Original Cut or Director's Cut - Which version did you prefer?

[Tabitha]

I think I am probably going to be in the minority here, but I much much much preferred the original cut, with the Harrison Ford voice-over.
While the Director's cut added some scenes - the unicorn dream, and removed others - the driving in the countryside ending, I think it is not as good.
People describe this movie as a scifi film noir, and as such I think the Marlowe style narration works. I never liked the countryside ending (did you know - that is extra footage from "The Shining"?), but the unicorn bit didn't do much for me.

Call me a philistine if you like, but there you have it...

 

[Ananas]

Bah Tabitha again ! Every forum that spikes my interest has you in it. I'm not stalking you, honest :upto:

I'm a big fan of Bladerunner, but I have never been able to find a copy of the original version. Bladerunner was a little bit before my time, I only got into it because my older brother was a big fan, but he had the directors cut version. I also have the directors cut, having never seen the original for sale (well not in the two for £20 section anyway :blush: )

I heard that the directors cut changes the story quite a lot. How do they differ?

 

[Kanazaka]

I prefer the Director's Cut of Blade Runner because of the more ambiguous ending and the lack of voiceover. The voiceover didn't hurt the film at all, but in comparing the two, I now notice that it might have been a distraction from the amazing art direction and special effects. And the ending seemed a bit out of place, not because it was borrowed footage but because deep down I can't believe that Rick Deckard and Rachel will live happily ever after. For one thing she won't live much longer after when we last see her. Also, isn't a human-android sexual relationship taboo, at least in the novel? It would make sense that that taboo would carry over to the film. So, overall, the Director's Cut seems more honest and alive to me.

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Kanazaka
Also, isn't a human-android sexual relationship taboo, at least in the novel?

But the Director's Cut strengthens the idea that Deckard is actually a replicant himself due to the 'Unicorn Dream' and 'The Chess Game'.

Read the other threads here for more explanation: http://64.46.119.37/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14193

I realise that he is human in the short story, but Ridley Scott himself said that he wanted to make that assumption ambiguous in the film.

I think I prefer the Director's Cut because I don't like the voiceover, but it is a touch too long.

 

[Kanazaka]

Yep, Dave, I just found that out while you were writing your most recent message. And I forgot to mention this in that message, but it does make more sense that Deckard falls in love with Rachel if they are both replicants, because in that case they can definitely relate to each other.