Biblical Themes in Blade Runner
Question: What are the biblical images in 'Blade Runner' and how do they relate to the themes of the film? Is Deckard playing God?
The movie, Blade runner, directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Michael Deeley, is strongly reflected on the bible and poetry by William Blake. The themes are so strong you'd think it is the bible itself. Deckard does not play God; however, he is represented as a biblical image. When we think of God, we think of greatness, domination and creator of the world. God is believed to be so powerful to the human race. In the film, God is portrayed by Tyrell, creator of the replicants. Tyrell poses information that will never be revealed to replicants. Similar to humans, God poses information that humans never know. Roy, a replicants refers to Tyrell as the ‘God of Biomechanics’. The location in that particular scene exaggerates the idea of heaven. Tyrell lives luxurious compared to replicants who live in run down buildings. The room is brightly lit and golden which gives you the impression of a cathedral. The music in the background sounds like a choir; normally you hear this in a church or cathedral.
Roy portrays Christ. Tyrell even calls Roy his ‘prodigal son’. There is some obvious evidence in the film as how Christ is portrayed. The most obvious evidence is when Roy drives a nail into his hand. This would be a reference to Christ on the cross. Christ suffered so that the Human Race can survive, similar to this; Roy sacrificed his life to save Deckard. Roy also shares a similarity with Lucifer when he refers to ‘Reign in hell’ instead of ‘Serve in heaven’. The connection happens again when Roy deliberately mocks William Blake when he stated ‘Fiery the angels fell....’ (William wrote ‘Fiery the angels rose...’ Upon his death, a dove appears to symbolise Roy’s soul rising into the heavens.
Deckard and Rachael portray Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were the first people on Earth making Deckard and Rachael the only surviving
The movie, Blade runner, directed by Ridley Scott and produced by Michael Deeley, is strongly reflected on the bible and poetry by William Blake. The themes are so strong you'd think it is the bible itself. Deckard does not play God; however, he is represented as a biblical image. When we think of God, we think of greatness, domination and creator of the world. God is believed to be so powerful to the human race. In the film, God is portrayed by Tyrell, creator of the replicants. Tyrell poses information that will never be revealed to replicants. Similar to humans, God poses information that humans never know. Roy, a replicants refers to Tyrell as the ‘God of Biomechanics’. The location in that particular scene exaggerates the idea of heaven. Tyrell lives luxurious compared to replicants who live in run down buildings. The room is brightly lit and golden which gives you the impression of a cathedral. The music in the background sounds like a choir; normally you hear this in a church or cathedral.
Roy portrays Christ. Tyrell even calls Roy his ‘prodigal son’. There is some obvious evidence in the film as how Christ is portrayed. The most obvious evidence is when Roy drives a nail into his hand. This would be a reference to Christ on the cross. Christ suffered so that the Human Race can survive, similar to this; Roy sacrificed his life to save Deckard. Roy also shares a similarity with Lucifer when he refers to ‘Reign in hell’ instead of ‘Serve in heaven’. The connection happens again when Roy deliberately mocks William Blake when he stated ‘Fiery the angels fell....’ (William wrote ‘Fiery the angels rose...’ Upon his death, a dove appears to symbolise Roy’s soul rising into the heavens.
Deckard and Rachael portray Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were the first people on Earth making Deckard and Rachael the only surviving