I never saw the theatrical cut of Superman or Superman 2 in theaters. I was in the 3rd, we lived in a bad neighborhood in NYC and my family rarely went to the movies or out at all. But I remember seeing the ABC tv premier of Superman on my parents large black&white tv. But I couldn't watch part 2 Monday night because I had too much homework (I went to a Catholic private school) and couldn't finish on time. Years later, as a law student in found an unofficial 3hour extended cut DVD in a comic book specialty shop. When I played it when i got home, I started crying. It brought back so many memories of me as a child, my innocence, I was in the 3rd grade again, watching in wonder but concerned about my math homework. Thank You Oliver.
Amen to that. This movie essentially launched the superhero genre of cinema and was recently selected for preservation by the National Film Registry branch of the Library of Congress. Also inducted was “The Goonies” also directed by Richard Donner. For him, having this happen right before Christmas, must’ve made this one hell of a present for him.
British Bulldog I remember thinking Superman II might have been better but I now think that’s probably wrong. I thought the first X-Men was better when it came out and Captain America: First Avenger was maybe my favorite Marvel movie. Wonder Woman may be the best superhero movie now but it does have a tremendous flaw. But I think they all owe Superman The Movie a great debt. It was Amazing when it came out.
I agree. I think it's time for Warner Bros. to finally create a version of "Superman II" that is the best of both worlds. If one sees what that guy Selutron created, that might be the right angle needed for the "Definitive Cut."
Always wanted to see a Definitive Cut of Superman II akin to something like; Blade Runner The Final Edition cut which had a couple of millions spent on it. Personally don't think i'll happen, and while Selutron did create some wonderful fanfilm style concepts over a decade ago. He also screwed up by trying to make his idea official somewhat with Warners. Nope i think a true fan recut of the movie will be more like Adywan's Star Wars Revisited films. And take the professional approach to recutting the Superman II? With 'high standard' digital tweaks with minor CGI as it were. yet include footage from all 3 versions of the film. The 1981 theatrical cut, the 2006 Richard Donner cut and the 1984 extended TV version.
Black-Handed_Ice_ Gwiazda I’ve seen parts of that edit. I’m glad he included both Marlon Brando and gave Richard Donner his long-overdue credit as director. I was also impressed with the way he managed to find the audio of Margot Kidder’s actual voice for those moments that were seen in the Donner Cut. I just wish that he would remix the music with the restored master from the “Superman: The Music” CD collection.
I’ll pass. I grew up with the theatrical release and thought it was decent. I saw the Donner Cut and that’s perfect even if it’s incomplete. I don’t want a “definitive cut” that features any Lester footage.
+AG Films: I've never heard of Superman 2 extended tv cut. Lets hope that they would release a definitive version of both the theatrical, Richard Donner, and an extended tv cut with the original sound added onto to it. That would be awesome!!!!
saw Superman the film at the cinema in 1978 and it blew me away. saw the extended version on TV and was surprised. Bought the dvd 2004 edition and most of these extended scenes are deleted scenes on the dvd. One of my all time fave Superhero films.
I've been waiting for your to talk about this version since you mentioned it once before. I honestly didn't know about TV extended cuts, and I'm excited for this
This is great Oliver as always. I must admit, as an Australian kid, I was spoilt because I grew up on a VHS copy of the 3 hour + version as it was recorded by family when I was 5 or less. I saw it many times over and over again, and after the first VHS copy of this and Superman 2 (Extended as well) were worn out, I remember in the early 90s we got this version of ONLY part 1 again. And I copied that as well. Ever since then, when the dvd came out and I saw it, I was super disappointed in that I could see and number of my favourite gags were missing (The Ambulance and the Babies were some of my favourites) Every time I saw those new less dvd's I felt like Daffy Duck listening to Bugs Bunny playing the booby-trapped Xylophone "That's wrong you dumb bunny, try it again." To me, it was irritating, but at least, we finally got this. Cheers for the review. Well done.
I've got the KCOP televised version of the movie saw it the day it was aired back in 1980 it was brilliant always thought of it as being the only version of this movie.
Wow, I am totally blown away by the news that there was a 3rd version, a 3 hour cut of this masterpiece. I ordered it right away. I was totally happy with the extended cut but now that I'm getting an even longer version, I cannot express my joy. Thanks for the great video, Oliver!
"It's 40th anniversary"..oh my god. I'm old ! my mother dragged me to the cinema 7 times in a row to see Superman.. she fell for Christopher Reeves ,my old man happened to be overseas, I'm not complaining this is one of my favourite movie and it holds a special place for me. I think Superman the movie is the greatest adaptation of any comic book superhero, and one of the greatest movies ever made.
I wouldn't go and say it was one of the greatest moves ever made. But the best superman movie made so far. I didn't like the new one it lost that charm about it but the effects and action scenes was a lot better cos of the newer technology but the film it self was just meh .
Get the extended cut of Superman on Blu-ray from Amazon goo.gl/JAJiyw or the WBshop goo.gl/ybV9nD *correction the theatrical cut run at 2 hours and 23 mins. The original 1980 video release came out at 2 hours and 7mins. Silly me!
Oliver hi, quick question. In the now restored "Babies" scenes, even as a kid I was kinda confused, perhaps you know more about this than I do, I always thought the way the idea and scenes were set up, Lex's Babies were more set up to be Crocodiles or Alligators. I mean the way the lighting looks, it seems like water was at the bottom of the pit, and steam is rising, and given the level Lex's Lair was set, it seems like sewer Gators would have been more easier and more logical for him to obtain, as opposed what only the sound would suggest it be cougars of leopards or some other kind of wild feline. Do you know anything about this? Because it still seems like the idea was made after production to add sound of a different animal as opposed to what the initial set up was. Plus I'd believe a Croc would be more aggressive with the quarter beef as suggested. Not sure what happened here.
Glad you caught that runtime error, Ollie. Do you think that the “Superboy” series could be remastered in HD similar to the way that “Star Trek: The Next Generation” recently was?
Oliver Harper you mentioned a possible 4K transfer with fine-tuned grain reduction. There are only three people alive that could know how much reduction would be necessary: Peter MacDonald (Sup. Camera Operator), Stuart Baird (Editor, Theatrical Cut) and of course, Richard Donner (Director). Warner Bros. would need to bring them in to help with the color correction and grain reduction, because they’re the only ones alive who know how the scenes were filmed.
4:22 What the team did here, was to recreate the main titles music, but they used what in the theatrical cut is the ''end credits'' music, but with the several edits that were done on the theatrical ''main titles'' music to match the credits, but the team also omitted the pitch shift. Curiously, John Williams had originally composed the ''end credits'' music for the ''main title'' and vice versa, but the film editors swapped the tracks. This TV print technically puts the composer's intended ''main title'' in its place, but the team recreated (very poorly) the edits of the theatrical cut.
Huge Superman The Movie fan, Oliver. But had no idea there was this TV cut and, as you said, it's worth getting just to see extra footage of Christopher Reeve in action. Ordered!
Originally Superman IV was 2 hours and 15 minutes long but was then cut down to 90 minutes after a test screening. Roughly 30 of the 45 minutes that were cut are available as deleted scenes on the DVD/blu-ray but they're very rough workprints with incomplete special effects, and quite a few key scenes remain unavailable.
It‘s weird to think, but I‘ve read that in Germany the film was released in its rough cut version, but with the effects in those „deleted“ scenes intact. And it seems like every home video release in Germany afterwards only had the shortened version, to the disappointment of some fans.
Certain countries had two extra scenes included in the VHS and Laserdisc releases, those were the Smallville tornado and Russian missile sequences which can be seen here: ua-cam.com/video/9qJ2Xup9aCg/v-deo.html Both scenes were cut for the DVD and blu-ray release in all countries, and are only available on those as deleted scenes with incomplete effects.
*I really hope this leads to them releasing the Superman II extended TV cut and the original cut of Superman IV.* Can see; 'Superman II extended TV cut' happening as it aired on TV in North America in the 80's and potentially should've been on the 3 hour TV cut release last October. But Superman 4? Nope not unless it had money behind it. To restore the original version to what was intended originally. Re-releasing that film now being fully remastered would cost the studio multi-millions of dollars. And they generally don't do that with motion picture films which failed at the box office during their releases. S2 was hit film so it'll always benefit from a possible restoration, S4 however is a different story altogether. Extended fan edited recuts of that film is the best that'll happen for it online, i reckon!
Oliver, great job, I loved rediscovering the extra footage after remembering them from my childhood and wondering if id imagined them from TV. You have some ear on you also as I knew Reeve had dubbed for East in the Smallville years but didnt notice Easts real voice intercut with Reeves in the extended. Good spot.
