Superman: The Movie 4K UHD (1978)

[Ben_UK]

I saw Superman IV theatrically, it was one of the first movies I ever saw. According to my Mom, I unusually began to cry during it, I suspect because it was so awful.

I think WB only have one option for Superman II and that is to put out the theatrical Lester cut. The Donner cut as it currently is, is frankly a mess. Unless Warner’s are willing to put the film under the knife again and actually do a proper job, I’d rather just have the theatrical.

I would love to see a hybrid cut which just has the Donner footage inserted where possible, I think the Donner cut got a lot of things right, but the special effects were awful the sound FX modern and completely out of place and the music editing was shocking.

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

I think WB only have one option for Superman II and that is to put out the theatrical Lester cut. The Donner cut as it currently is, is frankly a mess. Unless Warner’s are willing to put the film under the knife again and actually do a proper job, I’d rather just have the theatrical.

I would love to see a hybrid cut which just has the Donner footage inserted where possible, I think the Donner cut got a lot of things right, but the special effects were awful the sound FX modern and completely out of place and the music editing was shocking.

Yep, if Superman II happens at all on 4K disc, it will be the theatrical. The tide has gradually shifted back in recent years in both the fan base and I suspect within Warner Bros. That *is* the version, after all, that was released to theaters and that everyone of the time saw, same with Superman I theatrical. That should always be the primary-first-priority-preservation, in my opinion.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

Yep, if Superman II happens at all on 4K disc, it will be the theatrical. The tide has gradually shifted back in recent years in both the fan base and I suspect within Warner Bros. That *is* the version, after all, that was released to theaters and that everyone of the time saw, same with Superman I theatrical. That should always be the primary-first-priority-preservation, in my opinion.

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Man of Steel is the best Superman solo film ever.

Why are you here again?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

Why are you here again?

LOL I'm just a fan of Clark Joseph Kent. Can't believe it's been so long since his last solo film. 78 is definitely iconic, I just don't love it as much as some do.

[ShellBeacher]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

LOL I'm just a fan of Clark Joseph Kent. Can't believe it's been so long since his last solo film. 78 is definitely iconic, I just don't love it as much as some do.

Oh yeah...I know that guy... I haven't seen him in a movie since 1987!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ShellBeacher

Oh yeah...I know that guy... I haven't seen him in a movie since 1987!

[Shane Rollins]

Originally Posted by phobicsquirrel

Almost got this but then realized it's only the TC on 4k which really is not the preferred version imo. Sucks too but like many 4k releases the longer cuts are usually not in 4k. The blu still looks good though. Would be nice if the 2006 superman returns was in 4k though!

Originally Posted by Bolty

The only 3 movies that are currently out on UHD disc that I haven't purchased -- that are on my Wanted list are Superman 1978, The Wolverine and X-Men Days of Future Past. And all three because they don't have the extended version. They should come up with some kind of Technology where more than one version can be put on a disc.

Why they haven’t done that is a mystery. While seamless branching is always an option (Psycho did it), they could also just make additional discs. Discs cost about a penny to make, and it instantly adds money to the cost of the release. WB could have done that with Blade Runner, Superman 78, and A Star Is Born 2018, but they didn’t. Meanwhile, Paramount did that 6-disc Apocalypse Now set, and it sold like hotcakes. The closest WB came is releasing separate 4Ks of BvS and the Snyder Cut, but still it’s a drop in the bucket when you consider all the times they could do it with other movies.

[rubystone356]

Originally Posted by Buckster666

For Superman 2, I want Lester Cut, Donner Cut and a Hybrid Cut that is based on Donner's cut but with Lester's ending and any additional Lester footage that would enchance the Donner cut

there is a version of that on vudu. its about 5 minutes longer and fixes some issues using the other director footage.

https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/...nner-Cut/65953

Jacob

[welcometothepartypal]

Happy Birthday Christopher D'Olier Reeve!! Would of been 69 today!

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

I saw Superman IV theatrically, it was one of the first movies I ever saw. According to my Mom, I unusually began to cry during it, I suspect because it was so awful.

I think WB only have one option for Superman II and that is to put out the theatrical Lester cut. The Donner cut as it currently is, is frankly a mess. Unless Warner’s are willing to put the film under the knife again and actually do a proper job, I’d rather just have the theatrical.

I would love to see a hybrid cut which just has the Donner footage inserted where possible, I think the Donner cut got a lot of things right, but the special effects were awful the sound FX modern and completely out of place and the music editing was shocking.

Just admit you were crying because you were worried about Superman getting fingernailed in the neck and being sick. I know I was-- it was one of my earliest theatrical memories, too, and back then that was pretty high drama for me

At this point for Superman II, I think they should just stick with the existing cuts and put them out-- kind of like how there are 3 versions of the original film: Theatrical, Special Edition supervised by Donner and Michael Thau, and the extended TV cut. So for Supes II just do the same thing: theatrical, Donner cut supervised by Donner and Michael Thau, and extended TV cut.

I know the Donner Cut is a bit of a mess with some dodgy effects and things like test-screen footage, but I don't want to deal with more versions, where somebody has to choose which scenes from which version stay and go, especially without Donner around anymore to work on it. It just kind of is what it is at this point, they should just leave it be, IMO.

[starmike]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Man of Steel is the best Superman solo film ever.

Tell me you weren't born before 1990 without saying you weren't born before 1990 😁

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Just admit you were crying because you were worried about Superman getting fingernailed in the neck and being sick. I know I was-- it was one of my earliest theatrical memories, too, and back then that was pretty high drama for me

At this point for Superman II, I think they should just stick with the existing cuts and put them out-- kind of like how there are 3 versions of the original film: Theatrical, Special Edition supervised by Donner and Michael Thau, and the extended TV cut. So for Supes II just do the same thing: theatrical, Donner cut supervised by Donner and Michael Thau, and extended TV cut.

