This is the Superman we need back. Vilgiant, but polite. Powerful, yet gentle. Just a pure heart that always smiles and shows respect to everyone, even to the criminals. This guy literally went from turning crooks in to helping a girl get her cat back within the same hour. This is who Superman is meant to be.
@@Supperdude9Actually, he isn't a mary sue. If he was, his stories (before New 52 and DCEU) wouldn't be appealed to audience. Just a little correction here. I hope it helps.
Superman is supposed to be a Boy Scout. A friendly and caring individual who uses his powers responsibly. It's such an uncommon thing in our era of pessimistic dark superhero deconstruction.
Good, so it isn’t just me. I’m sitting here choking up at scenes from the movie and I have no clue why. Maybe it’s because the optimism and hope in this version of the character (along with that superb Williams score) is just missing in so much of the world today
What I love about this version of Superman is that there's no deed too small for him. His first priority really is simply to help any way he can. If he sees a cat stuck in the tree, he'll rescue it.
Cats don't need rescuing from trees, that is just a myth. They are just as capable of coming down trees as they are getting up them, and will come down when they get hungry.
@@donkeyslayer4661 No. They picked him because of what he looked like and he was also a great actor. He was very slim though and they asked him to beef-up a bit ready for the role.
@@supermadmac I dunno, Dean Cain made for a good Superman and Tom Welling too. And don't forget Tim Daly who voiced Superman from the animated series and still does in current video games like in Injustice.
Yup, I've always loved this man's performance as an iconic superhero I've adorned since childhood. Superman has been interpreted by several actors over the years but no one can do it better than Chris Reeves! TBH, here are more actors I wanted to return to play the roles of Clark Kent/Superman: 1. Tom Welling (too bad he never wore his suit) 2. Henry Cavill (if possible for him to reprise his role) 3. Brandon Routh (since he did it in Crisis, he could've done it again) 4. Tyler Hoechlin (his is comic accurate, almost. Seen his portrayal on HBO GO. It's amazing since he debuted in Supergirl.) Rest in peace, Christopher D'Olier Reeve. You will be flying free in paradise peacefully with the angels triumphantly playing the theme we once heard in the film as the Creator welcomes you with open arms.
1:08 Gotta love how both police officer and burglar are equally perplexed by a mysteriously-dressed guy who can fly, let alone realise a criminal has been caught so easily. Also love how the officer tries to explain to his sergeant that "a big blue bird with bright red boots" caught and delivered the criminal. Wonderful and hilarious scenes! Testament to the actors, especially to Christopher Reeve (RIP).
The real mystery is….if the thief had already stolen the goods, why was he scaling the building? To me it always looks like the thief is at the beginning of the heist not the end. 🤔🤷😂
The way he flew was elegant, graceful and majestic. His lines and the way he spoke was polite, soft, confident and gentleman like. The way he behaved and acted showed superiority without even trying hard. He showed a character that had strength and confidence, that people could rely on him. He showed a character that was fearless although there were dangers all around him. Christopher Reeves created his own persona of Superman which we all fell in love with. Those are some of the traits which made made him the best Superman.
@@elijahlee3610 I never got the give up his powers bit. Lois fell in love with Superman. NOT Clark. Without his powers, Kal-El is just unsure, clumsily, insecure, timid, lacking self-esteem Clark Kent. WHY would Lois want THAT?! She fell in love with Kal-El's confidence, his poise, his self-assuredness, his determination. Clark was NONE of those things. The diner scene pretty much exemplified that.
... Which is just one of the reasons why Richard Donner did an EPIC job of doing a "Superman" movie. And Richard Donner chose the PERFECT person to portray Superman: Christopher Reeve!
Luke M it’s also an unrealistic take on a legitimate godlike being clashing with another godlike being in a major city. Snyder actually follows legitimate physics. I mean I guess if you’re into nostalgic kid movies sure but Snyder’s Superman is the most realistic
Superman will always be the greatest superhero. He just embodies everything that a superhero is meant to be. Truth, honour, peace, light, justice and hope. Supes forever. R.I.P Christopher Reeve you'll always be the best Superman
Superman when written right has to be like the ideal father. Hes a goober with his humor and is quietly reserved in his strength. He knows what hes capable of doing but doesnt have to flex. Reeve got that aspect of the character pitch perfect.
This is why I love this version of Superman and why i get tears in my eyes every time i hear the theme. He is such a pure superhero. No cry for help is too small.
The whole thing about Superman is that if you don't play a good Clark Kent, you don't have a good Superman. Anyone can put on tights and muscles and a cape, but it was the way Reeves played Clark that sold it. NO ONE would suspect that Kent was superman the way Reeves played him. All the rest of the actors who play superman don't play a good Clark Kent and they blow it.
I realized this year that he's actually three personas. After 12-years of re-education with Jor-El, he's now Kal-El, who chooses to reveal himself in the form of Superman, a persona. Then to be near people and breaking news, he becomes the Clark Kent persona, an extremely stiff version and exaggeration of who he used to be in high school. If they had understood this in _Superman III_ then it would have been Kal-El, Christopher Reeve dressed like Jor-El who ended the fight.
He can also fly fast enough around the earth to reverse time but can also fly with just enough speed and carefulness to save the girls kitten. Superman is awesome.
Bingo! i hate how they keep trying to make Superman a jerk, he gets called the "blue boyscout" etc. thats the main thing with sups, all that power and uses self control and for good-
@@drumking241 Millions of people outside US still adore, admire and loved Superman. Especially at Asian countries. Forget about comparisons with Jesus rubbish, at rural villages even kids worshipped him as a god, a perfect father/protector figure.
I am not alone to say that this is the golden age of superman that my grandfather loved and remembered. Respect to all the people that made this movie memorable. Thank you Superman, Thank you Christopher Reeves.
