Question for Blade Runner fans: Is there a multi-disc DVD set that includes both versions?

[Aristus]

I found the Director's Cut intriguing, but unlike a lot of BR purists, I actually like the theatrical release version, with the narration and the "happy" ending. I enjoy both versions. Is there a Special Edition DVD that has both? Help me out here.

Thanks. B-)

[EstimatedProphet]

1. I'm like you, and I've never seen one

Maybe someday...

[Aristus]

2. I also heard a rumor that a DVD set had been released containing both versions of "Legend".

The European release and the truncated American version. Awful dialogue and silly Tom Cruise performance aside, I like both versions of this film (also a Ridley Scott film, now that I think about it) and would like to get them both on DVD. Any truth to the rumor, do you think?

[EstimatedProphet]

6. I never even knew there were 2 versions of Legend!

I've only seen the US one. It would be interesting to watch the other one.

[Aristus]

7. Two versions with two different soundtracks, as well.

The original soundtrack was scored by Jerry Goldsmith. It's pretty much a departure for him. It's sounds different from any other score he's done.

The American release was edited down from the original cut and given a different score by Tangerine Dream. I have recordings of both soundtracks. They're both incredible.

The edited version shows up on TV every now and then, with scenes from the uncut version spliced back in. What is odd, though, is that when the cuts happen, the film switches from the Tangerine Dream score to the Goldsmith score mid-scene! That's pretty weird!

[LTR]

10. .

Disregard. I thought you were talking about "Blade Runner".

My error.

[brentspeak]

11. Yup. The "Legend" set is a Special Edition DVD set that actually is worth the dough

Too many "Special Editions" are just bloated with useless extras.

[brentspeak]

12. The Legend release containing both versions has been available since 2002

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Ultimate-Tom-Cruise/dp/B000063UR2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8831813-3121537?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1182880270&sr=1-1

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

3. There will be one this year.

For it's 25th year anniversary.
Look here: http://www.br-insight.com/2006/05/31/special-25th-anniversary-dvd-edition-of-blade-runner/

And here: http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=36328

And for the record, I enjoy both versions, too. Looks like there's going to be a "definitive cut" this year.
On Edit: Forgot to mention the "Final Cut" is being re-released in theaters for a limited run. :bounce:

[Aristus]

4. Great links. Thanks!

:thumbsup:

[jobycom]

5. I hate the director's cut.

If it had been made first, i would never have loved the movie. Without the voice-over and the more conclusive, yet more vague, ending, the film feels, to me, incomplete. If it had been shot originally without the voice over as part of the plan, scenes could have been fleshed out to complete the metaphors and analogies, but as it stands, it needs the voice-over. When I watch it, I feel like I am getting half of the movie from my memory of the original rather than from what's on the screen.

I feel the same way about "Amadeus." The theatrical version was my favorite movie for a long time, but the added scenes take away some of the intrigue. The scene where Saliari sets up the wife to humiliate her, for instance, gives away too much, and gives her legitimate reason to hate Saliari. Without it, her distrust of him develops slowly and subtly, without direct cause, and adds mystery. Plus, the added scene makes her more a part of the story, whereas in the original her dislike of Saliari is based completely on his actions towards Amadeus. The scene also makes Saliari more unambiguously bad, which makes his actions less sympathetic. In the original, he's a nice guy who is driven over the edge by jealousy, in the director's cut he is bad from the beginning.

Like Amadeus had anything to do with your post. Sorry. :( I don't even know if you can still buy the theatrical release of Blade Runner.

[Orrex]

8. Wow!

The VO in the theatrical release makes me hate the film. I've heard all of the arguments about film noir genre conventions and whatnot, but in the end it just comes across IMO as spelling things out for the audience that don't really need to be spelled out.

Ridley Scott is one of the most over-rated directors in the business, but on this point he and I agree completely: the VO is superfluous.

[jobycom]

13. I don't think he accomplished anything without it.

Some directors can lead an audience to a metaphysical insight through scene and dialog, some can't. I don't think the movie did it at all, without the voice over. I don't care about film noire conventions, I just don't think the movie did enough without the VO.

Ridley Scott is up and down, for me. I think Gladiator was an understated masterpiece, for instance. The plot was nearly perfect. At other times, he wanders. I think Blade Runner wandered without the VO. The VO is the only thing that held it together.

[LTR]

9. Wait until later this year

"Blade Runner: The Final Cut" is coming to theaters this September. This is Ridley Scott's definitive edit of the movie. I saw a trailer for it last week.

Apparently, a special limited edition DVD that follows will have all versions of the movie (the original U.S. version, the original international version, the 1992 Director's Cut (DC) and the new one, which was completed a few years ago but held up by legal issues.

So, why this new "Cut"? Ridley Scott wasn't completely satisfied with the 1992 DC, since he didn't have much time to spend tinkering with it, since he was busy with "Thelma and Louise". He preferred the DC to the original theatrical version, but was never completely comfortable with it.

I'm with you. I preferred the original version with the Harrison Ford voiceover and the "Shining" ending. This was the version I saw in the theater in 1982, and it kinda stuck with me. I always felt the 1992 "Director's Cut" was a bit dull.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_runner