It’s been over 30 years since “Blade Runner” opened to a tepid reaction from both critics and audiences. As is wont to happen with maligned visionary masterpieces, Ridley Scott’s essential noir sci-fi classic has since received the love it so richly deserves. In point of fact, BFI is re-releasing Scott’s definitive version of the movie – “Blade Runner: The Final Cut” – across the U.K. today to give fans and newcomers alike a chance to see the film on the big screen. To celebrate the occasion, BFI has launched a marketing campaign to stir up some excitement.
In all, four short teasers have been released that interestingly play less like advertising for a revival screening – a la the re-releases of the “Star Wars” prequels and “Jurassic Park” – and more like something for a modern day blockbuster, complete with a hashtag. Though the teasers suffer from “Edge Of Tomorrow” syndrome – the tagline gets more prominent placement than the film’s title – they’re sufficiently moody and beautiful to be evocative of the whole film. Thanks to the combination of an exhaustive restoration process and Scott’s keen eye all those years ago, the footage from the film’s visuals has stood the test of time with little betraying of its actual age. It’s easy to see it playing in the same theater as a modern movie like this weekend’s “Furious 7” without looking out of place.
Let’s not let 2015 have all the fun though, because a short interview Scott did in 1982 on American TV with Bobbie Wygant has surfaced online (via Eyes On Cinema). Since the interview appears to have been conducted before “Blade Runner” was officially released – no mention is made of the disappointing grosses at the box office nor the bad reviews – it’s interesting to watch Scott talk about the film without the baggage of what the film became. He also doesn’t think much of the ratings system.
Watch the BFI teasers below along with the Scott interview. If you’re in the U.K., you can find a “Blade Runner” showing near you at the BFI site.