The first part deals with the last days of Krypton, the child Kal-El's journey from Krypton to Earth, and his discovery by the Kents. Burt Reynolds also turned down the role, while Sylvester Stallone was interested, but nothing ever came of it. He praised Reeve, stating that he "sells the role; wrong casting here would have sunk everything", and concluded that the film "works so well because of its wit and its special effects". Donner had previously been planning Damien: Omen II when he was hired in January 1977 for $1 million to direct Superman and Superman II. Given the full Hollywood treatment, Superman's popularity soared even higher, and Reeve has been succeeded by the likes of Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill, bringing different flavors of Superman to movie theater and solidifying the DC hero as a mainstay of cinema, as well as comic books. The new additional scenes and moments are all valid and could only have been removed to get the original running time down. He accelerates around Earth, traveling several minutes backward in time to prevent Lois's death while also undoing the damage caused by the missile and earthquake. Neill reprised her role in the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series. Meanwhile, Criminal genius Lex Luthor learns of a joint U.S. Army and U.S. Navy nuclear missile test. The story begins when the pl… [61] Ebert placed the film on his ten best list of 1978. Superman (also known as Superman: The Movie) is a 1978 superhero film directed by Richard Donner and written by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton from a story by Puzo based on the DC Comics character of the same name. There were things that I remembered, but there were a number of scenes and extensions to scenes that I had completely forgotten about. [13] Patrick Wayne was cast, but dropped out when his father John Wayne was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. "[33] Jeff East portrays teenage Clark Kent. Superman: The Movie is the original 1978 theatrical release that launched Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology.A landmark motion picture of its era, the film stars Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder.. Its groundbreaking use of special effects and science fiction/fantasy storytelling has made it one of the most successful and influential films of all time. Inside, a hologram of Jor-El explains Clark's true origins, and after 12 further years of educating him on his reason for being sent to Earth and his powers, he leaves the Fortress wearing a blue and red suit with a red cape and the House of El family crest emblazoned on his chest. [25] Donner felt it was best to start from scratch. "[21], Lester was offered producing credit but refused, going uncredited for his work. [48], Many have noted the examples of apparent Christian symbolism. Most of these are in pan and scan, as they were made in the 1980s, when films were not letterboxed to preserve the theatrical aspect ratio on old TVs. [18] Alyn and Neill portrayed Superman and Lois Lane in the film serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), and were the first actors to portray the characters onscreen in a live-action format. I used to hear those wonderful stories in the cutting room that Tom and Dick and Stuart would tell about Superman and that's how I kind of got the ideas for the plots of 'Taking Flight' and 'Making Superman'". Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Sloppy editing. Witty banter, excellent chemistry between Christopher, Margot and Gene. [91], With the film's success, it was immediately decided to finish Superman II. Several directors, most notably Guy Hamilton, and screenwriters (Mario Puzo, David and Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton), were associated with the project before Richard Donner was hired to direct. If it ain't a success, a cliffhanger ain't gonna bring them to see Superman II. Donner had already completed 75% of the sequel. in 1979, although the song did not appear on the film soundtrack. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2017. [20][21] Francis Ford Coppola, William Friedkin, Richard Lester (who later directed Superman II and III), Peter Yates, John Guillermin, Ronald Neame and Sam Peckinpah were in negotiations to direct. The remaining two ABC broadcasts were presented in its original theatrical version. He also argued that the film should have adhered more to the spirit of Mario Puzo's original script, and referred to the first three Superman films collectively as "simply puffed-up TV episodes."[72]. It was also Warner Bros.'s most successful film at the time. Gene Hackman gets some additional scenes that are highly entertaining. Lois becomes involved in a helicopter accident where conventional means of rescue are impossible. SUPERMAN EXTENDED TV CUT IS WORTH THE BUY, Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2017. [62] He would later go on to place it on his "Great Movies" list. Production moved to England in late 1976, but Hamilton could not join because he was a tax exile. Every Superman Movie Ranked From Worst To Best | Screen Rant For stationary shots where Superman is seen flying toward or away from the camera, blue screen matte techniques were used. Director Richard Donner brings the legendary character Superman to the big screen, with Golden Globe-nominee Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. Director Christopher Nolan cited Richard Donner's vision and scope of Superman when pitching the concept for Batman Begins to Warner Bros. in 2002. Dinner treats the subject more seriously. The scripts for Superman and Superman II were now at over 400 pages combined. The Versions of Superman (1978): Theatrical Version, Director's Cut & Extended TV-Cut In 1978, Richard Donner set new standards with Superman - for screen adaptions of a comic that is. I thought maybe they had printed the labels wrong and I was watching a DVD disk...Save your money, this is the single worst 4k movie I have ever seen dressed up to look like a 4k disc on the cover...Probably could get by on a 48" screen, the LG 65 OLED shows it in all it's miserable "glory". It was well received then and is … "In Italy", producer Ilya Salkind remembered, "we lost about $2 million [on flying tests]. This extended cut, which would be utilized for worldwide television distribution, reincorporated some 45 minutes of footage and music deleted from the theatrical cut. The website's critical consensus reads, "Superman deftly blends humor and gravitas, taking advantage of the perfectly cast Reeve to craft a loving, nostalgic tribute to an American pop culture icon. The 1970s are remembered for a lot of things, from flared trousers and questionable moustaches, but one of the main aspects we remember is Superman. [4] Superman was the highest-grossing film of 1978 in North America, and became the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time after its theatrical run. Reeve went from 188 to 212 pounds during pre-production and filming. Adult Contemporary chart, as well as making lesser appearances on the corresponding Canadian charts. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2017. My jaw dropped in disbelief as we watched the 4k disc. I haven't done a movie review on Amazon or anywhere for that matter in probably over 5 or 10 years. Superman instead takes the advice of Jonathan Kent, his father on Earth. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. Knowing his reputation for keeping his word, Teschmacher helps him on the condition he will stop the eastbound missile first. [89] In 2008, Empire magazine named it the 174th-greatest film of all time on its list of 500. Storyline Picking up where "Superman: The Movie" left off, three criminals, General Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa, (Sarah Douglas), and Non (Jack O'Halloran) from the planet Krypton are released from the Phantom Zone by a nuclear explosion in space. [32] However, Reeve felt, "'Superman' brought me many opportunities, rather than closing a door in my face. Brandon Routh's Superman was intended to be the same character played by Christopher Reeve.Bryan Singer's 2006 film Superman Returns was a sequel to Superman II vaguely set "five years later" that ignored Superman III and IV.Since Routh and Reeve were the same Kryptonian superhero, Routh had all of the powers and did all of the things Reeve did in the first two Superman movies. This is a slimline cased 2 disc Bluray set. "[81] Thau wanted to make the film shorter: "I wanted to take out the damn poem where Lois is reciting a poem ("Can You Read My Mind") when they're flying around. We resolved our issues with each other years later. It really was completely independent—nobody knew anything about anybody. Ilya and Alexander Salkind and Pierre Spengler did not ask Donner to return because Donner had criticized them during the film's publicity phase. The 182-minute network cut (which was slightly cut down for content) was repeated in November of that same year, this time in its entirety in one evening. I didn't trust Lester, and I told him. Superman (1978) In an adventure that spans the galaxy, Superman takes you from the distant planet Krypton to the streets of the Earth city Metropolis. [24] Donner is somewhat skeptical of Mankiewicz' actions, joking "I got enough death threats because of that. My friends, with great pride and humility I present the first trailer of a project which I have been working with a lot of effort and sacrifice for a little over a year. [19] In November 1974, after a long, difficult process with DC Comics, the Superman film rights were purchased by Ilya, his father Alexander Salkind, and their partner Pierre Spengler. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son. Condition better than expected as this film was made from offcuts. "[70] Harry Knowles is a longtime fan of the film, but was critical of elements that did not represent the Superman stories as seen in the comics. Excellent Presentation - Extended Cut & Special Edition, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2018. [citation needed] In addition, Williams was nominated at the 36th Golden Globe Awards and won the Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. Up on the Screen! The car crashes on the Golden Gate Bridge were a mixture of models and stunt drivers on a disused runway. He horrified Salkind by proposing in their first meeting that Jor-El appear as a green suitcase or a bagel with Brando's voice, but Donner used flattery to persuade the actor to portray Jor-El himself. Many characters are in peril before the hero saves the day, including a school bus full of kids teetering off the Golden Gate Bridge, two coasts threatened by a missile launch, and reporter/love interest Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who gets in plenty of tight spots. The Golden Gate Bridge scale model stood 70 feet long and 20 feet wide. We get the Editions on HD Blu that are meant for it and it comes out nicely done! Jor-El says, "Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and power are needed. If you are NOT a super-fan of the original Superman movie, this may not be for you. During production of the film, Alexander and Ilya Salkind had been relegated to having to sell more and more of their rights back to Warner Bros. in exchange for financial help[citation needed], which is why Warner Bros. would have theatrical and home video distribution rights. [41] This also led to the creation of the Zoptic system. "[25] Donner was dissatisfied with the campy script and brought in Tom Mankiewicz to perform a rewrite. FINALLY! "[67] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post wrote in a positive review, "Despite a lull here and a lapse there, this superproduction turns out to be prodigiously inventive and enjoyable, doubly blessed by sophisticated illusionists behind the cameras and a brilliant new stellar personality in front of the cameras—Christopher Reeve, a young actor at once handsome and astute enough to rationalize the preposterous fancy of a comic-book superhero in the flesh. [13] George MacDonald Fraser was later hired to do some work on the script, but he says he did little. It was also a very minor hit on the U.S. Country chart, reaching #93. Although describing the Krypton scenes as "ponderous" ("Brando was allegedly paid $3 million for his role, or, judging by his dialogue, $500,000 a cliché"), Ebert wrote that "Superman is a pure delight, a wondrous combination of all the old-fashioned things we never really get tired of: adventure and romance, heroes and villains, earthshaking special effects, and -- you know what else? [10][24] Pre-production started at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, with sets starting construction and flying tests being unsuccessfully experimented. Along side the original 1978 Theatrical Version. Wednesday, October 29th. [13], Kidder was supposed to sing "Can You Read My Mind? Matte paintings was developed that combined the front projected image appear to recede film soundtrack the outta... 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