I was one of the very few lucky ones too see the original SUPERMAN ( Christopher Reeves ) in theatres in the 70's , I was 8 years old...like star wars, We were blown away by this film, i payed for the whole seat...but used only the edge. the WHOLE cast was awesome ( Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, the guy who played General Zod? ) Rest in Peace Christopher. i can smell the popcorn after all these years, feel the sticky floor, my gigantic bucket of pop, watch the 'ole red curtain open...how many kids did you make us believe?, " I've got you..."... ty Christopher ,,,,=^..^=,,,, have a good day everyone
Funny, the 1970s was a time of violent crime and bombings for anti-war protests and violence in the Black Panther/Power movement. Things got better in the 1990s, going down almost every year, but the media kept pretending we were still in the 1970s; "if it bleeds, it leads". Even today with crime up due to COVID, it's still better than even 2015.
I forgot about all the subtle one liners that superman delivered here. not so on the nose as later superhero movies, but definitely there. he knows how powerful he is, and tries not to abuse it. don't get superman angry
3:39 love this part the most. here's a guy who's built to take on Gods or fight intergalactic battles but he stops to get a cat down from a tree for a child. love it. shows how truly caring Superman is. helps everyone. having John William's theme in the background made it even more perfect. Hanz Zimmer is GREAT dont get me wrong but nothing beats the classic John Williams
I'm giving this version of superman to watch for my son. This superman was indeed cartoonish but it gave us simple moral lessons and heroic inspiration like saving a cat from a tree, saving random people in need and assuring them that they'll be okay. His leadership is also visible when he helps the police and the fire fighters. It's not trying to be cool or dark like todays superman, no disrespect to snyder's version. Christopher Reeve really had that charisma and charm. And he also potrayed 3 different personalities in a single movie in superman 3 such as the nerdy clark kent, the charismatic superman, and the evil superman very convincingly. He was really superman in flesh.
One of Gene Hackman's best lines (to Ned Beatty): "Otis, do you know _why_ the number 200 is so vitally descriptive to both _you, and me?_ It's _your weight, and MY IQ!"_
@@itpennywise1968 wow man. I guess you are one of those who care solely about CGI and not acting. However you should give reasoning behind your statement.
IIRC, and not to take anything away from the great work of the stunt crew, but Reeve himself deserves some credit for making Superman's flight look as real and natural as possible. Reeve worked really hard to make the flying look like second-nature to Superman, so easy and graceful that you'd never even think that you're watching something physically-impossible, sorta like how elite athletes make their sport look so easy that every couch-potato thinks, *I could do that!", until they try doing it. Reeve focused especially on his take-offs and landings, which are just so smooth that you don't even notice. Great example of performance and effects coming together to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts. I can only imagine how hard that must have been, physically, on Reeve. It'd be like having to hold a plank position for hours at a time.
@@odysseusrex5908 BvS had a good concept but they deliver it terribly..... Martha scene should be sad and heartmelting but again they deliver terribly...
@@danbev9313 More likely a drunk.. the great thing about the movie is that it inserted an optimistic, hopeful 1950's Superman into the cynical world of the 1970's.. Superman: "for truth, justice and the American way".. Loise: "you're kidding, right?"
The best part in my opinion is that whole superman is clearly helpful and needed, this movie goes out of its way to show that cops aren't incompetent and useless, that superman doesn't just do everything
Superman went out of his way to say that he was on the same side as the authorities.Batman symbolizes that the system doesn't work. Superman symbolizes that it can.
@Youre Gonna Need a Bigger Boat First of all, I didn't said Christopher is Superman. I said Superman is Christopher Reeve. Of course I know he's dead. I meant no one's got that Superman face cut besides him. So who's the f***ing idiot?
There's something about conventional special effects that CGI just cannot touch. It brings so much more realism and warmth to the shot. Christopher Reeve will always be the gold standard from which all other Superman characters will try to reach.
@@thefilmwatcher1302 yes because the hero that sacraficed his life for a planet of beings that hated him is worse than a simp who permanently gave his powers away to get with a girl.
@@elijahlee3610 says who!? Lol I like Henry but most people hate his version of Superman. If you don't appreciate this Superman then I do why you're here you clearly don't get it.
I'm 43 and even as a child watching that scene today with how they were able to make that scene still blows my mind. Remember the movie came out in the 70s!!
Rest in Peace Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder one of the best Superman and Lois Lanes ever. I remember when these movies came out, Christopher Reeve was a handsome man with his blue eyes and his portrayal of the Man of Steel made movie history. He was really the perfect person to play Superman.
Have to give props to Tom Mankiewicz for adding the little comic touches and depth of character to this film. He added all these little nuances in the script that brought out Christopher Reeve's acting even more. Even Jor-El's first line "This is no fantasy...." although he was talking about the three criminals it was Mankiewicz and Richard Donner telling the audience as well that this was real. This is what made this film such a timeless classic.
".. Hey there Officer ... Mooney.... you what they say, confessions are good for the soul, I'd listen to this man... take him away.." hahaha ... Christopher Reeve too good as Superman
The Superman movie brings back some warm memories. I was a child when this movie was realised. My father took me to the cinema while we were on holiday in Wales. I didn't have a clue. I was going to watch this movie. At that time, it was the movie not to miss, with a huge impact on children. ❤
I honestly like the silent flying better. No effects, no swooshing but somehow far more impressive. Obviously the SFX aren't nearly as impressive and some updating was in order for the new movies, still, I wish they had kept the effortless, silent flying.
I love how he smirks at the guy after he loses grip and falls (0:44). Supes is just messing with him, enjoying himself. and who could forget "Haven't I told you to stop telling lies???" *slap* these movies had their dark moments, disguised as silliness. I still love it. :)
0:57 Superman catching the jewel thief was filmed with Reeve standing on solid ground and the "Nah" actor at a 90 degree angle, with everything glued to his desk. It's replicating the Solow Building on 57th Street in New York City.
dark knight, spiderman 2, captain america winter soldier are probably all better but i believe this was well ahead of its time and Christopher reeves probably is the best portrayal of any super-hero only one close is RDJ's Iron Man portrayal
Superman: The Movie and The Dark Knight are the best 2. This movie is perhaps one of the most influential movies ever made towards the movie industry. The success of this movie showed the business that superhero movies could make it.
@Dominik Klein No, no it is not. The three best, in no particular order, are Superman, the Movie, Batman Begins, and Wonder Woman. OK, that's chronological order, but all three of them are head and shoulders above the rest, including the other movies in their own franchises.
