3 Things 'Blade Runner' Teaches Us About Filmmaking

What can Blade Runner teach us about the art of filmmaking? 1982 was a big year for movies-an existential cyberpunk noir film had a tough time competing with Spielberg’s lovable E.T. and yet, Blade Runner has not only stood the test of time, but it is arguably more popular now than it has ever been. Join me as I take an in-depth look at the construction of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and how its cinematography techniques created such a fascinatingly detailed world.
This video is on The Final Cut version of the film.
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
Blade Runner Comic: bit.ly/3yzEPsR
Sources:
Convention Reel: bit.ly/1TYNuKA
Starlog #52
Starlog #55
Starlog #58
Starlog #150
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tech_noir
The Electric Dreamer - Remembering Philip K. Dick
The Look of “Blade Runner” - An Interview With Visionary Designer Syd Mead by Ed Naha
American Cinematographer Interview with Jordan Cronenweth: bit.ly/1RYUZPy
Wallpaper textures by: designmag_dm and AF-studios (freaky665.deviantart.com)
Music:
“Blade Runner Theme” by Vangelis
“RSPN” by Blank & Kytt (blankkytt.bandcamp.com/)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...
“Backed Vibes Clean” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@tribudeuno]

I worked as a lighting technician on Blade Runner. The industry in Hollywood still had a grouping system at that time. So I was easily bumped off a show since I was only a group 2 at the time. The scenes that I worked on were not on the backlot at The Burbank Studios (now Warner Bros. Studio Facility). They were principally near the corner of Broadway and Third in Downtown Los Angeles. They were using the entrance of the historic Bradbury Building, that they had modified by putting large like Turkish pillars outside it like a portico. The Bradbury is a beautiful building that was pretty rundown at the time. When the Bradbury was built in 1893, it was considered futuristic, although a person today wouldn't consider it as such. I credit Blade Runner with saving this building. It is a quadrangle with multiple stories, essentially hollow inside, creating a large atrium, that is covered with a large glass skylight. We were shooting Daryl Hannah's entrance into the Bradbury. Although I worked a lot doing the prepping of lights on the surrounding buildings during daylight hours, at night I was in the bucket of a condor, which was a relatively new innovation in filmmaking at the time. I was running a coal burning arc, stationed south of the Bradbury on Broadway. By the end of the decade, coal burning arcs would be replaced by HMI's... At the time I was told that the movie depicted Los Angeles in 2016, after China had won a war against the US. That was the reason for all the Chinese neon. There was a great amount of gloss that dressed the set, that really didn't read on camera. Like the parking meters that said $5 a minute. There were posters for holographic pornos. They had large street sweeping machines, that didn't sweep, but only sprayed disinfectant into the trash in the gutters. The first time I had ever heard about sushi was the mobile sushi bar parked in the middle of Broadway as set dressing... I also rigged the Pan Am Building, which is catty-corner from the Bradbury. There are scenes in there also. My last day on the show, I advance rigged the Ennis House... Then I every so often passed the shoot on the studio's backlot, New York Street, though I never worked on Blade Runner for the remainder of the show. You never know if a show is going to be a hit or not while you are working on it. The only indicator I ever figured out was if a show is fun to work on, it probably wouldn't be successful. Downtown LA at that time was a pretty sleazy place, Blade Runner was the first time I ever saw rats outside of captivity. Some 15 years later, I would live across the street in the renovated LA Metropolitan Water District Building. The last fight scene in Blade Runner takes place on the roof of that building. The building has 3 penthouses, made from the former offices of the infamous William Mulholland. Nicolas Cage occupied all three of them when I lived in the building... It was interesting when I worked on the movie The Replacement Killers, it seemed that show was intentionally going to all the locations where Blade Runner was shot Downtown...

[@davidjames579]

That was fascinating. Thanks for your memories of working on this classic.

[@RCAvhstape]

Cool, now I need to rewatch Replacement Killers and pick out the sites.

[@lotariovergamota6984]

Wow, that was cool thanks for sharing dude. That must have been an incredible experience.

[@kellyjackson7889]

Thank-you!

[@batmandalorian5504]

Epic !

[@tiffsaver]

I worked on BR too, but as a utility stuntman. This was one of the most difficult shoots I've ever worked on, not because of the gags (not many stunts, except the rooftop scene), but the extreme hours and conditions. On the exteriors, we all worked from 6PM to 6AM everyday, until the sun came up. The set guys erected three gigantic sprinkler systems on New York Street that kept the entire set in a perpetually raining downpour. With so many high-voltage wires going through the pools of standing water, I'm kind of surprised that no one got electrocuted. Ridley was a total perfectionist on every detail of the set, to the point of obsession, but his films are so rich in detail, that it's worth the effort. I noticed that even things like the parking meters has such detail that it was very easy to believe you were in an different world, not just a movie set. I believe that it was very helpful to the actors to work in such surroundings, immersing them in such incredible environments, not just typical Hollywood sets. If you are lucky enough to work on a Scott set, it's an experience you will never forget.

