Physical Media Releases (Blade Runner) Blade Runner
The film has been released in more versions than almost any other
Blade Runner exists in at least seven distinct versions, making its home video history unusually complex. The principal versions are: the U.S. Theatrical Cut (1982, 116 min), the International Cut (1982, 117 min), the Director's Cut (1992, 116 min), and the Final Cut (2007, 117 min). A workprint version also circulated. Each differs in the presence or absence of voice-over narration, the unicorn dream, the happy ending, and the degree of on-screen violence. (wikipedia — versions)
Early home video (1983-1992)
The U.S. Theatrical Cut was released on Betamax, CED Videodisc, and VHS in 1983, and on LaserDisc in 1987. The International Cut — also called the "uncut version" — included three more violent action sequences than the domestic theatrical. It was initially distributed in Europe and Asia, later appearing in North America on VHS and as a Criterion Collection LaserDisc, which earned it the alternate name "Criterion Edition." It was re-released in 1992 as a "10th Anniversary Edition." (wikipedia — versions)
The Director's Cut arrived after unauthorized workprint screenings
Positive responses to workprint screenings at the Fairfax Theater (May 1990), an AMPAS showing (April 1991), and the Nuart Theatre and Castro Theatre (September-October 1991) prompted Warner Bros. to authorize an official Director's Cut in 1992. This version removed the voice-over narration, eliminated the happy ending, and reinstated the unicorn dream sequence. Scott provided extensive notes, though film preservationist Michael Arick supervised the actual assembly. The Director's Cut was released on VHS, LaserDisc, and — notably — became one of the earliest films released on DVD, capitalizing on the format's novelty and the film's cult audience. (wikipedia — versions)
The 2007 Five-Disc Complete Collector's Edition
The most comprehensive home video release arrived on December 18, 2007 (December 3 in Europe), as a five-disc set on DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray. The set included the Final Cut, the U.S. Theatrical Cut, the International Cut, the Director's Cut, and a feature-length documentary Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner. Warner Bros. provided 1080p/VC-1 encodes of all four versions. (wikipedia — versions, highdefdigest)
30th Anniversary editions (2012)
For the film's 30th anniversary, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment released two additional Blu-ray editions: a four-disc Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy combo pack, and a three-disc Blu-ray digibook edition. Both centered on the Final Cut with supplementary materials carried forward from the 2007 set. (highdefdigest — 30th)
4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2017)
The Final Cut arrived on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 5, 2017 — timed to precede the theatrical release of Denis Villeneuve's sequel Blade Runner 2049. The four-disc set included the 4K disc (BD-66), a standard Blu-ray of the Final Cut, and supplementary discs from the 2007 release. Only the Final Cut received the 4K treatment; the theatrical and international versions remain available only in 1080p. (amazon, highdefdigest — 4k)