You HAVE to watch Superman II. The two were filmed back-to-back and it's more "Superman Part II" than a sequel. After that they start to get much less good, however Superman Returns is also good and a direct sequel to Superman II.
You should totally whatch Smallville, at your own leisure if you want, it's sooo good. I'm whatching it right now and you posting this reaction was just perfect for me today.
This is the best Superman movie. And it's the one were a woman actually saves him, Luthor's colleague. fans are ok with that. It showed supes was not such a Mary-sue afterall.
@@Tien1million In most modern comic book movies, they have ditched the idea of a hero having a secret identity which is almost a second personality. The actors today are just playing one character, so I can understand the confusion.
Now you get the joke why people don't recognize Clark as Superman. It's not just the glasses, it's his whole demeanor, his personality. Christopher Reeve had to play two separate characters here and did it beautifully.
It's even greater when you watch the Clark/Superman fight scene in Superman 3. There are no words and it's still a master class of acting. Chris Reeve really showed how good of an actor he really was in that scene. His body language was superb.
The sequence in this video around 22'40"-22'55" (unfortunately cut up here) is just brilliant acting by Reeve; he goes from Clark to Superman and back in just a few seconds, fantastic...
Well, there ARE still moments with a bit of camp comedy, but overall this was certainly the first time a comic book character was approached in a more serious manner.
@@pHD77 Comic books are full of camp comedy, more so even in the 70s and 80s. I think people often forget that. It's only in the late 80s and 90s that comic book went darker, but many kept a lot of the camp fun, Marvel in particular has good mix.
@OneAndOnlyMe That's because Batman in the 60's and Superman 1978 are based off of the Silver age era. When Tim Burton's version came out they were basing it off the Bronze age era even though we were in the Modern age era (only a few years into).
Christopher Reeves’ portrayal of Clark is SO good an nuanced. It’s not just the timidity. His voice goes up, his shoulders slump, his entire posture changes. Even his movements are different. As Clark he actually appears shorter, bumbling, and frumpy but, as showcased in the apartment, as soon as the glasses come off his voice drops, his posture changes. It’s such a great transformation.
Christopher Reeve was so iconic, when he passed away there was a drawing in the newspaper of his motorized wheelchair empty and you could see Superman’s cape and legs as he was flying off, extremely moving to this day , thanks
Wow I need to find that Pic. I remember when He died I was driving on a road trip and had to pull over cause My tears came unashamed and I wailed at the loss of My Childhood Hero. Similar ro what Supes/Clark did finding Lois trapped in the car
I found a pic on Google of Jesus giving Chris a big hug as He's welcoming him into heaven. That pic gave me some comfort, bc I know our Superman is in a better place now.
The scene in Lois’s apartment when Clark almost confesses to her is one of the best physical acting performances I’ve ever seen. It’s not just the glasses. Chris Reeve played Clark & Superman as completely different characters. Different postures, different voices, different gaits, different smiles, different physical ticks. It was a total transformation, and for a while, it made people stop joking about the glasses.
I never made fun of the Chris Reeve version. I used to make fun of Superman being Clark Kent without the glasses because of the Dean Cain version on that tv show. I will admit that I never really watched that show. My exposure to it is mostly from seeing promos for it in the ads for other shows I was watching. There were cartoon shows (*superfriends 1978-1985) but you didn't see much of Clark Kent until the version in Superman TAS. *There were television shows with Superman before Superfriends but I was not born then to see them. There was even an appearance by Superman in "I Love Lucy".
@@berranari1 Thanks to Reeve's physical and vocal performance, augmented by clothing hair and glasses, no one who didn't already know would ever recognize Clark Kent and Superman as being the same man.
In Superman 2, when he reveals his identity, you can see the moment Clark changes into Superman. No costume change, so special effects, no cut. His entire body language changes, and you can see the transformation. It's so powerful.
Brandon Routh is good; even better in Crisis on Infinite Earths. He really brought the Superman presence, even better than in Superman Returns. The Arrowverse turned to crap after Flash season 2, but I'd be 100% on board with a Routhe lead Superman series. Don't care if there's another one currently going on.
@@LordVolkov I thought Brandon looked almost the same as Christopher Reeve in some shots. He did a good job. He just had to work with a bad screenplay.
You’re reaction when he flys by at the end and smiles at the camera is the exact reaction that director Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve wanted. Perfect :)
Every once in a while I have to watch this movie, so much so much so my wife won't watch it with me anymore. Except the end flyby scene. When that comes on she'll come and sit down to watch it. She's 49, and when he looks at the camera and smiles she still can't help but smile and giggle. Apparently she had a big crush on him growing up.
I remember reading an interview with Director of SM 1 & 2. During the filming of SM2 Christopher Reeve and someone else were on a break and they went to a bar a couple of times. He went once wearing his Clark Kent disguise and once in his Superman outfit. Everyone instantly recognized him in his superman costume but nobody recognized him when he went dressed as Clark Kent. He found it very amusing that a suit and pair of glasses actually worked as an effective disguise.
superman as a characters gets satirized alot for his disguise yet its simplicity is a key reason why it's so effective. most of the time ppl take the things they see as truth, magicians exploit this aspect of human nature all the time
I love that robbery scene where Clark basically just goofs around and is useless, but in the middle of it all CATCHES THE BULLET WITH HIS HAND, and makes sure nobody notices. Totally priceless.
@@joeg6478 very true. If memory serves he's actually on the opposite side of Lois when the mugger points the gun at them, so he actually hustles to get in between them, tries to keep his attention, tries to talk him down, and then snatches the bullet while Lois' back is turned. Ironically, that moment is almost the only time he's *not* between Lois and the gun.
And Margot Kidder's Lois doing everything you shouldn't do when confronted with an armed thug. Dropping her handbag, trying to hit the thug. She had such great comedic timing.
In the comics, Superman saves a suicidal girl not by using his powers but just through talking to her. Great superhero stories don't need a heavyweight slugfest with a mega-villain, they are great for inspiring to do good and help others.
@@IdealUser That's also how Supes "beat" Dr. Manhattan in Doomsday Clock. Manhattan is god -like, not sure if Superman could defeat him, but the battle would have annihilated the universe. Yet, Kal-El talks to him, and when you read the end of the series, I shows how inspiring Superman is, even and especially to Dr. Manhattan. This movie really captures that goodness of the character.
@@bletheringfool yes this is also why there still hasn't been a comic accurate Batman in cinema also. You get a blood Thirsty killer in the Snyder Batman, or a Dumb everyone does everything for him in the Nolans. An Emo Pattinson. I remember from the Animated Series even, how the reason he doesn't kill his villains is because he understands and relates to them and looks to save them. He's more aimed to helping people. Like when in the Batman Beyond they showed him sit with Ace as she died, people to afraid to even get close to her because of her power going out of control. Yet he walked right in and comforted her. He wasn't some big Action scene but it was one of the most Heroic things he's ever done. The one thing that's missing in Modern Superhero stories, The HEROIC part in Superhero.
This film alone proves that Christopher Reeve remains the greatest Superman there ever was or will be. there were two before him, but he made them look like amateurs in my not so humble opinion. It helped immensely that once he darkened his naturally light to medium brown hair with black shoe polish he looked as if he'd stepped right out of the comics, too. And the black shoe polish in his hair made his blue eyes pop even more in certain scenes. And handsome, oh my goodness was he one good looking son of a gun! Even his personality was so similar to that of Clark's it was almost as if he was him in a way, I've heard.
@joaniekeyser4036, I agree with everything you said, Christopher Reeve was and will ALWAYS BE the ONLY "Superman" for me. I miss him, he was such a great actor and beautiful man.
@@patticrichton1135 I miss him too. I think if he hadn't been in that accident that he would have been a good choice for the role of Jor-El in 2013's Man of Steel. He would have done well in that role. I daresay he would have done it even better than Brando did in the '78 film.
I saw this as a kid in the 70's and it effects me the same way. At the scene where Lois dies, I get all sniffy. Because of Christopher Reeves stunning performance. And the tag line they used in the marketing, was true. “You'll believe a man can fly” was a true statement for generations of kids of all ages.
One reason he didn't worry about saving his mother(Martha) was because Smallville is in Kansas. She was in no imminent danger. Also, while they didn't show it, Clark visited his mother quite frequently. frequently.
I wasn't a fan of it. I get why Reeve took this approach, but in the comics Clark is just Clark. He doesn't pretend to be clumsy or timid. When he becomes Superman/Kal-El, that is really just an act. He becomes larger than life, but he is more comfortable as Clark from Smallville, as that is who he really is.