[@morgan97475]

Thanks for what you & your team did. Fantastic film.

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

I feel you, reminds me of working on the Evil Dead (Remake 2012). Supposedly we set the World Record for use of Fake Blood that sprayed over the set from raintowers. We shot 12hr Night shoots, 30mins into the heart of a Pine forest during winter (trees bare of foliage, very horror). Crew was all exhausted and every wrap, as the sun rose we'd see each other as zombie like shadows emerging through the dawn fog, covered in and splashing through rivers of; BLOOD. It stank and of course was syrupy and sticky.

[@tiffsaver]

@@sisyphusvasilias3943 Sounds worst than Bladerunner. That's why I HATE fake blood, made with Karo corn syrup, and sticks to EVERYTHING. The worst.

[@CONNELL19511216]

Any truth to the rumor that Ridley/Giger’s sets for Alien had the effect of creeping out the actors, and actually adding to the sense of tension that is so evident?

[@CONNELL19511216]

@@tiffsaver IMHO ‘Hollywood’ blood looks fake, as it’s far too red. Realistic blood is quite dark, being mostly venous blood.

[@antonnym214]

R.I.P. Rutger Hauer. He had 172 roles, and this film was his pinnacle. All good wishes!

[@DavidHeizer]

I was stunned to learn that his dying soliloquy was adlibbed.

[@is_what_it_is]

​@@DavidHeizer As soon as I hear him start with: "I've seen things...", I get chills. eww. even now just thinking about it.

[@roserose8283]

@Anton Nym - The pinnacle of his career - I agree - and the final scene, his most memorable.

[@roserose8283]

​ @David Heizer - Adlibbed!?I never heard that before. That scene made me a Rutger Hauer fan for the rest of his life. Whenever I saw him in anything, it was overlayed with that scene - which was one of my favorites of all sci-fi.

[@joeyjojojunior1794]

A slew of low budget sci Fi films in the 1990s

[@CMDR_Verm]

Forty years since I first saw Blade Runner. I was 20, now I'm 60, it still makes me cry. Thank you.

[@PimpDragon108]

For me, Blade Runner stands alone as the greatest science fiction film I've ever seen. I know many (including you) pick 2001 - and I totally get it - but there is something about Blade Runner that still impacts me 35 years later. It's so unique, so layered, yet at its core is so human.

[@CinemaTyler]

It's rare that we get a really brilliant sci-fi film that sticks with you forever. Of course, Ridley Scott managed to make two... ;)

[@PimpDragon108]

Here's hoping for a third this summer! Fingers crossed on Alien Covenant!

[@sclogse1]

My bet is Alien Covenant won't seem like a necessary film. It's advantage is that there's always new film goers.

[@Berelore]

Probably not if the festering turd that was Prometheus is anything to judge by.

[@DionysusEleutherios]

I too would choose 2001 ahead of Bladerunner, but marginally so. The Dawn of Man and Stargate sequences are just...yeah. P.S Alien Covenant sucked. High hopes for Bladerunner 2049.

[@alm5966]

I learned, as a 13 year old in 1983, that Blade Runner was the greatest movie ever. And now, in the year it was set, I still think it's the greatest movie ever made.

[@markwilliams2620]

Yeah. I caught it on HBO the first time I saw it. Didn't mean much. December of 1986 it was the second movie on a pirated VHS my brother had borrowed from a friend. I watched it everyday for three weeks.

[@orlandoalessandrini2505]

The first time I saw it was in 1992, in a hospital bed. It transformed my view on what a film should be.

[@duantorruellas716]

I'm only slightly older than you , and yes I agree , as I remember those days . Definitely one of my top 3 films if all time . For me it has it all.

[@Studeb]

@@markwilliams2620 I remember my dad renting it when I was about 11, just as I finished it, my friend rang at the door unannounced, and I said "You have to watch this movie!", and I watched it all over again. It became both our favourite movie. Well, until The Big Lebowski was released, in my case. :D

[@slay2525]

I saw it in the theatre in 1983. I agree one of the greatest movies. Sean Young was amazing. I always wondered why she was not the biggest Hollywood starlet .... 2017 I learned what happened.

[@laddieervin]

I had the great pleasure of working with Syd Mead in 2010 on a video game project. I was Director of Creative Development on a futuristic racing title and we hired Syd to design the vehicles for the game. He was by far the most talented, humbl, and unassuming artists I've ever worked with. He always gave his best and strove to elevate the project. He was a gentle, quiet, genius and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to work with him. Eventually, the game was canceled when the Publisher went out of business. Still, his legacy lives on in Blade Runner and other projects.

[@Vesnicie]

Roy Batty died in 2019 and sadly, so did Rutger.

[@tjriz91]

Wow. I didn't even think about how it was the same year...

