Superman 2: The Richard Donner Cut has an extended version?

[Kamdan]

The East Houston scenes from the Lester cut are restored in this version, complete with a new dubbed voice for the kid. The soufflé scene is in this cut. I'm assuming these were cut at Donner's request, because he was very critical of these two very scenes in his commentary.

[paustin]

that's fascinating...I checked my vudu...it's there...im stunned

[Moviefan2k4]

I still want a Blu-Ray release for the original Supergirl movie, preferably the longest cut.

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

I still want a Blu-Ray release for the original Supergirl movie, preferably the longest cut.

The real 'get' would be the US theatrical cut, not on DVD. Ideally we'd have a Supergirl Blu-ray with that, the international cut and the longer syndication cut.

[Moviefan2k4]

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

The real 'get' would be the US theatrical cut, not on DVD. Ideally we'd have a Supergirl Blu-ray with that, the international cut and the longer syndication cut.

The U.S. cut is far too choppy, like they got a completely idiotic second editor after-the-fact.

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by Kamdan

The East Houston scenes from the Lester cut are restored in this version, complete with a new dubbed voice for the kid. The soufflé scene is in this cut. I'm assuming these were cut at Donner's request, because he was very critical of these two very scenes in his commentary.

Are those the only changes?

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by Moviefan2k4

The U.S. cut is far too choppy, like they got a completely idiotic second editor after-the-fact.

It's hard for me to blame any attempt to reign in the mess that is Supergirl. That said it's baffling that the film is not on Blu-ray or even HD streaming in any incarnation. Hopefully it arrives shortly and with all of the different cuts.

(but what a beautiful mess!)

[TylerDurden389]

I know Superman 2 backwards and forwards (both the theatrical, Donner Cut, and Restored International Cut). I'm gonna watch this tomorrow (hopefully) and I'll let you guys know about any other changes besides the aforementioned "Non kills Boy" and "Soufflé" scenes. I will say this though. At 6 minutes longer than the Donner Cut, there's got to be more than those 2 scenes, as both are neither a minute long.

[TylerDurden389]

Originally Posted by Bolty

It's not just the Non kills boy -- but the entire scene in the town before the army arrives.

Right. The scene kinda wouldn't make sense without it lol. Well, at the very least, it's always possible that maybe we'll get the Donner Cut scenes with the Restored International Cut audio where they used better takes/line readings from the actors, as well as better song choices for the b.g music.

[Kamdan]

Originally Posted by Bolty

Yes. I want to know that as well.

Funny thing though. There are some scenes from the Lester version I wound want in the Donner Cut, but those two aren't it!

Honestly I'd prefer the Lester Paris and Niagra Falls parts instead of Lois throwing herself out the window and the audition footage combined with the rest of the Donner Cut.

Yes, those are the only scenes that are reinstated. You could tell those scenes were restored by the way they were presented on the DVD/Blu-ray releases. The additional scenes were sourced from what is known as the Restored International Cut of the film, which confirmed that a widescreen version of it is bound to exist out there. Wish they'd release that full edit on Warner Archive, along with that workprint of Superman IV, which is still missing a fair share of scenes.

Also to note for the East Houston scenes was the new dubbed voice for the kid, who's no longer British sounded, but sounds not the bit concerned when he asks Zod to put his daddy down. The finger beam is also removed.

[Dragon Ranger]

With Supergirl breaking viewing records on the CW this year I'm surprised they haven't capitalised on the characters popularity by releasing the movie on Blu ray. I love the Anchor Bay 2 disc DVD which was a great release but would love to see any version of it in high definition.

Also if anyone has a RIC of Superman 2 on DVD they would be willing to sell please get in touch.

[Kamdan]

Here's a breakdown of what I've noticed so far:

There are no introductory texts explaining how this is the film Donner intended and how screen test footage was used.

The Lex and Miss Teschmacher scene in the Fortress ends differently with a less pronounced toilet flush and Teschmacher screaming.

A reaction shot of the deputy replaces Non's reaction shot of the shotgun fired at Zod's chest. A shot of the Sheriff replaces the Deputy's "Jesus H. Christ" line. The Lester version of the scene continues here within Zod throwing the gun, Non retrieving it and yanking the police siren off. Note that the new foley and ADR of this scene is pretty terrible. Non's grunts and the "Just checking the tire" lines are taken out. He does not cradle it in this version. This leads to the soufflé scene.

