Blade Runner notes and quotes!
Quotes
“This was not called execution. It was called retirement.”
- Opening crawler, 3:00. Discussing the killing of “replicants”, artificial humanoids
created, which due to their manufactured nature, had no human rights.
“A little boy shows you his butterfly collection, plus the killing jar.”
“I’d take him to the doctor”
“You’re watching television, suddenly you realize there’s a wasp crawling on your
arm”
“I’d kill it”
- Deckard & Rachael, 20:35. Conversation as part of Voight-Kampff test, shows
limitations of artificial emotional response
“Commerce is our goal here at Tyrell, “More Human than Human” is our motto”
- Eldon Tyrell, 22:38. Discussing the goals of his company Tyrell Corporation,
producers of replicants.
“If we gift them with a past, we create a cushion, or a pillow for their emotions, and
consequently we can control them better”
- Eldon Tyrell, 22:27, talking about manufacturing the replicants with memories to
make them more human, and less likely to question their nature.
“He design your mind… your brain”
- Chew, 29:57. Chew is a genetic designer who makes eyes.
“You think I’m a replicant, don’t you?
- Rachael, 32:53. expressing her certainty that she is human.
“You must be lonely here, JF”
“Not really, I make friends.”
- Pris and JF, 41:00. Discussion deals with isolation and artificial production of life.
“It was manufactured… superior quality, finer workmanship”
- Store clerk, 47:25. Comment made after viewing a sample from a snake, suggests
that artificial life has become better constructed than natural.
“Christ Deckard, you look almost as bad as that skin-job you left on the sidewalk!”
- Bryant, police chief, 1:00:35. What makes us human? Hinting at Deckard being a
replicant?
“I’m not a part of the business… I am the business.”
- Rachael, 1:04:05. Commenting on the fact that she is not a worker for Tyrell... she
is their product.
“You know that Voight-Kampff test of yours… did you ever take that test yourself?”
- Rachael, 1:07:20. questions whether Deckard himself knows that he’s really human
“I didn’t know if I could play”
- Rachael, 1:10:20. At the piano playing, after realizing that she is a replicant. She
plays as she remembers having lessons, but doesn’t know whether it really happened.
“Why are you staring at us, Sebastian?”
“’Cause… you’re so different… you’re so perfect”
“Yes…”
“What generation are you?”
- Roy & JF Sebastian talking, ~1:15:00. Sebastian notices due to the flawless nature
of them – to be human is to be flawed
“We’re not computers, Sebastian. We’re Physical.”
- Roy, ~1:17:00.
“It’s not an easy thing to meet your maker”
- Tyrell, ~1:23:00.
“All of those moments will be lost in time... like tears in the rain… time to die…”
- Roy, ~1:45:00.
“It’s a shame she won’t live. But then again, who does?”
- Gaff. Shows a sense of nihilism.
Notes about the film
“Fiery the angels fell. Deep thunder rolled about their shores... burning with the fires
of Orc.” – Appropriated from William Blake’s poem America: The Prophecy
Post-modern – elements of cyberpunk, noir, more?
What is it to be human? Ongoing uncertainty about Deckard, replicants are named by
first names while humans are by surnames, replicants are the only ones to show
emotion
Replicants battle was a Sisyphean battle (a struggle to stay alive that ultimately is
futile and results in death).
Existentialism - “All of those moments will be lost in time... like tears in the rain…
time to die…”
Vangelis’ score – majestic, brooding, artificial, clinical, sterile.
Opening shot of city – sets the scene. Dark city, tall buildings and lights as far as one
can see, fire blowing from smokestacks, red haze, nothing natural
Further growth and urbanization of today’s society – buildings higher, lights brighter,
haze thicker, many things built as extensions on the buildings around today.
Destruction of sexual ethics – displayed by Pris (a pleasure model – a life created by
humans purely to be exploited sexually) – parallel with BNW
Coca-cola sign – emphasises to audience that it is our world evolved, shows
consolidation of power in corporate hands
Mud and rocks are on the dirty streets, are one of the only natural elements seen in the
movie.
Tyrell building is large and lavish and spacious, the sun reflects into it, contrasts
heavily with the rest of the city. Highlights the separation between the rich and poor,
and the consolidation of corporate power
Bonsai tree in Tyrell’s office is symbolic of man shaping nature and playing God
Roy’s hand – ongoing symbol of lifespan
Chew is approached by Roy – is affected by the cold when unprotected, but the
replicants aren’t. Highlights the mortality and fragility of human life.
Pris uses JF Sebastian’s loneliness to her advantage – taking advantage of human
flaw/weakness
Deckard dreams of unicorns – nature, freedom
Manufactured animals are sold (playing God), are higher value or “superior
workmanship” – man-made eclipses creation
Deckard is extremely aggressive towards Rachael sexually, shows degradation of sex
as in previous point about Pris and BNW, it is cold and emotionless.
Roy kisses Tyrell before killing him – religious analogy (Judas)
Roy’s mourning of Pris’ death is the only true emotional display in the film – what is
it to be human?
Roy puts nail through his hand to keep it alive – Christ analogy
White dove that Roy has – contrasts heavily with black setting, when released flies
into the first blue sky seen in the film. Co-insides with Roy saving Deckard’s life.