Superman: The Movie 4K UHD (1978)

[Theta Sigma]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

There isn't a remastered Blu-ray, the theatrical disc in the US UHD is the 2011 anthology disc and I'd bet cash money that that's what we were supposed to receive as well. Eh, I can't says I'm too cut up as I was going to take the theatrical BD out and put the special edition and extended TV cut discs in there anyway

I did also pick up the TV extended/special double pack, as I've never seen the TV version before, and comparing scenes between the two, I'd say the TV version is sourced from a new remaster. The beginning trial scene shows much deeper blacks and increased detail. Flicking forward though to a wide shot of Clark and Martha beside Jonathan on the farm, it's more difficult to see any improvements. Flick forward again though to the bugle and we're back to an obvious improvement. Again later on as Supes gets Lois out of the car and lays her on the ground, there's definitely more detail, and the following wide shots exhibit deeper colours. In the following scene, clouds have much less noise in them now. I'm sure there are better scenes to check out, but I've only just quickly scanned through both versions, and I do think the transfer on the TV cut is new and improved.

[lgans316]

Update:

Having watched this in full now, I would give this a 6/10 in relation to other catalog titles. On its own, it would be a 9/10 as the film was shot with a soft / diffused look with several out of focus and soft looking shots. I think the overall image suffers from the filming style.

The opening sequences (until chapter 7) can look problematic (YMMV). IMO, the black levels aka brightness appears raised by at least 2-3 points as the in-scope picture looks way too bright and over exposed mainly the daylight scenes. Once I reduced brightness to 45, the daylight scenes looked a lot better with better colour saturation and pop. Once again, YMMV on this. Some may prefer this and some may not.

The picture gets better once the action descends to Earth and enters the City, and thankfully film grain is preserved and well resolved for most parts except for few shots in the beginning. The HDR usage is quite good on certain scenes especially the lights glowing in the rooms. This is certainly miles ahead of the Blu-ray or any other previous releases on every aspect but don't expect to be WOW-ed like Blade Runner or some of the Sony catalogs.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Theta Sigma

I did also pick up the TV extended/special double pack, as I've never seen the TV version before, and comparing scenes between the two, I'd say the TV version is sourced from a new remaster. The beginning trial scene shows much deeper blacks and increased detail. Flicking forward though to a wide shot of Clark and Martha beside Jonathan on the farm, it's more difficult to see any improvements. Flick forward again though to the bugle and we're back to an obvious improvement. Again later on as Supes gets Lois onut of the car and lays her on the ground, there's definitely more detail, and the following wide shots exhibit deeper colours. In the following scene, clouds have much less noise in them now. I'm sure there are better scenes to check out, but I've only just quickly scanned through both versions, and I do think the transfer on the TV cut is new and improved.

TV cut was taken from an old intermediate positive that was found of the long version, it's a dupe of a dupe of a dupe and although it's a "new" transfer it looks like a release print in terms of quality.

Anyhoo, as for the Blu-ray included with the U.K. UHD Warners have repressed the original VC-1 Dolby Digital 5.1 disc of the Special Edition cut, it's not even got lossless audio! I wondered why the UK tech specs on the back didn't mention lossless for the BD, and now I know. Still not bothered either way, I just think it's hilarious how few shits Warners UK give about this stuff.

[Matt89]

Wait so the cut included on both the UK and US UHDs is the Special Edition (151 min) cut? Not the 143 min theatrical version?

~Matt

[mr young]

I saw Superman in 70mm Dolby Stereo at a Sunday morning screening at the
Odeon Leicester Square for a cast and crew screening, afterwards the 70mm print
went back to the USA and there was only 35mm Dolby Stereo prints in the UK.
I still remember the PQ was not bad for a blow up but the 6- Track Magnetic
Dolby Stereo was really good and that bass was fab.
I wonder if the new Dolby Atmos mix will be that good.

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by Matt89

Wait so the cut included on both the UK and US UHDs is the Special Edition (151 min) cut? Not the 143 min theatrical version?

~Matt

No. The UHD on both the US and UK versions is the theatrical cut. The only difference seems to be which BLU-RAY is included (Theatrical for the US, Special Edition for the UK).

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by mr young

I saw Superman in 70mm Dolby Stereo at a Sunday morning screening at the
Odeon Leicester Square for a cast and crew screening, afterwards the 70mm print
went back to the USA and there was only 35mm Dolby Stereo prints in the UK.
I still remember the PQ was not bad for a blow up but the 6- Track Magnetic
Dolby Stereo was really good and that bass was fab.
I wonder if the new Dolby Atmos mix will be that good.

The Atmos track is reportedly of the more active variety.

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

The Atmos track is reportedly of the more active variety.

I wish I wasn't such a purist on the audio for this film and could appreciate the remix, I just can't get passed some of the alterations.