Great overview of the different versions of Superman. It's still my favourite Superman movie. Came to your channel from a shoutout by Mikey MegaMega. Looking over your videography, you have some great content! I'll spend some time checking your old vids. Liked and subscribed!
Ollie! Any time you do anything related to Superman, I know its pure gold! I did not know about the extended tv version, I've assumed that any tv cut would be similar to Dick Donner's edit. Thanks, brother.
Actually the original theatrical was 143 minutes. The first cut you listed is for some reason called theatrical, but it was edited down for VHS, which couldn’t hold much over two hours back then. The original theatrical is available on a four disc edition of the film that also contains the Donner/Special Edition And two discs of bonus features
Thank you , this is fantastic. I did not know about the extended Blue Ray cut. This was one of the first movies my parents ever took me to watch in a movie theatre and have been a fan of the movie ever since then. How I wish they would re-release it in movie theatres for the anniversary.
I would love a release of the workprint of Superman IV. That movie’s story and idea had the potential to be the best Superman movie since the original cause it’s an absolutely perfect Superman story idea. Too bad Donner couldn’t direct it even with the entire original cast returning a fourth time.
Ah, the Superman II Movie Magazine! In the late 1980s, I used to frequent a comic book/baseball card shop with a big 25-cent bin. Most were comics, but they also sometimes had back issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Starlog, and movie tie-ins like this with behind-the-scenes data, focusing heavily on pictures.
I used to own the Superman III Movie Magazine. I must've read it 1,000+ times when I was a kid. I wish I still had it, but it's been lost into the mists of time.😭
I recall it had big ads for stuff like Superman/Wonder Woman phones and Super 8 copies of the first film. It also had several pictures of Sarah Douglas working out without a bra and with her zip-front track suit top pulled down all the way.
The 2001 Special Edition of Superman The Movie probably has the better picture resolution by far! And its surround sound audio quality is in 5.1. DTS. But i do think as Ollie said, the colour saturation levels were darker here and this somehow bought out a better darker blue and reds for Superman costume in the 3 hour cut along with some of the film grain being lessened however! He technically looks somewhat better in the extended cut though!
Oddly, they used the composer's intended ''main title'' music that was swapped in the theatrical cut for the ''end title'' music. And if that wasn't odd enough, they recreated (rather poorly) the theatrical cut edits (but omitted the pitch shift) that were done in order to fit with the length of the main titles.
7:57, that Bruce Boa extended scene as the Military General i'm pretty sure was originally intended for Superman II not the first film?! His lines seem to indicate that something terrible has happened like maybe the; 3 supervillains invading Earth and seemingly being unstoppable to their military hardware. Not as it comes across here as news of the two XK-101 Rockets going haywire came to him instead. The following scene was the (then) unseen U.S. President playing golf and being told there was a call for him? In Superman II we first see the President watching TV reports of the 3 Phantom Zone Villains destruction of; East Houston Idaho. Had the extended TV cut of the first film not used that clip of the Golf course with the President nor actor; Bruce Boa's Army General scene. We can assume as fans of the films that this was intended to be for Donner's Superman II version had he not been fired by the Salkinds. Rumor goes that the Salkinds withheld his original first cut of the first film ( avoiding tax charges and debts to be paid to investors of the film at the time, on 3 different continents. [until Warners helped them pay'em all off entirely?] ) And thus he had to rebuild the film's cut, using negatives. Which would explain why perhaps the Marlon Brando scene of Superman and Jor-El at the Fortress after his first night was missing from the theatrical cut for whatever reasons? The negatives had to be processed and the film recut together again. Let's also remember that the Concorde scene of Superman overtaking Concorde from the extended Superman II was originally suppose to be in the first film not the second movie. As the shot wasn't finished yet and was supposed to be worked on until it was done. It was left unfinished but later added to superman II's extended TV cut instead. Seems to me some elements meant for Superman II found their way into the extended cut of Superman The Movie as well by default. Look again on the wall at; 7:57, it reveals the U.S. President's face anyways! An element used to try and trick General Zod when the President's decoy tried to take the President's place in the Whitehouse scene in Superman II. It however failed and Zod saw through the trick. Audiences perhaps were to be tipped off somewhat earlier here, as to what the President actually looked like. With a distinct visual background clue to his true identity if you paid close enough attention to what was actually going on, as it were?! Why hide his face at first in Superman II?, if the extended cut of Superman The Movie actually shows his face on the wall 2 hours plus into the movie somehow hmm? Thats not Donner's style he covers and checks all the details and continuity gaffs of his movies. And its not a error the film's Editor; Stuart Baird would ever let slip by is it??!
One thing I will note that is different, even from the original TV broadcast, instead of showing the scene from the end of the Ambulance fight, where we see a moment of Ottis laying on a gurney with Lex beating him and Ottis's marshmallows flying out onto the road, we get a close up zoom in on Miss Tesmaucher driving and laughing. A bit of a shame that image of the gurney is now missing still.
David Hinkle Yes it is. In the "Original" 3 hour tv version, when Lex goes to beat up Otis, the camera angle changes to the rear of the ambulance from the outside showing the rear doors fling open and you see the gurney almost falling out with Otis hanging out with Lex on top.
After all these years, I just noticed something. Within ONLY the theatrical cuts of Superman 1 and Superman 2, we NEVER see Marlon Brando interact with Christopher Reeve's Clark and Superman. Its only in this and the extended version we got on dvd we see this and the Donner cut of part 2.
Hey Oliver, the extended cut was shown in Australia in 1983 in two parts and repeated in one part in 1985, 1988 and finally 1994. In 1990 they showed the theatrical cut and I called the tv station to complain about the footage that was cut out. How do I remember this and not what was on tv last week is a curiosity. Anyway I was a bit of a tv addict back then.
I remember the 94 tv showing of the film. Came out right around the same time they did the Aliens extended cut, and the Godfather extended version, all three of which I also recorded from tv. But yeah, we had the 85 or 83 tv version of this Superman and Extended part 2 from that time as well, and grew up on those two tapes for years. Felt the same way as you when I saw the shorter versions in Australia after this. We were definitely spoiled when it came to this film.
When it aired in the USA, I swear there must have been a commercial break every 10 to 12 minutes! Thats the one thing I don't miss about the days before cable or vcr's. And these were LONG commercial breaks too!
Yes guys, also had the 1983 TV cuts on video [Beta!] broadcast on ch.10 Australia, when those tapes were as dear as poison to buy. Would you believe they were both stolen along with the Betamax VCR [broken at the time too lol!], in a house burglary?! I mean Jeezuz; who in their right mind would steal Betamax?!
Haha, I remember all of those screenings. We managed to grab it on Beta during the 80s, and on VHS in ‘94. People actually bought their first VCRs in preparation for the ‘83 screening over two nights. Imagine that!
James, still lol at the days when we only had 4-5 FTA TV channels to choose from, and cable TV was only for the rich. I'd hate to think how much landfill our VCRs, and video cassettes demand...
Recorded this on Betamax in 1982 over two nights with all the original commercials, "Have you played Atari today?" "Coke is it!" "Pepsi: The choice of a new generation." Watched this over and over and over, by myself, with my friends, whatever. I could never understand when they ran this on cable why there were parts lefts out of it, then I learned about it being the TV edit with additional scenes added. I felt fortunate because I really loved Lex's defenses as Superman went to his lair, the expanded version of Superman's first night, Miss Tessmacher and the babies, etc. I transferred this from Beta to VHS then to DVD so I could keep watching it. The fact that sales have been so good gives me a tiny bit of hope that it adds to the argument that this is the Superman the world wants to see as opposed to Zach Snyder's bleakman version.
ROBOCOP There are always possibilities. If they decide to do so, I just hope that they use the completely restored score as presented in the “Superman: The Music” CD Collection.
What,..like the Concorde scene and Superman destroying the Fortress of Solitude at the end of the film for example? Doesn't matter. As Superman III extended also had unfinished scenes as did; Superman The Movie anyhow (The extra scenes of Krypton's destruction, audio issues with some extended scenes, jump cuts etc).
David Hinkle they could use some of the footage from the Donner Cut to help with the visual effects, especially the shots when he vaporizes the Fortress with his heat vision.
David Hinkle He was destroying the Fortress because it was more or less dead without his father's hologram being active anymore's or the crystal banks working properly! Superman only kept it going because he needed to trick the 3 supervillains into losing their superpowers, once that was done. The Fortress' usage was practically over and done with's. Looking evil? No, it was done to show Superman moving on from the last remains of his birth parents/race. The scene was just meant to be very somber i.e. sad. He regains his powers and defeats his enemies but at the cost of losing his father's spirit/hologram A.I. forever due to the sacrifice Jor-El made for him! The Fortress' purpose was over and done with's once all was said and done.
