Ridley Scott on Blade Runner's Tears in Rain Monologue (2017) | Rotten Tomatoes

Rotten Tomatoes Senior Editor Grae Drake spoke to Ridley Scott, director of 'Alien: Covenant' about Rutger Hauer's famous "I've Seen Things" monologue from 'Blade Runner,' and how it came to be.
Watch the famous scene here: • Tears in the Rain - Bl...
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[@cleveque]

Rutger Hauer should have become a much bigger star than he is.

[@brendi9822]

HE DOESN'T PLAY THE GAME. SHINES IN ALL HE DOES. AGREE.

[@ericbrett3095]

As long as we remember him he will the bigger star and his moments will not be lost like tears in the rain.

[@andywood375]

he inspired a lot of actors tho

[@heliopolis29]

I wholeheartedly agree. The Hitcher was great but I think we needed some gritty sci fi roles for him which we were eluded sadly.

[@vvthetalentlessduo6976]

Yep

[@iandavidsson5674]

Wow I had no idea it was Rutger Hauer who wrote that monologue. I felt that the whole of the movie boiled down to that line. To think that it was the actor, not the screenwriters who came up with it. It literally defined the existential reason of the film.

[@civilsavage6337]

Ian Davidsson his writting and his statement about living in fear and thats what it is to be a slave. Everything came down to those two thoughts and expressions. Powerful ending!!! I would say the best movie ending I know.

[@Artificial-Insanity]

He didn't write it from scratch. He took the monologue from the script and shortened it dramatically and added the "tears in the rain" part.

[@Luciferus200581]

Rutger Hauer is an awesome and very undervalued and underrated actor... and he's also incredibly proud of this line.

[@brendi9822]

HE ACTUALLY WROTE THE OPENING. FIT IN PIECES FROM THE MONOLOGUE. ADDED THE WHOLE ALL THOSE MOMENTS AND VIOLA. HE STILL SHAPED IT ALL INTO THIS SPEECH. SEEMS LIKE YOU CAN'T ACCEPT THE WAY IT HAPPENED? THAT HE WAS TALENTED ENOUGH TO DO THIS? HE DOES WRITE AND BEAUTIFULLY.

[@smartwatcherss5718]

@@brendi9822 i agree with you. He had the brains to create and the talent to act or bring it over to the screen

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

This was apparently edited for people with the attention span of a strobe light. Why couldn't they have just let Ridley explain how Rutger brilliantly rewrote his monologue, creating quite possibly the single greatest spoken lines in movie history, so moving that at the conclusion of the shoot of him speaking them, the entire film crew broke down in tears?

[@johndoe7270]

I didn't know that the film crew did, but I know I did, simply from empathy for the character. Probably one of the most emotional moments ever delivered on film.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

@@johndoe7270 It really is. Rutger Hauer said more about life and death in those four short sentences than an entire novel on the subject ever could. The coincidence is that Roy Batty is portrayed as dying in the year 2019, the exact same year that Rutger did indeed die. This dying soliloquy has now made Rutger Hauer truly immortal.

[@andrewpetik2034]

Exactly.... I would like to have heard more. I will be actively seeking better video of his explanation on Mr. Hauer's process of writing it...or better still, Mr. Hauer talking about his process of writing it.

[@keepitsecret-dl1pr]

It's definitely the most moving and beautiful monologue ever delivered in cinematic history.@@Gunners_Mate_Guns

[@MoluskToeCheese]

Cool interview Awful editing

[@Bachishaman]

Look mah, I found WordArt.

[@globnomulous]

The rapid, jarring cuts and frenetic, weak editing made this video incredibly unpleasant to watch.

[@thejanusproject32]

Probably because its Rotten Tomatoes

[@AllThingsFilm1]

That's Rotten Tomatoes for you. Just like their reviews they pick out what they like and leave behind the rest. Poor film reviews at that.

[@FinsaneLorist]

Correct, REALLY unpleasant to watch!

