superman: the movie 3 hour version
31 of 35 found this interesting ... a version with a running time at 3 hours - this version was prepared by Warners and released to Blu-Ray. After saving the West Coast, Superman delivers Luthor and Otis to prison before flying into the sunrise for further adventures. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. [20] Guy Hamilton was hired as director, while Puzo delivered his 500-page script for Superman and Superman II in July 1975. [8] Director Donner had tensions with the Salkinds and Spengler concerning the escalating production budget and the shooting schedule. Director Christopher Nolan cited Richard Donner's vision and scope of Superman when pitching the concept for Batman Begins to Warner Bros. in 2002. Counterweights and pulleys were typically used to achieve flying movement, rather than electronic or motorized devices. Cheap nonflying special effects. "In Italy", producer Ilya Salkind remembered, "we lost about $2 million [on flying tests]. Donner publicly expressed disgust that production designer John Barry and cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth had not been recognized by the Academy. While a special device made his cape flap to give the illusion of movement, the actor himself would remain stationary (save for banking his body). Creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz reflected, "Donner never got a budget or a schedule. A Superman Reboot movie is reportedly in the works. [80] Director Donner also assisted, working slightly over a year on the project. Angered over failing to save her, Superman defies Jor-El's earlier warning not to manipulate human history, and instead heeds Jonathan's advice that he must be there for "a reason". [29], James Caan said he was offered the part but turned it down. ", Learn how and when to remove this template message, highest-grossing film of 1978 in North America, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles, Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award, "Bright Lights Film Journal :: The Superman Films of Richard Lester", "Superman (1978) – Awards and Nominations", "Special Edition Superman DVDs on the Way", https://horrornews.net/85005/actress-interview-caroline-munro, "One-on-One Interview with Producer Ilya Salkind", Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman, "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, February 10, 1979", "51st Academy Awards - Music (Original Score)", "SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE – 40th ANNIV. [39][40] Brief filming also took place in Gallup, New Mexico; Lake Mead; and Grand Central Terminal. The richness of our lives shall be yours. The fictional character Superman, an American comic book superhero in DC Comics publications, has appeared in various films almost since his inception. [12], Principal photography began on March 28, 1977 at Pinewood Studios for Krypton scenes, budgeted as the most expensive film ever made at that point. Saturday, October 25th.- 3:30–6:00 pm. Ilya and Alexander Salkind and Pierre Spengler did not ask Donner to return because Donner had criticized them during the film's publicity phase. [13] Donner commented in January 1979, "I'd work with Spengler again, but only on my terms. If they don't want it on those terms, then they need to go out and find another director, it sure as shit ain't gonna be me. [20] 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. Editor Stuart Baird reflected, "Filming was finished in October 1978 and it is a miracle we had the film released two months later. Networks and stations could then re-edit their own version at their discretion. The thin wires used to suspend Reeve were typically removed from the film in post-production using rotoscope techniques, although this wasn't necessary in all shots (in certain lighting conditions or when Superman is very distant in the frame, the wires were more or less imperceptible). If it ain't a success, a cliffhanger ain't gonna bring them to see Superman II. It was also Warner Bros.'s most successful film at the time. Three days later, on December 13, it had a European Royal Charity Premiere at the Empire, Leicester Square in London in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Andrew. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered disposition in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane (Kidder) whilst battling the villainous Lex Luthor (Hackman). Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards (Best Film Editing – (Stuart Baird), Best Original Score – (John Williams) and Best Sound – (Gordon K. McCallum, Graham V. Hartstone, Nicolas Le Messurier and Roy Charman))[89] and received a Special Achievement Academy Award for its visual effects. ", the lyrics to which were written by Leslie Bricusse, but Donner disliked it and changed it to a composition accompanied by a voiceover. [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. Get a sneak peek of the new version of this page. The third (and largest) segment, set mostly in Metropolis, was an attempt to present the superhero story with as much realism as possible (what Donner called "verisimilitude"), relying on traditional cinematic drama and using only subtle humor instead of a campy approach. Reeve would be photographed suspended against a blue screen. [81] Donner commented, "There are a few shots where Chris [Reeve]'s costume looked green. Another vision was that of The Creation of Adam. He won a lot of his lawsuits, but each time he sued the Salkinds in one country, they'd move to another, from Costa Rica to Panama to Switzerland. It is the first installment in the Superman film series. This new release also includes a standard Blu-Ray of the theatrical cut, plus select bonus features carried over from previous video releases, and digital copies of both the theatrical and three-hour TV versions. "[25] "It was a well-written, but still a ridiculous script. [92], With the film's success, it was immediately decided to finish Superman II. 