[@totalpartykill999]

thats uncanny

[@annehopper6072]

I actually celebrated Roy's birthday in (I'm pretty sure) April 2019, but didn't actually connect Rutger's passing a few months later. I remember one interview with a young Sean Young and she said: "oh 2019, I'll still be alive then". That always stuck with me because it did seem a lifetime ago and now with the "China virus" and collapse, it seems slightly prophetic. I never thought I'd be here; she's an optimist, obviously. The narration makes the film for me, as an aside.

[@ROGUESPIRIT_]

I read that as ratty boy lmfao

[@AaaSWE]

I am born in 1981. I borrowed a copy from a neighbor when I was about 11, knowing nothing of the film, no cover or anything. From the first scene I was blown away. I could not believe what I was seeing. I watched the movie two times that day. To this day, I watch it at least once a year.

[@stvbrsn]

Watching this I'm just reminded of how good Sean Young was in this role. She's not a great actor by any stretch, but her stunning looks and weirdly detached demeanor (a real problem in other contexts) combine to make for the perfect casting choice.

[@TechnoPunk64]

You know it's a great point you make and very interesting. Being "on the spectrum" presents differently for women than it does for men. I wonder... Young's detached demeanor was so perfect. It was as if she didn't know how to react in certain adult situations. You could image the same acting choices would be made if she were playing as a child's mind in an adult's body, the same struggling, quite affect would play out. The same eye movements without head movement. The same strange hesitations as if searching a hard drive for the right reaction. All of it works perfectly for a Replicant who was beautiful, but seemed strangely "off" to the viewer. Brilliant casting choice.

[@yahyakhalid6160]

She is a great actor.

[@zetetick395]

Absolutely, this thought totally holds true for Schwarzenegger in the first Terminator movie as well, I feel.

[@thehighwayman78]

She's stunning

[@bearcb]

You can say the same about the whole support cast, which is one of the things that make this movie great. My favourite is William Sanderson as JF Sebastian

[@EdEditz]

R.I.P. Rutger Hauer. :( (the best actor we Dutch ever had)

[@dontchastop]

He made that movie! His character was the real hero of the film.

[@AudieHolland]

I'll never forget how he let that Asian research/salesman freeze to death while interrogating him. Cold.

[@christophercarnes5225]

On top of that, he’s twice as good at dying in 2019 than anyone else who died in 2019.

[@maven1818]

Tears in the rain !!

[@stevendurham9996]

He was great.

[@1183newman]

Blade Runner is a masterpiece in cinema

[@nightowl7459]

Absolutely.

[@RazorProductionFilm]

yea but boring.

[@MrKadjit]

@@RazorProductionFilm Depend on who you ask

[@istoleurfaceha3527]

@@RazorProductionFilm you most likely watched the theatrical cut, which I saw first and found it boring as well. But then I was introduced to the director's cut and I fell in love with it

[@dentistjohn3223]

Ľubor Fabian I don’t think there is even one boring bit in this movie

[@Ssalamanderr]

I've seen the Final Cut probably a dozen times but watching this video makes me want to see it again! One of my favourite movies of all time, and the atmosphere of the city is a huge part of why.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! It's kind of a shame that no film has been able to match the amazing atmosphere of Blade Runner. I really wonder what the sequel will be like.

[@fishfish8879]

“It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.” ― Philip K. Dick, VALIS

[@davidlean1060]

I love PKD, but let's face it. It's hard to separate his speed psychosis bullsh**t from real insight at times.

[@maven1818]

The characters, the amazing world, the dreamy music, the art direction, the Director, the cinematography, all added up to PERFECTION..

[@briankentpirrie5228]

november 2019 is blade runner month.

[@karlsmith2570]

Yeah, here's the flying cars and the artificial lifeforms?? You can clearly tell that this movie and the book on which it was based on were created well before 2019

[@robotparts]

8 MONTHS AWAY!!

[@Poleit317]

Why that?

[@venturarodriguezvallejo1567]

If I'm not wrong, the year mentioned at the beginning's explanation is 2014. Despite if it is 2014 or 2019, it had benn wiser to put "Los Ångeles, the future".

[@sanda386]

@@venturarodriguezvallejo1567 it's definitely 2019

[@Eralen00]

This is one of the most beautiful films ever made. The set design, art direction, and camera work all work together so perfectly, its magnificent

[@roserose8283]

I watch it again and again for the Beauty.

[@webartist69]

I was there for a few days during the shooting of the tunnel car scene, near Little Tokyo, Los Angeles CA. They closed off or diverted traffic when shooting was getting close to starting which was usually around midnight. That tunnel has been used in a lot of movies i believe.

[@WadeWojcik]

"If we have everything spelled out for us, we lose what our own imaginations add to the world." Brilliant. Really pins down the problem with on-the-nose storytelling. Well said.

[@shaggycan]

Syd Mead and Ralph McQuarrie are basically Gods.

[@MayhemMilIer]

GATORADE ME BITCH

[@LoganWood121]

I'll put Ron Cobb to form the trifeca of genius.