Then we cut back to East Houston with Non using his heat vision to the scene where Non throws the siren and kills the boy. After this, we get the establishing Fortress shot as Superman and Lois are dining.

The Lester version of Non using his heat vision on the military jeep and it crashing through the billboard is intact here.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Kamdan

Here's a breakdown of what I've noticed so far:

There are no introductory texts explaining how this is the film Donner intended and how screen test footage was used.

The Lex and Miss Teschmacher scene in the Fortress ends differently with a less pronounced toilet flush and Teschmacher screaming.

A reaction shot of the deputy replaces Non's reaction shot of the shotgun fired at Zod's chest. A shot of the Sheriff replaces the Deputy's "Jesus H. Christ" line. The Lester version of the scene continues here within Zod throwing the gun, Non retrieving it and yanking the police siren off. Note that the new foley and ADR of this scene is pretty terrible. Non's grunts and the "Just checking the tire" lines are taken out. He does not cradle it in this version. This leads to the soufflé scene.

Then we cut back to East Houston with Non using his heat vision to the scene where Non throws the siren and kills the boy. After this, we get the establishing Fortress shot as Superman and Lois are dining.

The Lester version of Non using his heat vision on the military jeep and it crashing through the billboard is intact here.

How about the White House getting trashed? Plenty of stuff cut from that - the guard dog on the leash and Non scaring it off?

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by Bolty

Funny thing though. There are some scenes from the Lester version I wound want in the Donner Cut, but those two aren't it!

Honestly I'd prefer the Lester Paris and Niagra Falls parts instead of Lois throwing herself out the window and the audition footage combined with the rest of the Donner Cut.

Donner Cut works as a 2-hour deleted scene for me. I like the Brando bits but it doesn't function as a coherent dramatic work, and while some fans don't want to admit it, some of Lester's scenes -- especially the Paris sequence -- are superior to what Donner envisioned.

I'll always put it in to see what might have been, and I'm grateful to have it, but the theatrical Lester version is much, much more satisfying if I'm sitting down to watch Superman II.

[TylerDurden389]

Originally Posted by ditcin

Having worked on the Anchor Bay Edition of SUPERGIRL I became friendly with the film's Producer, Ily Salkind. Years ago I had suggested that he over see a complete restoration for Blu-ray for both SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE & SUPERMAN II. This would be a complete re-edit for both film to be edited together with ABC seen footage into SUPRMAN: THE EPIC. Ilya liked the idea and made an appointment for a meeting with WB, however - during the luncheon the WB Exec told him of how odd it was that he heard from Ily since they had just completed a re-edited edition of SUPERMAN II - the Donner Cut.
Having had already spent money on that they weren't going to do what Ilya was ready to suggest. Prior to that Donner had gone ahead and re-edited the original SUPERMAN film without Ilya's permission or aid. Ilya had sued WB, and won, over that since contractually he held the rights to any edit of the film. WB paid him, but Ilya wasn't going to stop anyone from seeing the new Donner cut - thinking of the fans.
The ABC editions were over seen by the Salkinds at the time. Since a two night airing would bring in more money via sponsors.

Dude, are you the infamous "Selutron"? Back when Superman fans like myself were talking about this proposed re-edit of S2 (roughly between 2007-2008), he was the only person that had any sort of "official" contacts, and was the only person interested in getting something done officially and not simply for fan edits. He also worded his ideas almost verbatim as you just did (regarding a part 1&2 blu-ray saga). I know that Mankewitz and Sarah Douglas (and possibly even Donner himself?) apparently saw his proposed work-print cut (it wasn't a finished edit) and they loved what they saw.

Well either way, this "extended" Donner Cut only proves further (as the deleted scenes on the Donner Cut DVD/Blu have also proven) that there IS a widescreen version of the RIC available. Hopefully it eventually sees the light of day. If not in an official hard copy release available in stores, this Vudu presentation may be the spark that lights the way to a full RIC stream presentation. By taking hard copies that need to be pressed outta the equation, it makes the road there a lot easier. Think of the HD uncensored version of the Godfather saga that HBO did earlier this year and you guys understand what I mean.

