Yes, that's right. There are five versions of this iconic film, and I've seen all of them. Having so many different versions of a film available can make figuring out which one to watch difficult. Here, then, is may take on each version and why you should (or shouldn't) watch each one.
The U.S. Theatrical Cut: This is the original version of the film, complete with an entire checklist of things changed by the studio to try and make the film "better" for audiences. "Improvements" include voice overs that Harrison Ford seems to loath speaking, and a tacked on ending that you can tell has been tacked on. A lesson in what not to let studio executives do to a film. Verdict: Avoid.
The International Theatrical Cut: The U.S. Theatrical cut with a few more seconds of gore added. (I assume these precious seconds were cut in order to maintain the PG13 rating in the U.S., which would mean many more potential money-making audience members.) It doesn't make the film any worse, but it doesn't make the film any better, either.
The Director's Cut: Ridley Scott (and just about everyone else) hated what the studio originally did to his film, and perhaps rightly so. Ten years later, he managed to release the director's cut. Gone is the stupid ending and stupid voice-overs. Introduced is footage which famously changes the entire meaning of the (now) final scene and which has spawned never-ending debate. You could watch this version, but there's actually a better one.
The Workprint Cut: This existed only as a rumour until a few years ago. This is the version that was screened to a test audience and then disappeared off the face of the planet. You could think of it as a kind of bridge between the theatrical cuts and the director's cut. Incomplete special effects. Alternate takes. Alternate voice overs. Everything you'd ever want in a bootleg, really. Ridley Scott finally managed to dig it up and release it. It hasn't been altered apart from a restoration effort, so those incomplete special effects are still incomplete. Watch only if you're interested in the history of the film.
The Final Cut: Essentially a re-mastered directors cut (plus the few extra seconds of gore that the international cut had). Thus, this is the version to watch. The print has been overhauled to look brand new and has been further touched up with CGI. Now, before you cry foul and point out that this is what George Lucas did to the original Star Wars trilogy to the point where he ruined it, Ridley Scott read the cinematic equivalent of "Don't Do What Donny Don't Does" and didn't do what Donny Don't did. I could have probably made that a bit clearer: George Lucas used CGI to touch up the original print and then went overboard by filling the frame with CGI crap and changing elements that perhaps didn't need to be changed. Ridley Scott digitally re-mastered the film, used CGI to fix a few special effects errors, and then left it at that.
So to summarise, avoid the theatrical cuts unless you're a film buff and avoid the workprint cut unless you're interested in the history of the film. You could watch the director's cut and see something fairly close to Ridley Scott's vision, but if you're going to do that you might as well watch the final cut instead and see the version that he's happy with.
This was originally posted (by me) on The Escapades of Private Cox and Other Tales. The original post can be found here: Lambie's Guide to the Five Versions of "Blade Runner"
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