[@HeNnEsSy_HiCcUpS]

Facts

[@thesaneparty4079]

The thing you can learn from blade runner is that- as long as you have Vangelis' music in the background, everything is golden.

[@Mitch.Buchannon]

1492 - Conquest o. P. sucks! One of the most incorrect historical movies I've ever seen (great music by V. though). Chariots of Fire is OK but without the soundtrack by V. it would be pretty lame. In Bladerunner the soundtrack adds some atmosphere but even with music by e.g. J. Biber it still would be a great movie!

[@davidlean1060]

Vangellis and David Peoples are missing from the new BR film and it suffers because of it. I think Zimmer is over rated anyway. The only music of his that I could hum are from some of his earlier films, like Black Hawk Down and Inception. He's been forgettable and 'samey' ever since, for me anyway. From what I hear (from an acquaintance who went looking to work in Hollywood as a composer) Zimmer has a team of writers working for him, so you wonder if the same-y-ness is down to those writers working to a given formula.

[@2112jonr]

@@davidlean1060 Vangelis' work isn't exactly hummable though either. Not a fan of Vangelis, think he's overrated, but for BladeRunner, his music fitted perfectly, I have to give him a lot of credit for that.

[@theboofin]

@@davidlean1060 I reckon the 2049 soundtrack is one of the best things Zimmer has done. Masterclass of sound design and arranging. Great album.

[@davidlean1060]

@@theboofin Each to their own. His work bores me, by and large. Inception has a great score, but everything elese sounds the same to me. He wouldn't be my go to guy, but horses for courses.

[@1pcfred]

I imagine many filmmakers set out to make timeless masterpieces but I wonder if they realized that's what they were making while they were creating Blade Runner? Often in the moment people just don't know.

[@amradio1968]

I literally cannot say how many times I have watched Bladerunner in all its various edits. Sometimes I introduce it to a friend who hasn't seen it, sometimes it's with friends who have seen it, and sometimes it's just on in the background while I'm cooking or coding. I don't know any other movie that does so well in so many situations and moods. It's more akin to having a piece of fine art in the house among an array of paintings, prints and interesting objects one collects during a life well thought. It's more tangible than a regular movie, but more abstract than a sci-fi icon.

[@gunslinger11bravo]

I'm one of those odd people that loves the narration, because it does give it that Philip Marlow film noir feel. My favorite version of the film is the London Release since it adds some key sequences, retains the narration and gets rid of the happy ending crap.

[@zombiebiker5581]

I agree with you,I saw it in the pictures (cinema) when it came out and it blow me away. I love anti hero film noir,to me this is like a tech version of The Maltese Falcon.And it was the first version I saw with my mate at the pictures. And yes what about the film score?

[@davidharper1152]

When I read the original book (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep... many years after seeing the film) I imagined Rick Deckard with Fords' voice .... it really added to the "Philip Marlow" aspect... I like the narration....

[@bullitt65]

The narration makes it for me. The US theatrical version has always been my favorite, narration/gore, and no unicorn scene. I would have preferred no happy happy ending, but I haven't seen the London version. I wish more detail would have gone into 2049. seems like the sets could have used more clutter, and the absence of such clutter and scenes looking sparse let you know the magic was only in the first film.

[@2112jonr]

The happy ending crap was added for American audiences. Just.....WTF? Especially for a dystopian sci-fi film. Not everything has to end with the curtains drawn back to reveal the entire cast singing and high kicking. Nor should it.

[@KutWrite]

Yeah, I especially like the last lines: "We didn't know how much time we had. Who does?" That means even more to me now, at age 74. Same with the "Tears in Rain" speech.

[@homelander2211]

What I love about Ridley Scott's films is that they look so unbelievabely realistic yet very HUGE! It's simply majestic. Just watch his Alien and Prometheus film.

[@CinemaTyler]

Totally agree. Looking forward to Alien Covenant. I really hope it's good.

[@just_doug]

Apparently, in alien the studio was getting really annoyed that he built so many sets, so they had guys on hand to tear them down as soon as Ridley stopped filming on one. To combat this, Ridley shot on multiple sets at the same time, getting cameramen to gather exposition in one set while he directed the actors in another.

[@Uvisir]

@@just_doug result was great!

[@theshoes7488]

“Take Care when fighting monsters, that you yourself, not become a monster.” -Neiche

[@jerrywbrice]

... and when you gaze into an abyss, the abyss gazes back into you. -Nietzsche

[@jerrell1169]

The Old Shoes Bruh, I know Nietzsche’s name is hard to spell but surely he’s not that niche

[@murdockfiles9406]

Great video! Though I dislike the 'Deckard is a replicant theory'. It misses the main point of the film how Deckard, a human, rediscovers his humanity through the replicants he's hunting. And, in my opinion, that scene where Rachel asks Deckard if he took that test himself didn't actually imply Deckard to be a replicant. The question had merely meant to convey that Rachel's results as a replicant may not be so different in comparison to Deckard who is human. This was supposed to contrast the differences between humans and replicants.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! That's an interesting take. I can totally see where you're coming from. I interpreted it as Rachel, having had her reality destroyed by this realization, questions Deckard's reality in an effort for him empathize with her. I don't think she is directly accusing him of being a replicant himself, but rather that the line was for the benefit of the audience. Once she says it, the question is out there for the audience and it doesn't have an answer. Personally, I hope that they don't make any definitive statement about it in the sequel.

