My life and creative work are justified and completed
Shortly before his death, Philip K. Dick catches a glimpse of Blade Runner
Today’s letter was written on this day in 1981. It can also be found in this excellent book.
In 1968, author Philip K. Dick’s post-apocalyptic science fiction novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?—the story of a bounty hunter, Rick Deckard, whose job is to find and “retire” rogue androids—was published, almost immediately generating interest from film studios keen to adapt it for the big screen. Early talks and screenplay drafts failed to impress Dick; however, in 1981, by which time Ridley Scott was on board to direct a script rewritten by David Peoples, he caught a glimpse of the forthcoming film, now titled Blade Runner, which changed his mind entirely. That same evening, he excitedly wrote this letter to the production company responsible and shared his thoughts. The tragedy is that Philip K. Dick died five months after sending this letter, without having seen the completed masterpiece his writing had inspired. It is now regarded by many as the greatest science fiction film ever made.
October 11, 1981
Dear Jeff,
I happened to see the Channel 7 TV program “Hooray For Hollywood” tonight with the segment on BLADE RUNNER. (Well, to be honest, I didn't happen to see it; someone tipped me off that BLADE RUNNER was going to be a part of the show, and to be sure to watch.) Jeff, after looking --and especially after listening to Harrison Ford discuss the film-- I came to the conclusion that this indeed is not science fiction; it is not fantasy; it is exactly what Harrison said: futurism. The impact of BLADE RUNNER is simply going to be overwhelming, both on the public and on creative people -- and, I believe, on science fiction as a field. Since I have been writing and selling science fiction works for thirty years, this is a matter of some importance to me. In all candor I must say that our field has gradually and steadily been deteriorating for the last few years. Nothing that we have done, individually or collectively, matches BLADE RUNNER. This is not escapism; it is super realism, so gritty and detailed and authentic and goddam convincing that, well, after the segment I found my normal present-day “reality” pallid by comparison. What I am saying is that all of you collectively may have created a unique new form of graphic, artistic expression, never before seen. And, I think, BLADE RUNNER is going to revolutionize our conceptions of what science fiction is and, more, can be.
Let me sum it up this way. Science fiction has slowly and ineluctably settled into a monotonous death: it has become inbred, derivative, stale. Suddenly you people have come in, some of the greatest talents currently in existence, and now we have a new life, a new start. As for my own role in the BLADE RUNNER project, I can only say that I did not know that a work of mine or a set of ideas of mine could be escalated into such stunning dimensions. My life and creative work are justified and completed by BLADE RUNNER. Thank you...and it is going to be one hell of a commercial success. It will prove invincible.
Cordially,
Philip K. Dick
Support Letters of Note…
Letters and even notes of thanks and appreciation mean more than we know. I intend to write more of them.
This offering of yours is nothing short of amazing... As a science fiction devoted one, Mr. Phillip K Dick is a giant, a savant, and the pure example of genius. To have this glimpse into his mind as a human being is beyond special... Thank you🙏 And, yes, we do dream of electric sheep...