Cinematic Point Of View

I’ve probably watched the movie Blade Runner 50 times. Just my favorite film for so many years. I never felt any real pull to read the Philip K. Dick’s book “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” until recently though.

Man, I loved it.

The book and the film are so very different yet the same. It’s such an interesting experience to feel like you know these characters and suddenly discover them in a new way. I really enjoyed the suspense and deeper dive into questioning who may or may not be a replicant.

“Empathy, evidently, existed only within the human community, whereas intelligence to some degree could be found throughout every phylum and order including the arachnida.”

There is a scene in the police station after they pick up the main character of Deckard that is just awesome. This whole scenario was not in the film version, but I kinda wish it had been.

Another huge difference between the book and the film is that there is this religious idea and function of something called “Mercerism” which is a fascinating look at religious belief in desperate times. Sort of like a VR setup with your TV to tap into this altered state of “oneness.” At least that’s my simple take on it.

Then there is the social status of owning a real animal to “keep up with the Joneses.” There is so much here that never made it into the film version or was altered in some way. Deckard’s ordinary life. Sebastian’s “left behind” life in his apartment. Lots of interesting character details and a wider conversation on life and how people connect.

Great book. Great film. Both stand on their own.

And now that I sit here writing this, I am wondering if Androids do dream of electric sheep. Seem likely, but that’s a deeper dive for another day. What do you think?

I would love to hear your thoughts on the difference between the book and the film.