[@Flufferz626]

Also sounds like Scott is fucking wasted. If they didn't sub his words I couldn't derive half of the shit he said. Still you're right, the jump cuts were jarring

[@user-bf5pk8lh3w]

i agree.. shitty video

[@ronaldjohnson7449]

Blade Runner was always going to be a great movie ... Rutger Hauers monologue "I've seen things" made Blade Runner "art"

[@EdwardPCampbell]

More than 'art'. Monumental and existential :)

[@andrewdods2236]

Ed in Burgh Because of delivery ...

[@jchangesqlawcenter]

Well said.

[@chrisb6296]

don't forget the music that went with it too

[@1292liam]

exactly

[@genarosiles1869]

Rest in peace Rutger Hauer. Thank you for this magnificent monologue and your iconic performance in Blade Runner. You'll never be forgotten.

[@MrTantraMan]

That monologue was absolute genius

[@sshatterhand239]

Time to die. 2019 the year Blade Runner is about and Rutger dies. R.I.P. And thx for this perfect moviescene. IT IS really perfect.

[@licafontana1491]

Genaro Siles 👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

"Now, he belongs to the ages."

[@bugvswindshield]

Lady Hawk was my favorite film of his. He totally stole the show.

[@charliep2059]

One of the greatest lines in film history - and it was written during production by the actor. Amazing.

[@bugvswindshield]

look into Gladiator. Much the same. Ridley Scott is a genius at getting the best out of his actors.

[@franktaylor7978]

Gotta give Vangelis credit. That soundtrack at the moment was sublime. Every little chime and tone made every word from Rutger’s mouth hit 10x harder. What a masterpiece.

[@keepitsecret-dl1pr]

No-one can write a touching ambient piece with so many deep layers like Vangelis can.

[@ericbrett3095]

I saw it when it was released in 1982. Even as a 17 year old kid I was still affected by the Roy Batty tears in the rain monologue. I left the theatre thinking on what he said "all those moments will be lost like tears in the rain". It gives a sense of mortality and, at age 54, I look back at those moments in my life and wonder if they too will be lost like tears in the rain.

[@jeremywilson2875]

Ditto, except 56. Bladerunner has been my favorite movie for some 40 years now.

[@Native_love]

Same here and I married my Rachel! 33 years together in December! ❤❤❤❤

[@awabooks9886]

Same age, I saw in theater as well. Incredible cinematic event, immortal monologue. That Rutger passed in the same year Batty did in the film (2019), is beyond chilling 🎆

[@marcelmichorius2298]

It is true in real life. Think of it. when someone passes away. the next of kin will remember him or her. two generations later it is only a picture in a shoebox. and the next generation doe's not know the person at all. all your memories are washed away like tears in the rain.

[@KramSurfer]

Yup like Disney's Coco.. Like when the Héctor Rivera's friend Chicharon, dies a second and final time, forgotten about...

[@commonsense2680]

It wasn't just the amazing words, the way Hauer delivered the lines, his facial expressions and how they subtly changed, and the whole dark rainy setting made this one of the best movie scenes of all time. I cannot even think of a scene that touched me as much that this in all of Hollywood. Mr. Hauer was truly a brilliant actor. RIP great one.

[@keepitsecret-dl1pr]

Yes, it was largely all in his acting and absolutely perfect delivery, which was beyond Oscar-worthy. He was no actor here; he was, quite literally, Roy Batty.

[@robertslipek7311]

RIP Roy Batty, 2017 - 2019 Rutger Hauer, 1944 - 2019

[@andrewdods2236]

Robert Slipek .. ‘16

[@MajorJakas]

The replicants last about 4 years. Roy Batty was made in early 2016, and died in late 2019. But all the same, R.I.P. Mr. Hauer.

[@RodMartinJr]

Rutger Hauer's monologue in Blader Runner is one of my top favorite movie lines ever. After the movie went to video, I played the whole movie probably a dozen times, even making a movie party out of it for friends. Some people may have hated the film, but this -- this was and is a classic.

[@andrewdods2236]

Rod Martin, Jr. So did we. Mates and I.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Hated Blade Runner? I haven't met one yet. Don't want to meet them.

[@Ambienfinity]

A great moment of genius. Hauer's additional words turned a good film into a truly great one.

[@dragomirmarinov3891]

They're not just additional words. In fact, there was a huge, operatic monologue in the script. Hauer just threw that away and replaced it with his brilliance.