[TylerDurden389]

I'm about 20 minutes into this and man, I forgot how bad those CGI effects are. Seeing them in HD now will do that lol (I have the blu-ray set but haven't watched much of it yet). So far the first change I've noticed is that they put back a bit of Lester's "NASA" sequence. In the Donner Cut it cuts out the first guy saying the "bouncing ball is giving me a headache" and the other guy saying "the world's forgotten about those astronauts on the moon".

**Edit** 37 minutes in. When Lex is listening to Jor-el, there's is NEW dialogue, as well as new takes. NOW the Donner Cut has the same scene as the theatrical cut when the spirit says "I wish you had not asked me that", and Lex shrugs and responds "I didn't ask anything" (Eve is walking away to go find the bathroom during this exchange). So now we have that with Jor-el instead of Lara. Interesting to see that the effects are still finished here. Guess they decided to axe this moment at the last minute before putting out the release. A few new takes after Jor-el fades away.

Oh, and after Eve flushes the toilet, she screams. Lex laughs and says "She found it", and begins walking away.

After 35 years, I guess we FINALLY know why Eve disappeared from the story after this scene. She fell victim to Superman's super-toilet lol. Guess ol' Kal needed a super toilet for his turds of steel lol.

[Kamdan]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

How about the White House getting trashed? Plenty of stuff cut from that - the guard dog on the leash and Non scaring it off?

Nope. That is scene is exactly as it was on the DVD/Blu-ray.

Originally Posted by TylerDurden389

I'm about 20 minutes into this and man, I forgot how bad those CGI effects are. Seeing them in HD now will do that lol (I have the blu-ray set but haven't watched much of it yet). So far the first change I've noticed is that they put back a bit of Lester's "NASA" sequence. In the Donner Cut it cuts out the first guy saying the "bouncing ball is giving me a headache" and the other guy saying "the world's forgotten about those astronauts on the moon"..

Are you sure that's not in the released version? I'm pretty sure it is, because I always noticed the difference in sound effects.

Originally Posted by TylerDurden389

**Edit** 37 minutes in. When Lex is listening to Jor-el, there's is NEW dialogue, as well as new takes. NOW the Donner Cut has the same scene as the theatrical cut when the spirit says "I wish you had not asked me that", and Lex shrugs and responds "I didn't ask anything" (Eve is walking away to go find the bathroom during this exchange). So now we have that with Jor-el instead of Lara. Interesting to see that the effects are still finished here. Guess they decided to axe this moment at the last minute before putting out the release. A few new takes after Jor-el fades away.

Oh, and after Eve flushes the toilet, she screams. Lex laughs and says "She found it", and begins walking away.

After 35 years, I guess we FINALLY know why Eve disappeared from the story after this scene. She fell victim to Superman's super-toilet lol. Guess ol' Kal needed a super toilet for his turds of steel lol.

Good catch! The toilet flush in the released version was so stock sounding that it completely ruined it for me. This new version is a lot more comparable, complete with her scream.

[BaronVH]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

Donner Cut works as a 2-hour deleted scene for me. I like the Brando bits but it doesn't function as a coherent dramatic work, and while some fans don't want to admit it, some of Lester's scenes -- especially the Paris sequence -- are superior to what Donner envisioned.

I'll always put it in to see what might have been, and I'm grateful to have it, but the theatrical Lester version is much, much more satisfying if I'm sitting down to watch Superman II.

I actually don't care for the Paris section, and much about the Lester version is what led to the death of Superman (pun very intended). The Mount Rushmore, magic S, and traffic signals let to Richard Pryor (whom I love as a comedian) and Jon Cryer. The Donner approach was a much more grounded, and epic version. At least we didn't have to wait as long for Batman Returns after Batman and Robin. I really respect everyone's opinions, and I am only stating mine, which is not worth much, but in the history of motion pictures, I do think the worst decision was the firing of Richard Donner. I really wish we could have gotten the three and a half hour cut with The Motion Picture and II as one film.

[Pete Rock]

Superman 2 is definitely a film in need of the Final Cut treatment a la Blade Runner. Take the good from the Lester version and the Donner version and make the best, most coherent movie possible. Hopefully it happens one day.

[Alexandros]

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

Whatever it is it's definitely part of what is hosted on Vudu and elsewhere as the Donner cut, in scope/HD no less.

Those parts of the film are not on the blu ray version of the Donner cut