"This Movie Gets Worse Every Screening": Producer Notes For 'Blade Runner' A Fascinating Look At The Sci-Fi Classic

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by Diana Drumm
March 18, 2013 10:19 AM
5 Comments

That Ridley Scott's "Blade Runner" had a troubled production is no secret, with currently four different versions of the movie -- 1982 Theatrical Version, 1982 International Version, 1992 Director's Cut and 2007 Final Cut -- all readily available for those who truly want to dip into the tweaks and changes made along the way. However, uncovered notes from a pre-screening of the film for producers perhaps offer the most entertaining insight into what the filmmaker was up against in making the movie.

The comments from three Tandem Productions executives after a January 1982 (or handwritten as “1982!”) screening is illuminating. This appears to be the screening of the workprint (also available in the special edition sets of the movie) given the noted absence of Vangelis' score. Among their 21 comments are such pieces of constructive criticism as: “Voice over is an insult,” “This movie gets worse every screening,” and “Were they all on drugs when they did this?” In case you're wondering who said what, “J.P.” is Jerry Perenchio (who hasn't done much since), “B.Y.” is Bud Yorkin, and “R.F.” is Robin French. On a lighter note - if you want to relive the “Blade Runner” magic but don’t have time to watch the whole film, here is a pretty awesome vintage promo reel. [via io9]

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More: Blade Runner, Ridley Scott

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Tony R. | March 20, 2013 12:02 PMReply

Would these be notes on the "Workprint" though? They keep complaining about the "dry" voice-over, and I think there is only 1 or 2 scenes with voice-over in the Workprint, near the end.
These notes seem to be on a later version; after they added voice-over to the entire movie.
JD | March 18, 2013 5:56 PMReply

"Put back more tits in the dressing room scene." Yeah, these are notes from a producer all right.....
JD | March 18, 2013 8:27 PM

Whether they wanted more or less, it's the general tone of the comment--and the use of the word "tits"--that make it a classic producer's note.
JOHN | March 18, 2013 8:17 PM

were probably commenting on a note from an earlier cut where they were dissatisfied with the lack of tits in the scene.
354 | March 18, 2013 7:26 PM

No, it actually says, "They have put back more tits into the Zhora dressing room scene." That sounds like a criticism -- they want less tits