Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #106 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-12-03
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 113 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
To call this cut of Blade Runner `long awaited' would be a heavy, heavy understatement. It's taken 25 years since the first release of one of the science-fiction genre's flagship films to get this far, and understandably, Blade Runner: The Final Cut has proved to be one of the most eagerly awaited DVD releases of all time.

And it's been well worth the wait. Director Ridley Scott's decision to head back to the edit suite and cut together one last version of his flat-out classic film has been heavily rewarded, with a genuinely definitive version of an iconic, visually stunning and downright intelligent piece of cinema. Make no mistake: this is by distance the best version of Blade Runner. And it's never looked better, either.

The core of Blade Runner, of course, remains the same, with Harrison Ford's Deckard (the Blade Runner of the title) on the trail of four `replicants', cloned humans that are now illegal. And he does so across an amazing cityscape that's proven to be well ahead of its time, with astounding visuals that defied the supposed limits of special effects back in 1982.

Backed up with a staggering extra features package that varies depending on which version of this Blade Runner release you opt for (two-, four- and five-disc versions are available), the highlight nonetheless remains the stunning film itself. Remastered and restored, it remains a testament to a number of creative people whose thinking was simply a country mile in advance of that of their contemporaries. An unmissable purchase. --Jon Foster

DVD Description
In celebration of Blade Runner's 25th anniversary, director Ridley Scott has gone back into post production to create the long-awaited definitive new version. Blade Runner: The Final Cut is spectacularly restored and remastered from original elements and scanned at 4K resolution. It contains never-before-seen added/extended scenes, added lines, new and improved special effects, director and filmmaker commentary, an all-new 5.1 Dolby Digital audio track and more. Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Edward James Olmos, Joanna Cassidy, Sean Young and Daryl Hannah are among some 80 stars, filmmakers and others who participate in the extensive bonus features. Among the bonus material highlights is "Dangerous Days," a brand new, three-and-a-half-hour documentary by award-winning DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika, with an extensive look into every aspect of the film: its literary genesis, its challenging production and its controversial legacy. The definitive documentary to accompany the definitive film version. As Scott himself puts it, "The Final Cut is the product of a process that began in early 2000 and continued off and on through seven years of intense research and meticulous restoration, technical challenges, amazing discoveries and new possibilities. I can now wholeheartedly say that Blade Runner: The Final Cut is my definitive director's cut of the film."

Other versions released:
Blade Runner: The Final Cut (5-Disc Ultimate Collectors' Edition)
Blade Runner: The Final Cut [Blu-ray]
Blade Runner: The Final Cut [HD DVD]

Synopsis
It is 2019 and genetically made beings known as replicants exist as slaves and prostitutes in the off-planet colonies. Despite possessing such human traits as intelligence and virtual emotion, they are limited by a four-year life span which forces them to question their mortality. Four escaped replicants, led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer, THE HITCHER), arrive in Los Angeles to confront their designer, Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel). Hot on their trail is world-weary assassin--or 'blade runner'--Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford, INDIANA JONES), who has come out of retirement especially for this case. His objective is to hunt down and liquidate the four renegade androids before they have a chance to exact revenge on their cruel human oppressors. In the course of his search, Deckard becomes romantically entangled with Tyrell's lovely assistant Rachael (Sean Young)--who may not be all that she seems--and a dramatic face-off with Batty is inevitable. Director Ridley Scott's hauntingly prescient vision of the not-too-distant future is a stark revelation: a dark, polluted, overcrowded dystopia dominated by cloud-piercing buildings and looming neon billboards, the air dense with acid rain and flying traffic. Based on the novel DO ANDROIDS DREAM OF ELECTRIC SHEEP? by Philip K Dick, BLADE RUNNER boasts astonishingly rich art direction, juxtaposing ingenious technological gadgetry with yellowing photographs and fetishist objets d'art as it touches on questions of time, memory, identity, and mortality.

Customer Reviews

The Value of a Life
This new version like the "The Director's Cut" is another glorious interpretation with a slight shift of emphasis from the book. In Dick's work life is so precious because it is unique and impossible to replicate despite initial impressions. In the film life is precious whatever it's beginnings. Two equally valid points of view, both brilliantly told.

Futuristic Vision Restored!
The digital restoration and re-editing of this sci-fi classic was long overdue. Ridley Scott now has the film he always wanted. This new version is, for me, the best now available. It's even more visually stunning, with lots more detail, and benefits from a crisper and less intrusive soundtrack. The generous extras are also informative, particularly the lengthy documentary 'Dangerous Days' on the bonus disc. There is also a 5-disc version available, but this 2-disc release should be enough for most fans. Gratitude to Ridley Scott for revisiting one of his finest films - highly recommended.

At last!
Unlike a few of these reviews, I'm writing this after actually seeing the Final Cut 2 disc DVD.

I won't say too much about the film itself. The "Final Cut" is basically the Directors Cut (i.e. no voiceover) plus tweaked special effects and a few minor changes (it's been some time since I've seen the Directors Cut, so I can't give precise details, but it didn't seem drastically different) And "yes", the unicorn scene is there and the "happy" ending is missing.

The picture quality is probably as good as could be expected for a film of this age. Perhaps not quite as sharp as a modern release and some black levels are very slightly off, but overall a good picture, with no noticable dirt, scratches or grain.

The 5.1 mix is particularly impressive. Vangelis' soundtrack fills the room. There are also some nice ambient effects of rain etc, plus the rocket ships have real oomph and zoom from left to right speaker.

The documentary is also worthwhile (not the usual promotional stuff) and is certainly something you can watch more than once.

Overall, a classic film, with good picture, extras and very good sound.

Unless you're a sci-fi geek or completist, I'd opt for the 2 disc edition, rather than the 5 disc.