From Alien to Blade Runner: The Genius of Ridley Scott

Sigourney Weaver, Orlando Bloom and Geena Davis reflect on the visionary Ridley Scott who has taken us from the ancient past to dystopian futures.
This episode of The VICE Guide to Film first aired on VICE TV in 2016.
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[@VYBCTV]

Ridley Scott & Stanley Kubrick are the only two Hollywood film makers in my opinion who could visually communicate with us through amazing cinematography and symbolism. They give audience something to think rather than spoon feeding everything to audience. Great director Ridley Scott. Iam your big fan from India.🇮🇳🙏

[@stevecowder4774]

Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen both Alien and Blade Runner. But what can I say, those movies are intoxicating, thanks to Ridley Scott. And The Duellists is definitely no slouch.

[@redcomet0079]

He’s in the top 5 of greatest film directors ever

[@ninja.master]

After 2001 Space Odyssey Alien & Blade Runner influenced everything in our pop culture today. He's a real legend.

[@mikebasil4832]

Indeed. Both Alien and Blade Runner quite profoundly redefined so much for the SF cinema.

[@jondoe9548]

The fact that we get free videos from VICE on KZbin is priceless, keeping the education and knowledge alive. 🙏🙏🙏

[@callumhemmings5215]

The Vice Guide to Film has helped me relearn why I love this artform so much, please keep it up!

[@J___0926]

You know that Ridley Scott is one of the best when two of the most influencial and popular science fiction films are Alien and Blade Runner

[@hashmashrulz]

I didn't like either of them 😅

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Absolutely love some of Scott's films. And he's still going.

[@erniescrabshack]

Nice of Ridley Scott to make an appearance in a documentary about his work

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Such a visionary. An impact on the world

[@blaisetelfer8499]

The Lat Duel was pulled from theaters after a week because it flopped, but it is honestly some of Scott's best work of the past 20-25 years. Way better than that "House of Gucci" movie he directed that came out the same year and hogged all the promotion.

[@mctapoutos7426]

The Last Duel was really really good , I was really surprised after few lesser movies he made

[@witchingbrew3]

House of Gucci was actually meant to be "camp" but most people didn't get that

[@duartelucas5746]

@@witchingbrew3what does that mean?

[@duartelucas5746]

@@mctapoutos7426I loved it!

[@w.d.g.]

This is why I love Ridley Scott so much. I have seen all these movies, but only own about half on disc. I need to buy the other half, in a way where I'm not dependant on a corporation or internet to view them, then really enjoy them all in order, again. Thank goodness we have this man!

[@publicspace234]

Buy the VHS

[@jackbuff_I]

God damn.. just seeing that little clip of the incredible legend that is and will always be Rutger Hauer, has my eyes filled with tears just like it did the first time I saw it. Just an absolute masterpiece of a film👌🕊

[@obioraabiakam1604]

Hobo with a Shotgun was his masterpiece of acting.

[@merrymartin3335]

Such an underrated talent

[@gohumberto]

There are several lesser directors who receive much more praise and publicity than Scott. Despite making so many epic films I genuinely think he's under-appreciated. Blade Runner was a box-office flop in 1982 but I've watched it more times than any of the 28 more successful films of that year. It has aged better than almost all of them. I think that's what separates Scott from the others. He's a visionary. Star Trek, Wrath of Khan (1982) was a polished movie but it didn't say anything different than the Original TV Series (and I'm never watching "On Golden Pond", or "An Officer and a Gentleman", again, once was more than enough). Blade Runner seems to get more relevant, more accurate, more contemporary, with each passing year. PS. Try watching it in Black & White. It immediately becomes 1940s classic Film Noir.

[@tombassman]

@ 4.55 She says that the ship environment was “like a diesel truck” and “lived in” - I’ve seen Scott say in an interview that he saw the weathered, used universe of Star Wars which inspired him to make the crew like “truck drivers”.

[@southlondon86]

That shot at 4:13 - I never realised that was some serious foreshadowing there. Ripley (the only survivor) & Ash (the traitor) are separated on the left of the frame while the rest of the crew who all die are on the right. Harry Dean Stanton is obscured.

