Superman 35th anniversary

[Bolty]

Originally Posted by roguescribner

Richard Donner was not the driving creative force behind the "Donner Cut." That was Michael Thau. Thau did a lot of work on the cut before Donner was convinced to join in on the fun. Donner mainly looked at edited footage and gave notes, but did not spearhead any major decisions regarding the film. Due to the nature of the project, alternate takes, deleted scenes, test footage, and new footage was used to construct the narrative. Donner never finished shooting his version of Superman II so they had to work with what they had. Obviously Warner Bros. wasn't going to spend a ton of money on new footage for a curio film. John Williams was approached to score new cues, but he was too busy.

It was never meant to be a fully realized film. There's no way it ever could be since Donner never finished shooting it in the first place. But for people who for years heard about Donner's original ideas for Superman II and wished they could see that version instead, Warner Bros. decided to try to meet that desire. It has its faults, but I think the "Donner Cut" is about as good as it could reasonably be expected to be considering the resources available.

All that is true, BUT, Thau had the VERY STRONG impression from Donner that he was to use AS LITTLE Lester footage as possible.

I prefer by a huge margin the Donner cut, but I would make 3 changes to it.

1. I drop the 'Lois jumps out the window to prove Clark is Superman' and just cut the scene so they get the assignment to Niagra Falls.

2. I'd include the Lois tries to drown herself and Clark falls into the fire reveal. (Not because it's so much better, but because the test footage is too cheesy

3. Remove the 'turn back the world' reprise which is---- and always will be unacceptable. ( I know that's the way is was originally scripted but we can't erase our memories that it is the finale to the first movie!!!)


Those 3 changes i think would make the ultimate version. Some folks think it should also include the Paris opening--I waver back and forth on that one.