Well thank god Joss Whedon gave us that in the new JL movie. He's on par with Reeve's Superman in that movie, he's so happy. (Henry Cavill himself confirmed that he and Joss made the superman we get in JL in case you're wondering where I got that from.)
Bilal Zafar - I’d probably be interested to see a 100% Joss Whedon take on Superman but what we ended up getting was a bit of a Frankenstein style amalgamation between Snyder and Whedon.
U.S Navy Disabled Veteran 😎🇺🇸 I was born in 81 thanks To my Mom who was also a huge fan, I had the Honor to watch the greatest Actor play the greatest Superman of all time RIP Christopher Reeve and his wife Dana Reeve 🙏🏽😞😢 !!!!!
There was a real-life "Superman catches criminals" moment that was truly delightful. About six months after "Superman" premiered in 1978, Christopher Reeve and a close friend were bicycling around Manhattan. They decided to stop at a coffee shop, and secured their bikes on the bike stand outside the door. Just as they were sitting down, Chris looked outside and😊 saw a thief using tinsnips to steal his bike. He ran out of the shop; the would-be thief saw this large man chasing him, dropped the tinsnips, and took off. Chris chased him across the street into Central Park, where he tackled him. When the thief rolled over, he looked up into Chris' face for the first time. "SUPERMAN! I'm -- I'm sorry! I swear that I'll never do it again!"
2:05 love this scene it's realistic ( the way it portrays Superman ) Superman could be watching the deaths of cops by killers but he's making his way to the scene of the shootout, he didn't just fly there instantly and whirlwind up all the crooks. This leads a little believability to the fact that even though he can do the impossible he is still only one man, he's not a god, he's not omniscient, a fact later movies shit on. Later on in the movie, Lois Lane even dies due to this fact which at this early point in the movie is established with the viewer.
This just shows that Superman at heart is just a really nice guy with superpowers. This is how Superman was meant to be, and it's never been duplicated.
If I had a bottle for every time I said something that really happened that no-one would believe I would have a tremendous wine cellar. Why don't people just have an open mind, believe and give it shot. What can they lose and so much to gain.
I'll never understand how when we have a movie that NAILS this character that can be used as a template for future movies, future directors will continue to ignore it to try to "put their spin" on it. How many failures can you have before you admit that maybe every director and screenwriter who wants to do a Superman movie, should at least WATCH this movie as a starting point.
@@emanuel6693 Superman returns didn't work because it was set in a modern world. They nailed the Superman character but should have had more challenge to face. Man of Steel tried but the execution was poor and they tried to deconstruct to Superman in a lazy way
Little Girl: "Mommy! Mommy! Frisky was stuck in a tree! This man swooped out of the sky and gave him to me!" Mom: "Haven't I told you to stop telling lies?!" - slaps little girl -
It was probably more of a spank. (or swat on the behind) Spanking, while not 'encouraged' back then, was certainly more socially acceptable. But slapping a child? (on the face) was not so (I don't believe it ever was) & would have generated lots of backlash (especially in such a feel-good movie).
You can still spank your kids when they are bad not leave marks on their body. Pararents still does it. They need to learn when they doing is wrong to make them right.
Well the real injustice of course is that she was telling the truth. The mom is gonna feel bad when she sees the newspaper talking about a Superman that can fly.
Although we already have movies showing them helping each other instead of fighting, Batman and Superman have been best friends for 80+ years so I agree with you.
Those criminals counting their bills with that gleeful smile on their faces is so goofy, it's great. I fucking love it. It's almost like it came straight out of a goddamn cartoon, lol. Gives it a weird kind of charm of times you didn't get to see for yourself. They don't do stuff like that anymore.
This is why this Superman is the best. He doesn't just fight crime, slug it out with big bad guys, save falling airplanes. He takes the time to rescue a little girl's cat.
When the understanding of justice was more understood. Watching it dispensed even if it was fictional is dream come true . Very entertaining. This is what superman stood for truth and justice.. Its to much about power nowadays..
First film I ever watched twice -- on two consecutive nights. Saw it at the premiere at the Capitol Theater in Charleston WV, went back the next evening after a horrific day at work and watched it again. I begin to suspect Reeve will never be surpassed.
I love this Superman I hope James Gunn brings this type of Superman backbeverything doesn’t have to be dark I love the bright colors on the suit it actually feels like the comics and actually feels like a real superhero that you can trust and and be comfortable instead of him being dark and destroying the city just cause
For reasons I can't explain, there was something comforting about that lightning and distant thunder in the background just before saving the cat. Yeah, I know it was foreshadowing the next scene, but you don't know that on first viewing and it added a deft touch of realism. So glad the director and cast approached this movie seriously. Some fun stuff, but no campy tongue-in-cheek put ons.
This is the Superman we need back. Vilgiant, but polite. Powerful, yet gentle. Just a pure heart that always smiles and shows respect to everyone, even to the criminals. This guy literally went from turning crooks in to helping a girl get her cat back within the same hour. This is who Superman is meant to be.
This is the appeal of the character. Yes, he's a Mary Sue, but done in the RIGHT way. This is the Supes that people fell in love with.
@@Supperdude9Actually, he isn't a mary sue. If he was, his stories (before New 52 and DCEU) wouldn't be appealed to audience. Just a little correction here. I hope it helps.
I agree seeing a Superman like this again would be nice. Thanks Christopher for giving us this one to use as a reference hopefully for the next.
We’ll get it for Legacy
Superman is supposed to be a Boy Scout. A friendly and caring individual who uses his powers responsibly. It's such an uncommon thing in our era of pessimistic dark superhero deconstruction.
Christopher Reeve's Superman still makes me teary-eyed. He will never be forgotten.
Even in the face of his own death!
Yup, the definitive supes.
Good, so it isn’t just me. I’m sitting here choking up at scenes from the movie and I have no clue why. Maybe it’s because the optimism and hope in this version of the character (along with that superb Williams score) is just missing in so much of the world today
@@zacharyheller1313 Even TODAY'S MOVIES don't have this sort of message!!
