As we discussed in the podcast, Ridley Scott and the cinematographer, Jordan Cronenweth, most definitely made photographic choices that were inspired by, and were intended to evoke, the classic film noir visual style. For example, the light/dark contrasts in Deckard’s apartment and Tyrell’s ziggurat, looked straight out of movies like Double Indemnity and The Third Man (though in color rather than black and white). At the same time, there’s something distinctly Ridley Scott-ish about the cinematography, including the use of a particular color palette, that looks consistent across early Scott efforts like Blade Runner, Alien, and The Duelists. All three movies had different cinematographers, so you can say for sure that whatever consistency there is among them, Scott bears a lot of responsibility for that look.
I’m not throwing out these observations just to be a movie-making nerd, on top of an ancient geek. It’s these touches that make these movies exceptional, especially for their time. If you had the very bright lighting of a lot of geek cinema of that era (see, for example, the movie The Changeling, which looks like it was filmed with klieg lighting from every possible direction), they would have been far less effective as movies, having less impact on cinema than they did.
Must be my (and plenty other people’s) favorite movie. Seen it countless times since opening week (I was one of only 4 people in the cinema). The cinematography, composition, art direction marry beautifully to the best score/soundtrack ever by the wondeful Vangelis.
It's been forever since I watched Blade Runner - I saw it in a huge theater when it first came out. Stunning! I need to watch it again soon, although I won't have the option of such a beautiful venue..
You can see stylistic similarities. Especially all those windmills which exist only for visual interest. I recognize that from Bladerunner, for sure. Might be in Alien, too.
That shot in particular as well as exteriors of the ziggurat is what I always thought of as the "Chanel No 5 commercial" since they seem so stylistically congruent with the Chanel advertising at the time.
Meanwhile, I just viewed the actual Chanel No. 5 commercial Scott made and well, it doesn't look like that.
I guess the themes in the visual of extragance, tranquility, beauty and wealth are congruent.
As we discussed in the podcast, Ridley Scott and the cinematographer, Jordan Cronenweth, most definitely made photographic choices that were inspired by, and were intended to evoke, the classic film noir visual style. For example, the light/dark contrasts in Deckard’s apartment and Tyrell’s ziggurat, looked straight out of movies like Double Indemnity and The Third Man (though in color rather than black and white). At the same time, there’s something distinctly Ridley Scott-ish about the cinematography, including the use of a particular color palette, that looks consistent across early Scott efforts like Blade Runner, Alien, and The Duelists. All three movies had different cinematographers, so you can say for sure that whatever consistency there is among them, Scott bears a lot of responsibility for that look.
I’m not throwing out these observations just to be a movie-making nerd, on top of an ancient geek. It’s these touches that make these movies exceptional, especially for their time. If you had the very bright lighting of a lot of geek cinema of that era (see, for example, the movie The Changeling, which looks like it was filmed with klieg lighting from every possible direction), they would have been far less effective as movies, having less impact on cinema than they did.
It was so different visually from anything else that came out that year. Amazing film making.
Must be my (and plenty other people’s) favorite movie. Seen it countless times since opening week (I was one of only 4 people in the cinema). The cinematography, composition, art direction marry beautifully to the best score/soundtrack ever by the wondeful Vangelis.
It's been forever since I watched Blade Runner - I saw it in a huge theater when it first came out. Stunning! I need to watch it again soon, although I won't have the option of such a beautiful venue..
Ok, while I'm at it, here is another Ridley Scott commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XLyCDsKhGo&list=PLx2OWmZZeY-pZeveu-MYbacQNiq2oBB_z&index=1
You can see stylistic similarities. Especially all those windmills which exist only for visual interest. I recognize that from Bladerunner, for sure. Might be in Alien, too.
That shot in particular as well as exteriors of the ziggurat is what I always thought of as the "Chanel No 5 commercial" since they seem so stylistically congruent with the Chanel advertising at the time.
Meanwhile, I just viewed the actual Chanel No. 5 commercial Scott made and well, it doesn't look like that.
I guess the themes in the visual of extragance, tranquility, beauty and wealth are congruent.