Blade Runner Special Edition

Fans of Blade Runner are probably aware of the plans to release a "special edition" of the film on DVD next year to commemorate it's 25th anniversary. If you're not, then now you know. Over the years, Blade Runner has been shown in theaters in several different versions.. There's the theatrical version show here in the States in 1982, the version shown outside of the US in 1982, a couple different workprints which were shown to test audiences, the 1992 director's cut which was approved by director Ridley Scott, the TV version, and now the "Special Edition".

The significant changes in the 1992 Director's Cut were the absence of voice-over narration, the removal of the happy ending (which incorporated unused footage from The Shining), and the inclusion of the infamous unicorn scene which threw fans of the film's metaphysics into a loop.



I'm not really sure what the Special Edition will include aside from the best quality print of a version of Blade Runner. This page is the start of a look at one of the workprints which was shown in 1991. There are several minor differences such as seeing Deckard's meal at the White Dragon Noodle Bar:



Plus seeing Holden's body slumped upon a keyboard after his unfortunate interrogation of Leon:



Speaking of Holden, there was a scene with him in the hospital in some kind of life-support chamber hoolie as he's visited by Deckard. Check it out:



Other scenes that could possibly being included Zhora's dance and Chew being found by the cops. We'll just have to wait and see.