I love Christopher Reeve and I don’t care who knows it. ❤️❤️❤️
Every time I watch Reeve as Superman I can't help but smile. He just brings such a warm feeling to the character.
Me too. He's always making me smile every time I think of him or see his face. Is it wrong for me to swoon over an actor like Christopher Reeve?
The gold standard
That's how Supes should be. He was raised to be warm. Only when he gets pushed does he go all out.
That's superman :) the best of us. The beacon of hope to guide us. Caring and compassionate for all. Even criminals.
Superman the movie 1978 is funny when the Superman is catching the criminals.
What I love about this version of Superman is that there's no deed too small for him. His first priority really is simply to help any way he can. If he sees a cat stuck in the tree, he'll rescue it.
But sadly not the girl getting hit afterwards for “lying”
Almost furless kitty..ew
@@Noah-pq8rv To be fair, this does take place like, in the past, so-
Cats don't need rescuing from trees, that is just a myth. They are just as capable of coming down trees as they are getting up them, and will come down when they get hungry.
He looks exactly like Superman in the comics. He was perfect for this role.
I Know...😊
Only one was superman as his role. Chris was
It's called makeup. They can make anyone look like Superman.
@@donkeyslayer4661 no,they can't makeup you like superman
@@donkeyslayer4661
No. They picked him because of what he looked like and he was also a great actor. He was very slim though and they asked him to beef-up a bit ready for the role.
Christopher Reeve was the best Superman ever, he is missed. He really did fit the Superman that was in the comic books.
World's Finest "Movie" ua-cam.com/video/89yiguzcAZc/v-deo.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton
Exactly a paragon of goodness
Christopher Reeves wasn't the best; HE IS THE ONLY ONE!
@@supermadmac I dunno, Dean Cain made for a good Superman and Tom Welling too. And don't forget Tim Daly who voiced Superman from the animated series and still does in current video games like in Injustice.
Funny, so many other people are dying for Henry Cavill to come back and the "Snyderverse" to continue with those actors.
The way he went from busting criminals, to helping a cat as he passed by...an innocence and brilliance you won't see in superhero movies again.
Yup, I've always loved this man's performance as an iconic superhero I've adorned since childhood. Superman has been interpreted by several actors over the years but no one can do it better than Chris Reeves!
TBH, here are more actors I wanted to return to play the roles of Clark Kent/Superman:
1. Tom Welling (too bad he never wore his suit)
2. Henry Cavill (if possible for him to reprise his role)
3. Brandon Routh (since he did it in Crisis, he could've done it again)
4. Tyler Hoechlin (his is comic accurate, almost. Seen his portrayal on HBO GO. It's amazing since he debuted in Supergirl.)
Rest in peace, Christopher D'Olier Reeve. You will be flying free in paradise peacefully with the angels triumphantly playing the theme we once heard in the film as the Creator welcomes you with open arms.
You are sooo correct....nowadays super heroes are too busy beating up each other !! No wonder we cant get along lol
@@nickford2692 he was , pardon the expression , superb for this role as superman , .
He should've got an Oscar win as Supes.
You can ...you just need a great director or light hearted spirit to make a film with that attitude
I love how chill and friendly he is towards criminals while catching them.
Not like Batman 😂
Superman is good cop and Batman is bad cop
Sounds like every leftist nowadays. More concernet about the crimminal than it's victims..
Meanwhile in BvS: Superman smashes a terrorist against the wall.
Yes, instead of the threatening introduction, "I'm Batman", while dangling the criminal of the edge of a building.
1:08 Gotta love how both police officer and burglar are equally perplexed by a mysteriously-dressed guy who can fly, let alone realise a criminal has been caught so easily. Also love how the officer tries to explain to his sergeant that "a big blue bird with bright red boots" caught and delivered the criminal. Wonderful and hilarious scenes! Testament to the actors, especially to Christopher Reeve (RIP).
*staring at disbelief at the impossible* "Mooney.....first bottle's on me."
lol!
@@hobomike6935 "Let me get my hat."
The real mystery is….if the thief had already stolen the goods, why was he scaling the building? To me it always looks like the thief is at the beginning of the heist not the end. 🤔🤷😂
@@danielhaire6677like a big blue bird
@@arghjayem I always assumed he was stealing from more than one office or building that night.
The way he flew was elegant, graceful and majestic. His lines and the way he spoke was polite, soft, confident and gentleman like. The way he behaved and acted showed superiority without even trying hard. He showed a character that had strength and confidence, that people could rely on him. He showed a character that was fearless although there were dangers all around him. Christopher Reeves created his own persona of Superman which we all fell in love with.
Those are some of the traits which made made him the best Superman.
Yes and thr fact that he gave up his powers just to live a normal life not caring about humanity. Best superman ever
@@elijahlee3610 what, he didn't lmao
@@silverskull7669 you didnt watch superman 2 have you
@@elijahlee3610 and don't forget he turned back time only to save Lois. Even so, Reeve was a great Kal-El.
@@elijahlee3610 I never got the give up his powers bit. Lois fell in love with Superman. NOT Clark. Without his powers, Kal-El is just unsure, clumsily, insecure, timid, lacking self-esteem Clark Kent. WHY would Lois want THAT?! She fell in love with Kal-El's confidence, his poise, his self-assuredness, his determination. Clark was NONE of those things. The diner scene pretty much exemplified that.
He actually stops to shake an officers hand and learn his name...
Let’s take a moment to appreciate that.
You mean he doesn't just fly off to destroy another building just to apprehend another perp like Snyder's Superman would do?
... Which is just one of the reasons why Richard Donner did an EPIC job of doing a "Superman" movie. And Richard Donner chose the PERFECT person to portray Superman: Christopher Reeve!
Luke M Snyder’s Superman is a more realistic take if Superman were actually around. This is more child friendly
@@Oneeye_snaps Superman is a childhood hero. DUH!