[@xxxdddxxx3791]

The fact Ridley immediately said "NO" to Rutger saying he made a poem.

[@rufussamsquanch_6547]

Lol I think he must've done that quite a bit.

[@cs512tr]

his delivery is just as good as his monologue itself

[@Daysed.and.Konfuzed]

It's a really deep and emotional subject... ...edited like they're talking about their favorite Looney Tunes moments. WTF?

[@Sunnyellow]

Mad Geo yeah, it's bizzarre because fans of Blade Runner are hardly going to appreciate that kind of editing 😕

[@MisterLumpkin]

It's the new human attention span; 3 seconds, max.

[@toodsf1]

Oi don't disrespect my Looney Tunes like that XD

[@MrMiniMeister]

Most contemporary directors would have tried to add those unbelievable moments into the film for spectacle. but Ridley showed incredible discipline by having him basically deliver his backstory in a few words and yet it was the most powerful moment in the movie.

[@stpatty3310]

Not only that but having them only mentioned instead of us seeing them heightens the fact that the memories will be lost with him, as will all our memories be lost with us.

[@JumpingJack6]

From the time Roy sat down to the moment the dove flew off screen totaled 98 seconds.... probably 98 seconds of the best cinema I have ever seen... Thank you Ridley, Thank you Rutger.

[@jogolock1190]

Not only the best monologue in the film, also one of the best in the history of film if not the best.

[@Tjw1]

RIP Rutger Hauer, a truly magical film moment for me, that will never be lost, like tears, in the rain. Thank you.

[@TheScotchaholic]

R.I.P. Rutger Hauer - Thanks for your unique energies into the roles you played, and for being part of my film viewing experience.

[@musicmusic6595]

People genuinely don't quite get that this speech would be nowhere near as good as it is without the music, that vangelis sound track drove it home incredibly well and set the entire mood with the fantastic setting. A lot of things went right in this part of the film the acting from rutger to the speech it's self shortened down beautifully, but that music drives it.

[@perseus9428]

With writing that immensely touching and profound monologue, Rutger Hauer , without knowing it, insured his immortality in Cinema.

[@LeadershipAlliance]

One of the most epic lines ever shared on film. Sublime, beautiful, monumental.

[@forestpepper3621]

The first time I saw Blade Runner, around 1989, I didn't know it was a highly regarded film; it just sounded like a typical science fiction flick. But by the time the credits were rolling, I felt "stunned", for lack of a better word, or "blown away". Clearly, it was far more than generic science fiction; it makes profound statements on the human condition that resonate in the minds of the audience.

[@HartmutJagerArt]

... and we are getting closer and closer - to make 'Blade Runner' look like a documentary !

[@TheCinderellaman10]

Rutger Hauer played iconic parts in films from Blade Runner to The Hitcher and beyond

[@williamking1766]

Favorite scene from my favorite move! Period. End of story. The very subtle body language and as someone mentioned the rainy underscroed background music made this a very powerful vignette on the frailty of humanity! What courage to leave this in. Thanks!!!

[@bertraminc9412]

My favorite moment in all movie history.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Ditto It's timeless.

[@nick1635]

Same here, it gets me every time I watch it, and I've seen the film many more times than any other film.

[@bertraminc9412]

@@nick1635 same here. I watch it every year on my birthday.

[@kenleonutube]

knowing he wrote that monologue himself makes it even more incredible. What a tremendous talent.

[@tiffsaver]

HE WROTE THIS MONOLOGUE?? Holy shit, man. The only equal to this would be Robert Shaw's "Annapolis" speech in Jaws. Unbelievable.

[@thomasmassey322]

tiffsaver that would be the USS Indianapolis...

[@tiffsaver]

+Thomas Massey Thanks for the correction.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Yes, Robert Shaw's recounting of the tragedy that befell the USS Indianapolis in "Jaws" was as good as it gets. To me, "Tears in Rain" is the very best of them all, but Shaw's story is right behind it.