Very nice review. I agree with your thoughts on the tv cut vs. theatrical cut. Also had the vhs pan-and-scan version for years until this release. 2 things I noticed while viewing it: The extended shots of teen Clark going into the barn to find the green crystal has a blooper: A crew member is on the porch waaaay far off in the background, and he waves to the camera before ducking out of sight. Also, when the news camera man and the reporter are recording/looking at Superman (right after he saves Lois and flies off), one of the people on the streets standing next to them looks right into the camera.
There are two scenes in this cut that makes it worth for me: The scene , where Lois is interviewing the chief, is when we finally get to know the reasons why Jimmy was at the dam. And an extended dialogue between Lois and Superman, after he turned back time, where she explains to him how much alike they both are in her opinion ("Our work always comes first"). I never understood why Richard Donner cut those two lines, it didn't harm the pacing that much. Maybe if Superman had paid more attention back then, he wouldn't have given up his powers in "Superman II".
saw this as a kid i think that abc tv version in early 80's i was 11 or 12 and the scene of superman seeing louis dead and his anger and scream gets me to this day, very powerful stuff
You had to wait for a second batch because it sold out Ollie? Damn received mine in mid November from the States. And i wondered why there were no decent reviews on youtube until now. Cheers man, you always made wonderful videos for the Superman series. And yes the film is now 40 years old (by its Washington D.C. premiere date of the 3rd of December 1978) while the title character of Superman himself is 80 years old this year. Hope news of Superman II Extended TV cut comes along as well some time in 2018, as well as the potential new Superman videogame by Rocksteady? (shrugs). As rumors go! Thank you again for a great review Oliver!
ivanher07 Shout Factory needs to put out a remastered collector's edition of King Kong 1976 with both cuts. Could you imagine??? Jessica Lange in remastered HD! 😃
I know, beside king Kong '76. And The Swarm with Michael Caine. The only other film i know that also has a 3 hour cut of something thats rarely been seen is; "Needful Things" (1993). Outside some US cable stations, that particular film's 3 hour hasn't seen the light of day neither. Would like for a lot of these films to have their extended cuts released finally. The 3 hour Superman last year, gave me hope nothing impossible anymore's y'know.
ivanher07, yes if one digs deep enough, then can find this 3-hour "King Kong '76" on torrent sites... but it is a TV recording, so don't anyone expect anything remotely termed HD!
I’d happily settle for a blu ray release of the Director’s Cut DVD. Unfortunately, shitty Paramount didn’t plan ahead and rendered the new CGI in a resolution insufficient for a high def release. The way they exploit the Trekkies, you just know they’d be on their 5th rerelease of a TMP Director’s Cut blu if they did have it ready to go. In any event, I believe the Director’s Cut, while actually shorter than the theatrical, incorporates some of the footage from the TV version.
Awesome review. I have just finished watching the extended cut on blu-ray. It was great to see a longer version of this movie, and extended and deleted scenes I had never seen before. A lot of the extended scences slow down the movie, but I do think extra bits of Superman flying and saving the day are brilliant. It's nice to have this version in my collection, but would have to say the 2000 special edition is my favourite version as it has the right amount of extended/deleted scenes that do not over power the film, and slow it down.
40 MINUTES EXTRA? Holy shit. Now I've gotta get it. I'd never heard of this version before despite being Australian, so I may have actually seen it on tv as a child and just not noticed.
Because of the internet, way back in 2000 i managed to get hold of the 3 hour Superman movie and the extended Superman II. From a dude in Australia. On VHS tape before i got'em again on DVD copies. Can't believe you've never seen it before,....mate? Yeah, you might've seen it as a child long ago and forgotten about it over time i reckon.
4:23, the team that transferred the print used the end title theme by mistake, which is a different recording of the main titles. Curiously enough, John Williams actually recorded what is the end credits music in the film as the main title and vice versa, with the intended main titles having synchronization points with several visual effects and credits, but the film editors flip-flopped the themes, as well as pitch shift the intended end credits music to around 30 cents up, plus edits on the middle and closer to the end sections to fit in the main titles. Still, the team that transferred the print didn't match the music with the visuals correctly and the edits to insert the music are obvious. A missed opportunity.
im trying to get the bluray im from the Netherlands and i found out there are versions for sale 1 is region A it seems the other 1 i cant find out what region but as u mentioned it was region free, the region A looks like it has a sleeve over the case and where it says on top bluray is darker blue and the other 1 doesnt have a sleeve and is lighter blue on top. sometimes they put on region codes on the covers but in fact there actually region free so do u know if this is the case
I want Paramount and Studio Canel to release King Kong (1976) Extended TV Cut on Blu-ray. It's never been officially released and only a few deleted scenes were presented as a bonus feature on the Reigon 2 - 4 Blu-rays. Plus us here in the US and Canada have never gotten the film on Blu-ray. They only repackaged the 2005 DVD last year when Kong Skull Island came out.
Jack Buchanan Well said Jack! I'm on here bringing up that very thing. Hope Oliver gets around to doing a retrospective on it. That would help matters. I think he'd dig the blue screen effects and John Barry's soundtrack.
He should also do one for "King Kong Lives" and release them both on the same day. That would be a real treat. Also, John Barry's score for "King Kong"[1976] is one of the best & most underrated film scores of all time! www.change.org/p/shout-factory-and-paramount-release-a-2-disc-blu-ray-set-of-king-kong-1976-and-king-kong-lives-1986-that-includes-the-extended-version-of-king-kong-1976
Update! Since this comment the TV cut of Kong76 is being released on blu ray by Shout Factory. And with WB releasing the Snyder Cut, looks like alternative cuts of movies might be a top dollar for Hollywood.
The theatrical cut was longer than 2 hrs 7 min and the new blu ray of the special edition is now in DTS HD MA as opposed to Dolby Digital for the original 2006 release.
I'm thrilled this version has been given a legit release. My family didn't own a VCR yet when ABC originally aired it in 1982, so I put my little portable tape recorder in front of the TV and recorded the sound only.
Does anyone know if William Hurt appeared as an extra in this movie? During the Canadian missile sequence, theres a shot unique to the TV cut (at 2hr 10mins) where we see a lone soldier in the foreground on the left of the screen standing guard with the missile in the background on the left. The guy is helmeted and staring almost into camera. I'm convinced its William Hurt, although I can find nothing online to corroborate this. This is going to bug me for ages, any thoughts or opinions appreciated..
Excellent review Oliver! I agree that this is probably not the version of the film you should watch, it does affect the pacing a lot. But I think my next few viewings are going to be with this cut simply to familiarise myself with it like the Theatrical and Director’s cut. This is as you say a great novelty and it’s so cool to have 3 cuts now. Here’s hoping for Supes 2&3 extended cuts? That is if they have the prints still, which was the thing holding this back from being released for so long, they simply did not know if they were in good condition or if they even had them in a source suitable for Blu-ray. Overall I’m very glad we did get this as it’s great to have and is a nice companion piece to the old motion picture anthology Blu-ray set :)
Bought the previous special edition with the restored footage and documentaries (was a 2-sided disc) but if there's no new documentary or other features then I'll stick with what I have - especially if the sound etc is off.
Does anybody know if the 3 hour and 8 minute extended version is it available on DVD or is it only on Blu-ray because the one I've seen is either two and a half hours or two hours and 45 minutes
This extended TV cut (Salkind Cut) or possibly a slightly shorter version ( 178 Mins) premiered as it did in the U.S. as a two night (Sunday/Monday) "Special Event" on the Nine Network in Australia in the early 1980s. After which Nine frequently repeated it as a single feature throughout the rest of the decade. Their commercial competition, the Seven Network screened it once as a weekday midday movie in approx 1990. The Ten Network broadcast the Theatrical version for the first and I believe only time in 1991 on the eve of the first Gulf War. Nine later regained the screening rights and re-aired the same dreadful 4:3 scratchy mono transfer. The reason you are noticing audio issues is because Warner has chosen to briefly replace the extended TV version's mono soundtrack with a dub of the original stereo track during the opening and closing credits to give the proceedings a bit more punch. It's great to see this in scope from a 35mm source. Far superior to old 16mm dupes and past it video transfers. Thanks for your intelligent, balanced and informative review.