@@Rocket1377 That's a modern interpretation of the character that came after this era. Chris Reeve is playing the Silver Age version of the character one-hundred percent accurately.
David Prowse who was the guy in the Darth Vader costume in the the original trilogy was also a bodybuilder and helped Christopher Reeve get into shape for the role of Superman... That's right Vader trained Superman
I ... loved ... this movie. I remember my father telling me back in the summer of 1978 about a "Superman movie" coming out soon. Even at 11 years old, I recall being cynical enough to say to him that I thought they would mess it all up. Still, in December of that year, Dad took us kids to see it in one of the last remaining single-theater cinemas in town. It had a huge lobby with an incredible and classy chandelier and everything. We snuck in coolers of iced tea and hoagies, and even a cassette recorder as well, to capture the audio from the movie. We were all AWESTRUCK at the spectacle that was "Superman: The Movie", and it was made extra sweet by my father's childlike wonder and glee at seeing his favorite superhero come to life in such a literally perfect way. I played that tape until the player itself finally stopped working. It's funny to have such an emotional attachment to a film as I do to this one. While it is a fantastic work of art to be sure, in my heart I know that the real reason is the eternal connection to my Dad that it gives me whenever I see it. For this reason above all, "Superman: The Movie", will always hold a special place in my heart that is more than just the love of a great film, far more indeed. It is the connection it gives me to the very first Superman I ever knew and loved, who I was so very blessed to call ... "Dad".
Your personal memory, tying this Superman movie to your Dad, in a way, parallels the Big Question that Clark has to answer for himself, in the movie: Superman has TWO fathers - his birth father and his adopted father. They have different visions for who their son is going to be. Clark has to decide: which man's vision is going to win out - Jor-El's, or Jonathan Kent's? Whose son, finally, IS he? :)
@@tranya327 I like how Charles Winchester put it to Hawkeye on an episode of M*A*S*H. He said "My father was a good man, and he always wanted the best for me. But, where I have a father, you have a dad." I think Clark probably saw it that way too, Jor El was his father, but Jonathan Kent ... was his dad.
The Clark Kent persona is both an act, as well as his genuine personality. Clark grew up holding back, trying to avoid people noticing he was different. He became shy, clumsy, and introverted… but he never forgot his small town morals/manners. Once he discovers who he is, he does become confident, forthright, heroic as Superman. But he reverts back to his Clark personality to throw people off… it’s a natural transition for him.
I'm Brazilian and SUPERMAN the movie (1978) for me is the best superhero movie of all time! I watched it at the cinema when I was a child and I still feel like a child today and I am enchanted by the action scenes and special effects! For me it will always be a wonderful and untouchable classic.
In a shot where Clark stares at a phone booth prior to rescuing Lous for the first time, older viewers will get a laugh. In the original Superman comics, he would almost always change into his Superman persona in a phone booth.
@@Cosmo-Kramer Yes, and THAT was the joke. In the comic books Superman almost always used a phone booth to change his outfit. But in the movie he saw the exposed one and was like “nope, can’t change clothes there” It was a very funny joke if you get the reference. 😁
The funny thing is, he didn't use a phone booth as often as people think. In the Superman cartoons from the 40s, he usually ducks into an empty room at the _Planet_ or something to change, and only used a phone booth one time because he was making a call at the time. Even better, in the Superman newspaper strip, the one time he uses a phone booth, he complains that a phone booth is a lousy place to try and change your clothes in, but it's all he's got at the moment.
22:37 the scene where he takes the glasses off and straightens up is phenomenal physical acting from Chris, he looks like two different people. Genius actor.
If you look again youll notice that when Jonathan Kent dies Martha has brown hair but when Ckark leaves home it has turned white suggesting some time has passed between the two events -perhaps a year or so. So he didnt immediately leave his Mom after his father died.
Remember... When Superman dresses as Clark Kent, that is his costume. As Superman, that is his natural state. He puts on the persona of Clark as he sees humans. So glad you got to this finally!
This is the first time a mainstream movie took superheros seriously and as such, all of the movies since can trace their origins back to this fabulous movie...
Christopher Reeve is one of those people who fully looked the part; but who also believably embodied the traits. Gal Gadot in the first Wonder Woman also comes to mind. But it is a rare thing to find a person capable of embodying all of the traits.
Christopher Reeve is still the definitive Superman, IMO. Anyone who says Superman is lame, or boring, or too much of a goody-good doesn't get what makes Superman a great character.
I don't care what -ANYONE- says:: Christopher Reeve is Superman (everyone else just wears his cape). Adam West is Batman (everyone else wears his cowl)! -END SCENE-
absolutely it was the first movie to present a superhero as a serious motion picture and it was a huge financial risk and hinged hugely on the flying realism
The director's cut of Superman 2 awaits you. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Christopher Reeve had everything you could need. He actually bulked up to play the role too, different workout technology and nutrition but in a lot of ways it works. It doesn't look necessarily like gym or a body builder physique. Very natural. But that earnestness. The purity. A better time perhaps. "You'll believe a man can fly" indeed. What the film has more than anything is *heart.*
In this movie, the wimpy, clumsy Clark Kent persona is very much an act, a conscious effort to disguise who he really is. He's not lacking in confidence, he's intentionally portraying himself as a very meek, mild-mannered person so people wouldn't suspect that he's Superman. He even purposely slouches to make himself appear shorter in order to throw people off.
@@PFitz-sh4ms Bill is full of crap, though. He gets that Clark plays a role, but he completely gets the _why_ wrong - Clark doesn't look down on humans, he wants to be one of us, he just finds his responsibility with his powers to be more important than his own wants. Bill is basically thinking of _himself_ as Superman, but he's just another manipulative gaslighting buttface.
Christopher Reeve's take on the role is that being Superman is the easy part, the challenge is making Clark believable, it's not just the glasses, but a combination of all these little things, his hair, how he stands, tone of voice, and just how he carries himself, that scene after he flies with Lois and comes back as Clark and removes his glasses you see the change so clearly.
I grew up watching this movie....after 40+ years I still think that scream of pain and rage he does when Lois dies....is one of the most intense moments in cinema.
I'm glad you noticed Christopher Reeve's arm movements. As a pilot he added these in because he felt that aerodynamically this is how Superman would propel and manoeuvre
Christopher Reeve was an amazing actor and a wonderful person. He was best friends with Robin Williams and I believe his roommate in college. He starred a very underrated film called Somewhere in Time. I really enjoy that Christopher Reeve played Superman as the best of humanity and not the hero of humanity. End of Line
@vanlawprime6694: Yes, Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams were freshman roommates at Julliard university in the early 1970's. Ironically at the same time, Kevin Conroy (voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and other projects) was also a student there and roomed with Robin Williams off campus once Reeve had found a really nice apartment that according to Conroy was a little out of his price range rent wise, when Reeve offered to Conroy the chance to room with him.
@@user-si9fx4xb6v No way! Chris Reeve knew Kevin Conroy? That is so cool, and Chris was so nice to offer Kevin a chance to room with him. But what else could we expect from a man who was such a sweetheart?
The little girl that can be seen on the train while young Clark is running, is Lois Lane. The old women sitting next to her, is the woman who played Lois Lane in the 1950's TV show of Superman. And Christopher Reeve's voice was dubbed in when Clark as a teen spoke.
Great review! Saw this in 78 when it came out. I was 22 at the time and both this movie and Star wars were amazing to see in packed theaters back then!
The teen Clark actor was dubbed by Christopher Reeve and the couple briefly glimpsed on the train were played by actors from a 50s tv version of Superman 🎩
The little girl with them was Lois. You can see in the extended cut where she sees Clark running by the train, and when telling her parents about it, the mom says, "Oh, Lois Lane. You have a writer's gift for invention; I'll say that for you."
Actually, the woman was from the TV show. The man was Kirk Alyn, who played Superman in the 1940's movie serials. The woman (Noel Neill) appeared in the serials and the show.
When done right, Jonathan Kent is a most powerful death because it teaches Kal that he can't do everything, but he needs to do what he can. Conversely, Ben Parker is a preventable death necessary to teach Peter that he has to be a hero or people will get hurt. I find both their philosophical approaches to heroism to be fascinating.
Margot Kidder will always be my Lois Lane. The decision to make her a comedic, romantic interest was genius. If you play it straight like Amy Adams, you take away a lot of what makes Lois an interesting character in terms of the dynamic she has with Clark.