[@FatherDyer1990]

If you called Ridley the greatest living filmmaker, I wouldn’t bat an eye. In terms of his total volume of output, genre adaptability, and ability to finish giant films on time and under budget, very few living comparables.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Lol, no. Quantity doesn´t mean quality.

[@Ro7ard]

​@@MrCarpen7er Who's better then? He's made almost thirty films in the last forty years with a genre defining piece in each decade, only having a handful of films that were poorly received overall. Coppola hasn't made a good movie in around twenty years. Spielberg is really safe with his material and fell off when he stopped taking risks. Scorsese would be the only other contender for the amount of quality films he has made over the course of his career but even he's had more flops than Ridley, on top of playing it super safe with his material like Spielberg. There's nobody else who can come close to Ridleys resume currently

[@nms7872]

@@Ro7ard so because Scorsese had flops he is worse than Scott? Ridley scott never made anything as good as Taxi Driver or Goodfellas. He made very different movies, but still, Scorsese is operating in a different league.

[@user-lj1ch8uh4n]

@@nms7872 What different league?! Scorsese never even went out of his comfort zone during all these years, his movies are masterpieces but the subject doesnt change that much at all and Ridley simply eats him when it comes to cinematography and monumental scale productions. Cant compare! I love both of them anyways

[@cjwright79]

here's hoping that his four-hour directors cut of Napoleon makes a lot more sense, I hear it will be on Apple TV on January 6th

[@IndelibleHD]

Absolute master at his craft.

[@cptkirkpyro5656]

the opening shot of blade runner is a motion control of 5 different miniatures shot by exposing the same roll of film 5 different times. the flames are real!

[@StereoChimps]

now this is a director that is always working so hard to release masterpieces!

[@DrummerAndyTaiwan]

do one of these with Staneley Kubrick plz VICE

[@Loweredexpectationss]

Man. Ridley must hate Legend as much as Tom cruise does because they NEVER talk about it. Its one of my favourite films and with Tim curry as darkness... damn that was a great flick.

[@dickiedocker]

More of this please ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@RP-ks6ly]

I saw Alien in the theater as a 9 year old. I made it to the burster scene and spent the rest of the film in the lobby (covered in coca cola and popcorn butter). That was my first Scott film and i have been hooked ever since then.

[@mannyespinola9228]

Thank you for this video

[@kelownatechkid]

Incredible work, great director!!

[@jalvarez066]

Gladiator, Hannibal, Aliens. My top 3

[@leifellis5148]

Everytime I see these I have to go and watch every damn movie they ever made lol. I just got done with my David Fincher Tour, onto Ridley Scott which will forever be my favorite. RIP mom, we got Xenomorphs to watch. That was our favorite series together. I remember watching Alien for the first time and being in awe and terrified. Nothing quite compares. I think it’s safe to say Ridley Scott is a catalog I have gone through naturally many times. Hail Ridley Scott!

[@cyberpunkchloe9]

Wow! Vice talking about Sir Ridley Scott, nice❣️

[@tormentorxl2732]

Love his movies!!

[@kosh2001]

Well done!!

[@gauravbanerji4740]

He is Masterclass!!

[@theadamfontana]

This was really good!

[@sergiola310]

How can u not mention Hannibal. He did an amazing job directing that!!!!

[@martinsorenson1055]

I guess they were fixed on making a 20 min video since they skipped over a LOT of his movies. He does have a rather large filmography, so to go into all of them would make for a really long video. It would be interesting to see a video focusing on his smaller, or more intimate films, like, Someone to Watch Over Me, Matchstick Men, or The Counselor.

[@CrucialEllamint]

I love ridley Scott he makes life a lot more enjoyable thanks for all your hard work i would love to meet him

[@brandonroyce2356]

I wouldn't expect them to cover 1492, because NOBODY remembers it. Although inaccurate, it's beautifully shot.