That's incorrect! It was shown on channel 10 numerous times in the early to late 80's and then rights were handed over to channel 9 for the rest of the 90's. At one point during anticipation of one of the airings, I remember specifically going to Coles, supermarket and buying an empty 4 hour BASF VHS tape to record it and I did. The very first airing was shown in 2 parts just like the ABC presentation in U.S. In the next 3 subsequent airings channel 10, would broadcast the whole Salkind Cut in one night. I also remember the 1988 airing was simulcast on FM radio at the same time. I no longer have the recording as it was stolen with my VHS recorder 2 years later.
@@mickbashem8304 Hey Mick. One caveat, important detail that I failed to explain. Is that I'm speaking from a West Coast perspective. Ten didn't set up shop in W.A. until the late 80's. My description is correct in the W.A. context. The pre-networked Seven/GWN (W.A. regional) and Nine split up Ten's licenced U.S. programming. An example being Miami Vice, which screened on Nine in the Perth Metro area and GWN regionally. Thanks for sharing Your memories. Very fond nostalgia. Yes, BASF chrome and the higher grade Sony cassettes in the gold and black packaging.
@@defanged9630 Oh that's surprising. I didn't realize channel 10 wasn't operating in W.A. during that time and that the U.S. programming was split between Channel's 9 and 7. I did entertain the notion that maybe because we are in different states the programming might be differently allocated to networks but I had no idea channel 10 didn't exist in your area. I'm from inner Sydney, NSW.
@@mickbashem8304 Yeah, just three stations, largely operating as independents taking feeds from Sydney/Melbourne (networking came much later). ABW2, TVW7 and STW9. SBS TV commenced a Perth relay in March 1986 and NEW10 commenced local operations in May 1988.
Mr. Harper, another excellent review. I have to admit, as a kid, I never liked the Richard Donner movies. I always found them overly cheesy and overlong. But, frankly, I keep returning to your Superman reviews, and you have definitely changed my opinions for them. Although they're still not my favorite, I can appreciate them for what they are, especially given all the background you've given on them. And boy, are these films fun, at least! The best iteration of Superman. I hope, once my husband finishes Superman: The Movie (he, like the old me, isn't too keen on it), I can show him your review. I'm more than certain his appreciation will change. Thanks for making a believer out of me!
Keep checking youtube for background on the movie's history and development alliesfrench! There are dozens of Superman The Movie videos also highlighting the film production. Some of the videos, interviews and clips aren't on any home releases like the; DVD's and Blu-ray's. Hope you and your husband, download them and enjoy'em all the more. Cheers!
MGSBigBoss77 That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to looking those videos up! I’m glad I developed a better appreciation for this film. It really is a fun movie.
Michael Kurland I was / am, have been re editing a lot of stuff for the past while. I’ve put up parts one & 2 just recently together. Thank you for remembering! I’m currently trying to get an interview finished for part 3 with Clive Mantle, hence why it’s taken this long. He lives locally.
Since this extended cut was only in mono, and WB wasn't going to spend the time and money to redo the added scenes in surround for a title that probably would not sell enough to warrant it, they added the stereo audio from the 2000 edition for the opening credits (and I think the closing ones as well) and called it a day. That might be why you noticed something was off. I am just happy they were able to release it in the proper aspect ratio.
There's a 3 hour version of Superman??? When the hell did this happen??!! Why am i always the last one to know about these things??!! ....see, there's Biff our there waxing it now...
Joe Vitale that makes two of us. I even asked Fathom Events to consider it. They said it wasn’t in their plans for this year, but they always appreciate feedback. If we can get enough people to talk to them about “Superman” then they might have to alter their agenda to include it. EDIT: Fathom Events did reissue the film for a brief run in September of 2018.
Sadly, no. However, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is prepping the film for 4K UHD Blu-Ray & digital release at the end of this year. Not sure which version, though. Hopefully It'll be all three versions.
Who knows? Maybe Fathom Events will change their minds and re-release the film in theaters for two days, to coincide with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release like they did last year for E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.
great news a must have, thanks for bringing this to my attention, still the best portrayal of clark/superman and Lois lane , isn't there a longer tv cut of Halloween would like to see that on DVD , good review sir.
Really great video and thanks for all the info on the other Superman cuts. I have the extended US edition blu ray, where many scenes were put back in, but now I know about this two part tv cut, I want that too! The scene where Superman gives Miss Testmarker a flying lift and many other additional scenes, I think it would be worth paying for, should they release it on blu ray. Releasing it too would be a quite wonderful tribute to the late, great Christopher Reeve.
I have a 2000 extended version, is this what he was talking about? I'm not sure it is 3 hours, though. And I don't remember having him trying to catch a rocket and failing. It's a 2006 collector's edition.
Impressive once again. Immersive indeed. Thank you immensely. Everything about these films are so nostalgic. #Superman I loved the #Supergirl Blu-ray release review just as much. 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏼♀️
Cool, thanks! I heard that they cut all of Brando’s scenes from S2, because he would get paid and credited naturally. I’d like to see those scenes, especially integrated into the movie.
The film's 2001 Special Edition does indeed have the sharpest picture quality for the 1978 Superman the movie. somehow its was properly remastered. And yet, the Extended 3 hour TV cut remastering managed to get the colour grade of Superman's costume down, he's never so good beforehand, costume wise i reckon. Even better i'd say, than the 2001 edition version. But yes i'd say audio wise and with a few exceptions, the blurred picture at times isn't the best with the extended cut. Visually, the 2001 SE of the movie has the best picture quality overall.
Oliver, I could definitely see a Superman II TV edit release from Warner Archive later this year based on the success of this release. Though I do wonder if this release was more a happy accident due to the combination of: WB discovering an intact and high quality print of the TV edit, wanting to capitalize on Justice League’s release in whatever small way, Warner really being the only studio still having a commitment to releasing its own catalog on blu-ray, and this being a generally low budget release via the Archive imprint. Based on all that, it seems the only stumbling block for a Superman II TV edit blu would be availability and condition of a theoretical print. Sadly, all of these factors don’t bode well for TV edit releases of other studios’ films.
Why do you think Warners has not re-released a "fixed" version of Superman IV. I believe they got the complete ownership back from Cannon Films. Unlike Stars Wars: Special Editions which was taking something that wasn't broken and fixing it, WB can go the Highlander II route and "fix" a movie that is missing a lot of necessary footage and redo the effects. Just like Highlander II it wont make the movie brilliant but it will make it watchable and be a way to honor Christopher Reeve's intention for Superman IV. I really want to see that dance sequence that was never released and apparently was shot well.
This is the version I first saw. RTE (Ireland's state TV station) showed this cut in the early 80's for the film's first TV broadcast. I hadn't seen the movie in the cinema, but I had seen the second film on the big screen first.
I've got a version downloaded that is 3hr 21mins, I believe it was a German TV version. Looks like they threw in every scene filmed! Will try and see what was left out of this release to the one I have...
Just Otis being punched by Lex at the back of the ambulance. for some reason? This scene is not on this beautiful widescreen Blu-ray version. So keep your downloaded DVD/file? versions however. Thats the only scene which is left out of this release, it has everything else though. superman1978.com/DELETED_SCENES_SUPERMAN_THE_MOVIE/STM_DELETED__ALTERNATE_SCENES_PAGE_6/Missiles_DELETED_SCENES_28_Superman_The_Movie.html
No Ollie you aren't silly, as not all the VHS tape ran the film at the theatrical's; 144/143 minutes running time. Some were shorter in length y'know! VHS PAL running for the film vary upon several releases of the film y'know. *2 hours and 17 minutes/i.e. 137 minutes* vhscollector.com/sites/default/files/vhscovers/Superman%20the%20movie%20swe749_0.jpg *138 minutes long* supermania78.com/word/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Superheroes_STM.jpg *WCI Release, 127 minutes long* (no its not Superman II either, but STM??! YES!) i.ebayimg.com/images/g/V0AAAOSw9hdaAopE/s-l1600.jpg
MGSBigBoss77 I think it's hilarious that WCI trimmed the film down to 2 hrs. 7 min. for their VHS release, then had the balls to claim they were presenting it in it's original theatrical version!😂 Incidentally, I wonder what scenes were trimmed. Does anyone here know? I mean, c'mon, that's 16 minutes taken out of the movie.
Same here, guess we're the same age more or less. I was so young when i saw this film and Superman II. Memories are blurry somewhat. Superman III in 1983 is the only film besides Superman IV where i can recall the full cinema experience in greater details despite being so young. any film after 1981 i have full recollection of. Still its quite something to say we saw these films back in the day. Definitely remember the whistling in the cinema from the audience, as Superman II's rating and license came up on the screen. Folks today just don't do that for blockbuster films anymore! (sad face).
