# Which version of Blade Runner should I buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 20, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146 "2012-01-20T16:59:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/21 "2012-01-21T03:18:36Z")
It is one on my favorite films, and ‘The Final Cut’ version gets my vote. Fake ETA: But, then I am a replicant, so maybe my vote doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![TheVoiceOfReason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c6cbf5/32.png) [@TheVoiceOfReason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheVoiceOfReason)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/22 "2012-01-21T03:20:50Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Count me among those who like the voice-over (original theatrical version). No, it isn’t necessary for you to understand the story, but I thought it **added to the noir-ish feel**. Concur, and for the exact same reason. Another vote here for the big collector’s set. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/23 "2012-01-21T04:29:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Right, orig is best. Deckard is not a replicant. And Roy shot first. btw, I vote Original… I think the voice-over is badass. Very “Sam Spade In The Future”. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/24 "2012-01-21T04:39:30Z")
Get the version where he flies the Millennium Falcon and kisses the Princess. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/25 "2012-01-21T04:53:20Z")
Lost track of the proof, but he’s obviously a Replicant and Ford’s barely-emotionless overdubs don’t deny it. Dude may’ve been better off with an electric sheep, but are a few months with Sean Young an improvement? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/26 "2012-01-21T04:54:38Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Get the version where he flies the Millennium Falcon and kisses the Princess. It’s discombulating, but it’s that the kid really can’t act. Any Director: Harry, I know it’s an effort, but can you produce ANY facial expression unlike you grunting out an especially hard turd? Harrison Ford: (grunt, with some lubrication) ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/27 "2012-01-21T05:11:31Z")
Final Cut, no question. Original theatrical release is not the movie Ridley Scott meant to make. No voice over, no happy ending, Deckard is a replicant (according to Scott.) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/28 "2012-01-21T05:49:07Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > Final Cut, no question. Original theatrical release is not the movie Ridley Scott meant to make. Just because he wanted it that way doesn’t mean it’s the best version. The only two contenders for owning are the **1982 International Version** and the **Final Cut**. The first one is the best “original” release. I think it’s only available with the 5-disc Collector’s Edition or the Special Edition Laserdisc. That said, it’s only marginally different from the US Theatrical release. The second is the best “Ridley Scott’s vision” release. As mentioned, the Final Cut is mostly a cleaned-up Director’s Cut, and since both are readily available, go with that if you want the movie after the director has tinkered with it post-release. I like all of them, my ideal version would probably be yet another cut, but prefer the original (“International”) the most. ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/29 "2012-01-21T06:03:29Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > You guys really prefer the ending where you can hear Ford rolling his eyes over his sardonic voiceover and the cheesy 80s soundtrack? You meant to say, “One of the greatest film scores ever conceived.”, right? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/30 "2012-01-21T06:47:47Z")
> [@Shamozzle](#): > > You meant to say, “One of the greatest film scores ever conceived.”, right? Srsly. I have both the Vangelis and the Orchestra versions. I prefer the Vangelis one, personally. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2012, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/31 "2012-01-21T07:09:34Z")
After I posted that last, I went looking and guess what I found? [Blade Runner Trilogy: 25th Anniversary](http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-Trilogy-25th-Anniversary/dp/B000Z0OX9O/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1327128434&sr=1-2) 3 CD soundtrack by Vangelis. > [@](#): > > CD 1 features the original and remastered soundtrack as it first appeared in 1994, twelve years after the film was released. The second CD contains all the remaining music from the film that did not appear on the original 1994 soundtrack, plus two bonus tracks (‘One Alone’ and ‘Desolation Path’). None of this material has been released before. The third and final disc will be of real interest to Vangelis fans, as it contains an entire album of newly written material composed by Vangelis to mark the 25th anniversary of Blade Runner. The music is strong and flowing, and retains the dark, atmospheric sense of the original score. There are some intriguing spoken word contributions too, from Ridley Scott, Roman Polanski, Oliver Stone and a host of distinguished actors, personalities and world dignitaries. My copy is already on the way! ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/32 "2012-01-22T03:13:23Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Srsly. I have both the Vangelis and the Orchestra versions. I prefer the Vangelis one, personally. There is a rare, comprehensive, bootlegged version out there known as, I believe, the “Esper” version. It contains many tracks one will find nowhere else and the sound quality is great, very well done. Good luck finding a physical copy. here is the track listing: Disc1: 1. Prologue and Main Titles 2. Leon’s Voight Kampff Test 3. Sushi Bar - Damask Rose 4. Spinner Ascent 5. Blush Response 6. Wait FOr Me 7. Deckard Meets Rachael 8. Rachael’s Song 9. Tales of the Future 10. Bicycle Riders 11. Chew’s Eye Lab 12. Memories of Green 13. Blade Runner Blues 14. Pris Meets J.F. Sebastian 15. One More Kiss, Dear Disc2: 16. Deckard Dream 17. Thinking of Rachael (Love Theme Different Take) 18. Esper Analysis 19. Animoid Row 20. Taffey Lewis Night Club 21. Salome’s Dance 22. Zhora’s Retirement 23. I Am The Business 24. Love Theme 25. I Dreamt Music 26. Morning At The Bradbury 27. The Prodigal Son Brings Death 28. Deckard Enters the Bradbury 29. Dangerous Days15. Wounded Animals 30. Tears In Rain 31. Rachael Sleeps 32. End Titles ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/33 "2012-01-22T03:47:39Z")
The Esper Edition was updated in 2007 with the ‘Retirement’ edition: 5 CDs and 1 DVD (to coincide with the nifty package release on DVD and Blu-ray). There’s some cool stuff on there, and it’s not hard to get both the content and the artwork, but in general I don’t mess with bootlegs unless the artist is onboard with idea. Vangelis is well known for not giving interviews and being fairly private (almost to the point of being reclusive), but I can see where big fans of his work would want them, seeing as how they include a lot of things not on the official releases. ETA: I forgot to mention, it would take more than just luck to get a real hardcopy of the Esper Edition; the folks who made it only made 10 copies total. They’re actually a little pissed off at the people who bootlegged their bootleg. [Scroll down to the last part of this page to read their comments](http://www.anunna.net/vangelis-rarities/newsite.php?methode=methode1&id=172). ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/34 "2012-01-22T19:23:56Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > The Esper Edition was updated in 2007 with the ‘Retirement’ edition: 5 CDs and 1 DVD (to coincide with the nifty package release on DVD and Blu-ray). There’s some cool stuff on there, and it’s not hard to get both the content and the artwork, but in general I don’t mess with bootlegs unless the artist is onboard with idea. Vangelis is well known for not giving interviews and being fairly private (almost to the point of being reclusive), but I can see where big fans of his work would want them, seeing as how they include a lot of things not on the official releases. > > ETA: I forgot to mention, it would take more than just luck to get a real hardcopy of the Esper Edition; the folks who made it only made 10 copies total. They’re actually a little pissed off at the people who bootlegged their bootleg. [Scroll down to the last part of this page to read their comments](http://www.anunna.net/vangelis-rarities/newsite.php?methode=methode1&id=172). Well, it’s clear that you are way ahead of me on this one. Thanks for the additional info, I had no idea there was a ‘Retirement Edition’. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/35 "2012-01-22T21:45:55Z")
Put me down for the original theatrical cut. Deckard was not a replicant. ---
**Author:** ![SeamusMcCool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SeamusMcCool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeamusMcCool)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/36 "2012-01-26T15:00:20Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > The ideal version to buy is the four-disc Collector’s Edition that includes the theatrical, director’s and final cuts. I was going to write that an edition including the Theatrical version and the Director’s Cut would be best. Then you can decide for yourself which ending you like better and if you prefer “voice over” or no “voice over”. In a way, they are two different movies in their own right, both a very good and worth owning. My only beef is the ending where they are driving in the country and unused footage from the opening scenes of \*The Shinning \*are used. I don’t doubt life outside such a city could be like that, but it was still too jarring compared to the look of the rest of the film. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146/37 "2012-01-26T16:32:18Z")
> [@RikWriter](#): > > Put me down for the original theatrical cut. Deckard was not a replicant. I don’t think the Director’s/Final cuts changed that. They may have introduced some symbolic fodder for debate with a few shots, but otherwise IMO it makes no sense for Deckard to be a replicant. I think the noir voiceover of the theatrical release suggests he’s a replicant, only a Sam Spade-otron Model X-47 robot could deliver such an emotionless corny naive cliched narrative. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-version-of-blade-runner-should-i-buy/610146.md?page=1)