Blade Runner: Which version should I watch?

[Boogeyman13]

So, somehow, I've never seen Blade Runner. I know, I know! I don't know how it happened either! But I'm looking to rectify that, and picked up the Blade Runner 30th Anniversary digi-book. But there are five different cuts of the film, and I don't know which one is the best to start with.

So, since I'm sure most have you have seen the various versions, which cut of the film do you think is the best to watch first?

[AmandaBanana]

I started with the Final Cut and absolutely loved it.

[Pike Bishop]

I'd watch the international theatrical version, then the final cut. The theatricals have the voice over. The international theatrical has some scenes of violence that was cut from the US theatrical.

as far as the voice over is concerned some people like it, some people hate it. With the final cut available, there isn't really any good reason to watch the director's cut IMO. If you think the voiceover would bother you, you might want to skip the theatrical and just watch the final cut.

[cinemaphile]

Originally Posted by Pike Bishop

I'd watch the international theatrical version, then the final cut.

This ^

[Astro Zombie]

I saw the Final Cut first and it's my favorite. Theatrical Cut is also good, and I've yet to see the other 3 (but I will )

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

This ^

+2

International and then Final Cut.

[Spirit Zero]

Work print.

[Race Bannon]

Blasphemous opinion -- it doesn't matter much. The film was great from the very start, and all this business with cuts gave people something to talk about for 7 or 8 years while the reality sunk in that it was one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made and did not get its due in 1982.

I prefer the Final Cut, but I'm also just fine and dandy with the theatrical. There's no real reason to watch the Director's Cut.

[chris_sc77]

More important than what version to watch make sure you are in the right mindset.
Its not a film that you can let your mind wander when watching.

Give it your full attention and think about the themes while you watch it.

Dont set expectations too high.

[Mandalorian]

Final Cut

[Tekka]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

More important than what version to watch make sure you are in the right mindset.
Its not a film that you can let your mind wander when watching.

Give it your full attention and think about the themes while you watch it.

Dont set expectations too high.

bingo

[nagysaudio]

The Final Cut is the best without question.

[Rizor]

I'd go with the Final Cut myself. It's fairly definitive. After that, I'd probably watch the International version or the Workprint as curiosities.

[Booker Dewitt]

Final Cut, then if you want to give it a go theatrical/international to hear the narration, really a toss-up between the two since the big difference are a couple shots of violence that I personally never cared for in the international.

Director's Cut was rendered obsolete by the Final Cut, and the workprint should merely be viewed as the extra that it is.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

+2

International and then Final Cut.

+3.

If you have never seen Blade Runner Id say watch the International Cut first. Then watch The Final Cut. Dont touch the Workprint unless you become a fan as it wont seem much different. You dont need to watch the Theatrical cut or the "Directors" Cut.

[SIWilson]

Watch all of them over a period of time. Get your money's worth.

The original I still like for sentimental reasons, its the version I saw in the theater in 82. The international cut is pretty much the version I saw the most as it was one of the first VHS tapes I purchased in 86. I never saw the directors cut until I had this BluRay set of all 4.
I cant say I really have a preference. When it comes down to it.. its still the same film in all 4 versions. I can appreciate the film with the narrative and without it. I like the film with the nice ending and without it.

[Darth Marcus]

I haven't seen the International Cut, but the Final Cut is pure perfection. Make sure to turn up the sound!

[Revolution 9]

Originally Posted by Boogeyman13

So, somehow, I've never seen Blade Runner. I know, I know! I don't know how it happened either! But I'm looking to rectify that, and picked up the Blade Runner 30th Anniversary digi-book. But there are five different cuts of the film, and I don't know which one is the best to start with.

So, since I'm sure most have you have seen the various versions, which cut of the film do you think is the best to watch first?

I would STRONGLY recommend you watch the Final Cut, as it is the definitive version of the film. Then at a later time, watch the theatrical version as a curio piece (think of it as a special feature).

I'll point out the obvious, just in case you don't already know the facts. The theatrical version not only features voice overs, but also some crucial cuts and an alternate ending as well. These were a direct result of studio meddling. Over the years, people have attempted to restore the butchered film back to the way it was meant to be seen --- without the studio enforced edits. The workprint and director's cut were the intermediate stages of this process. The Final Cut is the one that most closely adheres to Ridley Scott's vision.

[slimdude]

It's just too many versions of Blade Runner, so I only watched the original, theatrical version. I didn't even bother, nor have any interests in seeing the other versions of the movie. I don't know what the hell Ridley Scott was thinking about, when he released multiple versions of this movie the first place.

[DoubleDownAgain]

Originally Posted by slimdude

It's just too many versions of Blade Runner, so I only watched the original, theatrical version. I didn't even bother, nor have any interests in seeing the other versions of the movie. I don't know what the hell Ridley Scott was thinking about, when he released multiple versions of this movie the first place.

Not sure if you are serious...

I'd also say The Final Cut... I still like the Theatrical as that is what I grew up on, but the Final Cut is my preferred cut.