Luke M it’s also an unrealistic take on a legitimate godlike being clashing with another godlike being in a major city. Snyder actually follows legitimate physics. I mean I guess if you’re into nostalgic kid movies sure but Snyder’s Superman is the most realistic
Superman will always be the greatest superhero. He just embodies everything that a superhero is meant to be. Truth, honour, peace, light, justice and hope. Supes forever. R.I.P Christopher Reeve you'll always be the best Superman
The one liners are hilarious 😂 Superman always had a sense of humor. This is the true Superman no actor played it better!
Bad Vibrations.
Grins as he momentarily watches a criminal fall from a building before casually catching him.
@@serpentsepia6638 he’s faster than a speeding bullet, he can catch him in the blink of an eye
Superman when written right has to be like the ideal father. Hes a goober with his humor and is quietly reserved in his strength. He knows what hes capable of doing but doesnt have to flex. Reeve got that aspect of the character pitch perfect.
"Hi there, something wrong with the elevator?...Going down".
When watch these clips, it brings a tear to my eye.
Such wonderful memories.
May Christopher Reeve rest in peace.
He IS Superman. 🦸♂️
"it's alright" "bye frisky" reeve is so optimistic, it's contagious, i kept smiling throughout each scene
Christopher Reeve is the best Superman IMHO
Agreed, i liked Brandon Routh interpretation too but Henry Cavill killed it for me..
He isn’t the best superman he is superman
check him out in Somewhere in Time.
There will never be another Christopher Reeve.
Henry Caville's good but nobody was better than Christopher Reeve or Michael Keaton as Batman. Ben Affleck's pretty good, too.
This is why I love this version of Superman and why i get tears in my eyes every time i hear the theme. He is such a pure superhero. No cry for help is too small.
Or TOO BIG!
The way Christopher Reeve played Clark Kent/Superman was superb. They truly were 2 separate characters.
The whole thing about Superman is that if you don't play a good Clark Kent, you don't have a good Superman. Anyone can put on tights and muscles and a cape, but it was the way Reeves played Clark that sold it. NO ONE would suspect that Kent was superman the way Reeves played him. All the rest of the actors who play superman don't play a good Clark Kent and they blow it.
I realized this year that he's actually three personas. After 12-years of re-education with Jor-El, he's now Kal-El, who chooses to reveal himself in the form of Superman, a persona. Then to be near people and breaking news, he becomes the Clark Kent persona, an extremely stiff version and exaggeration of who he used to be in high school. If they had understood this in _Superman III_ then it would have been Kal-El, Christopher Reeve dressed like Jor-El who ended the fight.
1977
Unforgettable performances! Christopher Reeve, God rest him, is the best Superman yet!
Lies again? Chevrolet Carlsberg
and i'm your dad
@@NazriB What?
@@amalalnckamsk6939 I'm not sure what you mean.
@@amalalnckamsk6939 Hi, Dad!
he can bench press a plane whilst it's in m8dair. but he will st8ll save a kitten. this is why superman is awesome
He can also fly fast enough around the earth to reverse time but can also fly with just enough speed and carefulness to save the girls kitten. Superman is awesome.
+Ken B And when he takes off he doesn't damage things around him. How smooth was his takeoff after saving the cat?
This is what was missing Man of Steel!
Bingo! i hate how they keep trying to make Superman a jerk, he gets called the "blue boyscout" etc. thats the main thing with sups, all that power and uses self control and for good-
@@drumking241 Millions of people outside US still adore, admire and loved Superman. Especially at Asian countries. Forget about comparisons with Jesus rubbish, at rural villages even kids worshipped him as a god, a perfect father/protector figure.
I am not alone to say that this is the golden age of superman that my grandfather loved and remembered. Respect to all the people that made this movie memorable. Thank you Superman, Thank you Christopher Reeves.
A superhero classic. Still wonderful to watch 40 years later.
I was one of the very few lucky ones too see the original SUPERMAN ( Christopher Reeves ) in theatres in the 70's , I was 8 years old...like star wars, We were blown away by this film, i payed for the whole seat...but used only the edge. the WHOLE cast was awesome ( Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, the guy who played General Zod? ) Rest in Peace Christopher. i can smell the popcorn after all these years, feel the sticky floor, my gigantic bucket of pop, watch the 'ole red curtain open...how many kids did you make us believe?, " I've got you..."... ty Christopher ,,,,=^..^=,,,, have a good day everyone
Terence Stamp was General Zod.
I was 13 when I saw it in the theater. I walked thinking “I believe a man CAN fly!”
"Easy miss, I've got you."
"You've got me? Who's got you?"
Some of the greatest dialogue ever.
That makes of us
@@odysseusrex5908 :who are you ? : ......" A friend " :*)
I just love the 70's scenes, it looks so cozy and comfortable.. good times.
(and) thanks for the thumbs up.
Funny, the 1970s was a time of violent crime and bombings for anti-war protests and violence in the Black Panther/Power movement. Things got better in the 1990s, going down almost every year, but the media kept pretending we were still in the 1970s; "if it bleeds, it leads". Even today with crime up due to COVID, it's still better than even 2015.
1977
Two of the best questions ever: "something wrong with the elevator?" And "bad vibrations?"
"Going down....."
1977
I forgot about all the subtle one liners that superman delivered here. not so on the nose as later superhero movies, but definitely there. he knows how powerful he is, and tries not to abuse it. don't get superman angry
Apparently it was Spiderman's night off
"id listen to this man"
"They say confession's good for the soul? I'd listen to THIS man."
"Take him away."
"I am a world renowned building freeclimber and I always carry my lucky jewelry when I climb. Now get me my lawyer!"
Mooneys face is a picture. Makes me laugh every time!!
@Nostalgia Poodle Having already robbed one or two places, he was looking for more.
That's how Thomas Wayne made his fortune!
Yep dude is gonna walk. No evidence at all.
3:39 love this part the most. here's a guy who's built to take on Gods or fight intergalactic battles but he stops to get a cat down from a tree for a child. love it. shows how truly caring Superman is. helps everyone. having John William's theme in the background made it even more perfect. Hanz Zimmer is GREAT dont get me wrong but nothing beats the classic John Williams
Christopher Reeves played the big blue boy Scout to a T loved it. Miss you dearly Supes
But he still had one liners, so he wasn't quite a Boy Scout. He was just awesome.