WAY back in 1999 I bought a 2 tape vhs of this long cut off eBay for well over $100..After that I seen different places pressure WB to officially make a release either In theaters(which I would almost die for)or home video..That was my tiny tiny part in Superman history
The original Theatrical is two hours and twenty three minutes. You’re referring to the VHS cut that is sometimes erroneously called the Theatrical when it’s been edited down further to fit onto a tape. For some reason this cut made it to DVD as the “Theatrical cut” before the actual one came around. The original was somewhere between Donner’s cut and the VHS, well paced but still with some more density. So yeah four cuts. It’s weird
It was kinda funny watching this when it premiered, the opening credits take like 10 minutes. Seriously like 10 straight minutes of flying words and gleaming star effects.
5 minutes actually and it's wonderfully scored by John Williams. I uploaded a HD version of the opening credits to UA-cam a few years ago and it got over 620,000 views.
I can understand why Donner didn't approve. There is a reason they cut scenes, and he had made an almost flawless movie in the original theatrical version. Nothing they do can improve on it. The extra scenes should perhaps be seen just as extra or deleted scenes on the disc. They certainly shouldn't remove the original theatrical release from the discs, as I will always believe that is the best version you could watch.
If Alex Ross did the cover for Superman The Movie, Superman would always be looking very pissed off on it (Ross' general cliche) lol. And we wouldn't want that. instead go here to these links guys.... images.imagebam.com/1e/d2/e3/f2cfeb613235053.png www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-1-JA-Theatrical-Version-Custom-BD.png postimg.org/image/m06puvpgl/ img839.imageshack.us/img839/8305/supermanthemoviebdmoder.png www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-1-JA-Expanded-Edition-Custom-BD.png *Superman II (love these anyways)* www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-2-Theatrical-JA-Custom-BD.png www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-2-Donner-Cut-JA-Custom-BD.png *Superman teaser poster* images.imagebam.com/ca/c5/2d/60e1b1613219733.jpg
Can’t believe I’ve not heard of this 3 hour cut,never mind having not seen it.First saw Chris in action as a 6 year old in ‘78 and loved it ever since.Thought I was a huge fan🤪Time to get it ordered 👍🏻
Oliver Harper do you believe that a 4K transfer is in the works? If so, does this mean that Warner Bros. will attempt the same with “Superman II?” I do happen to know that thanks to Michael Thau, Warner Bros. has a picture master of the Television Cut of “Superman II,” because of the extra scenes included on the Blu-Ray release.
@@OliverHarper I’ll say it was in good shape. But I have an idea about how to fix the audio issue with the opening credits. I would have inserted the 1978 stereo music track used for the Theatrical Cut on Blu-Ray.
i'd love it if WB restored the extended versions of superman 3 and 4. when i got the christopher reeve box set in '06 i was shocked when i saw how much of superman 4 was missing compared to the version i had on VHS, superman 3 wasn't as surprising as the version i got was identical to what had been shown on tv at the time although i had an extended version on vhs taped in the 80's which unfortunately got chewed up and showed more footage and dialogue for the supporting cast including a scene where vera had to put cotton wool in her ears because of lorelie and superman, which i always thought was pretty funny.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I never saw the theatrical cut of Superman or Superman 2 in theaters. I was in the 3rd, we lived in a bad neighborhood in NYC and my family rarely went to the movies or out at all. But I remember seeing the ABC tv premier of Superman on my parents large black&white tv. But I couldn't watch part 2 Monday night because I had too much homework (I went to a Catholic private school) and couldn't finish on time. Years later, as a law student in found an unofficial 3hour extended cut DVD in a comic book specialty shop. When I played it when i got home, I started crying. It brought back so many memories of me as a child, my innocence, I was in the 3rd grade again, watching in wonder but concerned about my math homework. Thank You Oliver.
No matter how old this movie is. It never gets old.
Still the best super hero movie ever, IMHO.
Amen to that. This movie essentially launched the superhero genre of cinema and was recently selected for preservation by the National Film Registry branch of the Library of Congress. Also inducted was “The Goonies” also directed by Richard Donner. For him, having this happen right before Christmas, must’ve made this one hell of a present for him.
I whole heartedly agree.
I totally agree it is the best and most true to the person and his place in the world it Is beyond the pearl among the other sand nuggets around.
British Bulldog I remember thinking Superman II might have been better but I now think that’s probably wrong. I thought the first X-Men was better when it came out and Captain America: First Avenger was maybe my favorite Marvel movie.
Wonder Woman may be the best superhero movie now but it does have a tremendous flaw.
But I think they all owe Superman The Movie a great debt. It was Amazing when it came out.
@PHILL SHIVELY To each their own, but LMAO.
As a Christopher Reeve fan, always love the passion and enthusiasm you put into these videos. Keep up the good work!
Oliver is clearly a Christopher Reeve fan of the Superman films. As a lot of us on here are! So we all appreciate his videos and reviews as such.
Let’s all prey for a Definitive Cut of Superman II in the not too distant future!
I agree. I think it's time for Warner Bros. to finally create a version of "Superman II" that is the best of both worlds. If one sees what that guy Selutron created, that might be the right angle needed for the "Definitive Cut."
Always wanted to see a Definitive Cut of Superman II akin to something like; Blade Runner The Final Edition cut which had a couple of millions spent on it. Personally don't think i'll happen, and while Selutron did create some wonderful fanfilm style concepts over a decade ago. He also screwed up by trying to make his idea official somewhat with Warners.
Nope i think a true fan recut of the movie will be more like Adywan's Star Wars Revisited films. And take the professional approach to recutting the Superman II? With 'high standard' digital tweaks with minor CGI as it were. yet include footage from all 3 versions of the film. The 1981 theatrical cut, the 2006 Richard Donner cut and the 1984 extended TV version.
Black-Handed_Ice_ Gwiazda I’ve seen parts of that edit. I’m glad he included both Marlon Brando and gave Richard Donner his long-overdue credit as director. I was also impressed with the way he managed to find the audio of Margot Kidder’s actual voice for those moments that were seen in the Donner Cut. I just wish that he would remix the music with the restored master from the “Superman: The Music” CD collection.
I’ll pass. I grew up with the theatrical release and thought it was decent. I saw the Donner Cut and that’s perfect even if it’s incomplete. I don’t want a “definitive cut” that features any Lester footage.
+AG Films: I've never heard of Superman 2 extended tv cut. Lets hope that they would release a definitive version of both the theatrical, Richard Donner, and an extended tv cut with the original sound added onto to it. That would be awesome!!!!
Nice to see a new new review of anything Superman related, Superman: The Movie and Oliver Harper go together like 80s and synth!
saw Superman the film at the cinema in 1978 and it blew me away. saw the extended version on TV and was surprised. Bought the dvd 2004 edition and most of these extended scenes are deleted scenes on the dvd. One of my all time fave Superhero films.
I've been waiting for your to talk about this version since you mentioned it once before. I honestly didn't know about TV extended cuts, and I'm excited for this
Hopefully this is a start and encouragement for Warner & other studios to release more TV versions/workprints of their old releases.
This is great Oliver as always. I must admit, as an Australian kid, I was spoilt because I grew up on a VHS copy of the 3 hour + version as it was recorded by family when I was 5 or less. I saw it many times over and over again, and after the first VHS copy of this and Superman 2 (Extended as well) were worn out, I remember in the early 90s we got this version of ONLY part 1 again. And I copied that as well. Ever since then, when the dvd came out and I saw it, I was super disappointed in that I could see and number of my favourite gags were missing (The Ambulance and the Babies were some of my favourites) Every time I saw those new less dvd's I felt like Daffy Duck listening to Bugs Bunny playing the booby-trapped Xylophone "That's wrong you dumb bunny, try it again." To me, it was irritating, but at least, we finally got this. Cheers for the review. Well done.
gutz1981 do you still have the extended cut of Superman 2 and can you email it to me, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaasssseeeeeeee? 🤞🏿
Movie Mayhem
Ha ha, alas no I'm afraid. That tape was destroyed back before the end of the 80s. Sorry I couldn't help.
I have a extended Cut of Superman part 2 and 3. If you are interesting write a pn to me.
I've got the KCOP televised version of the movie saw it the day it was aired back in 1980 it was brilliant always thought of it as being the only version of this movie.
Wow, I am totally blown away by the news that there was a 3rd version, a 3 hour cut of this masterpiece. I ordered it right away. I was totally happy with the extended cut but now that I'm getting an even longer version, I cannot express my joy. Thanks for the great video, Oliver!