[@thenotoriousvlog5986]

Classic movies love it

[@MR06174]

Vice media you did it again.

[@Gurpreetsingh-ou7lm]

Amazing

[@user-si2gm5il2j]

Awesome movies

[@Pawel274]

Ridley Scott is a great example that films are not only the work of a director, but also a team effort. It was Scott who forced the unicorn scene into Blade Runner and forced Ford to record the narration for this film (Ford, as he claims, made the narration as bad as he could with the hope that Scott wouldn't use it, but he used it anyway).

[@markb.265]

Wrong. The studio wanted a voice-over recorded and made Scott do it, who made Ford do it. Next time know what you're talking about.

[@Pawel274]

@@markb.265 source?

[@skojhaxx]

​@@Pawel274 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versions_of_Blade_Runner#US_theatrical_release_(1982) "But financiers rewrote and reinserted narration during post-production after test audience members indicated difficulty understanding the film. Scott did not have final cut privilege for the version released to cinemas.[" and then under directors and final cut ridley removed the narration.

[@silvershadchan4085]

@VICE could you please make a video about From Batman Begins to Dunkirk: The Genius of Christopher Nolan

[@bexabunny674]

Excellent documentary on one of the best directors in film history

[@notacpu5321]

Thanks vice :)

[@edwardduarte7393]

Garrison interrogating Atto scene is so fucking beautiful. It's a perfect the ratio of purple to green. The trail of the cigar smoke.

[@alpineflauge909]

world class content

[@BonnChnd]

OF ALL TIME!!

[@justinjoerger6253]

my 2nd favorite director of all time behind Michael Mann

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

How the hell is there not a 3 parter on Terrence Malick the actual GOAT.

[@Mister_Karl]

For a director the level of Ridley Scott, that was way too short.

[@paperstacksfilms]

Ridley scott, steven spielberg and Scorsese are the greatest directors of that generation. Whos the best kf fhw three is really just personal taste

[@DarkAK2]

Idk if this is a recent video of Orlando Bloom but the dude hasnt aged at all

[@yongwilson929]

Loved Kingdom Of Heaven. Must see, Gladiator was amazing. Aliens scared the crap out of me still on reruns too!

[@akidthatskates284]

Good stuff 👽

[@KORUN666]

I'm definitely a huge fan of Ridley Scott, he's my favorite director since he made Alien the 8th passenger which I saw in Theater, and if Blade Runner for me is his masterpiece, there are 2 movies I can't watch over and over, it's 1492 and the Counselor. Then, I can't wait for the next one, he has this power to make everything believable and real.

[@matthewcrome]

He reminds me of more a sci-fi version of Cronenberg and Carpenter (I know the former has already been covered, but seeing one on Carpenter would be awesome! Especially talking about The Thing, They Live, and In The Mouth of Madness). Exploring psychological themes through special effects and sci-fi/horror. Also I wonder if Blade Runner's visual aesthetic inspired Brazil. I know they were released within 3 years of each other, but it's entirely possible.

[@feloniousfilms]

1:41 - tell your editor that they misspelled "The Martian" in the lower left corner graphic.

[@ThankyouJesus81]

He has a new movie coming out soon

[@northerners2828]

Peace on Earth 🌏🕊️

[@j2248]

From Alien to Blade Runner was 3 years (1979-1982)

[@thorenshammer]

I was never bothered by the slasher films of the time. Their story lines were so predictable… but “Alien” was the only film that ever gave me nightmares. That’s powerful storytelling.

[@chrissyknowsitall5170]

Where can I watch this full episode? Anyone know? Please!!

[@tananario]

You are.

[@thestratman7903]

I've seen that hand through the wheat shot copied at least 15 times since in tv/film.

[@briancoemusic]

Geena Davis is in my mind rennnnt free

[@silvershadchan4085]

@VICE could you please make a video about From Aliens to Piranha II: The Spawning: The Genius of James Cameron

[@nicee_guys]

Is this movie an advert for upcoming Alien: Romulus ?