[@murdockfiles9406]

CinemaTyler "Personally, I hope that they don't make any definitive statement about it in the sequel." Agreed. It'll be fascinating how they address Deckard in the sequel. Even though Harrison Ford has obviously aged, I hope they keep his identity somewhat ambiguous as to not ruin the enigma of the original Blade Runner

[@yosharian]

Murdock Files deckard is not a replicant. deckard is the human element of the story. deckard being a replicant is just some crap Ridley arrogantly decided upon after the fact. other key makers of the film disagreed with his theory. if deckard is a replicant then many scenes throughout the movie lose their impact. priss overpowering deckard through strength and dexterity for example? loses its impact completely if deckard is a skin job. the story just falls flat. it's just a cute theory that people think about because it seems 'clever'.

[@Yatsura2]

The idea that Deckards weakness was created on purpose to make replicants even more human kinda increases the impact to me, so I dont really understand your point...

[@ThreadBomb]

I agree that Deckard should not be a replicant. It adds nothing to the story; it's a twist, but it has no meaning. It also does away with the important element of Deckard beginning to relate to replicants as human.

[@Ertimeotkhedi]

The colors, the sound, whole atmosphere - everything in Blade Runner makes me to shiver from joy. From channel Bad Comedian

[@matt.pma.kresnaputra5458]

Nothing is like the aquatic and high feeling of Vangelis' soundtrack

[@CinemaTyler]

Such a great film! Nothing has been able to match its wonderful aesthetic!

[@myyellowsub1]

The best video I've seen about Blade Runner. Thank You.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much!

[@dalienware668]

You should watch the documentary called "On the Edge of Blade Runner".

[@74360CUDA]

@@dalienware668 Like a snail.

[@TGill]

I honestly do not get any more excited for a video to be atop my subs than your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@CinemaTyler]

That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks!

[@garyzod8818]

Another fantastic documentary, keep up the good work.

[@JohnInTheShelter]

One of the things Dick read in his research for High Castle was the diary of a Nazi guard at a concentration camp. In it he complains about not being able to get to sleep because the young prisoners in the concentration camp. Dick said he thought "What kind of human can complain about being kept awake by the crying of a child in a concentration camp?" That led to his idea about the androids. I think it's one reason he reacted so negatively to Scott's early comments about the replicants being supermen.

[@daniellasullivan6398]

Great video essay! I've watched a lot on Blade Runner, but you really managed to catch quite a lot that I wouldn't have come across otherwise :)

[@consciousmonster6062]

You have one of the greatest channels I've found on KZbin. I am extremely thankful for your insight and the amount of work that you do. This is a great way to get people involved in the art of film, but especially the younger generation who make up a large portion of the traffic on YT. Keep going, man!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much for your kind words! It's people like you that make this all worthwhile!

[@paulayala4816]

Still one of my all time favorite films. I love how Blade Runner incorporated some well known locations into the set of a futuristic Los Angeles. Everyone who worked on this film really knew what they were doing, and how they wanted to show another side of progress or the future, one which isn't so pretty. Despite being a future noir film, it portrays a more believable, almost prophetic future from the mix of language, the debris of society, and environmental issues. These are just the elements, and not the story itself which delves into current issues such as Ai, and disproportionate wealth.

[@ruready4adventure743]

My favorite movie of all time. The layers, music and screen players have had such a profound impact in film . I’m so grateful for Ridley Scott, Sean Young and Harrison Ford.

[@WomanNextDoor]

Bought the soundtrack on vinyl in '84, still have it although it's seen better days. Watched the film countless times, each time something new catches my eye. Thank goodness, Ridley Scott, directed this film, his attention to detail is second to none.

[@NotoriousOzTheMan]

This is my ultimate favorite movie. Beyond the amazing cinematography, the storyline and acting is impeccable. The depth of the analysis of how this movie was filmed compliments the movie itself. Exceptional description of the way the movie was filmed that adds to the appreciation of the movie.

[@pedrobuson5880]

AMAZING JOB!!! Turned out to be one of the most insightfull analysis on Blade Runner I saw. I'm shooting this post apocalyptic short soon and this video will help me get into some of the shots I'll have to light. Thanks só much!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! Happy to hear I could be of help!

[@nirvana613]

Lovely presentation and narration Tyler.Can't get enough of these types of videos about film and cinema.