I agree. Margot Kidder was the best Lois Lane as far as I am concerned. It is the way she played that character, and it's unmatched to this day. Her Lois was entertaining, and the perfect personality to play opposite Reeve's Superman and Clark. Those two really brought the comic to life!
This film has so many fantastic characterizations. Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp (Zod) although you really have to watch the second movie for his performance. Ned Beatty (Otis) Valerie Perrine as Luthor's girlfriend.
Christopher Reeve was the Superman that I grew up with and is still my favorite. Another couple of good movies he was in are Somewhere In Time and The Village Of The Damned. If I remember correctly, Village was the movie he was in before the accident that left him paralyzed. Before he died, he guest starred on a couple of episodes of Smallville. I loved that. Talking about the music of John Williams, another great movie he composed the score for is my favorite disaster movie, The Towering Inferno from 1974. Great movie and an awesome score.
Interestingly, the casting director didn’t initially want to cast Christopher Reeve as Superman. When he initially auditioned for the role, he was way too skinny for the part. Reeve spent months in the gym training with a professional bodybuilder and reauditioned and ended up getting the role.
I saw a rerelease commemorating the 85th anniversary of Superman and I could see why Brando was given top billing. Awesome performance, he made the role feel real and strong. His farewell scene made me tear up.
If you watch Superman 2, I really recommend that you just watch the regular theatrical version. Some people may ask that you watch the "Donner Cut" which was released many years later, but in my opinion, it really does *not* hold together as a follow-up to the first movie, and is more of a curiosity. It's best just to go with the standard version.
I'm actually watching Smallville for the first time (like, more than just on in the background as a kid). It definitely took a lot from this movie in a good way. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder even make cameos! Seeing Chris on screen was great
Tom Welling recently spoke about his experience filming with Christopher Reeve. He was so generous with his time that he stayed on set much longer than was recommended by his nurse/caretaker.
The OG superhero movie. I remember seeing it with my dad opening week 1978, and it was so heartwarming. Christopher Reeve is unquestionably the definitive Superman.
When I went to see this, the crowds were bigger than star wars, So big that they let extra people in, me and my brother sat on the stairs between the seat rows watching it. Star Wars blew my 10 year old mind, but this was even more incredible.
I’m so glad UA-cam folks continue to react to this film; that people still watch this and in so many ways it holds up. The effects blew everyone away back in the old days. I was a very very small child but it sure blew my mind. Don’t remember much from then but I remember never wanting to remove my Superman PJs w/ the Velcro’d on cape.
I am glad you enjoyed this one, you need to see Superman II also. They were shot as a single film but the producers wanted to make more money so they made a sequel instead of a longer film. There are 2 versions of the sequel, the theatrical cut and the director's cut. Having seen this movie so often at the theater, I am partial to the theatrical version but the director's cut is less cheesy.
To this day, this Superman movie has always been my favorite superhero/ comic book movie. Great story, music, effects, and acting. It has a special place in my heart.
Fun bit of trivia: in the comics Clark's name comes from his mom's maiden name, Martha Clark. As for whether Clark's demeanor is an act, of course it is. The movie made it very clear in that scene where he arrives at Lois' apartment and he takes off his glasses, stands up straight and tells Lois he has something to tell her in the tone of voice he uses as Superman, only to change his mind at the last moment and revert back to his wimpy Clark persona. Christopher Reeve is the only Superman in film who manages to make you buy that people, especially those that don't personally know him, simply can't tell Clark is Superman because it's not only the fact that he wears glasses. It's his whole body language, voice and behavior.
There's a reason there has never been question of who the best Superman actor ever is because it's Christopher Reeve. With Batman people argue over whether it was Keaton or Conroy or Bale or even West, with Spider-Man they argue over whether it was Maguire or Garfield or Holland, but Superman will always be Christopher Reeve, no matter how unfair that is to everyone else who's been stuck with the role. The scene in Lois' apartment where only a few seconds after leaving her as Superman he comes in as Clark Kent, takes his glasses off and for just a brief moment he's visibly just _himself,_ not the shy stammering disguise of Kent or the stoic public hero Superman, and then he decides to confess to Lois and he becomes Superman again... before losing his nerve at the last second and transforming back into Clark within the space of _one second._ You will never ask how nobody can tell that Clark Kent is really Superman again, and you _will_ believe a man can act.
John Williams' Superman theme is probably the best superhero theme of all time. It's so iconic they had to include a snippet of it in Justice League, which is otherwise scored by Hans Zimmer.
Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster but sold the rights to the character to Action Comics (later DC Comics) and were completely cut out of the character's history until this movie. In the opening credits this was the first time since they sold the rights that they were publicly acknowledged with the credit. The movie studio also gave them the creators' share of the movie's profits and had them at the Hollywood premier. You're gonna LOVE Superman 2!
The Godfather's screenplay was written by Mario Puzo, who also wrote, you guessed it....Superman. So it's fun to see the references to the Godfather around Brando, when they had the same writer as well, which explains why the dialogue in this is so good.
Mario Puzo was one of the credited screenwriters, but apparently many people attribute a lot of the actual shooting script to Tom Mankiewicz, who received the unusual credit of Creative Consultant because he was so heavily involved in a lot of different areas of the production with Richard Donner.
One thing I loved about "Smallville," even though it was kind of an alternative universe of Superman's origins, was that Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder were there to pass the torch to Tom Welling (playing different roles, of course). The creators of the show loved this movie and used bits and pieces of John Williams' music throughout the series and had Terrence Stamp (General Zod, here) play the voice of Jor-El. The actor who played Jimmy Olsen in the original movies also had a small cameo on "Smallville" too.
Fun Fact: The soundstage they shot the Fortress of Solitude was the same stage they built the rebel base in The Empire Strikes Back. In fact, some actors from the original Star Wars films also were in the first two Superman films.
John Ratzenberger is the most famous actor in both franchises, although it remains awkward that one of his lines in Empire is dubbed with a different actor. He plays THREE roles in the Superman movies, two on-camera, and one just a random voice of the TV news crew. Shane Rimmer loaded R2 into the X-Wing in Star Wars, and also played two on-camera roles in the Superman series. Richard LeParmentier was the real chameleon, who played the snide Admiral Motti in Star Wars, a formal-sounding TV reporter in Superman II, and a standard issue police detective in Roger Rabbit.
@@jedijones Colin Skeaping was the helicopter pilot and was Mark Hamill’s stunt double. Phil Brown played Luke’s Uncle Owen and the senator with glasses at the rocket launch center. Ray Hassett played Harry, the cop run over by the train by Lex Luthor, and he played the Hoth officer who tells Han Solo it’s too cold to use speeders to look for Luke in The Empire Strikes Back. Alan Harris was the white-haired man on the roof of The Daily Planet after Lois is rescued. He also played the reptilian-looking bounty hunter Bossk in The Empire Strikes Back, as well as a guard escorting Han’s frozen body on Cloud City. In addition, it was his body that they cast to be Han’s when it was frozen in carbonite!
I still remember seeing this in the theater when I was little and it was such an electrifying experience. The crowd was hooting and hollering and it was wild. That first time you see Superman in his suit and he flies towards and then by the camera, the crowd was on their feet cheering... and then again later when he reveals himself and flies to save Lois and the helicopter. To this day, I haven't had such an electric experience in the movie theater. Such a memorable day. :-) This is the boilerplate for most all superhero movies to come. A real classic... and EASILY the superhero movie with the best score. :-D
Totally rad reaction Mary!!! This is not just my favorite Superman movie but it's my favorite superhero movie EVER!!!!! I was 6 years old when my Dad took me to see this in the theater in 1978 and Christopher Reeve made me believe that a man can fly and as a consequence of this movie, Superman became my favorite superhero.....I immersed myself in Superman comic books, toys and other memorabilia. John Williams score for this, if you'll pardon the expression, is out of this world!!!! Gene Hackman's performance as Lex Luthor was over the top but in a good way and Ned Beatty as Otis is some of the best comic relief I've seen!! I love your reactions because you always bring a good attitude and observations about what you're watching, you ask questions correctly when you're unsure about something, your perspectives are on point and most importantly you're entertaining and fun and that's always refreshing!!! Keep up the great work and many blessings to you and yours!!!
This movie still has the BEST superhero introduction ever with the Helicopter scene: the dramatic build-up, John WIlliams' music and then the reveal when Superman steps out of the revolving door.... I saw this movie in theaters when I was little and it was an experience... For a different take on the superhero genre (and if you can find it), I recommend "Hero At Large" from 1980. It starred John Ritter (from the tv series Three's Company) and Anne Archer (Harrison Ford's wife in Patriot Games & Clear & Present Danger). It's about an actor who promotes a superhero movie by going around in costume and over time starts to think he is that superhero (and look fast for Kevin Bacon as an extra)....