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool director, genius w/ God-given talent to look at 4 screen and know what to do about it. I didn't know Maximus was a roman general? God bless.

[@jakeyurkovic4076]

No mention of Legend?

[@cjwright79]

It's a pretty sad state of affairs that when people cite Ridley's best works, they somehow overlook Gladiator and The Last Duel. these are absolutely top-flight A++ creations, some of the best that have ever been made, and if you can't see that, may I humbly suggest there's something defective with your eyes and more particularly your soul. that being said, I didn't absolutely love the Last Duel on first viewing, but after a few more, I began to realize just how incredible it is. Kinda like Watchmen or TRON: Legacy. You've got to get on its wavelength first, notice the subtle narrative, emotional, philosophical undercurrents.

[@Brownyman]

"Before I lose it, I will burn it to the ground. Your holy places, ours, every last thing in Jerusalem that drives men mad." "I wonder if it would not be better if you did." -Balian and Saladin, Kingdom of Heaven

[@mikebasil4832]

Of all the powerful female characters that Ridley Scott gave audiences, Pris (Daryl Hannah) in Blade Runner is my favourite.

[@sahusanalysis7661]

😮

[@Prathamkokaje]

Vice doesnt speak on Hamas situation rtnw.

[@brotherhoodtf]

Damn they didn’t even talk about Legend!?!?

[@dornravlin]

This is the first documentary to acknowledge the value of Ridley Scott cinema really Scott is always been hit or miss, but I’ve always disagreed that he is a hollow Director

[@PassportBrosBusinessClass]

Make it darker!!!

[@brandonrobertkersjes]

They blurred it out?!?!?!

[@beinformed4283]

Pathethic, i know

[@ritchierich2793]

HOT TAKE: , i think ridley Scott is a better film maker in the crime and thriller and also mockumentary rather than known by the fans for his sci fi.....

[@ssotkow]

Newfound respect for pretty boy Orlando Bloom. Dude is so eloquently poetic when unleashing his philosophical prowess. How ignorant I was were thinking the actor who played an elf who can shoot an arrow.

[@TheKageDj]

Ridley S is a God, because only Gods can create like he dose !

[@random666777]

I hope Napolean will make the list.

[@lilchaos4792]

A coroner's official said Tony Scott "did not have any serious underlying medical conditions" and that there was "no anatomic evidence of neoplasia [cancer] identified".

[@petarrakoc1416]

That's interesting, I've never heard of that. Do you have a source for that?

[@SeniorAdrian]

source?

[@lilchaos4792]

@@SeniorAdrian literally wikipedia

[@lilchaos4792]

@@petarrakoc1416 wikipedia

[@hangingon]

Of all the things I see & hear on KZbin they have to blur out the baby alien? WTF???

[@akidthatskates284]

Can’t wait for napoleon

[@user-qp2xy5zs7r]

Triple G OG!

[@azv343]

You blurred the alien?? Jeez

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Am I the only one to be distracted by the names Ridley and Ripley?

[@KronantheBarbarian]

Not a mention of "Legend"... did I blink?

[@chrisivan02]

Matchstick Men, The Counselor, Exodus, House of Gucci

[@msguy5877]

Next: David Fincher

[@garethbeaton8414]

Any one go on the aliens ride wher you go through hallways with a team and you got to keep going to the end i was a kid it was ace alins lookt real and the marinens wera cool miss that

[@rawlo2202]

AMC 🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@jorgefiguerola1239]

Blade Runner 2019?

[@user-dc1dr9kr8x]

Who owns vice now and is in charge f content i wonder

[@churroinyomouf]

Vice cooking

[@jackbuff_I]

so _which_ northern industrial town?.. sounds inconsequential but stuff like that boils my piss. Fkn details VICE.. details..

[@dire12343]

Legemd was prolly the best of all these... the best fairytale film...

[@user-nz1vp8gj8r]

WE NEED A PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON EPISODE!!!

[@MrJihadkoplo]

black hawk down make me join army and travel around the world being a war junky...never regret it, still have the original cd from 2001

[@psychicstonner8086]

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