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DVD Superman - The Movie (Special Edition)
Richard Donner's 1978 epic about the Man of Steel showed how a film about a superhero could be a moving and romantic experience even for people who long ago gave up comic books. Beginning on the icy planet Krypton, the story follows the baby Kal-El, whose rocket ship lands in Smallville, Kansas. He is found there by a childless couple and raised as the shy Clark Kent (the young Kent is played by Jeff East). The film is perhaps most touching in these sequences, with expanses of wheat fields blowing in the wind and with a young man who can't figure out what part in destiny his great powers are meant to play. The second half, with Reeve taking over as Clark/Superman, is bustling, enchanting (the scene in which Superman flies girlfriend Lois Lane--played by Margot Kidder--through the night sky is great date material), and funny, thanks largely to Gene Hackman's sardonic portrayal of nemesis Lex Luthor. --Tom Keogh
Review(s): DVD Superman - The Movie (Special Edition)
Still some scenes missing? Why?
Back in the early 80's, my parents taped this movie for us kids off of TV, I somehow still have it complete with goofy 80's commercials. It seems that this old tv tape is the only way to see some good scenes that get skipped over in all "superman" video/dvd releases.
When Jimmy gets caught by superman at the dam, he pauses to let Jimmy take a picture of the dam breaking saying, "go ahead, shoot".
A bunch of houses start grinding together with people jumping out of windows, and running around. There is also an after scene when the people return once it stops.
You get to see the hollywood sign go back up on its own.
After superman leaves lois and jimmy at the red car, it cuts to Lex Luthor playing the piano singing "you must have been a beautiful baby...", with Miss Stepmacker dangling above a lion's den. When he drops her, superman catches her, then takes Lex and Otis to jail.
Guess I just want the movie version I grew up with.
A DVD of Steel!
The best of the superhero movies, Superman embraces the Superman legend without going the expected camp route (That we'll save for Superman 3). The DVD restores a few minutes of film that expound on Kal-Els life.
The late Christopher Reeve is amazing as the man of steel wonderful portraying the duality of Clark Kent/Superman and Gene Hackman, as always, brings great respect to every role he portrays. The story by GODFATHER writer Puzo is epic and was even able to pull Marlon Brando in as Kal Els father Jor El. Wonderfully directed by Richard Donner with a stunning musical score by uber-composer John Williams.
Followed by 'declining in quality' sequels.
For This Reason Above All
After a few months delay, the long awaited Superman The Movie Deluxe Collection Box Set, from Creative Design Arts, is finally here.
The Movie: I was 10 years old when I first saw Superman during its original theatrical run. I remember going to see it at a neighborhood second run, 2 screen theater, in late August 1979. The movie has stayed with me ever since. It was the first film, I saw that helped me to choose a career path, into adulthood. Directed by Richard Donner, the film, has it all. The origin of The Man Of Steel has been told many times over the years in print and on screen. But few have had the size and scope of this film. The planet Krypton is doomed. In order for his infant son to survive, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends him to Earth in a small starship. Once on our world, he is found and raised by Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phylis Thaxter). As a teenager, young Clark Kent (Jeff East), soon discovers that he has "powers beyond those of mortal men". Once the adult Clark (Christopher Reeve) moves to the city of Metropolis, he lands a job as a reporter at the Daily Planet, and Superman soon reveals himself to the world. This as the diabolical Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) hatches a plot that means the death of millions. At its center, Reeve keeps things "real", and it's his performance as our hero that makes me "Believe A Man Can Fly, not the special effects. Donner takes nothing for granted in his direction. The film has some broadness to it, but it never gets out of hand, or gets too campy The movie has influence filmmakers. Most noteworthy, of course, is Spider-Man director Sam Raimi. Everything works and Superman The Movie still sets the standard for all other Super Hero films.
The Deluxe Box Set features the same DVD that's available separately, or as part of Superman movies DVD collection. The Director's cut includes a 2001 digital transfer of the film and 8 minutes of added footage (seen first on network TV). The film looks great. The sound mix was altered a bit but isn't as bad as some have suggested. The audio commentary by Donner and "Creative Consultant" (writer) Tom Mankiewicz is really very good. Get the real inside scoop on the making of the film with 3 documentaries and 1 featurette on casting. The commentary and documentaries give viewers a good idea what it must have been like to make the movie-including the story behind Donner being fired by the producers-while making Superman II. Other extras on this 2 sided disc also include a pair of deleted scenes, theatrical trailers, a vintage TV spot, an isolated music only track of composer John Williams' rousing score, along with a few alternate music cues, and some DVD-ROM only material.
The box set also offers a collectable Senitype, with its corresponding film frame, a reprint of the original 20 page press campaign booklet, and a set of eight lobby card prints. Topping off the set is a 27x40 reprint of the original theatrical poster. The set comes with a folded poster that quite frankly, is a pretty silly idea, if you ask me. If you feel the same way I do, for a small shipping and handling fee, you can have a rolled version of the same poster sent to you that looks "Super" in a frame.
Superman The Movie is a classic that's been with me for a long time. Despite being made before the advent of CGI-the film holds up, and stands the test of time. The Deluxe Box Set is a must if you like the film as much as I do
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