Blade Runner’s famous ‘Tears In Rain’ speech originally was going to be much different. Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is considered not only one of the best science fiction films, but one of the best films of all time. Part of Blade Runner’s cultural significance is its depiction of artificial intelligence as well as the memorable performances from Harrison Ford, Daryl Hannah, and Rutger Hauer. Considered one of Hauer’s most memorable roles, Roy Batty is a rogue replicant who is redeemed at the end of the film. While another actor could’ve brought a cartoonish villainy to Roy, Hauer brought a humanity to him that is exemplified in the famous ‘Tears in Rain’ speech.

Towards the ending of Blade Runner, Deckard (Harrison Ford) kills Roy’s girlfriend Pris (Daryl Hannah). This starts the climactic chase scene between Deckard and Roy, which ends on a rooftop in the rain. In one of the most memorable pieces of film history, Roy saves Deckard from falling to his death. Before his replicant body expires from age, he gives a poignant speech to Deckard regarding the temporary nature of life. Roy could’ve easily let Deckard fall to his death, but he decides to show Deckard kindness instead.

Blade Runner's Original Final Speech Was Much Less Dramatic

Roy holds a dove in Blade Runner

Rutger Hauer significantly revised the final speech, ad-libbing “tears in rain,” without Ridley Scott’s consent. The original draft by David Peoples read as follows: “I've known adventures, seen places you people will never see, I've been Offworld and back… frontiers! I've stood on the back deck of a blinker bound for the Plutition Camps with sweat in my eyes watching stars fight on the shoulder of Orion... I’ve felt wind in my hair, riding test boats off the black galaxies and seen an attack fleet burn like a match and disappear. I've seen it, felt it...!” This muddled speech is not as strong as the original and would’ve impacted the emotion of the finale.

Rutger Hauer has described the original speech as “opera talk” and “hi-tech speech” which didn’t connect to the rest of the film. Hauer’s revision clearly affected audiences, since the speech is still considered one of the greatest villain soliloquies of all time. According to a Rutger interview with Radio Times, after ab-libbing the line, the crew members had tears in their eyes, proving just how effective Hauer’s revisions were.

Rutger Hauer's Changes Saved Blade Runner's Best Speech

blade runner roy batty

Hauer was correct to eliminate some of this science fiction jargon, which ultimately would’ve distanced audiences from Roy, instead of drawing them closer. Simplifying the speech ultimately heightened the emotions from Roy’s death, giving him a truly beautiful human moment before he leaves the world forever. Roy laments on how all his memories will just disappear within time, which is something everyone can relate to.

Roy Batty’s speech proves that great performances will not disappear, like “tears in the rain.” Hauer may no longer be alive, but his memories on the screen will live forever. His iconic ad-libbed lines will be quoted forever, just as Blade Runner and its iconic style will influence science fiction films until the end of time.

Source: Radio Times