Great performance by Christopher Reeves in creating two distinctly different characters in Supes and Clark. That’s why people aren’t making the connection between the two.
Reeve met with Jeff East during filming and said that their mannerisms and demeanor should match as much as possible. Later, Reeve's voice was dubbed in place of East's voice to make it seamless.
That distressed scream still gives the goosebumps after all these years. Imagine seeing that in theaters at 10 years old. It left an impression to be sure.
Perfect timing since it's officially *Superman Day* and today is the *85th Anniversary of the character* and perhaps the greatest superhero. I truly hold this movie in a special place in my heart, despite some things being a bit campy and outdated nonetheless, I am truly grateful for this movie for introducing me to this amazing character and it's such a magical movie that made people love Superman Christopher Reeves truly was Superman and had the heart and soul of the character to many he is the definitive Superman that inspired a generation
Im happy you liked this movie. It was so well done for it coming out so long ago. Part 2 is good as well, the actor who plays Zod is an awesome actor. It has its cheesy moments but it's forgivable because of the tone of the movie. I think you'll enjoy it also.
Man of Steel may be a better action movie but no one will ever capture the true essence of Superman better than Chris Reeve did. I grew up on this movie and it remains to this day my favorite movie
The first time I ever cried during a movie. Watching "Lois die. The dialogue in "Super 1 and 2 is fun and entertaining. This is just as cool as I hoped it would be watching with you. I loved your reactions and everything you were saying and had to say afterwards. Very very good video. ⚘️
Fun Fact: Christopher Reeve not only dubbed young Clark’s lines, but also played the voice of the flight tower operator before the helicopter sequence and for the Air Force One scene.
Hi Mary. That scene at the Fortress of Solitude where Clark becomes Superman and flies for the first time got a big round of applause from the audience. It was the first time a man flying in a film looked real.
@@lexkanyima2195 They used a multitude of different techniques to make Superman fly in the film(special flying rigs/backscreen/bluescreen/wires/crane), but for this scene, it was wires...but what Christopher did with his arms to "bank" that turn really sold the practical effect in this moment.
Christopher Reeve embodied superman 100%, he believed in the character's values, morals and always gave it his all, even in the lesser budget and quality films, 3, 4, Reeve still gave 100% commitment to the spirit of Superman.
Christopher Reeve's version of Superman really stands up because of how FAITHFUL it was to the actual characters of the comic books. A bit of innocence mixed with confidence. It is Superman's innocent like belief in "do the right thing and good things will happen to you" combined with his "confidence in doing the right thing" that makes him so iconic. And Reeve pulled it off perfectly by being somewhat "shy" at times, as well as "somewhat cocky" as well. And the way he played them off with whoever he was on screen with was magical. The shy act around Kidder's Lane, but confidence around Hackman's Luther. They just fed each other with the way they interacted and how their key moments played out.
I love how optimistic your reaction was throughout the film and not pointing out the problems other people were getting with this. I got used to people nitpicking stuff on everything they watch (even the good ones) so this was very fresh to me. I love this movie with my heart and it's nice to see someone have the same joy and appreciation while watching it.
►for early access, bloopers, polls & UNCUT VERSION check ► patreon.com/marycherryofficial
► NEW GAMING CHANNEL: www.youtube.com/@cherry_plays
► follow me on ✰www.twitch.tv/maryycherryy (LIVE STREAMS)
► VLOG channel VARY CHERRY: www.youtube.com/@varycherry
► DISCORD: discord.com/invite/3pxX7QqGW7
► IG: instagram.com/maryycherryy/
► TWEET ME: twitter.com/maryycherryy
FAQ sheet: docs.google.com/document/d/1_FkcwQ0vPAAk53YVyo-ChXc9AuX1pn5gbctrOkX13xA/edit
11:52, a very common thing for most Lois Lanes after this movie. Great reporter....horrible speller. lol
Mary, please, please, please try one punch man, I think you will love it
You HAVE to watch Superman II. The two were filmed back-to-back and it's more "Superman Part II" than a sequel. After that they start to get much less good, however Superman Returns is also good and a direct sequel to Superman II.
You should totally whatch Smallville, at your own leisure if you want, it's sooo good. I'm whatching it right now and you posting this reaction was just perfect for me today.
This is the best Superman movie. And it's the one were a woman actually saves him, Luthor's colleague. fans are ok with that. It showed supes was not such a Mary-sue afterall.
He’s not timid as Clark. It’s his disguise. Everyone says glasses as a disguise? No, his persona is the disguise. The glasses just help
Yep, the way Reeves entire body language and personality changes, he seems shorter and not as well built, is amazing
Yep. Clark is the costume.
Yeah, I don't get why she is confuse about that. Clark Kent is his costume, he can't look and act the same as he do as Superman.
Look at how quickly Lois dismissed the possibility that Clark was Superman at the end. It's the same with Batman. Bruce Wayne is Batman's disguise.
@@Tien1million In most modern comic book movies, they have ditched the idea of a hero having a secret identity which is almost a second personality. The actors today are just playing one character, so I can understand the confusion.
This is the blueprint for all other comic book origin movies. RIP Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder
Oh man I did not know about Margo!
True
*and Richard Donner
And Marlon Brando
And Ned Beatty
Now you get the joke why people don't recognize Clark as Superman. It's not just the glasses, it's his whole demeanor, his personality. Christopher Reeve had to play two separate characters here and did it beautifully.
The thing is, people in the movie universe don't know Superman even has a secret identity. As far as anyone knows, he's just Superman all the time.
It's even greater when you watch the Clark/Superman fight scene in Superman 3. There are no words and it's still a master class of acting. Chris Reeve really showed how good of an actor he really was in that scene. His body language was superb.
@@robfinlay8058 exactly. No one is looking for one since he doesn't wear a mask.
The sequence in this video around 22'40"-22'55" (unfortunately cut up here) is just brilliant acting by Reeve; he goes from Clark to Superman and back in just a few seconds, fantastic...
Corridor Crew did a fun episode where they tested this out ua-cam.com/video/sFANdxfirvI/v-deo.html
With this movie Richard Donner proved comic books could be serious cinema.
Well, there ARE still moments with a bit of camp comedy, but overall this was certainly the first time a comic book character was approached in a more serious manner.
@@pHD77 Comic books are full of camp comedy, more so even in the 70s and 80s. I think people often forget that. It's only in the late 80s and 90s that comic book went darker, but many kept a lot of the camp fun, Marvel in particular has good mix.
@OneAndOnlyMe That's because Batman in the 60's and Superman 1978 are based off of the Silver age era.
When Tim Burton's version came out they were basing it off the Bronze age era even though we were in the Modern age era (only a few years into).
After premier the 2 creator's of superman told Richard Donner with teary eyes that superman was better than they ever dreamed of.
Loved how in the Goonies they gave a little nod to Richard Donner when sloth shows his Superman shirt and the theme plays.
Christopher Reeves’ portrayal of Clark is SO good an nuanced. It’s not just the timidity. His voice goes up, his shoulders slump, his entire posture changes. Even his movements are different. As Clark he actually appears shorter, bumbling, and frumpy but, as showcased in the apartment, as soon as the glasses come off his voice drops, his posture changes. It’s such a great transformation.
And it's exactly like in the comics.
Reeve.
@@elbirriosoReeve's
Read not read
Juliard School training!
Christopher Reeve was so iconic, when he passed away there was a drawing in the newspaper of his motorized wheelchair empty and you could see Superman’s cape and legs as he was flying off, extremely moving to this day , thanks
Jesus F***! I didn't know that, and just reading your comment made me tear up. He is missed!
Wow I need to find that Pic. I remember when He died I was driving on a road trip and had to pull over cause My tears came unashamed and I wailed at the loss of My Childhood Hero. Similar ro what Supes/Clark did finding Lois trapped in the car
I found a pic on Google of Jesus giving Chris a big hug as He's welcoming him into heaven. That pic gave me some comfort, bc I know our Superman is in a better place now.
@@nmt2k2e fell off of his horse is how he became quadriplegic and shortly after he passed
Just as moving when Mel Blanc died. The drawing of all the Looney Tunes by a mic with a statement: SPEECHLESS
The scene in Lois’s apartment when Clark almost confesses to her is one of the best physical acting performances I’ve ever seen. It’s not just the glasses. Chris Reeve played Clark & Superman as completely different characters. Different postures, different voices, different gaits, different smiles, different physical ticks. It was a total transformation, and for a while, it made people stop joking about the glasses.
