““Wake up, time to Wake up, time to die.”die.”

Edited by: Dr. Kay Picart, Donna Edited by: Dr. Kay Picart, Donna Gallagher, and Kristen MillenGallagher, and Kristen Millen

Blade Runner

Show ContentsShow Contents

Production HistoryProduction History

Character Analysis Character Analysis Blade Runner and the Frankenstein Blade Runner and the Frankenstein

Myth Myth

Production HistoryProduction History

Based in part on Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel Based in part on Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Later turned into a screenplay by Hampton Later turned into a screenplay by Hampton FancherFancher

Fancher kept many elements of the novel, Fancher kept many elements of the novel, though he eliminated many key aspectsthough he eliminated many key aspects

Due to disagreements with Ridley Scott, the Due to disagreements with Ridley Scott, the director, Fancher was replaced with David director, Fancher was replaced with David PeoplesPeoples

Production Notes (Cont.)Production Notes (Cont.)

Peoples gave the story its detective, noir-ish Peoples gave the story its detective, noir-ish feelfeel

The monologue of the film was tacked on The monologue of the film was tacked on during postproduction much to the dismay of during postproduction much to the dismay of the director and his starthe director and his star

The originally released film was not Scott’s The originally released film was not Scott’s fully realized version (for example, it fully realized version (for example, it excluded the unicorn scene)excluded the unicorn scene)

The film, which cost $30m to make only The film, which cost $30m to make only made $14.8m at the box officemade $14.8m at the box office

However, much like However, much like Rocky Horror Picture Rocky Horror Picture ShowShow, it obtained cult status and became a , it obtained cult status and became a sci-fi hitsci-fi hit

Production Notes (cont.)Production Notes (cont.)

The director’s cut The director’s cut was not released was not released until 1992, ten until 1992, ten years after the years after the original with original with symbolic unicorn symbolic unicorn scene intactscene intact

Character Analysis

There is one Frankenstein-like character

There is one Blade Runner

There are two male and three female Nexus 6 replicants

There is one helpful assistant

The Image of the Eye

Creature vs. CreatorCreature vs. Creator

Who is the alienated and lonely creature in Who is the alienated and lonely creature in the Frankensteinian myth?the Frankensteinian myth?

Kill Off the WomenKill Off the Women

Who represents power through physical Who represents power through physical strength and sexual prowess?strength and sexual prowess?

Who is represented as the sexualized Who is represented as the sexualized femininely monstrous figure that also femininely monstrous figure that also poses a threat to Deckard?poses a threat to Deckard?

Do both need to be expelled?Do both need to be expelled?