1. The added swooshing effects on the phantom zone.
2. The constant added crystal sound effects throughout the destruction of Krypton sequence.
3. The mixing issues that all-but erase the wind-in-the-wheat moment as Clark leaves the farm.
4. The added door sound effects when Clark first changes into Superman.
5. The added flying sound effect after Superman leaves Lois after saying "A friend". Such a beautiful moment in the original mix with the silent ascent is just ruined IMO.
6. My biggest gripe though is one that no one ever mentions. There's an added flying effect after Superman angrily mouths "Lois!" before flying off to save her. The wind effect as he flies off of the rock totally overwhelms what is perhaps my favorite music cue in the film.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

I wish I wasn't such a purist on the audio for this film and could appreciate the remix, I just can't get passed some of the alterations.

1. The added swooshing effects on the phantom zone.
2. The constant added crystal sound effects throughout the destruction of Krypton sequence.
3. The mixing issues that all-but erase the wind-in-the-wheat moment as Clark leaves the farm.
4. The added door sound effects when Clark first changes into Superman.
5. The added flying sound effect after Superman leaves Lois after saying "A friend". Such a beautiful moment in the original mix with the silent ascent is just ruined IMO.
6. My biggest gripe though is one that no one ever mentions. There's an added flying effect after Superman angrily mouths "Lois!" before flying off to save her. The wind effect as he flies off of the rock totally overwhelms what is perhaps my favorite music cue in the film.

Agreed, especially when watching the theatrical version. With the SE, I can be a little more accepting of those changes since it's not the original version to begin with.

[Geoff D]

The more I look at it the more it seems that the UK UHD was supposed to come with the SE Blu-ray, as not only are the audio specs different to the US release but they've also changed the roster of special features to reflect those of the SE disc and not the theatrical. I guess the UK cover designers just didn't catch the "theatrical version on Blu-ray" tag.

US back cover (amazon)



UK back cover (author's own photo)



I also made good on my threat and put the proper SE disc and TV cut disc in there:

[Croweyes1121]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Agreed, especially when watching the theatrical version. With the SE, I can be a little more accepting of those changes since it's not the original version to begin with.

Yep, that's exactly how I feel as well!

[fighthefutureofhd]

God, you yanks have the worst cover art on disc. Those godawful rating logos on the disc. I couldn't live with that.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

Yep, that's exactly how I feel as well!

Same here. As remix-tastic as the SE 5.1 is, it's more like what the movie always sounded like in my imagination, if that makes sense, so I've never run away screaming from it especially because it's an extended cut of the movie anyway. The OG 2.0 on previous discs was okay but really lacked definition and didn't decode into surround particularly well, so I'm psyched to listen to the apparently 70mm-derived 5.1 mix on the UHD.

Originally Posted by fighthefutureofhd

God, you yanks have the worst cover art on disc. Those godawful rating logos on the disc. I couldn't live with that.

yanks? wut?

[MEB]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

I wish I wasn't such a purist on the audio for this film and could appreciate the remix, I just can't get passed some of the alterations.

1. The added swooshing effects on the phantom zone.
2. The constant added crystal sound effects throughout the destruction of Krypton sequence.
3. The mixing issues that all-but erase the wind-in-the-wheat moment as Clark leaves the farm.
4. The added door sound effects when Clark first changes into Superman.
5. The added flying sound effect after Superman leaves Lois after saying "A friend". Such a beautiful moment in the original mix with the silent ascent is just ruined IMO.
6. My biggest gripe though is one that no one ever mentions. There's an added flying effect after Superman angrily mouths "Lois!" before flying off to save her. The wind effect as he flies off of the rock totally overwhelms what is perhaps my favorite music cue in the film.

Yes, but isn't that ONLY the ATMOS track on the 4K disc? Doesn't the Dolby 5.1 track contain the theatrical version sound mix? And isn't that the "default" soundtrack when playing the disc?

Mark

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by MEB

Yes, but isn't that ONLY the ATMOS track on the 4K disc? Doesn't the Dolby 5.1 track contain the theatrical version mix? And isn't that the "default" soundtrack when playing the disc?

Mark

Calm down dear, he's just pointing out what he doesn't like about the remix, he's not saying that there isn't any other alternative.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

yanks? wut?

Yanks. Brits. You know. Stop chopping my balls.

[Brian81]

So...

UHD is 'Special Edition' only
BD is Theatrical only


?

If so, I still have that BD of the 'Special Edition' from 2006. I thought this UHD was supposed to be the theatrical but running time says otherwise.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Brian81

So...

UHD is 'Special Edition' only
BD is Theatrical only


?

If so, I still have that BD of the 'Special Edition' from 2006. I thought this UHD was supposed to be the theatrical but running time says otherwise.

The UHD disc is the theatrical cut in 4k with Dolby Atmos.


The U.S. gets a theatrical Blu-ray included


The U.K. gets the extended cut Blu-ray included.

[Geoff D]

No. THE UHD IS THE THEATRICAL CUT. US UHD INCLUDES A 1080p BLU-RAY OF THE THEATRICAL CUT. UK UHD INCLUDES A 1080p BLU-RAY OF THE SPECIAL EDITION.

[edit]

beat me to it

[Brian81]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

No. The UHD on both the US and UK versions is the theatrical cut. The only difference seems to be which BLU-RAY is included (Theatrical for the US, Special Edition for the UK).

Oh. I guess that works out for me. What is with this site stating 151 mins for the UHD...