Seeing the shifts between Waymond and Alphaverse Waymond in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once reminded of Reeve's performance a bit.
I never made fun of the Chris Reeve version. I used to make fun of Superman being Clark Kent without the glasses because of the Dean Cain version on that tv show. I will admit that I never really watched that show. My exposure to it is mostly from seeing promos for it in the ads for other shows I was watching. There were cartoon shows (*superfriends 1978-1985) but you didn't see much of Clark Kent until the version in Superman TAS.
*There were television shows with Superman before Superfriends but I was not born then to see them.
There was even an appearance by Superman in "I Love Lucy".
@@berranari1 Thanks to Reeve's physical and vocal performance, augmented by clothing hair and glasses, no one who didn't already know would ever recognize Clark Kent and Superman as being the same man.
In Superman 2, when he reveals his identity, you can see the moment Clark changes into Superman. No costume change, so special effects, no cut. His entire body language changes, and you can see the transformation. It's so powerful.
@@TomasTassellReeve should have been nominated for a Oscar
The greatest Superhero entrance ever. Many tried, but none captured the true essence of Clark Kent/Superman better than Christopher Reeve.
I thought Brandon Routh did an admirable attempt in Superman Returns, but none compare to Reeves.
I’m a big fan of Reeve, but to be fair to Henry Cavill, he could have been great too if not for Zack Snyder’s weird, twisted vision of Superman.
Brandon Routh is good; even better in Crisis on Infinite Earths. He really brought the Superman presence, even better than in Superman Returns. The Arrowverse turned to crap after Flash season 2, but I'd be 100% on board with a Routhe lead Superman series. Don't care if there's another one currently going on.
Absolutely! Most iconic .
@@LordVolkov I thought Brandon looked almost the same as Christopher Reeve in some shots. He did a good job. He just had to work with a bad screenplay.
You’re reaction when he flys by at the end and smiles at the camera is the exact reaction that director Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve wanted. Perfect :)
It's Beautiful ❤
"Aww, He looks awesome." Smiles. "heh" That's the effect he had on us all.
Every once in a while I have to watch this movie, so much so much so my wife won't watch it with me anymore.
Except the end flyby scene. When that comes on she'll come and sit down to watch it. She's 49, and when he looks at the camera and smiles she still can't help but smile and giggle.
Apparently she had a big crush on him growing up.
I remember reading an interview with Director of SM 1 & 2. During the filming of SM2 Christopher Reeve and someone else were on a break and they went to a bar a couple of times. He went once wearing his Clark Kent disguise and once in his Superman outfit. Everyone instantly recognized him in his superman costume but nobody recognized him when he went dressed as Clark Kent. He found it very amusing that a suit and pair of glasses actually worked as an effective disguise.
superman as a characters gets satirized alot for his disguise yet its simplicity is a key reason why it's so effective. most of the time ppl take the things they see as truth, magicians exploit this aspect of human nature all the time
That's an awesome story
I love that robbery scene where Clark basically just goofs around and is useless, but in the middle of it all CATCHES THE BULLET WITH HIS HAND, and makes sure nobody notices. Totally priceless.
not useless tho, even as clark he keeps his body between lois and the gunman the entire time
@@joeg6478 very true. If memory serves he's actually on the opposite side of Lois when the mugger points the gun at them, so he actually hustles to get in between them, tries to keep his attention, tries to talk him down, and then snatches the bullet while Lois' back is turned. Ironically, that moment is almost the only time he's *not* between Lois and the gun.
And Margot Kidder's Lois doing everything you shouldn't do when confronted with an armed thug.
Dropping her handbag, trying to hit the thug.
She had such great comedic timing.
It's very telling that someone whose first movie experience of Superman was Man of Steel is taken aback by how Reeve's Superman just... helps people.
In the comics, Superman saves a suicidal girl not by using his powers but just through talking to her. Great superhero stories don't need a heavyweight slugfest with a mega-villain, they are great for inspiring to do good and help others.
@@IdealUser That's a fantastic moment
yes, a good point modern hero movies make it all about them. A lot of TV shows and movies have heroes that are in many ways arrogant and self serving
@@IdealUser That's also how Supes "beat" Dr. Manhattan in Doomsday Clock. Manhattan is god -like, not sure if Superman could defeat him, but the battle would have annihilated the universe. Yet, Kal-El talks to him, and when you read the end of the series, I shows how inspiring Superman is, even and especially to Dr. Manhattan. This movie really captures that goodness of the character.
@@bletheringfool yes this is also why there still hasn't been a comic accurate Batman in cinema also. You get a blood Thirsty killer in the Snyder Batman, or a Dumb everyone does everything for him in the Nolans. An Emo Pattinson. I remember from the Animated Series even, how the reason he doesn't kill his villains is because he understands and relates to them and looks to save them. He's more aimed to helping people. Like when in the Batman Beyond they showed him sit with Ace as she died, people to afraid to even get close to her because of her power going out of control. Yet he walked right in and comforted her. He wasn't some big Action scene but it was one of the most Heroic things he's ever done. The one thing that's missing in Modern Superhero stories, The HEROIC part in Superhero.
This film alone proves that Christopher Reeve remains the greatest Superman there ever was or will be. there were two before him, but he made them look like amateurs in my not so humble opinion. It helped immensely that once he darkened his naturally light to medium brown hair with black shoe polish he looked as if he'd stepped right out of the comics, too. And the black shoe polish in his hair made his blue eyes pop even more in certain scenes. And handsome, oh my goodness was he one good looking son of a gun! Even his personality was so similar to that of Clark's it was almost as if he was him in a way, I've heard.
@joaniekeyser4036, I agree with everything you said, Christopher Reeve was and will ALWAYS BE the ONLY "Superman" for me. I miss him, he was such a great actor and beautiful man.
He is great, and I consider Brandon Routh as his worthy successor as the man of steel.
@@patticrichton1135 I miss him too. I think if he hadn't been in that accident that he would have been a good choice for the role of Jor-El in 2013's Man of Steel. He would have done well in that role. I daresay he would have done it even better than Brando did in the '78 film.
I saw this as a kid in the 70's and it effects me the same way. At the scene where Lois dies, I get all sniffy. Because of Christopher Reeves stunning performance. And the tag line they used in the marketing, was true. “You'll believe a man can fly” was a true statement for generations of kids of all ages.
I agree. 👍👍👍👍
One reason he didn't worry about saving his mother(Martha) was because Smallville is in Kansas. She was in no imminent danger. Also, while they didn't show it, Clark visited his mother quite frequently. frequently.
Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Clark and Superman as different personas is what makes him the best version.
I wasn't a fan of it. I get why Reeve took this approach, but in the comics Clark is just Clark. He doesn't pretend to be clumsy or timid. When he becomes Superman/Kal-El, that is really just an act. He becomes larger than life, but he is more comfortable as Clark from Smallville, as that is who he really is.
@@Rocket1377 That's a modern interpretation of the character that came after this era. Chris Reeve is playing the Silver Age version of the character one-hundred percent accurately.
@@stonebaxterand Brandon Routh continue his legacy.
@@TwilightLink77 Yeah because they were the same Superman/Clark, so he had to, but he did it well :)
@@Kyubone Especially in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
David Prowse who was the guy in the Darth Vader costume in the the original trilogy was also a bodybuilder and helped Christopher Reeve get into shape for the role of Superman... That's right Vader trained Superman
Sounds about right.
So that’s why Henry Cavill once dressed as a Sith Lord
So Darth Vader is his Real father..It all make sense now!!!
Goooood. Gooooooood.
And possibly Supergirl (1984) as in an interview I saw Helen Slater mentions she had the same trainers as Christopher Reeve did.
I ... loved ... this movie. I remember my father telling me back in the summer of 1978 about a "Superman movie" coming out soon. Even at 11 years old, I recall being cynical enough to say to him that I thought they would mess it all up. Still, in December of that year, Dad took us kids to see it in one of the last remaining single-theater cinemas in town. It had a huge lobby with an incredible and classy chandelier and everything. We snuck in coolers of iced tea and hoagies, and even a cassette recorder as well, to capture the audio from the movie. We were all AWESTRUCK at the spectacle that was "Superman: The Movie", and it was made extra sweet by my father's childlike wonder and glee at seeing his favorite superhero come to life in such a literally perfect way. I played that tape until the player itself finally stopped working. It's funny to have such an emotional attachment to a film as I do to this one. While it is a fantastic work of art to be sure, in my heart I know that the real reason is the eternal connection to my Dad that it gives me whenever I see it. For this reason above all, "Superman: The Movie", will always hold a special place in my heart that is more than just the love of a great film, far more indeed. It is the connection it gives me to the very first Superman I ever knew and loved, who I was so very blessed to call ... "Dad".