[@infiniteandroid]

The love and creativity that went in to this film is unsurpassed in my opinion. thank you Mr. Scott. also Vangelis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@NarcoticDimension]

btw its so refreshing to see a video channel actually responding to fans etc... you really dont see that much. great video! subscribed.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much! It occasionally gets a bit overwhelming. I usually let comments pool for about a week and then respond to everyone when I get some free time. Thanks for noticing!

[@myopenmind527]

One of my favourite movies of all time. Thanks for shedding light on another layer. I really enjoyed your insights.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@ZakDeCourcy]

I've only just stumbled on your fascinating video essays. Really appreciate the time and effort you've put into creating these wonderfully instructive pieces. Thank you

[@Sunlight70]

Of all the Blade Runner analysis videos on KZbin this, for me, is the most interesting; through archive footage, interpretation and editing. Nice going.

[@chrisculpepper5384]

RIP Rutger. Like tears in rain

[@Idiosyncfilms]

Fascinating video! The thought and level of design detail that went into this film is intimidating - it shows just how important collaboration and team work is in cinema.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I totally agree. It's crazy to think that Ridley Scott made this only a few years after Alien.

[@Idiosyncfilms]

You can see how a lot of the lessons from Alien went into this. I would ask you to analyse Alien but it's been scrutinized to death and would end up as very similar to this video re value of artistic collaboration.

[@CinemaTyler]

I'll probably end up doing one on Alien at some point. One of my Patrons suggested it and I think it just barely missed the top 5 for the vote video. I really like Giger's work and would love an excuse to take a closer look at his stuff.

[@CinemaTyler]

Wow, this is great! Thanks!

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

Thanks for all the good work in researching these movies and putting together the videos about them so I might better understand what I have seen.

[@MrGoodpairofshoes]

Out of all the cinema channels I’ve come across on you tube “you” are by far the best for so many reasons I really enjoy the work you do thank you very very much Tyler

[@nicolaim4275]

When I saw Blade Runner the first time, the TV-station had mixed up the subtitles for the directors cut with the normal theatrical release. Having Deckard's commentary on the situation only appear in text actually worked really well in many parts of the movie. I didn't even notice at first until a banner came up with a text loosely translated to "we're sorry for the additional subtitles" .

[@winstoncely694]

The order of the scene in the with Racheal and killing Leon is jumbled from the original script and I think this explains the practical reason why she is in the background. However, I love the idea that Gaff does know who she is, and lets her go.

[@CinemaTyler]

Wow, I didn't know that! Thanks for the info-- very interesting!

[@juanmiguel5060]

I dont understand what you just said and I still dont understand why Gaff just passed next to her. He knows one replicant is missing and needs to be killed

[@kimcalvert-smith9631]

I live where Scott grew up. The heavy industry of the ICI Wilton site had a huge influence on Blade Runner. When I see the site lit up at night it's almost like being there in the film.

[@davidlean1060]

I remember being on the road from Sheffield to Manchester. Looking down at a train station platform as we passed over the tracks on a bridge, I noticed the same shaped street lamps that feature in Scott's film.

[@Voldein]

man this channel is pure gold, keep up the good work

[@ethanevenson3855]

these are always fucking incredibly well produced, smartly written videos. thank you, and keep up the good work!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@superdrumdavid]

Wow that's some really good observations. Loved the movie since the first time i saw it and always wonderded exactly what it was that draw me so much to this movie. I think after you pointed it out now that the level of detail and how the whole world interacts is my main reason and of course the really good story line. Well done video

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@stevecox7075]

I think your videos are terrific: informative, intelligent and very engaging. Thank you for all your hard work and passion.

[@fischek]

enjoyed this thoroughly, props on the amount of effort that went into creating this vid!

[@AbirTarafdar]

great video man. learnt some stuff i hadn't seen before. what a great film to rewatch.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@tlr9403]

Nice one wow. I really want to rewatch the movie now!! thanks!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! It's always a good time to watch Blade Runner!

[@codyblake1794]

Dude you have one of the best channels I found in a long time. Thank you! nice work on the transitions n cuts as well.

[@NavajoIndianaJones]

Great breakdown and review of the filmmaking process of Blade Runner

[@jackandthepals1372]

Such an iconic movie I can't believe it only made 5 million dollars profit it's a lot better than some science fiction films which have took hundreds of millions

[@FLMUSACanada]

Great work, I've seen this and your Barry Lyndon video as well. Two of my all-time favourite movies, for different reasons of course. I still can't believe "ET: The Extra-Terrestrial" won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 1982!

[@juanmiguel5060]

1983, not 1982

[@baraka99]

What a comprehensive review. Loved your video

[@kalebdison6976]

Amazing as usual. You taught me so much about a film I've seen dozens of times. Loved every second of it and will definitely re-watch this video quite a few times.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I hope I pronounced your name right. This was such a fun one to research-- thanks for suggesting it!

[@durable1988]

"Just one more thing" - haha, nice phrase to slip in there Columbo.