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. Meanwhile, Superman tries to settle on a decision, and Lex Luthor, the criminal mastermind and millionaire, tries to use his own advantages to fight the "Man of Steel". The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened? Why is "versus" abbreviated "v" rather than "vs" in the title? Production moved to England in late 1976, but Hamilton could not join because he was a tax exile. She suffocates before Superman can reach her. Ilya had the idea of a Superman film in 1973 and after a difficult process with DC Comics, the Salkinds and Spengler bought the rights to the character the following year. [54] It also set a record single day gross for Warner Bros. with a gross of $3,833,000. Kal-El comes to Jonathan and Martha Kent, who are unable to have children. "[70], Writing in a retrospective review, James Berardinelli believed "there's no doubt that it's a flawed movie, but it's one of the most wonderfully entertaining flawed movies made during the 1970s. In Elseworlds, the villainous John Deegan (Jeremy Davies) used the magical Book of Destiny to rewrite reality, ⦠Teschmacher is horrified that Luthor does not care that her mother lives in Hackensack. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. The journey is from Krypton to Earth in the first act, from Smallville to the Fortress of Solitude in the second act, and then from Metropolis to the whole world in the third act. Don't work for them. : The Return of Black Adam. "[20] Marlon Brando found out he could not film in Italy because of a warrant out for his arrest: a sexual-obscenity charge from Last Tango in Paris. "[68] 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. REMASTERED LIMITED EDITION (3-CD SET)", "The Superhero's Mythic Journey: Death and the Heroic Cycle in Superman", "Harry talks with JJ Abrams for a Couple of Hours about, "Monday, May 14th. [8] The spacecraft that brings Kal-El to Earth is in the form of a star (Star of Bethlehem). It received praise for Reeve's performance and John Williams' musical score,[8] and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score), and Best Sound, and received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. [15] Jax-Ur appeared as one of General Zod's henchmen, with Clark Kent written as a television reporter. [50][51], In the scene where Lois Lane interviews Superman on the balcony, Superman replies, "I never lie." It depicts the origin of Superman (Reeve), including his infancy as Kal-El of Krypton, son of Jor-El (Brando) and his youthful years in the rural town of Smallville. [11] This version also surfaced outside of Los Angeles. [98], In 2006 the "Last Son" comic book story arc debuted in Action Comics, co-written by Superman director Richard Donner. The "Special Edition" cut is designed for the best viewing experience in the true spirit of movie making. [26], It was initially decided to first sign an A-list actor for Superman before Richard Donner was hired as director. 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". Alexander felt, however, that Bester was not famous enough, so he hired Mario Puzo to write the screenplay at a $600,000 salary. Reeve went from 188 to 212 pounds during pre-production and filming. When Lex Luthor enters the action, Hackman plays the arch-villain like a hairdresser left over from a TV skit. "[22], Lester was offered producing credit but refused, going uncredited for his work. [26], Both Neil Diamond and Arnold Schwarzenegger lobbied hard for the role, but were ignored. (2016). Fellow Oscar winner Hackman was cast as Lex Luthor days later. The Golden Gate Bridge scale model stood 70 feet long and 20 feet wide. For example, WJLA Channel 7, an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., aired the extended cut in July 1994. A new poster for Superman & Lois put the spotlight on the Man of Steel's facial hair. [64] Gene Siskel gave the film three stars out of four, calling it "a delightful mess. While on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts. At one point he said, 'Why don't you just schedule the film for the next two days, and then I'll be nine months over?'. [13], When it was next decided to cast an unknown actor, casting director Lynn Stalmaster first suggested Christopher Reeve, but Donner and the producers felt he was too young and skinny. The most notable additions unseen on U.S. television were two additional scenes never seen before, in addition to what had been previously reinstated. "[20] On Lester, Donner reflected, "He'd been suing the Salkinds for his money on Three and Four Musketeers, which he'd never gotten. Some of our favorites stars share the women's stories that they turn to for inspiration and motivation during Women's History Month and beyond. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son. [20] Brando hoped to use some of his salary for a proposed 13-part Roots-style miniseries on Native Americans in the United States. But we will never leave you, even in the face of our deaths. [59][60][61] Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster gave a positive reaction. This eighteen-reel master was not marked with an aspect ratio, but the print was inspected and, as it turned out, was in the proper 2.35:1 Panavision ratio. [25] Donner is somewhat skeptical of Mankiewicz' actions, joking "I got enough death threats because of that. Superman was also the final complete film by cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth, who died during post-production while working on Tess for director Roman Polanski. It compels him to travel to the Arctic where a Fortress of Solitude, resembling the architecture of Krypton, emerges from the ice. "[50][51] Ironically, it is also in the Reeve films that Clark Kent's persona has the greatest resemblance to Woody Allen, though his conscious model was Cary Grant's character in Bringing Up Baby. Although stuntmen were used, Reeve did much of the work himself, and was suspended as high as 50 feet in the air. "[10], Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars. Donner had already completed 75% of the sequel. If I can help you in any way, call me. He then thwarts a jewel thief attempting to scale the Solow Building, captures robbers fleeing police and depositing their getaway cabin cruiser on Wall Street, rescues a girl's cat from a tree, and saves Air Force One after a lightning strike destroys an engine. James Caan, James Brolin, Lyle Waggoner, Christopher Walken, Nick Nolte, Jon Voight, and Perry King were approached. 