What a great memory to have and thank you for sharing
@@harish123az Thanks so much!
Your personal memory, tying this Superman movie to your Dad, in a way, parallels the Big Question that Clark has to answer for himself, in the movie: Superman has TWO fathers - his birth father and his adopted father. They have different visions for who their son is going to be. Clark has to decide: which man's vision is going to win out - Jor-El's, or Jonathan Kent's? Whose son, finally, IS he? :)
@@tranya327 I like how Charles Winchester put it to Hawkeye on an episode of M*A*S*H. He said "My father was a good man, and he always wanted the best for me. But, where I have a father, you have a dad." I think Clark probably saw it that way too, Jor El was his father, but Jonathan Kent ... was his dad.
The Clark Kent persona is both an act, as well as his genuine personality. Clark grew up holding back, trying to avoid people noticing he was different. He became shy, clumsy, and introverted… but he never forgot his small town morals/manners. Once he discovers who he is, he does become confident, forthright, heroic as Superman. But he reverts back to his Clark personality to throw people off… it’s a natural transition for him.
I'm Brazilian and SUPERMAN the movie (1978) for me is the best superhero movie of all time! I watched it at the cinema when I was a child and I still feel like a child today and I am enchanted by the action scenes and special effects! For me it will always be a wonderful and untouchable classic.
the best movie ever
16:27 This wasn't just the moment that Christopher Reeve became Superman. This was the moment the superhero genre changed forever.
In a shot where Clark stares at a phone booth prior to rescuing Lous for the first time, older viewers will get a laugh.
In the original Superman comics, he would almost always change into his Superman persona in a phone booth.
I thought it wasn't a booth, but one of those exposed pay phones that he gave a quizzical look to, before heading to the revolving door.
@@Cosmo-Kramer
Yes, and THAT was the joke.
In the comic books Superman almost always used a phone booth to change his outfit. But in the movie he saw the exposed one and was like “nope, can’t change clothes there”
It was a very funny joke if you get the reference. 😁
@@Cosmo-Kramer That’s right. That was the joke. Because he usually uses a phone booth, he was stumped for a moment when he saw the half booth.
The funny thing is, he didn't use a phone booth as often as people think. In the Superman cartoons from the 40s, he usually ducks into an empty room at the _Planet_ or something to change, and only used a phone booth one time because he was making a call at the time.
Even better, in the Superman newspaper strip, the one time he uses a phone booth, he complains that a phone booth is a lousy place to try and change your clothes in, but it's all he's got at the moment.
@@christopherwall2121 Just one of those bits that became apocryphal over the years.
22:37 the scene where he takes the glasses off and straightens up is phenomenal physical acting from Chris, he looks like two different people. Genius actor.
If you look again youll notice that when Jonathan Kent dies Martha has brown hair but when Ckark leaves home it has turned white suggesting some time has passed between the two events -perhaps a year or so. So he didnt immediately leave his Mom after his father died.
when he goes to the fortress of solitude and begins training you hear his father say 10 of your earth years has passed.
Remember... When Superman dresses as Clark Kent, that is his costume. As Superman, that is his natural state. He puts on the persona of Clark as he sees humans. So glad you got to this finally!
This is the first time a mainstream movie took superheros seriously and as such, all of the movies since can trace their origins back to this fabulous movie...
Christopher Reeve is one of those people who fully looked the part; but who also believably embodied the traits. Gal Gadot in the first Wonder Woman also comes to mind. But it is a rare thing to find a person capable of embodying all of the traits.
Gal Gadot looks the part but if compared to Reeves, her acting abilities are far, far inferior
Gal Gadot looks nothing like the original character in the comics.
Because I'm WAY into middle age, Reeve will always be my favorite Supe.
@@harish123az She's a good enough actress. Not at all bad.
RDJ was an excellent Stark. Would have been better if Disney didn’t buy Marvel.
The Daemon on a Bottle arch could have been amazing.
Incredible movie, still timeless. Christopher Reeve is Legendary.
Christopher Reeve is still the definitive Superman, IMO. Anyone who says Superman is lame, or boring, or too much of a goody-good doesn't get what makes Superman a great character.
For me, this is the best superhero movie ever. I love Dark Knight and Spider-Man 2, but this one is special. Simply the best.
The legend that is Christopher Reeve!! The one true Superman!!💪😊😇😎👏🙌🙏👍🎉
I don't care what -ANYONE- says::
Christopher Reeve is Superman (everyone else just wears his cape).
Adam West is Batman (everyone else wears his cowl)!
-END SCENE-
The movie that proved superheroes can be taken seriously.
You Will believe a man can fly!!!
absolutely it was the first movie to present a superhero as a serious motion picture and it was a huge financial risk and hinged hugely on the flying realism
Christopher Reeve was a real-life Superman, on and off the screen.
I was about 9 years old when I first saw this movie in the theater , and Superman's scream still gives me chills. RIP Chris.
The director's cut of Superman 2 awaits you. I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Christopher Reeve had everything you could need. He actually bulked up to play the role too, different workout technology and nutrition but in a lot of ways it works. It doesn't look necessarily like gym or a body builder physique. Very natural. But that earnestness. The purity. A better time perhaps. "You'll believe a man can fly" indeed. What the film has more than anything is *heart.*
The scene, when Christopher takes off his glasses is brilliant. His whole being appears to change.
It's like watching an actor shift out of one character and right into another. It's a marvelous performance.
In this movie, the wimpy, clumsy Clark Kent persona is very much an act, a conscious effort to disguise who he really is. He's not lacking in confidence, he's intentionally portraying himself as a very meek, mild-mannered person so people wouldn't suspect that he's Superman. He even purposely slouches to make himself appear shorter in order to throw people off.
Clark Kent is Superman's critique on the whole human race
Lol
And the clumsiness!!¡
Check out Kill Bill vol 2
@@PFitz-sh4ms Bill is full of crap, though. He gets that Clark plays a role, but he completely gets the _why_ wrong - Clark doesn't look down on humans, he wants to be one of us, he just finds his responsibility with his powers to be more important than his own wants. Bill is basically thinking of _himself_ as Superman, but he's just another manipulative gaslighting buttface.
Christopher Reeve's take on the role is that being Superman is the easy part, the challenge is making Clark believable, it's not just the glasses, but a combination of all these little things, his hair, how he stands, tone of voice, and just how he carries himself, that scene after he flies with Lois and comes back as Clark and removes his glasses you see the change so clearly.
I grew up watching this movie....after 40+ years I still think that scream of pain and rage he does when Lois dies....is one of the most intense moments in cinema.
Christopher Reeve was in my opinion the best Superman of all time! RIP 🙏 😢
I'm glad you noticed Christopher Reeve's arm movements. As a pilot he added these in because he felt that aerodynamically this is how Superman would propel and manoeuvre
Christopher Reeve was an amazing actor and a wonderful person. He was best friends with Robin Williams and I believe his roommate in college. He starred a very underrated film called Somewhere in Time. I really enjoy that Christopher Reeve played Superman as the best of humanity and not the hero of humanity.
End of Line
@vanlawprime6694: Yes, Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams were freshman roommates at Julliard university in the early 1970's. Ironically at the same time, Kevin Conroy (voice of Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and other projects) was also a student there and roomed with Robin Williams off campus once Reeve had found a really nice apartment that according to Conroy was a little out of his price range rent wise, when Reeve offered to Conroy the chance to room with him.
@@user-si9fx4xb6v No way! Chris Reeve knew Kevin Conroy? That is so cool, and Chris was so nice to offer Kevin a chance to room with him. But what else could we expect from a man who was such a sweetheart?
Somewhere In Time is an amazing film. Such a great love story and an awesome and unique take on time travel.
The little girl that can be seen on the train while young Clark is running, is Lois Lane. The old women sitting next to her, is the woman who played Lois Lane in the 1950's TV show of Superman. And Christopher Reeve's voice was dubbed in when Clark as a teen spoke.
Great review! Saw this in 78 when it came out. I was 22 at the time and both this movie and Star wars were amazing to see in packed theaters back then!
This film made Batman and the marvel franchise possible. Let's give Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve their flowers.
