Superman: The Movie 4K UHD (1978)

[Jay Mammoth]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Yeah, Superman IV, especially towards the end, turns into an editing nightmare and really becomes incomprehensible (I guess Superman is okay now... and knows that Nuclear Man is coming for Lacy? LOL)

The Anthology Blu-Ray release of Superman IV has some of the footage in the deleted scenes feature, but it's not all of it, the footage is from a low-quality source, and some of the audio is from an unfinished version.

I would love for them to finally put out the full original cut of the movie. I wouldn't expect a 4K disc, but a Blu-Ray release like the recent TV-cut release of the first film sounds doable.

Superman IV is horrible, really doubt they release an alternate cut.

[ROSS.T.G.]

I would still buy it. Canon...

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Jay Mammoth

Superman IV is horrible, really doubt they release an alternate cut.

It is indeed. So wonderfully bad. So is Supergirl, and Warner is just about to release a new Blu-Ray version of that, including a long OOP DVD of a longer extended cut aired on TV.

I'm not saying it will happen for sure, but it's definitely possible, even if it was only included in a new box set, a limited on-demand release, or even just a digital release.

[bradnoyes]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

It is indeed. So wonderfully bad. So is Supergirl, and Warner is just about to release a new Blu-Ray version of that, including a long OOP DVD of a longer extended cut aired on TV.

Speaking of Helen Slater, what I wouldn't give for The Legend of Billie Jean in 4K...

[ltb2.0]

Superman IV entertained me endlessly as a kid. It had super powered fights, a few funny bits and bits and pieces of awesome music.

Superman III, had a robot lady who terrified me, wonderfully charmingly sleazy Robert Vaughn, a woefully out of place Richard Pryor.

And Superman who was somehow shoehorned into a lame comedy that bore his name.

[The Fallen Deity]

Hopefully they get the colour of Supe's costume right.

It's blue on the special edition and TV cut BD's but it looks more teal on the theatrical cut's disc.

[Ernest Rister]

Superman (1978) was photographed in a defused style, like Spielberg's 1941 -- I'll have to see screen grabs and read reviews before I pounce, because I don't know how 4k is going to handle that....more detail on the soft hazy photography? Or just greater color range on the soft hazy photography?

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Bolty

The time reversal encore was the best way to go? They themselves admitted they would have come up with something else if Donner hadn't been fired.
And since this was, like it or not, a 2006 release -- and the Reeve iteration was finished -- there was zero wrong with leaving Lois aware he was Superman.


And the bully comeuppance scene being left in shows just how little thought they put into the ending. No one in that diner has any idea why Clark confronts him if the time line has been turned back.

I just fast forward the time reversal thing when I watch the Donner cut.

The audience loved the "bully comeuppance" scene. Sure, it wouldn't work with the time-reversal moment in the original Donner version (which he would certainly have changed for another climax had he stayed on to direct), but it works just fine in the Lester version.

[ROSS.T.G.]

Better encoding, superior highlight detail that would not be seen on the BD, WCG and more detail. The format won’t turn a soft image into something it isn’t but that’s a good thing.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Geoffrey Unsworth's cinematography seemed to fit Superman: The Movie like a glove. It gives it a kind of dreamy, fantasy vibe, outside of the real world norms. He was an artist and Donner directed the film in a beautifully old-school epic fashion. This is still the finest example of a comic book coming to life on the big screen. The actors embodied the characters in such a wonderful manner. The filmmakers and writers brought a reverence for the subject matter to the proceedings. The score is utterly magnificent and triumphant. Modern Marvel films just can't touch it.


It's a damn shame the Salkinds f'd it all up. Superman II would have been marvelous.

[Raphdude]

I'm so excited for this, but I want the original split surround sound effects from the opening credits in lossless quality as it was played and heard in theatres on December 15, 1978! I was there!

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Raphdude

I'm so excited for this, but I want the original split surround sound effects from the opening credits in lossless quality as it was played and heard in theatres on December 15, 1978! I was there!

