In a move that has me absolutely salivating, Warner Home Video issued a press release yesterday morning announcing the content and street date for their highly anticipated Blade Runner: Ultimate Collector's Edition set!
This mammoth 5-disc set will be released Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 on standard definition, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD and will contain no fewer than five, yes FIVE, versions of the Ridley Scott classic, including:
- the new "Final Cut," created by Ridley Scott and containing new footage and updated special effects.
- the 1992 Director's Cut.
- the 1982 Domestic (U.S.) theatrical release.
- the 1982 International theatrical release.
- the famed Workprint!
All five versions of the film have been newly remastered, and though Warners hasn't announced the technical specs, we can reasonably assume it will follow the standards set by their other recent HD releases (1080p/VC-1 video encoding, and a Dolby TrueHD soundtrack).
The set will also contain a treasure trove of bonus features, including a 3 1/2 hour documentary entitled "Dangerous Days" that reassembles the principle cast, over 45 minutes of newly discovered deleted and alternate scenes, features on visual effects, script development, abandoned sequences, conceptual design, Philip K. Dick, the author whose book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was the basis for the film, and the overall impact of the film itself.
No price has been announced yet, but you can bet I'll be the first in line. My boss can expect my vacation request for that week.