[@suricatakat6476]

Excellent work! Blade Runner is absolutely my favorite movie, and it's always great to see a new positive, critical analysis of it. You made and observed a lot of great points. With that said, this is the first video of yours I've watched. I don't doubt that you're very interested in the subject, but your delivery could use some energy. As it was, I kept hoping you'd sound less like you were reading off a card and more like you really sincerely interested in what you were relaying to the viewer. I hope you don't take this as too negative - I very much enjoyed your perspective.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for the suggestion! I like getting feedback on ways I can improve. I do really find the voice-over to be the hardest part for some reason.

[@GaryLau2099]

This is quite in-depth and awesome! Thanks!!

[@boombaby1769]

Man, thank you SO MUCH for the link to the comic! This is amazing shit, especially the "magazine-like" part at the end. A must see!

[@MakoTheFrog]

I really didn't like blade runner the first time i saw it, something about it seemed emotionless and disengaging, but after recently watching the final cut in preparation for the sequel i have to say it's grown on me alot, it's way more rewarding to figure everything out using your own imagination as its happening rather than having these large clunky bits of exposition force fed to you through narration.

[@bazel1176]

Hello Ron Maimon , DECKARD IS NOT A REPLICANT! Thank you, that is all.

[@246spyder]

The narration was perfect for the story style, the old black and white film noir detective story. I am so glad that I did not see the directors cut as I know that I would not have bothered to ket the set. Fortunately, I got the box set at a very good price because I couldn't find the first release with the narration. But yes you're not alone since a number of people agree with. For me. at '74 yrs of age, it was what I always remembered from the radio and the old '40s movies. It was and will always be a great movie, not the book still a good stand-alone creation. I collect First Editions (signed) and do have his work along with many golden age SF authors, name one and chances are that I have them.

[@sulphuric_glue4468]

@@246spyder Everyone involved in the creation of the movie concluded that the narration made it worse and that the director's cut / final cut is the superior version of the movie. The narration harkening back to old movies does not make it beneficial to the movie. Older does not mean better, and there are many cinematic techniques from back in the day that we should be pleased are falling out of fashion - such as narration, which is widely considered by experts in the field to be a lazy and boring method of dumping exposition on the audience.

[@videotrash]

I really love Blade Runner - have been searching for movies that hit a similar sweet spot for a long time, but never found anything quite on that level.

[@CinemaTyler]

I know what you mean. Hopefully the sequel will! I think if any contemporary director can hit that sweet spot, it's Denis Villeneuve.

[@videotrash]

CinemaTyler true, all of his movies since and including incendies were either good or great- so i really believe that the new blade runner won't suck. i'm also curious about the other scifi film he's directed- sounds pretty interesting plot-wise

[@thomasr.jackson2940]

Great stuff on a great movie. Thanks for pointing out Rachel at the end. I had never caught that. When talking about lighting, I was surprised you didn’t give passing mention to the use of light to contrast the wealthy ziggurat dwellers, living in the (albeit hazy) sunlight and above the rain (Dekard even has to make it darker for him to do his test). and the rest of the population, living in glaring neon and other artificial light on streets of perpetual precipitation. But so much to say about lighting alone in this film. Really a brilliant movie that captured the essence of Dick’s work, even as it departs from the specifics in so many ways. And so fundamentally visual.

[@mmickle6191]

This was an excellent upload. Every time I watch this movie, I'm still in awe of how wonderful it is.

[@KevinStriker]

Well worth the wait.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@porcupineracer2]

Man, you're almost at 100k. Can't wait to see your channel skyrocket when you hit that milestone. Your channel deserves more attention.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much!

[@EezhamDemon]

Great work as always, dude. Blade Runner is one of my favourites and you went into great depth. Also really liked the new graphics you're using. They flow really nicely with the entire piece!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I've been doing some After Effects tutorials and I really liked how the parallax effect looked with the titles for the topics. I think I'm starting to find a good balance mixing Premiere and After Effects.

[@thewhitewolf58]

found you from a cinefix suggestion and you found a new subscriber who's burning through your playlists

[@CinemaTyler]

Oh cool! From the 'related channels' section? Thanks for watching!

[@NFL-XFLAustralia]

My favourite movie of all time. Ridley Scott is truly a master. I think the way this movie is shot is down to 2 things. Before film Scott made adverts & he took this to distract himself from the death of his brother. I think those things together definitely influenced his direction.

[@NathanRichan]

Your channel is a cut above every other film analysis channel because no one goes as in-depth on the practicalities of film making as you do. You've got interviews, production photos, production videos, alternate takes... Hell you even went to a museum to show us an original model! I especially liked the part where you compared the alternate take of the noodle bar scene with the one in the Final Cut version. They look like two different films. I wish you would have talked a little about the soundtrack/soundscape, though, since I think it's a huuuuuge part of the overall atmosphere in the film (let alone one of the best film soundtracks of all time). But you nailed in on everything else.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate it. I love the soundtrack! I was thinking about having something about the soundtrack, but I've seen it covered so well in the making-of documentaries that I didn't really feel like I had anything new to say. It really does encapsulate the feeling of future-noir. I don't think I've heard anything quite like it anywhere else.

