during the sequence. This is how Ridley Scott and editor Terry Rawlings originally conceived of the scene. Deckard is shown staring into space, and there is a cut to the unicorn. The film then cuts back to Deckard and again cuts back to the unicorn, before returning to Deckard once more. The shot of the unicorn which appeared in the Director's Cut has also been recolored, and the sound mix has been completely redone.
[LOTS MORE]

[–] TheEndIsNigh (264) 15 days ago

The final cut is ugly. As someone else said, too much blue tint and teal. I miss the orange saturation particularly at Tyrell's when Deckard first meets Rachel. It's too washed out in the FC.

Sometimes I'll watch the director's cut because I'm not in the mood for the voiceover, sometimes I'll watch the international cut because I am, also I kind of like the "happier" ending, and that cut also has the extra violence.

I never watch the final cut. I'd rather watch the workprint than that. Credit to Ridley though, he likes the final cut best but knows some fans like and/or prefer the other versions so still had them released too. Take note George Lucas.

[–] letess (1513) 14 days ago

This is very interesting. Just the other day at a theater I saw for the first time the Final Cut (I am so confused with all the cuts, because there is a Director’s Cut as well - are they same or so similar that there isn’t enough definition to separate them). All I know is when I saw this Final Cut version - in a full theater - I just didn’t get the same feeling of joy as when I saw whatever one I saw which I assume was the theatrical release. There was no voiceover at beginning. I understand that Harrison Ford hated doing this and maybe others but it didn’t bother me as it was a little Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe. Also that original ending - which they called the “happy ending” didn’t bother me either as they were kind of in flight. Wasn’t the ending in DC somewhat a happy ending as well. For some reason, I thought there was more to Rutger’s last words and I thought there was a huge thing with Rachel’s family photo. And, this is important, I thought Rachel being a replicant was in question in the original. Unicorn scene addition is ok. Violence is fine. I didn’t recall rapey scene at all or maybe it was kind of accepted - didn’t bother me either.

I will have to do what you did - watch both if I could find original. It looks like it’s on Prime Video but it doesn’t say theatrical or original cut and the length of this film is the same as the Final Cut - so I want to make sure before I purchase.

[–] TheEndIsNigh (264) 14 days ago

I'm jealous. I'd love to see Blade Runner on the big screen.

There's six versions in total that have had an official DVD/Blu-ray release. (Not sure about 4k).

US theatrical cut.

International cut
Virtually the same as US but more violence when Batty kills Tyrell, and Deckard puts an extra bullet in Pris.

Director's Cut
The same in terms of color grading but Deckard's voice-over is removed, it has the unicorn scene, and it ends where the elevator door closes instead of driving through the wilderness.

Workprint
Obviously different in various ways because it's the version for a test screening. Most work prints look awful but they've digitally remastered this one to make it look as best as it possibly can. It's pretty much the same as the director's cut except Deckard does have some narration when Batty dies but it's different from the other versions. There's a shot in this one I love that's not in any other version of smoke coming out of the bullet hole in Holden's back after Leon shoots him.

The Final Cut
I'm not personally a fan but many people are. This is the most different because the color grading is different. Zhora crashing through the window is now actually Joanna Cassidy, and even the unicorn scene is a bit different. It had a more dreamy feel to it in the DC. Then there's a few extra shots that are in the workprint of Deckard walking the streets/chasing Zhora. And the extra violence that was in the international cut is back in this one.

That's pretty much it. Rachel being a replicant was never called into question in any version. It's always Deckard discovering it within a few minutes of the test and then Tyrell telling him she hasn't known for a long time because they've given her memory implants.

I can't help you which version is on Prime video though. I assume The Final Cut because that's Ridley Scott's preferred version and he is the director.

[–] letess (1513) 14 days ago

The Blade Runner I saw the other day on the screen was the Final Cut though. I am lucky here because there is a whole colony of film enthusiasts - The American Cinemateque. 3 theaters widely dispersed in different areas of the city. The theater is always full. Lots of discussions. I pretty much think most of the people are in the film industry.

Anyway, I think there are two Blade Runners on Prime Video - one is definitely the Final Cut and the other is not identified. I think it’s the original. I’m going to give it a shot. I just remember I loved it when I first saw it. I think the Final Cut is actually the Director’s Cut Plus.

[–] chumbawampa (732) 14 days ago

Director's Cuts are an annoying waste of time that mostly adds way too much to the original

Apocalypse Now is a perfect example. The Theatrical Cut was good enough on it's own. We didn't need like 40 mins of extra footage. It adds nothing. Leaving gaps is better , the audience can fill in what happened. Watchmen Extended Cut added a horrifyingly bad 'moving comic' section for Tales of the Black Freighter that seems to make the movie another 40 mins long.

They only do these director's cuts, and extended cuts, to sell DVD's and Blu-Rays.
Just think of the original Star Wars theatrical cuts. We all know they are better than the 1997 "Special Edition" versions. Those were just made to cash-in big time.

It's the same as the endless "Remasters" of every band and singer from 1960 on. Do you like the Beatles? Well, every version you've ever heard sounds like shit, because they just released the RE-RE-REMASTERED (2024 Remaster) Of the Beatles catalogue!
Because whatever you heard before sucked!

[–] letess (1513) 5 days ago

Except I loved Redux so much so that when I recently saw the theatrical cut, I thought it was lacking. It lost its magic. Why? Because I loved the French plantation scene. To me, it definitely had to have that scene. Everything that led up to Vietnam had to do with French colonial power. I loved Indochine and I The Quiet American and even The Lover (L’Amant), and when I watch Apocalypse Now - that scene matters, especially the smoking opium part. I understand the Final Director’s cut edited Redux but kept this scene - I haven’t seen this version yet.

[–] chumbawampa (732) 3 days ago

I thought it was better to leave the French plantation scene out. I get the point of the scene, but I don't think its absolutely neccessary... It seemed like another Commander-gone-mad type scene... I understand the purpose but I think the scene with Kurtz in the end does the same thing... Not saying the plantation scene takes anything away.