Not only the original superhero blockbuster but a gold standard in how to do it right. Also reeve as superman was special ❤
The teen Clark actor was dubbed by Christopher Reeve and the couple briefly glimpsed on the train were played by actors from a 50s tv version of Superman 🎩
The little girl with them was Lois. You can see in the extended cut where she sees Clark running by the train, and when telling her parents about it, the mom says, "Oh, Lois Lane. You have a writer's gift for invention; I'll say that for you."
Actually, the woman was from the TV show. The man was Kirk Alyn, who played Superman in the 1940's movie serials. The woman (Noel Neill) appeared in the serials and the show.
There was a deleted scene used in the long TV version that showed they were Lois Lane's parents.
Noel Neill was also in Superman Returns with Jack Larsen (50's TV show's Jimmy Olsen)
"All these powers, and I couldn't save him" ... Johnathan Kent and Ben Parker always tears me up!!
When done right, Jonathan Kent is a most powerful death because it teaches Kal that he can't do everything, but he needs to do what he can.
Conversely, Ben Parker is a preventable death necessary to teach Peter that he has to be a hero or people will get hurt. I find both their philosophical approaches to heroism to be fascinating.
Margot Kidder will always be my Lois Lane. The decision to make her a comedic, romantic interest was genius. If you play it straight like Amy Adams, you take away a lot of what makes Lois an interesting character in terms of the dynamic she has with Clark.
I agree. Margot Kidder was the best Lois Lane as far as I am concerned. It is the way she played that character, and it's unmatched to this day. Her Lois was entertaining, and the perfect personality to play opposite Reeve's Superman and Clark. Those two really brought the comic to life!
This film has so many fantastic characterizations.
Christopher Reeve,
Margot Kidder,
Gene Hackman,
Terence Stamp (Zod) although you really have to watch the second movie for his performance.
Ned Beatty (Otis)
Valerie Perrine as Luthor's girlfriend.
Christopher Reeve was the Superman that I grew up with and is still my favorite. Another couple of good movies he was in are Somewhere In Time and The Village Of The Damned. If I remember correctly, Village was the movie he was in before the accident that left him paralyzed. Before he died, he guest starred on a couple of episodes of Smallville. I loved that. Talking about the music of John Williams, another great movie he composed the score for is my favorite disaster movie, The Towering Inferno from 1974. Great movie and an awesome score.
The casting choices were all excellent, especially Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando.
*Reeve
Interestingly, the casting director didn’t initially want to cast Christopher Reeve as Superman. When he initially auditioned for the role, he was way too skinny for the part. Reeve spent months in the gym training with a professional bodybuilder and reauditioned and ended up getting the role.
And Gene Hackman
I saw a rerelease commemorating the 85th anniversary of Superman and I could see why Brando was given top billing. Awesome performance, he made the role feel real and strong. His farewell scene made me tear up.
@@PhatLayCes7825and Otis!!! Otis has his own theme music, that's how important he is. Who could ask for anything ,ore???
If you watch Superman 2, I really recommend that you just watch the regular theatrical version. Some people may ask that you watch the "Donner Cut" which was released many years later, but in my opinion, it really does *not* hold together as a follow-up to the first movie, and is more of a curiosity. It's best just to go with the standard version.
Totally agree. The Donner cut is a little disconnected, the added/changed scenes don't go well with the theatrical release.
I don't really like the Donner cut. I'd say why, but it'd involve a spoiler.
The Donner Cut is a fantastic novelty item for fans, but I agree that as a casual viewer her watch should be of the theatrical release 100%
Agreed.
Also recommend you NOT watch Superman III/IV. Really cheap movies. Skip to Superman Returns(2006). It's meant to be a direct sequel to Superman I/II.
I'm actually watching Smallville for the first time (like, more than just on in the background as a kid). It definitely took a lot from this movie in a good way. Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder even make cameos! Seeing Chris on screen was great
Tom Welling recently spoke about his experience filming with Christopher Reeve. He was so generous with his time that he stayed on set much longer than was recommended by his nurse/caretaker.
Smallville was a really good show for the first half-dozen seasons. After that, the quality drops off, unfortunately.
The OG superhero movie. I remember seeing it with my dad opening week 1978, and it was so heartwarming. Christopher Reeve is unquestionably the definitive Superman.
Thanks! Diving into some classics, love it.
You bet!
When I went to see this, the crowds were bigger than star wars, So big that they let extra people in, me and my brother sat on the stairs between the seat rows watching it. Star Wars blew my 10 year old mind, but this was even more incredible.
I was a kid when Superman came out and I believe that Star Wars opened my eyes to movies, but it was Superman that made me fall in love with movies.
No one knew what Star Wars was or would be when it came out. Superman had been around for decades.
@@godmagnus but it was so significance
I’m so glad UA-cam folks continue to react to this film; that people still watch this and in so many ways it holds up. The effects blew everyone away back in the old days. I was a very very small child but it sure blew my mind. Don’t remember much from then but I remember never wanting to remove my Superman PJs w/ the Velcro’d on cape.
I'm glad you commented on supermans cry/scream.
Out of all the reactions ive watched of this film you are the only one who seemed to have felt it.
I am glad you enjoyed this one, you need to see Superman II also. They were shot as a single film but the producers wanted to make more money so they made a sequel instead of a longer film. There are 2 versions of the sequel, the theatrical cut and the director's cut. Having seen this movie so often at the theater, I am partial to the theatrical version but the director's cut is less cheesy.
To this day, this Superman movie has always been my favorite superhero/ comic book movie. Great story, music, effects, and acting. It has a special place in my heart.
A classic movie. Much loved by many people
Baby Clark Kent picking up the vehicle is the most iconic scene according to me.
Fun bit of trivia: in the comics Clark's name comes from his mom's maiden name, Martha Clark.
As for whether Clark's demeanor is an act, of course it is. The movie made it very clear in that scene where he arrives at Lois' apartment and he takes off his glasses, stands up straight and tells Lois he has something to tell her in the tone of voice he uses as Superman, only to change his mind at the last moment and revert back to his wimpy Clark persona. Christopher Reeve is the only Superman in film who manages to make you buy that people, especially those that don't personally know him, simply can't tell Clark is Superman because it's not only the fact that he wears glasses. It's his whole body language, voice and behavior.
Also his haircut. If you look closely, when he's Superman, he parts his hair one way but, when he's Clark Kent, he parts it the other way.
i absolutely adore your take on this. thank you
i would completely marry you. you are awesome
There's a reason there has never been question of who the best Superman actor ever is because it's Christopher Reeve. With Batman people argue over whether it was Keaton or Conroy or Bale or even West, with Spider-Man they argue over whether it was Maguire or Garfield or Holland, but Superman will always be Christopher Reeve, no matter how unfair that is to everyone else who's been stuck with the role. The scene in Lois' apartment where only a few seconds after leaving her as Superman he comes in as Clark Kent, takes his glasses off and for just a brief moment he's visibly just _himself,_ not the shy stammering disguise of Kent or the stoic public hero Superman, and then he decides to confess to Lois and he becomes Superman again... before losing his nerve at the last second and transforming back into Clark within the space of _one second._ You will never ask how nobody can tell that Clark Kent is really Superman again, and you _will_ believe a man can act.
John Williams' Superman theme is probably the best superhero theme of all time. It's so iconic they had to include a snippet of it in Justice League, which is otherwise scored by Hans Zimmer.
That was a big mistake. The DCEU Superman already had his own theme. It's bizarre to mix in a theme from a different franchise.
Nope, that was by Danny Elfman recycling the old song to pander to the nostalgia nuts.
It was also used in Crisis on Infinite Earths for Brandon’s Superman twice.
@@TwilightLink77 that's because he's playing the same version.
I first saw this movie as a kid when it came out in theaters in 1978 and I was hooked.
Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster but sold the rights to the character to Action Comics (later DC Comics) and were completely cut out of the character's history until this movie. In the opening credits this was the first time since they sold the rights that they were publicly acknowledged with the credit. The movie studio also gave them the creators' share of the movie's profits and had them at the Hollywood premier.
You're gonna LOVE Superman 2!
The Godfather's screenplay was written by Mario Puzo, who also wrote, you guessed it....Superman.
So it's fun to see the references to the Godfather around Brando, when they had the same writer as well, which explains why the dialogue in this is so good.
Mario Puzo was one of the credited screenwriters, but apparently many people attribute a lot of the actual shooting script to Tom Mankiewicz, who received the unusual credit of Creative Consultant because he was so heavily involved in a lot of different areas of the production with Richard Donner.