Reeve*
Reeve is Superman, Jackman is Wolverine and Robert Downey Jr. IS Ironman.
And Michael Keaton is Batman
Tobey Maguire IS Spider-Man
Patrick Stewart is Prof X
Also Captain Jean-Luc Picard
@@adrienneflowers2237 I'm sorry. I respect his take on Captain America. But I always felt like he was far more natural as Johnny Storm.
I'm giving this version of superman to watch for my son. This superman was indeed cartoonish but it gave us simple moral lessons and heroic inspiration like saving a cat from a tree, saving random people in need and assuring them that they'll be okay. His leadership is also visible when he helps the police and the fire fighters. It's not trying to be cool or dark like todays superman, no disrespect to snyder's version. Christopher Reeve really had that charisma and charm. And he also potrayed 3 different personalities in a single movie in superman 3 such as the nerdy clark kent, the charismatic superman, and the evil superman very convincingly. He was really superman in flesh.
It's the way the character was intended to be portrayed
THIS is and always will be the real man of steel.
NYBravest82 I totally agree!!🙌
Forget George Reeves, Kirk alyn the first superman in 1948. He made two serials
He even has time to get the cat out of the tree. Cavill ya got work to do.
Yes! The new guys face don't fit as Superman but Man of Steel remake was good.
He also was the man of wheels
"Bad vibrations? " LOL!!! Loved this movie.
Especially when the guy hits him with his tuning crowbar boooooooiiiiiiiiiinngg!!!!!
One of Gene Hackman's best lines (to Ned Beatty):
"Otis, do you know _why_ the number 200 is so vitally descriptive to both _you, and me?_ It's _your weight, and MY IQ!"_
1977
3:55 This scene is so iconic man! It truly defines superheros!
There will only be one real Superman Man Of Steel & his name is & always will be Christopher Reeve R.I.P u were the best superhero ever
No
@@itpennywise1968 yes
@@itpennywise1968 wow man. I guess you are one of those who care solely about CGI and not acting. However you should give reasoning behind your statement.
You side it
@@caolanmcflynn2412 your comment needs elaboration.
Those wire lines they used for Christopher Reeves were just as good as any CGI movie ever made. R.I.P. Mr. Reeves.
IIRC, and not to take anything away from the great work of the stunt crew, but Reeve himself deserves some credit for making Superman's flight look as real and natural as possible. Reeve worked really hard to make the flying look like second-nature to Superman, so easy and graceful that you'd never even think that you're watching something physically-impossible, sorta like how elite athletes make their sport look so easy that every couch-potato thinks, *I could do that!", until they try doing it. Reeve focused especially on his take-offs and landings, which are just so smooth that you don't even notice. Great example of performance and effects coming together to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
I can only imagine how hard that must have been, physically, on Reeve. It'd be like having to hold a plank position for hours at a time.
Not if you want to do anything other than midspeed cruising. You can’t do a Doomsday battle like in BvS with just wires and rear projection
@@peterp2153 Yeah, maybe, but BvS sucked. You need a good story first, then the special effects are secondary.
@@odysseusrex5908 BvS had a good concept but they deliver it terribly..... Martha scene should be sad and heartmelting but again they deliver terribly...
@@kensstudio0806 It was just a bad movie.
"Haven't I told you to stop telling lies?!... SMACK"
🤣😂
That Mom sounded like a real uptight bitch
with that trauma she became Harley Quinn years later.
70's parenting right there champ :)
I've always found that scene really friggin dark..
@@danbev9313 More likely a drunk.. the great thing about the movie is that it inserted an optimistic, hopeful 1950's Superman into the cynical world of the 1970's.. Superman: "for truth, justice and the American way".. Loise: "you're kidding, right?"
In this film he can take off without destroying everything around him.
he also has a cape that defies gravity lol
hamsterminator That's because in this film, Zod and Faora wasn't trying to replace earth with a world engine
What does that have to do with the destruction when he takes off or lands?
hamsterminator :
LOL
By "everything around him" I suppose you mean just the pavement.
"Something wrong with the elevator?"
"Bad vibrations?"
I totally forgot the awesome one-liners
tamil film
No its English
Take him away!
Awesome?! They're okay at best and meh more accurately.
Dr Weatherface it’s cheesy in a good way.
He will always be THE Superman. The kid getting a slap at the end made me laugh.
LOL that was so funny --- could never do it these days because it would condone "child abuse"
@@fredwerza3478
😂👍 Agree. The PC brigade would cancel the entire movie.
I wonder if that mother apologized to her daughter once they seen Superman in the newspaper or on TV? LOL
I knew I wasn't hearing things lol
Supermán shoulda gone back and slapped that mom to next Tuesday
The best part in my opinion is that whole superman is clearly helpful and needed, this movie goes out of its way to show that cops aren't incompetent and useless, that superman doesn't just do everything
Superman went out of his way to say that he was on the same side as the authorities.Batman symbolizes that the system doesn't work. Superman
symbolizes that it can.
Christopher Reeve IS Superman.
AGREE!
WAS*
No. Superman is Christopher Reeve.
@Youre Gonna Need a Bigger Boat First of all, I didn't said Christopher is Superman. I said Superman is Christopher Reeve. Of course I know he's dead. I meant no one's got that Superman face cut besides him. So who's the f***ing idiot?
Maybe he truly is Superman who came from a parallel world into our reality.
I love how calm and nonchalant Superman is towards the bad guys before he captures them.
"Hi there, something wrong with the elevator?" Lol
Ian Jenkins "Going down."
"Bad vibrations?"
Channeling his inner "Nightwing"
"They say confession is good for the soul. I'd listen to this man."
*confused look* "...nah."
There's something about conventional special effects that CGI just cannot touch. It brings so much more realism and warmth to the shot. Christopher Reeve will always be the gold standard from which all other Superman characters will try to reach.
And that cavil already surpassed
Darth El 🤣🤣🤣 Thinking Henry Cavill is better than Christopher Reeve. Close, but yeah, no.
@@thefilmwatcher1302 yes because the hero that sacraficed his life for a planet of beings that hated him is worse than a simp who permanently gave his powers away to get with a girl.
