"Father" vs "Fucker"

In this video, Scott states that the "I want more life, fucker" line was replaced with the "I want more life, father" take. I definitely understand his reasoning on it, as it does make sense in context to the scene, especially with how Roy acts ("I've done...questionable things...") but I was wondering, what is the opinion of other Blade Runner fans on this change?

An expletive!

Context wise, "father" is most apt. But "fucker" makes Roy look real bad ass.

The "father" line was used in the American broadcast version, so basically it's a bowdlerization. It is a bowdlerization that was approved of by Scott, sort of like the use of "shoot, negro!" and similar bowdlerizations in the American broadcast version of Pulp Fiction written by Quentin Tarantino.

I suppose that Scott has the right to do this, provided that the writers also are on board. But I liked the harshness and menace in the original line. He is not being reunited with his father. He is facing the evil genius who made his enslavement possible.

I would have rather they kept the line as it is. However, again, Scott has the right to do this. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky that Scott didn't go the George Lucas route and bury the film under layers and layers of CGI eye candy.

What?
...
I somewhat can understand, but think it is a pity.
Rutger was told to say it in such a way that it could sound like both. And I always liked that.
Indeed; the menace and bitterness in it.


(I even made my laptop say the line, so every time it shuts down you hear that, still makes me laugh out loud very childish, I know )

:shock: An expletive!

Context wise, "father" is most apt. But "fucker" makes Roy look real bad ass.

Scott had noted that. They thought it was cool and edgy at the time, but now they see it differently.

The "father" line was used in the American broadcast version, so basically it's a bowdlerization. It is a bowdlerization that was approved of by Scott, sort of like the use of "shoot, negro!" and similar bowdlerizations in the American broadcast version of Pulp Fiction written by Quentin Tarantino.

I suppose that Scott has the right to do this, provided that the writers also are on board. But I liked the harshness and menace in the original line. He is not being reunited with his father. He is facing the evil genius who made his enslavement possible.

I would have rather they kept the line as it is. However, again, Scott has the right to do this. I guess we should consider ourselves lucky that Scott didn't go the George Lucas route and bury the film under layers and layers of CGI eye candy.

Really? I was under the impression that the actual take was only ever in the workprint. Was it an overdub done by the television studios? I can only ever remember the TV versions cutting off "fucker" from the line.

:shock: What?
...
I somewhat can understand, but think it is a pity.
Rutger was told to say it in such a way that it could sound like both. And I always liked that.
Indeed; the menace and bitterness in it.


(I even made my laptop say the line, so every time it shuts down you hear that, still makes me laugh out loud very childish, I know )

Neat! I have my computer shut down to "Milk and cookies kept you awake, eh?" because I usually go to bed rather late.

:shock: What?
...
I somewhat can understand, but think it is a pity.
Rutger was told to say it in such a way that it could sound like both. And I always liked that.
Indeed; the menace and bitterness in it.

Yes he slurs it quite heavily, but it always has sounded more like fucker than father to me. In fact i didn't even know about the father alternative until i turned on the subtitles and saw it. It is a fatherly situation with admittedly Oedipal connotations. "Father i want to kill you! Mother i want to fuck you!" Tyrell being both mother and father.

The Door's "The End" just made a lot more sense to me now.

There are actually three versions of this line (and you'll see all three in some form if you get the 4- or 5-disc sets):

"I want more life, father." - Workprint, Final Cut
"I want more life, fucker." - Theatrical, International, Director's Cuts.
"I want more life." - Alt. broadcast version (shown in Dangerous Days.)

Given that "father" is used in the Workprint, it actually makes it the original choice, historically-speaking. The line was then changed to "fucker" for the last 25 years and has now been restored to its original state, at the director's request.

Having said all that, I slightly prefer "fucker." But not so much that I'm going hold it against the Final Cut.

There are actually three versions of this line (and you'll see all three in some form if you get the 4- or 5-disc sets):

"I want more life, father." - Workprint, Final Cut
"I want more life, fucker." - Theatrical, International, Director's Cuts.
"I want more life." - Alt. broadcast version (shown in Dangerous Days.)

Given that "father" is used in the Workprint, it actually makes it the original choice, historically-speaking. The line was then changed to "fucker" for the last 25 years and has now been restored to its original state, at the director's request.

Having said all that, I slightly prefer "fucker." But not so much that I'm going hold it against the Final Cut.

OK cool...I thought the alternate dialogue was recorded for broadcast, sort of like how Quentin Tarantino directed an ADR session for Pulp Fiction which included Tarantino-approved word substitutions for some of the more colorful dialogue. This is new information for me. Thank you for letting us know about this. I feel better about "father" now. However, I prefer "fucker" too. It communicates a lot more of Batty's righteous indignation about his slave status and his foreshortened lifespan.

There are actually three versions of this line (and you'll see all three in some form if you get the 4- or 5-disc sets):

"I want more life, father." - Workprint, Final Cut
"I want more life, fucker." - Theatrical, International, Director's Cuts.
"I want more life." - Alt. broadcast version (shown in Dangerous Days.)

Given that "father" is used in the Workprint, it actually makes it the original choice, historically-speaking. The line was then changed to "fucker" for the last 25 years and has now been restored to its original state, at the director's request.

Having said all that, I slightly prefer "fucker." But not so much that I'm going hold it against the Final Cut.

Excellent. Looking forward to checking that out.

I, like everyone else (except Paul M. Sammon) is used to the fucker line. But I'm still very receptive to this one.

At least we didn't get a scene with a CGI-rendered Mary where Deckard happens to step on her foot.

At least we didn't get a scene with a CGI-rendered Mary where Deckard happens to step on her foot.

lol. Well, the Jabba scene was from 1977/76, but with a fat Scot in place instead.

At least we didn't get a scene with a CGI-rendered Mary where Deckard happens to step on her foot.

Too bad. I was looking forward to the "Holden Shoots First" scene myself

At least we didn't get a scene with a CGI-rendered Mary where Deckard happens to step on her foot.

Too bad. I was looking forward to the "Holden Shoots First" scene myself

That made my day.

I prefer FUCKER. It works well with my new design.