The suit doesn't show it, but Christopher Reeve was absolutely ripped for this role.
One thing I loved about "Smallville," even though it was kind of an alternative universe of Superman's origins, was that Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder were there to pass the torch to Tom Welling (playing different roles, of course). The creators of the show loved this movie and used bits and pieces of John Williams' music throughout the series and had Terrence Stamp (General Zod, here) play the voice of Jor-El. The actor who played Jimmy Olsen in the original movies also had a small cameo on "Smallville" too.
Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling now have a podcast on here called talkville where they watch and break down the episod s, it's pretty good.
@@Omaru1982 Yeah, I watch it every Wednesday. 😄
It's always nice to see a series pay loving tribute to those that paved the way.
And he played a police man in Justice League
Fun Fact: The soundstage they shot the Fortress of Solitude was the same stage they built the rebel base in The Empire Strikes Back. In fact, some actors from the original Star Wars films also were in the first two Superman films.
Nice info.
John Ratzenberger is the most famous actor in both franchises, although it remains awkward that one of his lines in Empire is dubbed with a different actor. He plays THREE roles in the Superman movies, two on-camera, and one just a random voice of the TV news crew. Shane Rimmer loaded R2 into the X-Wing in Star Wars, and also played two on-camera roles in the Superman series. Richard LeParmentier was the real chameleon, who played the snide Admiral Motti in Star Wars, a formal-sounding TV reporter in Superman II, and a standard issue police detective in Roger Rabbit.
@@jedijones Colin Skeaping was the helicopter pilot and was Mark Hamill’s stunt double. Phil Brown played Luke’s Uncle Owen and the senator with glasses at the rocket launch center. Ray Hassett played Harry, the cop run over by the train by Lex Luthor, and he played the Hoth officer who tells Han Solo it’s too cold to use speeders to look for Luke in The Empire Strikes Back. Alan Harris was the white-haired man on the roof of The Daily Planet after Lois is rescued. He also played the reptilian-looking bounty hunter Bossk in The Empire Strikes Back, as well as a guard escorting Han’s frozen body on Cloud City. In addition, it was his body that they cast to be Han’s when it was frozen in carbonite!
Yes and many of the crew too. These movies were truly a collaboration between the US and the UK. same for Raiders of the lost Ark.
This was an amazing movie when it was in the theaters. I remember being blown away by it all.
I still remember seeing this in the theater when I was little and it was such an electrifying experience. The crowd was hooting and hollering and it was wild. That first time you see Superman in his suit and he flies towards and then by the camera, the crowd was on their feet cheering... and then again later when he reveals himself and flies to save Lois and the helicopter. To this day, I haven't had such an electric experience in the movie theater. Such a memorable day. :-) This is the boilerplate for most all superhero movies to come. A real classic... and EASILY the superhero movie with the best score. :-D
Totally rad reaction Mary!!!
This is not just my favorite Superman movie but it's my favorite superhero movie EVER!!!!!
I was 6 years old when my Dad took me to see this in the theater in 1978 and Christopher Reeve made me believe that a man can fly and as a consequence of this movie, Superman became my favorite superhero.....I immersed myself in Superman comic books, toys and other memorabilia.
John Williams score for this, if you'll pardon the expression, is out of this world!!!!
Gene Hackman's performance as Lex Luthor was over the top but in a good way and Ned Beatty as Otis is some of the best comic relief I've seen!!
I love your reactions because you always bring a good attitude and observations about what you're watching, you ask questions correctly when you're unsure about something, your perspectives are on point and most importantly you're entertaining and fun and that's always refreshing!!!
Keep up the great work and many blessings to you and yours!!!
No one will ever come close to the way Christoper Reeves played Superman.
This movie still has the BEST superhero introduction ever with the Helicopter scene: the dramatic build-up, John WIlliams' music and then the reveal when Superman steps out of the revolving door.... I saw this movie in theaters when I was little and it was an experience... For a different take on the superhero genre (and if you can find it), I recommend "Hero At Large" from 1980. It starred John Ritter (from the tv series Three's Company) and Anne Archer (Harrison Ford's wife in Patriot Games & Clear & Present Danger). It's about an actor who promotes a superhero movie by going around in costume and over time starts to think he is that superhero (and look fast for Kevin Bacon as an extra)....
Great performance by Christopher Reeves in creating two distinctly different characters in Supes and Clark. That’s why people aren’t making the connection between the two.
Reeve met with Jeff East during filming and said that their mannerisms and demeanor should match as much as possible.
Later, Reeve's voice was dubbed in place of East's voice to make it seamless.
That distressed scream still gives the goosebumps after all these years. Imagine seeing that in theaters at 10 years old. It left an impression to be sure.
Perfect timing since it's officially *Superman Day* and today is the *85th Anniversary of the character* and perhaps the greatest superhero. I truly hold this movie in a special place in my heart, despite some things being a bit campy and outdated nonetheless, I am truly grateful for this movie for introducing me to this amazing character and it's such a magical movie that made people love Superman Christopher Reeves truly was Superman and had the heart and soul of the character to many he is the definitive Superman that inspired a generation
I always loved Reeve's portrayal of Superman and Clark Kent 😊
He truly plays them as two different characters with their own traits and mannerisms😊
Im happy you liked this movie. It was so well done for it coming out so long ago. Part 2 is good as well, the actor who plays Zod is an awesome actor. It has its cheesy moments but it's forgivable because of the tone of the movie. I think you'll enjoy it also.
This movie I saw in theater s a kid. Otis stole the show. hahaha Great reaction from my favorite Aussie. so beautiful.
Man of Steel may be a better action movie but no one will ever capture the true essence of Superman better than Chris Reeve did. I grew up on this movie and it remains to this day my favorite movie
The first time I ever cried during a movie. Watching "Lois die. The dialogue in "Super 1 and 2 is fun and entertaining. This is just as cool as I hoped it would be watching with you. I loved your reactions and everything you were saying and had to say afterwards. Very very good video. ⚘️
Fun Fact: Christopher Reeve not only dubbed young Clark’s lines, but also played the voice of the flight tower operator before the helicopter sequence and for the Air Force One scene.
Hi Mary. That scene at the Fortress of Solitude where Clark becomes Superman and flies for the first time got a big round of applause from the audience. It was the first time a man flying in a film looked real.
Was it no blue screen
@@lexkanyima2195 It was done with wires, but Christopher made all the moves and brought the flying scenes to life.
@@lexkanyima2195 They used a multitude of different techniques to make Superman fly in the film(special flying rigs/backscreen/bluescreen/wires/crane), but for this scene, it was wires...but what Christopher did with his arms to "bank" that turn really sold the practical effect in this moment.
@@Scottie_S ohh ok
Kidder and Reeve have absurd chemistry, also Reeve absolutely nails so many classic character bits of Superman, *especially* the smirk.
Christopher Reeve embodied superman 100%, he believed in the character's values, morals and always gave it his all, even in the lesser budget and quality films, 3, 4, Reeve still gave 100% commitment to the spirit of Superman.
Christopher Reeve's version of Superman really stands up because of how FAITHFUL it was to the actual characters of the comic books. A bit of innocence mixed with confidence. It is Superman's innocent like belief in "do the right thing and good things will happen to you" combined with his "confidence in doing the right thing" that makes him so iconic. And Reeve pulled it off perfectly by being somewhat "shy" at times, as well as "somewhat cocky" as well.
And the way he played them off with whoever he was on screen with was magical. The shy act around Kidder's Lane, but confidence around Hackman's Luther. They just fed each other with the way they interacted and how their key moments played out.
The cinematography alone deserved an Oscar. Not to mention Reeve's subtle performance, and John Williams music.
The Academy was criticized for leaving those out.
one of the greatest Superhero movies ever made I love this movie Christopher Reeve was just perfect as the Man of Steel
I love how optimistic your reaction was throughout the film and not pointing out the problems other people were getting with this. I got used to people nitpicking stuff on everything they watch (even the good ones) so this was very fresh to me. I love this movie with my heart and it's nice to see someone have the same joy and appreciation while watching it.
Christopher Reeve will always be SUPERMAN... no one can eclipse that 💪
That scene of the glowing robed Kryptonians falling to their deaths always sends chills down my spine
Superman puts on an act to play Clark Kent. His ‘disguise’ is Clark Kent.
The Tagline Still Rings True::
"You Will Believe A Man Can Fly!"
Superman is a "classic." ... Christopher Reeve is a "Class Act"
Christopher Reeve in "Somewhere in Time" is his best performance. Definitely worth watching.