What is Blade Runner?

Blade Runner was a science fiction motion picture released in 1982 (at the same time as Steven Spielberg's ET) and is directed by the masterful Ridley Scott.

Blade Runner stars Hollywood greats Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer in the leading roles, with appearences from Daryl Hannah, Sean Young, Joe Turkel and Brion James (to name but a few).

Who is Ridley Scott?

For those who are not currently aware Ridley Scott is now a very prestigious British film director. He and his brother (Tony Scott, director of such films as 'Crimson Tide') have conglomerated to create 'Scott-Free Productions'. A production company which aims to produce many high-quality motion pictures for both television and cinema alike.

Ridley Scott himself is the acclaimed director of such science fiction classics as Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982). He has also recent undergone a kind of renaissance, creating two excellent films in the space of around one year.

The films I am referring to are Gladiator (2000) and Hannibal (2001). Gladiator being the story of General Maximus, a brave soldier selected by Caesar to be the new emperor of Rome. But instead, Maximus is made into a Gladiator and sent to Rome to fight for his life among a star cast including Oliver Reed (who died during filming).

'Hannibal' is the film production of Thomas Harris' book of the same name and takes after 'The Silence of The Lambs'. The main character in the latter film plays a psychopath who has escapes from a mental institution toward the end of the film. 'Hannibal' picks up from where 'The Silence of The Lambs' left off by beginning with a search to attempt to trace the notorious Mr. Lecter.

Blade Runner: From Flop to Success.

The film was not entirely popular at the time of its release but now enjoys special cult status among a growing audience who have grasped its towering concepts and the visions of the director himself.

The film's premise.

The film is set around the cynical Blade Runner (a futuristic term for an android Bounty Hunter) Rick Deckard (played well, excluding the gut-wrenching narration of the original release by Harrison Ford).

A Blade Runner's job is to capture and 'retire' (destroy/kill) robots trespassing on a polluted Earth set not too far into a bleak future.

The 'robots' are known as Replicants, and the Blade Runner term for execution of such Replicants, is called 'retirement'.

Writing Credits for BR.

The film was scripted by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, based upon the novel 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?' by science fiction writer Philip K. Dick.

Three other books, 'The Edge Of Human', 'Replicant Night' and 'Eye and Talon' by K.W. Jeter (writer of many acclaimed science fiction novels) have also surfaced into the public eye, since the film's release and are available in all good libraries.

A Director's Cut of the film was released in 1992 and is currently available on both videotape and DVD.

Further Reference: 'Future Noir, the making of Blade Runner' by Paul M. Sammon

The Game.

Interestingly enough the film became so successful that Westwood Studios' (the famed creators of the 'Command and Conquer' series) decided to create their own game based around the compelling sci-fi classic.

Blade Runner by Westwood went on to win the 1997 Game of the Year Awaard and is thought of by many as one of the most influential role-play games ever made. Thanks to its fascinating story/setting and with the revolutionary and computer game techniques used.

All of this qualities made Blade Runner a truly classic computer game as well as an excellent film...and a thrilling book.

Links on the Internet.

One may also refer to BladeZone where a veritable library of information is available on the motion picture.

Other useful sources include 2019: The Off-World and Westwood Studios' web site on the production of their Blade Runner video game.