"It's 40th anniversary"..oh my god. I'm old ! my mother dragged me to the cinema 7 times in a row to see Superman.. she fell for Christopher Reeves ,my old man happened to be overseas, I'm not complaining this is one of my favourite movie and it holds a special place for me. I think Superman the movie is the greatest adaptation of any comic book superhero, and one of the greatest movies ever made.
Your mother is da bomb!
That Amazing dude
I wouldn't go and say it was one of the greatest moves ever made. But the best superman movie made so far. I didn't like the new one it lost that charm about it but the effects and action scenes was a lot better cos of the newer technology but the film it self was just meh .
Get the extended cut of Superman on Blu-ray from Amazon goo.gl/JAJiyw
or the WBshop goo.gl/ybV9nD
*correction the theatrical cut run at 2 hours and 23 mins. The original 1980 video release came out at 2 hours and 7mins. Silly me!
Oliver hi, quick question. In the now restored "Babies" scenes, even as a kid I was kinda confused, perhaps you know more about this than I do, I always thought the way the idea and scenes were set up, Lex's Babies were more set up to be Crocodiles or Alligators. I mean the way the lighting looks, it seems like water was at the bottom of the pit, and steam is rising, and given the level Lex's Lair was set, it seems like sewer Gators would have been more easier and more logical for him to obtain, as opposed what only the sound would suggest it be cougars of leopards or some other kind of wild feline. Do you know anything about this? Because it still seems like the idea was made after production to add sound of a different animal as opposed to what the initial set up was. Plus I'd believe a Croc would be more aggressive with the quarter beef as suggested. Not sure what happened here.
Glad you caught that runtime error, Ollie. Do you think that the “Superboy” series could be remastered in HD similar to the way that “Star Trek: The Next Generation” recently was?
Oliver Harper you mentioned a possible 4K transfer with fine-tuned grain reduction. There are only three people alive that could know how much reduction would be necessary: Peter MacDonald (Sup. Camera Operator), Stuart Baird (Editor, Theatrical Cut) and of course, Richard Donner (Director). Warner Bros. would need to bring them in to help with the color correction and grain reduction, because they’re the only ones alive who know how the scenes were filmed.
4:22
What the team did here, was to recreate the main titles music, but they used what in the theatrical cut is the ''end credits'' music, but with the several edits that were done on the theatrical ''main titles'' music to match the credits, but the team also omitted the pitch shift.
Curiously, John Williams had originally composed the ''end credits'' music for the ''main title'' and vice versa, but the film editors swapped the tracks.
This TV print technically puts the composer's intended ''main title'' in its place, but the team recreated (very poorly) the edits of the theatrical cut.
Huge Superman The Movie fan, Oliver. But had no idea there was this TV cut and, as you said, it's worth getting just to see extra footage of Christopher Reeve in action. Ordered!
I really hope this leads to them releasing the Superman II extended TV cut and the original cut of Superman IV.
Charles Teague what was the original cut of Superman IV?
Originally Superman IV was 2 hours and 15 minutes long but was then cut down to 90 minutes after a test screening. Roughly 30 of the 45 minutes that were cut are available as deleted scenes on the DVD/blu-ray but they're very rough workprints with incomplete special effects, and quite a few key scenes remain unavailable.
It‘s weird to think, but I‘ve read that in Germany the film was released in its rough cut version, but with the effects in those „deleted“ scenes intact. And it seems like every home video release in Germany afterwards only had the shortened version, to the disappointment of some fans.
Certain countries had two extra scenes included in the VHS and Laserdisc releases, those were the Smallville tornado and Russian missile sequences which can be seen here: ua-cam.com/video/9qJ2Xup9aCg/v-deo.html Both scenes were cut for the DVD and blu-ray release in all countries, and are only available on those as deleted scenes with incomplete effects.
*I really hope this leads to them releasing the Superman II extended TV cut and the original cut of Superman IV.*
Can see; 'Superman II extended TV cut' happening as it aired on TV in North America in the 80's and potentially should've been on the 3 hour TV cut release last October. But Superman 4? Nope not unless it had money behind it. To restore the original version to what was intended originally. Re-releasing that film now being fully remastered would cost the studio multi-millions of dollars.
And they generally don't do that with motion picture films which failed at the box office during their releases. S2 was hit film so it'll always benefit from a possible restoration, S4 however is a different story altogether. Extended fan edited recuts of that film is the best that'll happen for it online, i reckon!
Oliver, great job, I loved rediscovering the extra footage after remembering them from my childhood and wondering if id imagined them from TV. You have some ear on you also as I knew Reeve had dubbed for East in the Smallville years but didnt notice Easts real voice intercut with Reeves in the extended. Good spot.
Great overview of the different versions of Superman. It's still my favourite Superman movie. Came to your channel from a shoutout by Mikey MegaMega. Looking over your videography, you have some great content! I'll spend some time checking your old vids. Liked and subscribed!
Ollie! Any time you do anything related to Superman, I know its pure gold! I did not know about the extended tv version, I've assumed that any tv cut would be similar to Dick Donner's edit. Thanks, brother.
Actually the original theatrical was 143 minutes. The first cut you listed is for some reason called theatrical, but it was edited down for VHS, which couldn’t hold much over two hours back then.
The original theatrical is available on a four disc edition of the film that also contains the Donner/Special Edition And two discs of bonus features
Theatrical Cut: 2 hours and 22 minutes
Director's Cut: 2 hours and 31 minutes
Extended Cut: 3 hours and 8 minutes
can you give me this movie please?
Christopher Reeves will always be the best Superman for decades to come...
Thank you , this is fantastic. I did not know about the extended Blue Ray cut. This was one of the first movies my parents ever took me to watch in a movie theatre and have been a fan of the movie ever since then. How I wish they would re-release it in movie theatres for the anniversary.
I would love a release of the workprint of Superman IV. That movie’s story and idea had the potential to be the best Superman movie since the original cause it’s an absolutely perfect Superman story idea. Too bad Donner couldn’t direct it even with the entire original cast returning a fourth time.
He was asked to but refused as he was still hurt from been fired from 2
Ah, the Superman II Movie Magazine! In the late 1980s, I used to frequent a comic book/baseball card shop with a big 25-cent bin. Most were comics, but they also sometimes had back issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland, Starlog, and movie tie-ins like this with behind-the-scenes data, focusing heavily on pictures.
Oh, those old magazines were simply magnificent; that's where we used to get our goss from, in the years before the internet!
I used to own the Superman III Movie Magazine. I must've read it 1,000+ times when I was a kid. I wish I still had it, but it's been lost into the mists of time.😭
I recall it had big ads for stuff like Superman/Wonder Woman phones and Super 8 copies of the first film. It also had several pictures of Sarah Douglas working out without a bra and with her zip-front track suit top pulled down all the way.
Just bought this, enjoying it but the transfer is pretty poor
The 2001 Special Edition of Superman The Movie probably has the better picture resolution by far! And its surround sound audio quality is in 5.1. DTS. But i do think as Ollie said, the colour saturation levels were darker here and this somehow bought out a better darker blue and reds for Superman costume in the 3 hour cut along with some of the film grain being lessened however! He technically looks somewhat better in the extended cut though!
Glad you spotted that intro issue as well, Oliver - I DID wonder if it was just my copy at one point :) Nice review.
They should've used the actual take used in the opening, which can be found in the "Superman: The Music" collection on Disc 8, Track 1.
Or they could’ve just spliced in the audio from the Theatrical Cut for the opening credits.
Oddly, they used the composer's intended ''main title'' music that was swapped in the theatrical cut for the ''end title'' music. And if that wasn't odd enough, they recreated (rather poorly) the theatrical cut edits (but omitted the pitch shift) that were done in order to fit with the length of the main titles.
Congrats to Superman for being chosen for the National Film Registry :)
ROCK AUSTIN Amen to that. “The Goonies” was also picked for that honor. That must’ve been one hell of a Christmas gift for Dick Donner.
At 1:07 anyone know where I can get the poster on the left? The one with Superman pointing up into the sky?
7:57, that Bruce Boa extended scene as the Military General i'm pretty sure was originally intended for Superman II not the first film?! His lines seem to indicate that something terrible has happened like maybe the; 3 supervillains invading Earth and seemingly being unstoppable to their military hardware. Not as it comes across here as news of the two XK-101 Rockets going haywire came to him instead. The following scene was the (then) unseen U.S. President playing golf and being told there was a call for him? In Superman II we first see the President watching TV reports of the 3 Phantom Zone Villains destruction of; East Houston Idaho.
