Cyberpunkreview.com has posted the specs on the upcoming limited edition DVD super-set release that I’ve been talking about for months, and they are impressive indeed:
Disc 1 – The Final Cut (2007):
* Ridley Scott’s definitive new version of his science-fiction masterpiece includes added & extended scenes, added lines and new and cleaner special effects.
Disc 2 – 3 Complete Film Versions:
* ‘82 U.S. Theatrical version
* ‘82 International Theatrical version
* ‘92 Director’s Cut
Disc 3 – “Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner” Documentary
* Newly created documentary: Through interviews with the cast and crew, critics and colleagues, this feature-length documentary provides a mainstream-friendly yet meaningful in-depth look at Blade Runner’s literary genesis, its challenging production and controversial legacy. When all is said and done, this will be the definitive documentary on the film.
Disc 4 – Enhanced Content Bonus: (TBC)
* INCEPTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to Philip K. Dick, the birth of Cyberpunk and adapting the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.
* PRE-PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to script development, conceptual design and abandoned sequences.
* PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to principal photography and locations.
* POST-PRODUCTION – Featurettes and galleries devoted to deleted scenes, music and visual effects.
* RELEASE – Featurettes and galleries devoted to marketing and reaction including Trailers, TV Spots and Promotional Featurettes
* LEGACY – Featurettes and galleries devoted to the film’s resurrection and impact.
Disc 5 – Work Print Version & Enhanced Content:
* Including the rarely seen Work Print version and potentially the 52 min. Channel Four (UK) documentary which was the first serious documentary created for the film.
Additionally, the set will come packaged in a limited “Blade Runner” briefcase holding the five-disc digipack with foil-enhanced and embossed slipcase. The goodies inside will include a lenticular motion image from the original feature, a collectible model spinner, an origami unicorn, a collection of photographs and a letter from Ridley Scott.
I could do without the fancy briefcase packaging and the miscellaneous tchotchkes that come with it — all I’m really interested in is the actual DVDs — but I’m assuming that there will be a disc-only release at some point, as there has been with other high-end collector’s editions.
My biggest concern, of course, is how the earlier versions of the film on Disc 2 have been handled, i.e., are they going to be in anamorphic widescreen so they’ll look right on my fancy HDTV? Or are they just perfunctory add-ons that will look no better than 15-year-old laserdisc copies, like some other significant science-fiction movie whose original cut has not been properly respected? (Guess which one!)
I haven’t been able to confirm one way or the other; however, I haven’t heard that they won’t be in anamorphic, and the last DVD release of Ridley Scott’s Alien — which also featured multiple cuts of that movie — included a very nice anamorphic transfer of the original theatrical cut, so it’s logical to assume that Scott will give the same consideration to Blade Runner fans.
As I’ve said before, I really wish G. Lucas would take note of how this set is being done and come off his high horse about the unrevised version of Star Wars. But that’s probably about as likely as unicorns and flying cars, isn’t it?