I know the Donner Cut is a bit of a mess with some dodgy effects and things like test-screen footage, but I don't want to deal with more versions, where somebody has to choose which scenes from which version stay and go, especially without Donner around anymore to work on it. It just kind of is what it is at this point, they should just leave it be, IMO.

Use the ABC TV cut of Supes 2 as a partial template for a best of Donner and Lester supercut and then add in the Marlon Brando footage rather than Kal-El's mom. Fix the effects. Clean up the music transitions. Take out the silly Lester comedy from within the Metropolis battle (roller skate man and phone booth man) and add in the extended fight and Statue of Liberty smash up from the Donner Cut. Leave the tougher "General, would you care to step outside?" line in place from the reshoot. It works better than the original Donner line. Leave in place Non and Ursula killing the country boy from the ABC cut and use Donner's more savage sacking of the White House. Use the Lester mind erase epilogue rather than duplicate the ending of the first movie.

[Ben_UK]

As much as I love Donner and his work, he probably wasnt the right person to get involved with a new cut of SII given all the history, it needed someone more impartial who could simply assemble the best version possible without the baggage of grudges that Donner brought to the table (understandably I understand).

I think the momentum now has been lost and Superman is in a bit of a pit in terms of fan interest, so I doubt WB are willing to throw any more money at it anyway.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

As much as I love Donner and his work, he probably wasnt the right person to get involved with a new cut of SII given all the history, it needed someone more impartial who could simply assemble the best version possible without the baggage of grudges that Donner brought to the table (understandably I understand).

I think the momentum now has been lost and Superman is in a bit of a pit in terms of fan interest, so I doubt WB are willing to throw any more money at it anyway.

Donner looked at the Donner Cut as a way to slice as much of Lester out of the picture to retain sole directorial credit as per DGA guidelines, not as a means to create a complete working film and companion to Superman: The Movie. That was a big problem as much as it was fun to see Brando back in the picture.

If Donner could have kept his ego in check to have a credit listing of "Directed by Richard Donner & Richard Lester" we may have had our supercut.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by captainsolo

Completely agree. IV has some truly good scenes in it. People mostly know IV as a joke to throw around and haven't even seen it. When I come back to it I'm always prepared for the sad experience of watching everyone struggle through the low budget but then Superman flies in, saves the cosmonaut and reassures the Russian crew...in Russian!
And I'm just totally melted. That's Superman. I have zero desire to ever sit through Returns or MoS again.

Then we go to the wonderful scene with Clark at the now derelict farm and refusing to sell almost as if to just hang on to a tangible piece of his past that is ultimately gone.
Bits like that and Hackman returning makes me care and the experience becomes siding with everyone involved to struggle against the Cannon madness.

One way I've seen it put (it might have been here somewhere) is that Superman III was a bad idea well made, while IV was a good idea poorly made.

I think that's a bit of an oversimplification, as there are some questionable things in IV that had nothing to do with budget. But I do think everyone's heart was in the right place, particularly Christopher Reeve's. His performance really does make IV more watchable than it should be.

[captainsolo]

I dream of doing a 4K set for I and II at least since they are linked as originally being one film. This would mean the three versions of I, all three original 1978 mixes, theatrical II with Megasound mix, Donner Cut with hopefully some of the 2006 effects bumped up and include a purist audio option-and hopefully if possible the TV cut of II.
One could try and make a hybrid cut of II but that would be more of a fan edit thing since Donner had his say and someone at WB already tried this with the Vudu cut.
Instead what I would do is include every scrap that was shot as extras so fans can finally see virtually everything and piece together the what could have been-PLUS include all the script drafts from the Mario Puzo mammoth basis through to the Benton/Newman drafts and Tom Mankiewicz. I'd love to go a step further with say a Charles de Lauzirika feature length Dangerous Days style documentary on the making of I and II.
But I dream and think in archival projects.


I always wondered why the 151m cut of I suddenly became a new standard and finally got an answer: on the Caped Wonder podcast Michael Thau said the 151m cut was merely intended as a fun alternative with a fraction of the extra footage put back in. It was never meant to replace the 1978 theatrical cut which to me is definitive. However at the time of the DVD's initial release WB was having legal difficulties with the inventor of seamless branching and it meant no branching could be used on disc until the matter was settled. Thau and/or Donner were then asked by the studio to let them just release the new 151m cut to have something to market the new DVD with as a "Special Edition".

[BerryTheMusicMan]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

I’ve always loved Superman Returns, I think it fits right in with the Reeve films. Brandon Routh did a great job portraying Christopher Reeve’s Superman, and Kevin Spacey was an excellent Luthor (I may have enjoyed his performance more than Gene Hackman…!). The set design and cinematography was A+. Also, I think it was pretty daring and admirable for the studio to go forward with a straight sequel to Superman II rather than a full reboot.

Admittedly, however, the biggest thing that sinks it is the casting of Kate Bosworth. If they’d gotten that role right, the entire movie probably would have been received much better. It’s such a key, vital role and she really drags it down.

Nailed it for me !

[bongozoid]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Man of Steel is the best Superman solo film ever.

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Donner Cut or send it to the Phantom Zone.

It's impressive one person can have so many bad takes.

[Bolty]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

The Wolverine isn't out on UHD, period.

Right. Forgot why I didn't own it on UHD

1. It's not the extended cut
2. It's not on UHD. LOL

I think someday they might address #2 but I doubt they will bother with #1