Had the extended TV cut of the first film not used that clip of the Golf course with the President nor actor; Bruce Boa's Army General scene. We can assume as fans of the films that this was intended to be for Donner's Superman II version had he not been fired by the Salkinds. Rumor goes that the Salkinds withheld his original first cut of the first film ( avoiding tax charges and debts to be paid to investors of the film at the time, on 3 different continents. [until Warners helped them pay'em all off entirely?] ) And thus he had to rebuild the film's cut, using negatives. Which would explain why perhaps the Marlon Brando scene of Superman and Jor-El at the Fortress after his first night was missing from the theatrical cut for whatever reasons? The negatives had to be processed and the film recut together again.
Let's also remember that the Concorde scene of Superman overtaking Concorde from the extended Superman II was originally suppose to be in the first film not the second movie. As the shot wasn't finished yet and was supposed to be worked on until it was done. It was left unfinished but later added to superman II's extended TV cut instead. Seems to me some elements meant for Superman II found their way into the extended cut of Superman The Movie as well by default.
Look again on the wall at; 7:57, it reveals the U.S. President's face anyways! An element used to try and trick General Zod when the President's decoy tried to take the President's place in the Whitehouse scene in Superman II. It however failed and Zod saw through the trick. Audiences perhaps were to be tipped off somewhat earlier here, as to what the President actually looked like. With a distinct visual background clue to his true identity if you paid close enough attention to what was actually going on, as it were?! Why hide his face at first in Superman II?, if the extended cut of Superman The Movie actually shows his face on the wall 2 hours plus into the movie somehow hmm?
Thats not Donner's style he covers and checks all the details and continuity gaffs of his movies. And its not a error the film's Editor; Stuart Baird would ever let slip by is it??!
Rest in peace Margot kidder a.k.a Lois Lane💙❤
In the 80s , when this was on tv , it was a good night infront the telly.
One thing I will note that is different, even from the original TV broadcast, instead of showing the scene from the end of the Ambulance fight, where we see a moment of Ottis laying on a gurney with Lex beating him and Ottis's marshmallows flying out onto the road, we get a close up zoom in on Miss Tesmaucher driving and laughing. A bit of a shame that image of the gurney is now missing still.
Confirmed, those scenes are in the international cut [tv broadcast], which you can find on torrent sites...
David Hinkle
Yes it is. In the "Original" 3 hour tv version, when Lex goes to beat up Otis, the camera angle changes to the rear of the ambulance from the outside showing the rear doors fling open and you see the gurney almost falling out with Otis hanging out with Lex on top.
David Hinkle
Hey, why don't you do the world a favour and take your meds before you go on some kind of a spree you sick fuck.
David Hinkle
Then how do you handle mirrors?
Misread the patreon email and thought you wrote "SUPERMAN 3: 3 hour cut" and i was like "WOWW!!!" :D
After all these years, I just noticed something. Within ONLY the theatrical cuts of Superman 1 and Superman 2, we NEVER see Marlon Brando interact with Christopher Reeve's Clark and Superman. Its only in this and the extended version we got on dvd we see this and the Donner cut of part 2.
Reckon we can write that off to Brando's insatiable greed and laziness, as much as i'd like to to shit-can the Salkinds...
David Hinkle
Well, everybody needs a hobby now and again. If she's happy with what she does, then good for her.
Hey Oliver, the extended cut was shown in Australia in 1983 in two parts and repeated in one part in 1985, 1988 and finally 1994. In 1990 they showed the theatrical cut and I called the tv station to complain about the footage that was cut out. How do I remember this and not what was on tv last week is a curiosity. Anyway I was a bit of a tv addict back then.
I remember the 94 tv showing of the film. Came out right around the same time they did the Aliens extended cut, and the Godfather extended version, all three of which I also recorded from tv. But yeah, we had the 85 or 83 tv version of this Superman and Extended part 2 from that time as well, and grew up on those two tapes for years. Felt the same way as you when I saw the shorter versions in Australia after this. We were definitely spoiled when it came to this film.
When it aired in the USA, I swear there must have been a commercial break every 10 to 12 minutes! Thats the one thing I don't miss about the days before cable or vcr's. And these were LONG commercial breaks too!
Yes guys, also had the 1983 TV cuts on video [Beta!] broadcast on ch.10 Australia, when those tapes were as dear as poison to buy. Would you believe they were both stolen along with the Betamax VCR [broken at the time too lol!], in a house burglary?! I mean Jeezuz; who in their right mind would steal Betamax?!
Haha, I remember all of those screenings. We managed to grab it on Beta during the 80s, and on VHS in ‘94. People actually bought their first VCRs in preparation for the ‘83 screening over two nights. Imagine that!
James, still lol at the days when we only had 4-5 FTA TV channels to choose from, and cable TV was only for the rich. I'd hate to think how much landfill our VCRs, and video cassettes demand...
Recorded this on Betamax in 1982 over two nights with all the original commercials, "Have you played Atari today?" "Coke is it!" "Pepsi: The choice of a new generation." Watched this over and over and over, by myself, with my friends, whatever. I could never understand when they ran this on cable why there were parts lefts out of it, then I learned about it being the TV edit with additional scenes added. I felt fortunate because I really loved Lex's defenses as Superman went to his lair, the expanded version of Superman's first night, Miss Tessmacher and the babies, etc.
I transferred this from Beta to VHS then to DVD so I could keep watching it.
The fact that sales have been so good gives me a tiny bit of hope that it adds to the argument that this is the Superman the world wants to see as opposed to Zach Snyder's bleakman version.
My soulbrother; perhaps you and I had the only two Betamax copies in existence in the 1980s, lol!
Yep, in storage somewhere.
Hopefully we can get the same treatment for Superman 2...
^YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..........
ROBOCOP There are always possibilities. If they decide to do so, I just hope that they use the completely restored score as presented in the “Superman: The Music” CD Collection.
What,..like the Concorde scene and Superman destroying the Fortress of Solitude at the end of the film for example? Doesn't matter. As Superman III extended also had unfinished scenes as did; Superman The Movie anyhow (The extra scenes of Krypton's destruction, audio issues with some extended scenes, jump cuts etc).
David Hinkle they could use some of the footage from the Donner Cut to help with the visual effects, especially the shots when he vaporizes the Fortress with his heat vision.
David Hinkle He was destroying the Fortress because it was more or less dead without his father's hologram being active anymore's or the crystal banks working properly! Superman only kept it going because he needed to trick the 3 supervillains into losing their superpowers, once that was done. The Fortress' usage was practically over and done with's. Looking evil? No, it was done to show Superman moving on from the last remains of his birth parents/race.
The scene was just meant to be very somber i.e. sad. He regains his powers and defeats his enemies but at the cost of losing his father's spirit/hologram A.I. forever due to the sacrifice Jor-El made for him! The Fortress' purpose was over and done with's once all was said and done.
The theatrical cut actually runs at 2 hours and 23 minutes.
I miss the 80s
Very nice review. I agree with your thoughts on the tv cut vs. theatrical cut. Also had the vhs pan-and-scan version for years until this release. 2 things I noticed while viewing it: The extended shots of teen Clark going into the barn to find the green crystal has a blooper: A crew member is on the porch waaaay far off in the background, and he waves to the camera before ducking out of sight. Also, when the news camera man and the reporter are recording/looking at Superman (right after he saves Lois and flies off), one of the people on the streets standing next to them looks right into the camera.
There are two scenes in this cut that makes it worth for me:
The scene , where Lois is interviewing the chief, is when we finally get to know the reasons why Jimmy was at the dam.
And an extended dialogue between Lois and Superman, after he turned back time, where she explains to him how much alike they both are in her opinion ("Our work always comes first").
I never understood why Richard Donner cut those two lines, it didn't harm the pacing that much.
Maybe if Superman had paid more attention back then, he wouldn't have given up his powers in "Superman II".
saw this as a kid i think that abc tv version in early 80's i was 11 or 12 and the scene of superman seeing louis dead and his anger and scream gets me to this day, very powerful stuff
You had to wait for a second batch because it sold out Ollie? Damn received mine in mid November from the States. And i wondered why there were no decent reviews on youtube until now. Cheers man, you always made wonderful videos for the Superman series. And yes the film is now 40 years old (by its Washington D.C. premiere date of the 3rd of December 1978) while the title character of Superman himself is 80 years old this year. Hope news of Superman II Extended TV cut comes along as well some time in 2018, as well as the potential new Superman videogame by Rocksteady? (shrugs). As rumors go! Thank you again for a great review Oliver!
do you have any of the Australian tv Broadcast version 1988 and 1994 - like to trade
There's also a 3 hours cut of "King Kong '76"...
ivanher07 Shout Factory needs to put out a remastered collector's edition of King Kong 1976 with both cuts. Could you imagine??? Jessica Lange in remastered HD! 😃
I know, beside king Kong '76. And The Swarm with Michael Caine. The only other film i know that also has a 3 hour cut of something thats rarely been seen is; "Needful Things" (1993). Outside some US cable stations, that particular film's 3 hour hasn't seen the light of day neither. Would like for a lot of these films to have their extended cuts released finally. The 3 hour Superman last year, gave me hope nothing impossible anymore's y'know.
