Blade Runner (1982)

Blade Runner (1982), a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, has a complex history due to the involvement of studio executives. The controversy resulted in seven different versions of the film, including a director’s cut in 1992 which was released after positive feedback on a test screening of a workprint. The movie gained popularity through video rentals and was one of the first to be released on DVD. In 2007, Warner Bros. released The Final Cut, a digitally remastered version to mark its 25th anniversary. This is the only version that Scott had complete artistic control over. Chronologically, the story takes place in 2019 Los Angeles where ex-police officer Rick Deckard encounters Officer Gaff, known for his origami skills. Gaff brings Deckard to his former supervisor Bryant who informs him that four replicants (bioengineered humanoids) are illegally on Earth. Even though Deckard initially tries to leave, Bryant’s vague threat convinces him to stay and continue his job as a ‘blade runner’ – retiring these replicants permanently from society.

During the test, Leon shoots Holden on the second question. Bryant tasks Deckard with retiring four Nexus-6 replicants: Roy Batty, Zhora, and Pris, in addition to Leon. To certify their effectiveness, Bryant arranges for Deckard to meet with Eldon Tyrell, the CEO of the replicant-producing company. He asks him to conduct a test on one of their creations, specifically Tyrell’s assistant Rachael. Despite Tyrell’s initial desire to witness a failure, Deckard administers the test and privately concludes that Rachael is a replicant who believes she is human. Tyrell then divulges that Rachael was purposely made with false memories as an experiment to provide her with human-like emotions. She has no knowledge of her true nature. While investigating Leon’s hotel room, Deckard discovers photographs and a synthetic snake scale among his belongings.