7 replies to this topic

[ACE]

Anyone here remember the British Blade Runner, Split Second?

This resourceful little 1992 effort was directed by Tony Maylam and Ian Sharp and written by Gary Scott Thompson, it starred Roy Batty himself, Kim Cattrall (with her clothes on), Pete Postlethwaite and Michael J Pollard. Quite a few Bond alumni were involved with the production shot at Hartley's (no, not the hare but the jam factory in Sarf Larndan).

Made entirely in London, this sterile monster sci-fi never did find its audience but I wonder if there is anyone else out there (like this guy here and here) who could sing its praises?

Split Second - the British Blade Runner?

[Safari Suit]

Yes, great fun, probably Hauer's best attempt at becoming a heroic leading man (certainly much better than his first Wanted: Dead or Alive). Although I'm not sure you're right about Kim, I don't think she manages to keep her clothes on the whole time. Pete Postlethwaite is great as an initially trigger shy sidekick who becomes ever so slightly more trigger happy as the film goes on. "We need to get bigger guns. BIG ING GUNS!"

[Royal Dalton]

Although I'm not sure you're right about Kim, I don't think she manages to keep her clothes on the whole time.

Yeah, that's right. There's a gratuitous shower scene.

[tim partridge]

Bait accepted:


This is, for me, without question, one of the greatest films ever made. I would not change one thing about it. Hauer and Duncan's on screen buddy chemistry, heavily focused on "GUNS!! BIG ****ING GUNS" is feelgood genre fun at it's most eager to deliver. I LOVE:

1) The fact that the title "split second" makes no sense and is not referenced at all in the movie!!

2) the flooded London backdrop that the film does nothing with

3) the dialogue being blatantly written by an American with bombs of Americanisms that forces the likes of Poselthwaite and Alun Armstrong to do overbaked, Cagney styled, overmelodramatic acting.

4) the main character being addicted to caffeine, particularly "Ra-ra"s, which the film seems to go overboard in the product placement department with. Do "Rara"s even exist, and if not, why do they outnumber people in the year 2008?

5) the inexplicable use of Moody Blues Nights in White Satin throughout the film as a love theme

6) the inexplicable use of a Nat King Cole song over the end credits

7) Ian Dury establishing himself as "1990s genre movie sleaze shop owner of the future" (see Judge Dredd and Crow 2)...


I could go on forever.

Years, in fact.



On a technical level, Split Second to me is the finest example of a director (Tony Maylam) and crew going out of their way with limited resources to make the best product achievable. The look is somewhere between The Hunger and Blade Runner, the score is somewhere between Wendy Carlos and The Terminator while the enemy creature that Hauer fights is designed by Steven Norrington (who five years later would become the director of Blade).

The Hartley's Jam factory sets, which include the flooded alleyways and mainstreets of London, as well as an accurate reconstruction of Cannon Street station (a reference to Golan Globus, I like to think ) are thoroughly convincing, and cut flawlessly with what appears to have been second unit footage of the actual London streets.

I also love how then Bond regular Arthur Wooster directed and shot the action scenes, while the ending and other action scenes are credited to then future Bond action director Ian Sharp (GoldenEye).



Pure, pure fun, and the highly unique, flooded London backdrop was really inspired.

[dinovelvet]

LOL yeah I remember it, from back when getting in to seeing an "18" was a major accomplishment.

Me and a friend used to quote it, though now I've forgotten most of the quotes, except for "Zip up, Dick"

Also remember Rutger waking up with a pigeon on his head for no apparent reason, and yes indeed, Nights in white satin popping up at several points in the film. Now I want to see it again!

[tim partridge]

The pigeon part is classic! You really believe that grotty environment, which has the essence of a London shoebox/bedsit, but painted in graphic novel colours and lighting with a Harley Motorbike parked in the middle.

I love how Kim Cattrall's hairdo is the same one she had in Star Trek 6, with no effort made to disguise it!!

I wish they'd kept the Hartley's Jam Factory and turned it into "Split Second Tours".



Also note that there was no optical/miniature/matte painting/bluescreen or CGI work in the film. EVERYTHING was done in-camera with the power of suggestion. I wish any film made today was that inventive and resourceful.

Edited by tim partridge, 18 May 2009 - 11:42 PM.

[Safari Suit]

I love how Kim Cattrall's hairdo is the same one she had in Star Trek 6, with no effort made to disguise it!!

This was the other thing I wanted to mention, although I couldn't remember if it was this or another film.

I don't remember there being any Moodies in the film though. I'm going to have to check this out again. I want to check The Hunger out as well actually, thanks for reminding me!

[Blofeld's Cat]

Gee, this movie seems to have a good vibe from those who have seen it, so I should suss it out.

I love how Kim Cattrall's hairdo is the same one she had in Star Trek 6, with no effort made to disguise it!!

This was the other thing I wanted to mention, although I couldn't remember if it was this or another film.

Well, I guess as this movie was made just after ST6 the decision must have been made by all concerned to continue using the existing hair style.