[@m.valentinesmith4845]

Absolutely brilliant observations and critique, adds tenfold depth to the work. Thank you..

[@Its_RichieRich]

My new fav channel. Thanks glad I found you.

[@tjriz91]

Greatest sci fi movie of all time, hands down. For me personally, it's in my top 5 of all movies, any genre. And that's coming from an all around cinema enthisiast who dabbles in every type of film, dating all the way back to the silent era in the 20s.

[@Kornknealious]

I was lucky enough to watch the (now infamous) Denver Sneak preview. They showed what is called 'the work print" I was 18 when I saw it. Given the random audience reactions, I think I may have been the only one who liked it. I talked to a few random fellow audience members Most said they found it confusing and didn't want to see it again. Funny...but I loved it for that exact reason. finally, a film that did not spoon feed its audience with both visual AND verbal cues. Scott made a film that gave visual OR verbal exposition.. If you have seen the work print, I'm sure you caught the one bit of very different Voice over Ford delieverd that wasn't stiff or lifeless. I kinda like it..but again, either say it or show expostion..not both at the same time

[@MiyabiJNEP]

Such good content. Thank you for this. Kudos!

[@georgemorley1029]

This really makes me appreciate how wonderful this film is, even more than I already did.

[@leodale7236]

8:00 What is this, a Tyrell Building for ants????

[@j.griffin]

@9:09 I don’t believe that those are “wires”- They appear to be “optical fibres” which today are often better known as fiber optics.

[@chrisanderson687]

That seems very likely. They look like fiber optics. We didn't have white LEDs back then (since white LEDs are really combination of red green and blue, and we didn't have blue back then). So it seems unlikely they would rig up a bunch of tiny light bulbs, which wouldn't look great and would be really hot. As I recall the starship models for Star trek tng had lots of fiber optics to get all the little white lights working.

[@snowhusk]

Maaan, your channel is truly a gem of cinephile content. This video in particular made me want to rewatch this film. I read the book a looong time ago and then watched the film immediately after. And honestly, I didn't like it storywise, but I always gave it credit for its atmosphere and shots composition. This video sparked interest to give it another shot, now with more appreciation for its ingenuity. Thank you for that and keep up the stellar work you do

[@FreakishPower]

Beyond World Class yet again. Amazing work.

[@guilhermecordeirorodrigues798]

QUANDO É: FICÇÃO CIENTÍFICA + NOIR + MISTÉRIO + SUSPENSE = PURA PERFEIÇÃO!

[@XDD2012]

badcomedian рекомендует!!!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@sisyphusvasilias3943]

Good study man. I appreciate and enjoy your passion.

[@NR-rv8rz]

One amazing thing about BR that people never seem to mention is about the sound. Not just how great the environmental sounds were or how great the sound track is. But how the sound track took many cues from the environmental sounds that were happening at the time a particular part of the soundtrack was playing (or vice versa). Sometimes it's not easy to know if an environmental sound is actually environmental or part of the music (or vice versa). I've never seen another movie where the soundtrack is an organic part of the environment.

[@PlainNoNameGuy]

Well done on the content - keep it up! Hello from BadComedian :)

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@krugetos]

Хорошее видео.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@duantorruellas716]

Cinema Tyler , I must say you've done justice to one of my top 3 films of all time. You have the greatest personality, it says I'm honest, intelligent, and friendly. You're narrative signature is one I feel many to strive to obtain , very smart , trustworthy , young and easygoing. You have that kind of all American timelessness in your voice that can be used in television and radio ads . It's a non threatening bright intelligent manner , And i wish you the best as I've been a fan for a while. Stay safe and healthy my friend. 🇲🇦

[@chocho8036]

brilliant ! thank you one of my favorite films ever, saw it in the 80's and very little as good since... also learned a lot and got great ideas for my own writing project from watching this, that i did not get from watching the film itself

[@matt.pma.kresnaputra5458]

Hi cinematyler, i just watched frenchconnection and dog day afternoon last week and found your channel which happen to feature both films in analysis! Lucky me! Great stuff man, i hope you continue with this, i look forward to it. I recently watched the blues brothers and a streetcar named desire. Check them out if you havent yet!

[@CinemaTyler]

Haha, that's great! Thanks for the suggestions!

[@eduardotirado839]

Still to this day, one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made...

[@LouLope]

Awesome job analyzing this movie!

[@ChrisBrodhead]

That was awesome! I've read every Blade Runner production book, watched every video I can find on KZbin and still I learned a ton from this video. Thank you for making it!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! That makes me so happy to hear!

[@ChrisBrodhead]

+CinemaTyler love your videos. You make learning fun! Haha especially when it's learning about my favorite movies. Great voice and super clear editing. Big fan!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for the kind words!