[@Legoisjustsogood]

This is without a dubt one of the best lines of all time spoken in a movie, and it's even more amazing when find out that Rutger himself wrote the speech

[@einc70]

Fist time I've watched it back in the 80s I honestly thought Ford is gonna ger his ass kicked. Lol he had no chance against him. Turned of events he just needed someone to be heard before he passed on.

[@morganum87az]

Yeah its like he wanted to die in company

[@andrewdods2236]

Morgan Pryds Yep .. share a bit more Life, before none ..

[@keepitsecret-dl1pr]

he also didn't want to die alone he had truly "become" human

[@loridurko3373]

Hey, Rutger. You are the man forever. I was on Mt. Ranier, listening to the Blade Runner tape while my Mom was getting chemo at Fred Hutchinson's. We got stuck in a blizzard ! You Are the man. Forever and a Day. I love You.

[@goswannie14]

The most amazing scene, the words are so fitting for anyone who is dying. Thank you Rutger Hauer for this thoughtful, powerful speech.

[@felipecarmona9948]

I saw this movie for the first time in a prison in Cuba for trying to escape in a raft. I saw it in a black and white 17" russian tv. and still was amazing. I have seen it now probably 50 times with my high end suround system, B&W (the 802 nautilus) speakers powered by my monoblock 400 amps amps, etc it is an experience every time. The music is out of this world, the acting, and for me the memories. I was only 22.

[@05Hogsrule]

Epic. I am one of those that enjoyed the film and was thrown back in my chair the moment I heard "Roy" with those last moments. There is no other actor that could have accomplished what Rutger had. ...and the Oscar goes to...Rutger Hauer.

[@patrickkever706]

one of the best scene in cinema history-great actor great director great movie

[@HartmutJagerArt]

- Indeed I can't recall a scene or words in all the movies I have seen in 70 years - as great as the one Rutger Hauer wrote and played !

[@evadd2]

One of my favourite scenes for Media in all my classes. Still ahead of its time for cinematography and ideas. Great movie.

[@lucdaher]

Once in a life time! I don't remember watching another movie with a line so intense as that

[@sleepyskorpion]

same, this is the single most memorable scene from any movie

[@Neogeozz]

So nice Ridley gives Rutger Hauer the credit he deserves for them lines... Still on most top 20 monologue list after 40 years...

[@TommyTipex]

Rutger hauer is a poet, it's a truly beautiful scene

[@panpiper]

Truly one of the greatest monologues in the history of cinema. Rutger Hauer was criminally underappreciated.

[@davidstokes925]

By the time Roy finished saying what he had to and died. I would have given anything to have those memories. I was bawling!

[@fuckweedMegafayce]

why chop the video mere seconds and destroy the emotion and meaning? imagine a kid who'd never seen the scene clicking on this first time and seeing how frantic and botched a job the editor did on this mess? FFS lads, back to advertising and marketing school

[@mikelynch2938]

Isn't that the way they do things now? :(

[@nym5qu17]

i cry everytime i watch that scene

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

You and the rest of the world with a soul. It's impossible to maintain my cool when the movie finally comes to that part.

[@keepitsecret-dl1pr]

because it's a natural reaction to absolute perfection

[@donnybrooklads]

I remember the actors getting PO'ed at Scott over the continuous rain shots on each set but heck was it ever worth it in the end - mood, drama and mystery.

[@bobbuilder7227]

watched Alien and Blade Runner on same night long long time ago, still the best films i'v seen

[@andywood375]

there will never be another Rutger Hauer. He was truly a one-off.

[@kefrenferrer6777]

Nexus Roy wrote this jewel?, he deserves an oscar.

[@brendi9822]

AMEN. WE TRIED.

[@barbbishop8906]

Ridley Scott was trying to tell the woman she looked ridiculous

[@starwarsroo2448]

I honestly thought that was a gay man till I read your comment

[@sammiller3444]

it was good that they made it easy for us to determine that all on our own

[@DrAndyShick]

It's Grae Drake. She also dresses weird

[@HartmutJagerArt]

- Indeed I can't recall a scene or words in all the movies I have seen in 70 years - as great as the one Rutger Hauer wrote and played !

[@BARON.SAMEDI.]