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? Superman Returns was released in 2006. "[26] Donner was dissatisfied with the campy script and brought in Tom Mankiewicz to perform a rewrite. "[36] Richard Lester, who worked with the Salkinds on The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, was then brought in as a temporary co-producer to mediate the relationship between Donner and the Salkinds,[20] who by now were refusing to talk to each other. George Lucas turned down the offer because of his commitment to Star Wars. February 7-8, 1982: The extended version of Superman: The Movie is first broadcast on ABC-TV over two nights at a running length of 182 minutes. In 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it. Jor-El casts out General Zod from Krypton, a parallel to the casting out of Satan from Heaven. Written by Publicity still emulating screen shot in which Superman (Christopher Reeve), with his traditional suit, flies toward the sky, with Metropolis underneath him. Kal-El, now three years old, is found by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who are astonished when he lifts their truck. There was a little light on each camera, and it would project into a mirror, bounce out in front of the lens, hit the costume, [and] millions of little glass beads would light up and bring the image back into the camera. [91] In 2009, Entertainment Weekly ranked Superman 3rd on their list of The All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture. We know that there are a bunch of t-shirts on the way for Zack Snyder's Justice League, but four badass Funko Pops have also been revealed today! [33] However, Reeve felt, "'Superman' brought me many opportunities, rather than closing a door in my face. They can be a great people, Kal-El, and they wish to be. Financially, the more footage that was restored for television, the more revenue that could be made for the broadcast (the producers charged by the minute for every bit of footage added back in). [81], Thau explained, "I worked on Ladyhawke and that's how I really met Dick [Donner] and Tom Mankiewicz. [19] 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. This involved photographing the actors suspended in front of a background image dimly projected from the front onto a special screen made by 3M that would reflect light back directly into a combined camera/projector. Until 2017, it was thought the quality of the extended network TV version was inferior to any theatrical or previous home video release because it was mastered in 16mm (using the "film chain system") and a mono sound mix done, as by the time the extended cut was prepared in 1981, stereo was not available in television broadcasts (16mm television prints were, in fact, made and mastered on NTSC Standard Definition video for the initial ABC network broadcasts). Jor-El says, "Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and power are needed. Production moved to Alberta for scenes set in Smallville, with the cemetery scene filmed in the canyon of Beynon, Alberta, the high school football scenes at Barons, Alberta, and the Kent farm constructed at Blackie, Alberta. Tensions arose between Donner and the producers, and a decision was made to stop filming the sequel, of which 75 percent had already been completed, and finish the first film.[5]. [97], The movie inspired The Kinks' 1979 song "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman", when the band's main songwriter, Ray Davies, watched the film in late 1978. Now I'm telling you not to, but you'll probably do it and end up telling the next guy.' Arnold, Gary (December 15, 1978). The disparity in lighting and color between the matted image and the background plate, the occasional presence of black matte lines (where the matte area and the matted image—in this case, Superman—do not exactly match up), and the slightly unconvincing impression of movement achieved through the use of zoom lenses is characteristic of these shots. Meanwhile, Superman tries to settle on a decision, and Lex Luthor, the criminal mastermind and millionaire, tries to use his own advantages to fight the "Man of Steel". Kidder said that as a result, she was only given a cameo appearance for Superman III, and not a main supporting role. Perhaps most heartening of all, however, is the message at the end of the credits announcing the impending arrival of Superman II. Luthor leaves Superman to die. Political involvement in the Avengers' affairs causes a rift between Captain America and Iron Man. "[69] Dave Kehr felt "the tone, style, and point of view change almost from shot to shot. The actress also talks about the role Smallville plays in the series. [41] The filmmakers took a risk: if Superman was a box office bomb, they would not finish Superman II. Williams conducted the London Symphony Orchestra to record the soundtrack. When the movie entered the syndication[74] market in 1988 (following a play-out run on pay cable[75][76]) TV stations were offered the extended cut or the theatrical cut. "[71] 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. While Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel (Brandon Routh) returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lester came in as a 'go-between'. While this is happening, a power-phobic Batman tries to attack Superman. "[26], Jerry Goldsmith, who scored Donner's The Omen, was originally set to compose Superman. "[34] Jeff East portrays teenage Clark Kent.