@@elijahlee3610 says who!? Lol I like Henry but most people hate his version of Superman. If you don't appreciate this Superman then I do why you're here you clearly don't get it.
@@kendallrivers1119 arbitrary nonsense, you addressed none of my points
Laughed my ass off at the end - Superman inadvertently enables domestic abuse by saving a cat 🤣
That same little girl was in comics with a picture drawing of superman. She's also in one of the last panel's in the death of superman comic
Oh man, that smack sound at the end. That’s 1970’s parenting.
@@jhagestad...and kids need that today.
I guess his super-hearing went out cuz he didn't hear the slap. 😂
@@robertsmith6490 Wtf is wrong with you?
The special-effects still look pretty good, considering it’s been over 40 years.
Very little CGI. Almost all practical effects were used. The only time cgi was used was for the heat vision.
I'm 43 and even as a child watching that scene today with how they were able to make that scene still blows my mind. Remember the movie came out in the 70s!!
Rest in Peace Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder one of the best Superman and Lois Lanes ever. I remember when these movies came out, Christopher Reeve was a handsome man with his blue eyes and his portrayal of the Man of Steel made movie history. He was really the perfect person to play Superman.
The greatest Superman ever!!! No one these days will ever come close. RIP. Thumbs up if you agree!
Thats my Superman, always inspiring, always loving and above ALL always there for us when we need HOPE. RIP Christopher Reeve
Have to give props to Tom Mankiewicz for adding the little comic touches and depth of character to this film. He added all these little nuances in the script that brought out Christopher Reeve's acting even more. Even Jor-El's first line "This is no fantasy...." although he was talking about the three criminals it was Mankiewicz and Richard Donner telling the audience as well that this was real. This is what made this film such a timeless classic.
Christopher Reeve will always be my Superman on film always and forever !!!
his one liners are hilarious
Superman always has the best sarcastic one liners and trash talk.
".. Hey there Officer ... Mooney.... you what they say, confessions are good for the soul, I'd listen to this man... take him away.." hahaha ... Christopher Reeve too good as Superman
"Bad vibrations?"
I watched this with my dad when i was a litttle kid. This scene is still fresh in my memories. Miss my dad
"You've got me....whose got you?" Love it!
He will always be the greatest superman, good sense of humor too.
This superman was pure if heart and loving catching criminals then helping a little girl with her cat
Superman... Our childhood heroes. Never stop to amaze us.
2:49
Now that’s the best heroic shot of Superman that can’t be matched.
Literally nothing can match this whole movie.
The Superman movie brings back some warm memories. I was a child when this movie was realised. My father took me to the cinema while we were on holiday in Wales. I didn't have a clue. I was going to watch this movie. At that time, it was the movie not to miss, with a huge impact on children. ❤
I honestly like the silent flying better. No effects, no swooshing but somehow far more impressive. Obviously the SFX aren't nearly as impressive and some updating was in order for the new movies, still, I wish they had kept the effortless, silent flying.
"Haven't I told you to stop telling lies?"
WHAP!!
with that trauma she became Harley Quinn years later.
@@renatoigmed 😂👍
I love how he smirks at the guy after he loses grip and falls (0:44). Supes is just messing with him, enjoying himself.
and who could forget "Haven't I told you to stop telling lies???" *slap*
these movies had their dark moments, disguised as silliness. I still love it. :)
0:57 Superman catching the jewel thief was filmed with Reeve standing on solid ground and the "Nah" actor at a 90 degree angle, with everything glued to his desk. It's replicating the Solow Building on 57th Street in New York City.
Remember the house climbing scenes in the Batman series of the 60´s? Those were made in the same way, but this looks so much better.
Still the best comic book superhero movie ever made.
dark knight, spiderman 2, captain america winter soldier are probably all better but i believe this was well ahead of its time and Christopher reeves probably is the best portrayal of any super-hero only one close is RDJ's Iron Man portrayal
Superman: The Movie and The Dark Knight are the best 2.
This movie is perhaps one of the most influential movies ever made towards the movie industry. The success of this movie showed the business that superhero movies could make it.
Superman, the Movie, Wonder Woman, and Batman Begins are all on a par.
@Dominik Klein No, no it is not. The three best, in no particular order, are Superman, the Movie, Batman Begins, and Wonder Woman. OK, that's chronological order, but all three of them are head and shoulders above the rest, including the other movies in their own franchises.
@Dominik Klein no lol
I am glad Christopher Reeve gets to live forever on UA-cam and on the internet as the quintessential "Superman."
This is one thing I wish Zach Snyder's Superman had. A sense of humor.
BigNoseDoggie humor? Uh... Huh.. NAME 5 SENSES OF HUMORS 5!!!!! Name 5!!!!!!!!
Yup. A wonderful good natured movie.
Well thank god Joss Whedon gave us that in the new JL movie. He's on par with Reeve's Superman in that movie, he's so happy. (Henry Cavill himself confirmed that he and Joss made the superman we get in JL in case you're wondering where I got that from.)
Bilal Zafar - I’d probably be interested to see a 100% Joss Whedon take on Superman but what we ended up getting was a bit of a Frankenstein style amalgamation between Snyder and Whedon.
Superman had a few jokes, it wasn't just shoved in your face because they're were more important things in the film than just catching petty criminals
U.S Navy Disabled Veteran 😎🇺🇸 I was born in 81 thanks To my Mom who was also a huge fan, I had the Honor to watch the greatest Actor play the greatest Superman of all time RIP Christopher Reeve and his wife Dana Reeve 🙏🏽😞😢 !!!!!
America 81 , thank you for your service!🖒🖒🖒
There was a real-life "Superman catches criminals" moment that was truly delightful. About six months after "Superman" premiered in 1978, Christopher Reeve and a close friend were bicycling around Manhattan. They decided to stop at a coffee shop, and secured their bikes on the bike stand outside the door. Just as they were sitting down, Chris looked outside and😊 saw a thief using tinsnips to steal his bike. He ran out of the shop; the would-be thief saw this large man chasing him, dropped the tinsnips, and took off. Chris chased him across the street into Central Park, where he tackled him. When the thief rolled over, he looked up into Chris' face for the first time. "SUPERMAN! I'm -- I'm sorry! I swear that I'll never do it again!"