That is the scene for what he should get an Oscar...long time ago !!! There are actors ..artists...but Rutger is on a much higher level!!! One of the most underrated actors of all time!!! I simply can't understand the Academy awards Policy at all !!!

[@HartmutJagerArt]

That Academy awards Policy has a long list of wrong decisions !

[@contrafax]

Rutger Hauer made one of the greatest moments in cinema.

[@armandoruiz8963]

My all time favorite movie with the best monologue with the best theme being played at the same time, beautiful 😎😎

[@drde4010]

Rutger Hauer was spectacular. Such an incredible actor. That movie would not have been the same without him. RIP

[@Debbie338]

I still remember it word for word and I quote it to anyone who asks me about the movie.

[@stoneage6379]

This scene always gives me goosebumps. I've never seen any moment in a movie more profound and beautiful. I loved Ruger Hauer. Still do. A truly mesmerising and extraordinary actor.

[@suzannezoubeck5216]

Will agree with the legions of fans here that this is one of the most perfect and moving scenes and performances in all of cinema, and it couldn't heave existed without Rutger Hauer's brilliant written contribution (and everything else around it...meaning the rest of the film). ❤☮🌎

[@bobothehobo420]

Hauer is brilliant

[@Lightrunner.]

Rest in Peace Rutger Hauer🙏🏽🙏🏽. Ive never meet him, but my wish was it😢

[@tekannon7803]

If there was any moment in cinematic history captured on tape it was the Tears in Rain Monologue. It catapulted Hauer to galactic fame and Harrison Ford has never equaled his stellar performance since. Thank you, Ridley, you have made some great films and it is so sad your brother chose to end his career in such a sad way. It must have been devastating for you...

[@KronnangDunn]

R.I.P. Rutger...

[@jackfisk2840]

I've lost count of the number of times when talking to a group of mates, I've said: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe!" RIP Rutger / Roy

[@user-cv5hz3qx6e]

R.I.P Ruger hauer

[@bugvswindshield]

that is one of the best moments of all film. I am blown away that Rutger Hauer wrote that himself. Loved his work.

[@Turbomgzt]

Vangelis music simply enhanced an amazing movie scene and lifted to an awesome level.

[@marquonuk]

Rutger Hauer clearly understood the point of the story and in particular the feelings of his character (and those of the other replicants, no doubt, although they wouldn't have had the sensitivity of Roy Batty to be able to articulate the emotions) to such an extent that he was able to express them in such a poetic speech about the ephemeral nature of life, a statement written quietly like that in his trailer. It was the perfect meld of actor and character, and beautifully captured on film.

[@franklinnash]

Probably the greatest monlogue ever put down on celluloid.

[@lagaman11]

WOW! I had no idea that Rutger Hauer wrote those famous lines.

[@knightridernz72]

Wow that's amazing and it's such a great piece of dialogue and the way he delivered it was so memorable.

[@samuelfgonzalezrivera3283]

Those lines made the movie for me. Can't wait to see next movie!

[@scopex2749]

RIP Rutger and thank you for the single most powerful, poignant and defining ending of any movie - that i can truly relate to as my clock counts down...............

[@kerrywoodlock6646]

A simply brilliant performance - a five star film- Roy Batty was such an important character.

[@videosilike1]

One of the best movies I've ever seen I think I was about 24 when I saw this movie fell in love and the theme song I bought a computer game which I still have and 4 years was hoping of a Blade Runner 2 to be released now 30 years on I'm 54 I just rewatched the first Blade Runner haven't seen the new movie yet but somehow I don't think it would be up there at the same scale as the first first Blade Runner has so many different scenes so many different moods all-in-all an outstanding movie I'll get back to you on the second one and hoping that there is 1/3 1/4 1/5 Blade Runner movie to come

[@Dune137]

I saw the movie when it first came out and fell in love with it as well. It's in my top 3...Ridley Scott is my favorite director and Rutger Hauer is my favorite actor. I did not like Blade Runner 2049....didnt have much, if any, depth. Sadly, Rutger Hauer died last week and it's hit me like a shovel to the face. Truly depressed about it.

[@tonycmac]

A great movie moment! For sure in the top ten. Long live the Fighters!

[@caronstout354]

Ya hiya chouhada!

