| | “Blade Runner”: The North American 70mm Engagements
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| | Compiled by: Michael Coate, Hollywood, USA | Date: 19.07.2010. Updated 12.02.2018 |  "Blade Runner" in New York, USA. Click image to see enlargement. Thomas Hauerslev collection
The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “Blade Runner” in North America. The film’s 70mm prints consisted of full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm principal photography and 65mm-originated visual effects. The audio was Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format).
“Blade Runner” was among eighteen confirmed first-run films released in 1982 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Eleven 70mm prints of the film were reportedly struck for distribution in North America (plus more for international). The Michael Deeley-Ridley Scott production and Ladd Company release in association with Sir Run Run Shaw (through Warner Bros.) — directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young — opened June 25th.
Prior to release, an invitational preview of “Blade Runner” was held June 18th at the Samuel Goldwyn in in Beverly Hills.
Trailers for “Night Shift” and “The World According to Garp” circulated with the “Blade Runner” prints and which the distributor recommended be screened with the presentation.
The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has for some entries been included in parenthesis following the cinema name.
Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of engagement due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a smaller, 35mm-only auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse may have been true in some cases whereas a booking began with a 35mm print because the lab was unable to complete the 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run switch to 70mm. In these cases, the 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure.
70mm Sneak Preview Screenings….
1982-03-05 … Denver, CO — Commonwealth’s Continental*
1982-03-06 … Dallas, TX — General Cinema’s Northpark West Twin*
| More in 70mm reading:
70mm Engagements
Films shown in 70mm in Los Angeles, CA, USA
70mm in London 1958-2018 by John Sharp
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|  "Blade Runner" in Seattle, USA. Click image to see enlargement. Mike Coate collection
Opened in 70mm on Friday, June 25th, 1982, in the following cinemas…
CALIFORNIA
Corte Madera — Marin’s Cinema (4)
Los Angeles — Mann’s Bruin (4)
Los Angeles — Mann’s Hollywood (7)
Pasadena — SRO’s Hastings (4)
San Francisco — UA’s Coronet (4)
San Jose — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex (4)
COLORADO
Denver — Commonwealth’s Cooper Twin (4)
ILLINOIS
Chicago — Plitt’s Esquire (4)
NEW YORK
New York — Cinema 5’s Murray Hill (4)
New York — Moss’ Criterion Center 6-plex (7)
WASHINGTON
Seattle — SRO’s Cinerama (5)
Subsequent 70mm Engagements & Screenings (move-overs, second-run, retro, etc.)…
1982-07-23 … Colorado Springs, CO — UA’s Cinema 150 (2)
1982-07-23 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Plaza (1)
1982-07-30 … Lynnwood, WA — SRO’s Grand Alderwood 5-plex (3)
1982-08-20 … Seattle, WA — Seven Gables’ Crest 4-plex (7)
1983-03-30 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
1983-04-22 … Toronto, ON — Famous Players’ University (2) [w/“The Road Warrior”]
1983-10-21 … Los Angeles, CA — UA’s Valley Plaza 6-plex (2 weekends) [midnight]
1984-02-22 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
1984-11-23 … Toronto, ON — Famous Players’ University (2) [w/“The Road Warrior”]
1985-09-17 … Cleveland, OH — Colony [fest; w/“The Road Warrior”]
| |  "Blade Runner" in London, England. Click image to see enlargement. Thomas Hauerslev collection
1989-12-09 … Ottawa, ON — ByTowne [70mm fest; w/“Lawrence of Arabia”]
1990-05-06 … Los Angeles, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Fairfax Triplex* [70mm fest]
1991-04-25 … Beverly Hills, CA — AMPAS’ Goldwyn* [Los Angeles Perspectives]
1991-04-29 … Beverly Hills, CA — AMPAS’ Goldwyn* [Los Angeles Perspectives]
1991-08-02 … Washington, DC — Cineplex Odeon’s Uptown* (1) [70mm fest]
1991-??-?? … Houston, TX — ?
1996-09-21 … New York, NY — Radio City Music Hall* [Warner Bros. Classics fest]
1999-01-15 … Seattle, WA — Landmark’s Egyptian* (1)
1999-02-05 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Cinerama Dome* (1)
*Work-in-progress test screening print
The information in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Don Beelik, Bill Kretzel, Mark Lensenmayer, Paul Linfesty, and Monty Marin.
“Blade Runner” premiered in London (UK) on 9 September 1982 with 70mm presentations at Warner and ABC Shaftesbury Avenue.
• Go to 70mm in London 1958-2018 by John Sharp
Additional 70mm prints were screened internationally but have not been accounted for in this article.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.
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Updated 06-05-22 | |
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