"STILL" the greatest Superman movie of
all-time!
What's up Captain America
@@seanjohnson4475 Christopher Reeve as Superman.. 😉
2:05 love this scene it's realistic ( the way it portrays Superman ) Superman could be watching the deaths of cops by killers but he's making his way to the scene of the shootout, he didn't just fly there instantly and whirlwind up all the crooks. This leads a little believability to the fact that even though he can do the impossible he is still only one man, he's not a god, he's not omniscient, a fact later movies shit on. Later on in the movie, Lois Lane even dies due to this fact which at this early point in the movie is established with the viewer.
This just shows that Superman at heart is just a really nice guy with superpowers. This is how Superman was meant to be, and it's never been duplicated.
3:00 "Mooney,............ first bottle's on me, let me get my hat!" - lol
If I had a bottle for every time I said something that really happened that no-one would believe I would have a tremendous wine cellar. Why don't people just have an open mind, believe and give it shot. What can they lose and so much to gain.
Ah, the boss I'll never have.
I'll never understand how when we have a movie that NAILS this character that can be used as a template for future movies, future directors will continue to ignore it to try to "put their spin" on it. How many failures can you have before you admit that maybe every director and screenwriter who wants to do a Superman movie, should at least WATCH this movie as a starting point.
Bingo man! i have a huge problem with them doing that, they cant leave him alone, trying to make him a jerk or dark.
Yeah because Superman Returns was a box office hit. Just like Superman 3 and 4
@@emanuel6693 lol, if your not aware of the reason those didn't work. Then I can't help you.
@@emanuel6693 Superman returns didn't work because it was set in a modern world.
They nailed the Superman character but should have had more challenge to face.
Man of Steel tried but the execution was poor and they tried to deconstruct to Superman in a lazy way
Same reason a new CEO takes over a successful company and then proceeds to change everything that made it a success. It's just human nature, I guess.
The 70s were such a great time to be a kid
Little Girl: "Mommy! Mommy! Frisky was stuck in a tree! This man swooped out of the sky and gave him to me!"
Mom: "Haven't I told you to stop telling lies?!"
- slaps little girl -
It was probably more of a spank. (or swat on the behind)
Spanking, while not 'encouraged' back then, was certainly more socially acceptable. But slapping a child? (on the face) was not so (I don't believe it ever was) & would have generated lots of backlash (especially in such a feel-good movie).
I wonder what Superman felt when his super hearing heard the slap....
You can still spank your kids when they are bad not leave marks on their body. Pararents still does it. They need to learn when they doing is wrong to make them right.
Well the real injustice of course is that she was telling the truth. The mom is gonna feel bad when she sees the newspaper talking about a Superman that can fly.
Superman doesn't give a fuck.
I'd have rather seen a movie of Superman and Batman working together than fighting each other.
Def Blinders reeve/keaton vs hackman/nicholson
Goku Black In a parallel universe we got that movie
Although we already have movies showing them helping each other instead of fighting, Batman and Superman have been best friends for 80+ years so I agree with you.
Ben Affleck as batman is the worst casting decision EVER!
@@T1000-s4jcorrect
What makes this the best movie is because of the simplicity of saving people and catching criminals.
Those criminals counting their bills with that gleeful smile on their faces is so goofy, it's great. I fucking love it. It's almost like it came straight out of a goddamn cartoon, lol. Gives it a weird kind of charm of times you didn't get to see for yourself. They don't do stuff like that anymore.
(Superman catches criminal and disappears jus as the office guy looks) “....... Nah.”
Cracks me up every time.
Superman is the most popular in the world, and the scene is awesome ❤🦸🏻♂️👍🏻👌🏻💪🏻.
Forever the one and only Superman/Clark Kent
Yep.
From 1:03 to 1:23, that is easily the epitome of who Superman is and sums up Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of him. Just flat out awesome.
Christopher Reeve's Superman makes me emotional, he will always be the only and real Superman
Christopher thank you so much for the memories growing up in Glasgow Scotland uk thank you rest in peace
The cat rescue scene is still the best depiction of a flying person I have ever seen. It was just magic.
Christopher Reeve was the best Superman! God bless him!
This is why this Superman is the best. He doesn't just fight crime, slug it out with big bad guys, save falling airplanes. He takes the time to rescue a little girl's cat.
I was 26 viewing Superman in theatres in '78 i couldn't get enough. You really could believe he was flying for real. 😲🇺🇸
When the understanding of justice was more understood. Watching it dispensed even if it was fictional is dream come true . Very entertaining. This is what superman stood for truth and justice.. Its to much about power nowadays..
First film I ever watched twice -- on two consecutive nights. Saw it at the premiere at the Capitol Theater in Charleston WV, went back the next evening after a horrific day at work and watched it again. I begin to suspect Reeve will never be surpassed.
I remember back when Superman was this awesome. :-D
Mr. Observant
It still is!
He is the reason that superman is still in the movies
I love this Superman I hope James Gunn brings this type of Superman backbeverything doesn’t have to be dark I love the bright colors on the suit it actually feels like the comics and actually feels like a real superhero that you can trust and and be comfortable instead of him being dark and destroying the city just cause
Moody 1st Bottle is on me, let me get my hat! Priceless! There will never be a better Superman Movie than Superman and Superman II
For reasons I can't explain, there was something comforting about that lightning and distant thunder in the background just before saving the cat. Yeah, I know it was foreshadowing the next scene, but you don't know that on first viewing and it added a deft touch of realism. So glad the director and cast approached this movie seriously. Some fun stuff, but no campy tongue-in-cheek put ons.
"You say the world doesn't need a savior, but every day I hear them crying for one!!"-Superman Returns
They say the world doesn't need a hero
well.... Damn them
I'm gonna give them back their hero's
Fifi Macaffee (Mad Max)
42 years later and the scene still holds up.
even though the thumbnail looks like an snl skit. this is still almost the perfect superhero movie
chris reeve played superrman with great humour....it helped that he was a hot looking guy.