[@nemo227]

It was a fascinating movie. Years later I was driving my son around the industrial area near the El Cajon airport and we did a U-turn to see some unusual cars near a warehouse. We saw the building used in the dark rainy opening of the movie. It was just a model about 4 or 5 feet high. We saw the futuristic police car used in the movie and the early batmobile from the TV series and a bunch of fascinating stuff from several movies. It's amazing how they can make things seem real when it's in a movie.

[@dannyh7676]

Legend

[@vincebellisano1347]

That ending was so gripping.

[@raffaelafarci3640]

Great actor. R. I. P ROY

[@maltimoto]

Rutger Hauer wrote this last monologue himself? This is insane, this man is a true genius!

[@kadecooke9963]

It is 1 of my top 5 sayings and speeches. Its perfect…

[@ajbutler2528]

I cried like a baby. He was more humane than the blade runner

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Yes, precisely the point. Deckard was the one man Batty should most have wanted to die, but instead he saves Deckard, a singular act of mercy, then tells Deckard about some of his most remarkable experiences as his life ebbs away, desperate for at least some of his memories to go on in Deckard's mind. It's such a powerful, incredibly moving scene, and it has a timeless value to it. I'm a grownass man, and every time I see it, I get choked up.

[@suem6004]

You mean torturing and eye gouging people to death? Hmmm who do you hang around?

[@ajbutler2528]

Sue M we are talking absolutely the acting craft thatRutger proved he had. Do be so silly.

[@MajorJakas]

@@suem6004 yea, doesn't sound very humane, at least our boy Harrison Ford killed his targets quickly.

[@MajorJakas]

@@ajbutler2528 My granny always told me to only use words I knew the meaning of. Try it out. You won't get made fun of as much.

[@smittys19daytona]

Saw it when I was 16 i knew then it was so far ahead of its time and still my favorite of all time

[@civilsavage6337]

I had no idea he wrote that until tonight. Its my favorite movie ending of all time. Rutger Hauer is the man!!!!

[@JR-bj3uf]

I have a friend, more learned and studied that I, who said that this speach is the essence of much German poetry. I never knew how to confirm her assessment.

[@occam5123]

Still the best movie ever!

[@Presian94]

RIP Rutger Hauer

[@leftcoaster67]

What's amazing is the way that Roy was more human than Deckard was. Deckard was "burnt out" by the job. Roy was like almost everyone. We want more of life. Rutger was brilliant.

[@leequigley2077]

Speechless

[@MisterLumpkin]

Rest In Peace Rutger. You will be missed.

[@boudusaved4719]

They should do a prequel (movie or TV series) of Rutger Hauer's character from inception to coming back to Earth and the opening scene should be this monologue and then a flash back in time so that people can get an idea of why he did what he had to when he came back to Earth. I think any of us would have done the same thing. He was more human than those who pursued him and his replicant friends.

[@onegoalkeeper]

RIP RUTGER I WAS IN SEATTLE WHEN THE MOVE CAME OUT I ALSO GOT A PRIVATE SHOWING OF ALL THE COSTUMES AND PROPS AT THE SPACE NEEDLE LIFE LONG FAN PERIOD WENT ON TO MEET EDWARD JAMES OLAMOS AT A FUND RAISER IN CARPINTERIA CA GREAT MOVE

[@xScooterAZx]

Rutger's monologue made me cry when

[@badrouter501]

i never come to this site again,

[@brownkenazi6557]

Rip :(

[@MateuszTTT]

He should have made more films with Rutger Hauer.

[@otherchan02]

Goosebumps still in 2023

[@keithgraham4747]

Hauer's magnum opus. His character dies while the actor claims immortality.

[@toAdmiller]

When the movie came out, I was 17 and so clueless...I wanted to see Harrison Ford as Han Solo...and instead, I got something wholly different. The pacing of this movie was nothing like Star Wars (thank goodness) and was never intended to be anything like SW...It took me YEARS to watch and re-watch this movie to understand its profundity....Something that even SW couldn't achieve...I'm grateful to have been of the generation that could (eventually) appreciate its depth....It's trite to say, but they "just don't make 'em like this anymore..."