It may not be possible given the state of the original sound elements. If Donner has any input on this release, perhaps the Dolby Atmos mix will give you an even better experience.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Geoffrey Unsworth's cinematography seemed to fit Superman: The Movie like a glove. It gives it a kind of dreamy, fantasy vibe, outside of the real world norms. He was an artist and Donner directed the film in a beautifully old-school epic fashion. This is still the finest example of a comic book coming to life on the big screen. The actors embodied the characters in such a wonderful manner. The filmmakers and writers brought a reverence for the subject matter to the proceedings. The score is utterly magnificent and triumphant. Modern Marvel films just can't touch it.


It's a damn shame the Salkinds f'd it all up. Superman II would have been marvelous.

My favorite scene in Superman (1978)...Clark saying goodbye to his mother. There's a moment there I really appreciate. Ma Kent tells Clark to "always remember us" and hugs him. We cut wide to the embrace, and I think today, they'd cut from there or dissolve to the next beat in the story. Instead, Donner holds on it, then cuts to a low tracking shot, and just lets the moment breathe, and then we crane up to the horizon. It's a little thing, but I appreciate it when filmmakers take a little more time with such tender emotional moments before rushing off like a freight train to the next scene to get the running time down. Anyway, it's my favorite moment in a film full of wonderful moments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9rL...utu.be&t=2m29s

[TM2-Megatron]

Not having picked up the WAC release of the TV cut yet, I'm kind of curious to see whether this UHD proves to be a definitive release, offering the theatrical and director's cut in UHD and including the WAC disc containing the TV cut as well.

But I'm guessing I'll end up having to purchase that release separately.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

Not having picked up the WAC release of the TV cut yet, I'm kind of curious to see whether this UHD proves to be a definitive release, offering the theatrical and director's cut in UHD and including the WAC disc containing the TV cut as well.

But I'm guessing I'll end up having to purchase that release separately.

The TV cut may be an iffy thing and maybe if it's a deluxe set. We'll see how the Extended Cut is treated.

[HeavyHitter]

The time travel sequence is by far, IMO, the weakest part of Superman. It just makes no sense.

[TM2-Megatron]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

The time travel sequence is by far, IMO, the weakest part of Superman. It just makes no sense.

I dunno, the whole "Can You Read My Mind" sequence is pretty excruciating, too. They're both things I'd definitely have cut from the film.

My favourite parts of the original Superman were the opening on Krypton and scenes in Smallville. Once we get to Metropolis is when the cheese is dialed up to 11.

[cynatnite]

I'm one of the few who hates the Donner cut with a passion. They can have all the cuts they want as long as there is a good quality release of the theatrical version.

I'm holding off until we know exactly what we're getting and see what's said about it.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by TM2-Megatron

I dunno, the whole "Can You Read My Mind" sequence is pretty excruciating, too. They're both things I'd definitely have cut from the film.

My favourite parts of the original Superman were the opening on Krypton and scenes in Smallville. Once we get to Metropolis is when the cheese is dialed up to 11.

At the time, the poetry lyrics added to Williams' "Can You Read My Mind" piece was considered romantic. You would recite poetry to the one you cared for or loved. It may be considered old school by today's standards... but today most standards of foreplay and romance are shredded (and schools are dropping literature and poetry like a dirty sock, which is a tragedy), so it's kind of quaint to watch scenes like this again.


As to the cheese... Tom Mankiewicz of James Bond scripting fame was brought on to dial some of it back. His script doctoring actually saved the screenplay from being totally corny even by 70's standards and pumped up some of the action and drama. It was a family film that even kids could watch, remember. The original writers were going to have a bunch of cameos like Telly Savalas' Kojak with his "who loves ya, baby?" line and stuff like that.

[cynatnite]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

At the time, the poetry lyrics added to Williams' "Can You Read My Mind" piece was considered romantic. You would recite poetry to the one you cared for or loved. It may be considered old school by today's standards... but today most standards of foreplay and romance are shredded (and schools are dropping literature and poetry like a dirty sock, which is a tragedy), so it's kind of quaint to watch scenes like this again.


As to the cheese... Tom Mankiewicz of James Bond scripting fame was brought on to dial some of it back. His script doctoring actually saved the screenplay from being totally corny even by 70's standards and pumped up some of the action and drama. It was a family film that even kids could watch, remember.

I thought it was ridiculously stupid in the theater.

Whenever I watch it, that's my cue for a bathroom break.