Phillip Root
4/24/09
Film 301/319


Eyes of Providence

In the dystopian future of, Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, 1982, US/UK), cyborgs known as Replicants look, act and learn just as humans do, but have one single indication other than their limited lifespan. This sign is that of the red tinted irises that appear throughout the film, showing their true nature as artificial. This effect, though small gives an incredible amount of reflection upon the issue of what is human when human can be replicated.

The origin of the special effect came by practical means. Jordan Cronenweth, the cinematographer of the film, used an old technique called the, “shifting process”(2). This effect would be done by using half a mirror at a forty-five degree angle towards the lens to pick up the red tint in the irises. By using this effect, a boundary was established between human and replicant that would have previously been difficult because of the similarity. Multiple examples abound of how the effect adds questions toward the reality of existence in, “Blade Runner”.


Sitting in the middle of a vast pyramid building owned by Tyrell Corporations, Decker is challenged to test Rachael to see if she is human with the Voight-Kamppf series of emotional questions. As the test progresses, a red tint can be visually seen in Rachael’s eyes, thus signifying the complication of a replicant with emotion. Revealing this result startles due to the previous scene in the Tyrell Building where an owl flies across the room by Deckard. As the owl perches, a tint is seen, thus showing that replicants can take forms of different subjects.
This brings up questions not only of humanity, but existence as well. When looking at the red tint effect, we are conflicted with multiple emotions. Can existence be expanded to technology, if certain variables (skin, hair, feelings, growth) are acquired? What was startling is that this issue connected to the effect is now affecting our world.

In Japan this issue is taking shape through a Child-robot that is beginning to form social skills, as well as sensation of touch pushes this issue in a contemporary sense (1) Will the same fate as, Blade Runner, inhabit our present day, in which we will be able to replicate life in machine? These steps towards giving human intelligence to artificial intelligence pulls the divide that much closer as a new reality is made (3).

One of the interesting segments of the film deals with the interaction between Roy Batty, a replicant, and his maker, Tyrell. Pleading for a longer existence, Batty reveals his red tinted eyes as he stands in the light, demanding life. When refused, Batty with anger reminiscent of humans plunges his thumbs into Tyrell’s eyes. This symbolizes the divide between humans, and the desire towards becoming human. By taking away the eyes of Tyrell, it manifests a message of the red eye effect. By not having humanity (human eyes), he will take them, for it what he lacks (red eyes).
After analyzing the film with the effect in context to the questions made of humanity, I found that it opened a can of worms to ideas pertaining to life. In our world of blockbusters trying to out do each production with computer-generated images, Scott was able to contribute an effect with soul. Sometimes it seems the most natural of effects brings the most impact towards the message of the film. In, “Blade Runner”, there is an extremely wide palette of visual beauty, but when brought down to it’s base, we find the truth of life and humanity, by the smallest things.

Works Cited
"AFP: Japan child robot mimicks infant learning." Google. 24 Apr. 2009 .
"Blade Runner (1982)." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). 24 Apr. 2009 .
Bukatman, Scott. “Replicants and Alien Life.” Blade Runner. BFI Modern Classics
Series. Ed. Rob White. London: British Film Institute, 1997