Retrofitting Blade Runner: Issues in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner and Phillip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? [Paperback]

Judith B. Kerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997 | ISBN-10: 0879725109 | ISBN-13: 978-0879725105 | Edition: UNABRIDGED VERSION

This book of essays looks at the multitude of texts and influences which converge in Ridley Scott’s film Blade Runner, especially the film’s relationship to its source novel, Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Essays consider political, moral and technological issues raised by the film, as well as literary, filmic, technical and aesthetic questions. Contributors discuss the film’s psychological and mythic patterns, importance political issues and the roots of the film in Paradise Lost, Frankenstein, detective fiction, and previous science fiction cinema.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From dust jacket: Blade Runner's richness and fundamental integrity will continue to fascinate viewers for years to come. Its implications as a thought experiment provide a starting point for urgently important thinking about the moral issues implicit in a hypertechnological society. Yet its importance in the history of science fiction and science fiction film rests equally on its mythically and psychologically resonant creation of compelling characters and an exciting story within a credible science fiction setting.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Popular Press 3; UNABRIDGED VERSION edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879725109
• ISBN-13: 978-0879725105
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Movies > Adaptations

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest books about this amazing film July 16, 2000

By Ian C. Smith

If you are looking for info about the making of BLADE RUNNER you'd best look elsewhere, but if like me you want to read intelligent analysis of this amazing film then this book is one of the finest you'll find. The range of the essays is wide, looking at every facet of the film; the script, music, symbolism and much more. I've read many books on the subject of BLADE RUNNER and this one was one of the most enlightening and informative. There is more to BLADE RUNNER than you might think - and this book will show you in considerable detail. Highly recommended for fans of the film.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars If you think you know everything about the film, read this. November 10, 1998

By A Customer

Some essays are better than others, and some make connections the creators were probably not trying to make in either the original work or the film. But anyone will appreciate the way in which this book makes clear that Bladerunner is even more relevant to cultural history than most of had supposed it is. If you read this book, you will not only learn about Bladerunner, you will learn a lot about art, government, religion and politics. Highly recommended for hardcore BR fans and anyone who believes that people are still creating works or great merit.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Exhaustive August 29, 2001

By Matthew Walsh

Amazon Verified Purchase

I thought my 10 year career as Blade Runner appreciator would have overturned all the 'stones' of interest - and yet this book yields countless articles many of which containing subtleties and revelations totally new to me. Of course, if you're not a major blade runner fan you'll want to become one first.