Context

This line was spoken by Roy Batty, played by Rutger Hauer, in the film Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott (1982).

It's pretty insane that what is considered the greatest monologue is science fiction history is delivered by a sweaty, middle-aged man, who looks like he just got done singing lead vocals for a Billy Idol cover band. And he's not even human.

Roy Batty is a replicant, a kind of android created by the Tyrell Corporation in the future to be "more human than human." He is supposed to live out his four year lifespan as a sort of super soldier and then get "retired," which is a nice way of saying "killed" or "euthanized." But Roy has seen too many beautiful things and doesn't want to die, so he goes on the lam with some of his replicant buddies.

Unfortunately, the blade runner (a fancy word for bounty hunter), played by Harrison Ford in full Han Solo/Indiana Jones mode, is on his trail. And after a movie full of roof top chases, noodles in futuristic Chinatown, and Times Square billboards, he has Roy cornered. But before goes, he gives a beautiful monologue about the full human life that he has lived for the past three years.

Are we crying? Nope, that's just the rain...

Where you've heard it

If you have a friend who's into sci-fi, they probably have this speech memorized. And if you don't, it's been parodied and referenced everywhere from 30 Rock to Community, and even in the video game Grand Theft Auto V.

Additional Notable References:

• Trance DJ Paul Oakenfold sampled the "tears in the rain" speech in one of his super long techno tracks.
• Hawkeye, the bow and arrow wielding member of Marvel's Avengers, is actually a huge Blade Runner fan and quotes this speech after breaking his laser disc of the movie. Iron Man should get him a Blu-ray copy for his birthday.
• The Guardian used this speech as an example of why Blade Runner is a timeless science fiction film.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

This is a great speech, but unless you're about to actually die or are actually a replicant, save it for your drama class audition. What's a Tannhauser Gate anyway?