Soundtrack TV yeeeaahhhh... i will paused it every time... i hope that scene will be "extended" 😉
ivanher07, yes if one digs deep enough, then can find this 3-hour "King Kong '76" on torrent sites... but it is a TV recording, so don't anyone expect anything remotely termed HD!
I want the 3 hour cut of Rocky IV!
Star Trek the motion picture extended? They should have called it "the even longer cut" instead
"But still a crap motion picture" edition...
I’d happily settle for a blu ray release of the Director’s Cut DVD. Unfortunately, shitty Paramount didn’t plan ahead and rendered the new CGI in a resolution insufficient for a high def release. The way they exploit the Trekkies, you just know they’d be on their 5th rerelease of a TMP Director’s Cut blu if they did have it ready to go. In any event, I believe the Director’s Cut, while actually shorter than the theatrical, incorporates some of the footage from the TV version.
At 5:58, you can see that one of the framed photos on Lex Luthor's piano is Gene Hackman in "The Conversation."
Awesome review. I have just finished watching the extended cut on blu-ray. It was great to see a longer version of this movie, and extended and deleted scenes I had never seen before. A lot of the extended scences slow down the movie, but I do think extra bits of Superman flying and saving the day are brilliant. It's nice to have this version in my collection, but would have to say the 2000 special edition is my favourite version as it has the right amount of extended/deleted scenes that do not over power the film, and slow it down.
be nice to to get the tv version of "Superman II"
Yeah hopefully, i want to get that so bad! More than the first movie.
There is a 4k version of the movie.. It was recently realised.
I 've not seen it yet. Does anyone know if it's theatre version or extended?
Thanks for the heads up, I didn't know this was released!
40 MINUTES EXTRA? Holy shit. Now I've gotta get it.
I'd never heard of this version before despite being Australian, so I may have actually seen it on tv as a child and just not noticed.
Because of the internet, way back in 2000 i managed to get hold of the 3 hour Superman movie and the extended Superman II. From a dude in Australia. On VHS tape before i got'em again on DVD copies. Can't believe you've never seen it before,....mate? Yeah, you might've seen it as a child long ago and forgotten about it over time i reckon.
Yes, i'm glad these extended cuts got released before people started accusing us of having Mandela Effect memories of these movies, lol!
any chance that you could do me a copy of STM 1 and STM 2, i've got the kcop version lying around for exchange
Go fly with superman again Margot! glad I got the chance to meet you, thank you for all the memories, taken to soon xxx
4:23, the team that transferred the print used the end title theme by mistake, which is a different recording of the main titles. Curiously enough, John Williams actually recorded what is the end credits music in the film as the main title and vice versa, with the intended main titles having synchronization points with several visual effects and credits, but the film editors flip-flopped the themes, as well as pitch shift the intended end credits music to around 30 cents up, plus edits on the middle and closer to the end sections to fit in the main titles.
Still, the team that transferred the print didn't match the music with the visuals correctly and the edits to insert the music are obvious. A missed opportunity.
im trying to get the bluray im from the Netherlands and i found out there are versions for sale 1 is region A it seems the other 1 i cant find out what region but as u mentioned it was region free, the region A looks like it has a sleeve over the case and where it says on top bluray is darker blue and the other 1 doesnt have a sleeve and is lighter blue on top.
sometimes they put on region codes on the covers but in fact there actually region free so do u know if this is the case
I want Paramount and Studio Canel to release King Kong (1976) Extended TV Cut on Blu-ray. It's never been officially released and only a few deleted scenes were presented as a bonus feature on the Reigon 2 - 4 Blu-rays. Plus us here in the US and Canada have never gotten the film on Blu-ray. They only repackaged the 2005 DVD last year when Kong Skull Island came out.
Jack Buchanan Well said Jack! I'm on here bringing up that very thing. Hope Oliver gets around to doing a retrospective on it. That would help matters. I think he'd dig the blue screen effects and John Barry's soundtrack.
He should also do one for "King Kong Lives" and release them both on the same day. That would be a real treat. Also, John Barry's score for "King Kong"[1976] is one of the best & most underrated film scores of all time! www.change.org/p/shout-factory-and-paramount-release-a-2-disc-blu-ray-set-of-king-kong-1976-and-king-kong-lives-1986-that-includes-the-extended-version-of-king-kong-1976
www.change.org/p/shout-factory-and-paramount-release-a-2-disc-blu-ray-set-of-king-kong-1976-and-king-kong-lives-1986-that-includes-the-extended-version-of-king-kong-1976
Update! Since this comment the TV cut of Kong76 is being released on blu ray by Shout Factory. And with WB releasing the Snyder Cut, looks like alternative cuts of movies might be a top dollar for Hollywood.
The theatrical cut was longer than 2 hrs 7 min and the new blu ray of the special edition is now in DTS HD MA as opposed to Dolby Digital for the original 2006 release.
I'm thrilled this version has been given a legit release. My family didn't own a VCR yet when ABC originally aired it in 1982, so I put my little portable tape recorder in front of the TV and recorded the sound only.
Does anyone know if William Hurt appeared as an extra in this movie? During the Canadian missile sequence, theres a shot unique to the TV cut (at 2hr 10mins) where we see a lone soldier in the foreground on the left of the screen standing guard with the missile in the background on the left. The guy is helmeted and staring almost into camera. I'm convinced its William Hurt, although I can find nothing online to corroborate this. This is going to bug me for ages, any thoughts or opinions appreciated..
Excellent review Oliver! I agree that this is probably not the version of the film you should watch, it does affect the pacing a lot. But I think my next few viewings are going to be with this cut simply to familiarise myself with it like the Theatrical and Director’s cut. This is as you say a great novelty and it’s so cool to have 3 cuts now. Here’s hoping for Supes 2&3 extended cuts? That is if they have the prints still, which was the thing holding this back from being released for so long, they simply did not know if they were in good condition or if they even had them in a source suitable for Blu-ray. Overall I’m very glad we did get this as it’s great to have and is a nice companion piece to the old motion picture anthology Blu-ray set :)
Bought the previous special edition with the restored footage and documentaries (was a 2-sided disc) but if there's no new documentary or other features then I'll stick with what I have - especially if the sound etc is off.
Does anybody know if the 3 hour and 8 minute extended version is it available on DVD or is it only on Blu-ray because the one I've seen is either two and a half hours or two hours and 45 minutes
I believe only on Blu-ray
Had no idea there was a more lengthy version than the DVD/Blu-Ray special edition, definitely getting my copy! Thanks so much!
This extended TV cut (Salkind Cut) or possibly a slightly shorter version ( 178 Mins) premiered as it did in the U.S. as a two night (Sunday/Monday) "Special Event" on the Nine Network in Australia in the early 1980s. After which Nine frequently repeated it as a single feature throughout the rest of the decade. Their commercial competition, the Seven Network screened it once as a weekday midday movie in approx 1990. The Ten Network broadcast the Theatrical version for the first and I believe only time in 1991 on the eve of the first Gulf War. Nine later regained the screening rights and re-aired the same dreadful 4:3 scratchy mono transfer. The reason you are noticing audio issues is because Warner has chosen to briefly replace the extended TV version's mono soundtrack with a dub of the original stereo track during the opening and closing credits to give the proceedings a bit more punch. It's great to see this in scope from a 35mm source. Far superior to old 16mm dupes and past it video transfers. Thanks for your intelligent, balanced and informative review.
That's incorrect! It was shown on channel 10 numerous times in the early to late 80's and then rights were handed over to channel 9 for the rest of the 90's. At one point during anticipation of one of the airings, I remember specifically going to Coles, supermarket and buying an empty 4 hour BASF VHS tape to record it and I did. The very first airing was shown in 2 parts just like the ABC presentation in U.S. In the next 3 subsequent airings channel 10, would broadcast the whole Salkind Cut in one night. I also remember the 1988 airing was simulcast on FM radio at the same time. I no longer have the recording as it was stolen with my VHS recorder 2 years later.
@@mickbashem8304 Hey Mick.
One caveat, important detail that I failed to explain. Is that I'm speaking from a West Coast perspective. Ten didn't set up shop in W.A. until the late 80's. My description is correct in the W.A. context. The pre-networked Seven/GWN (W.A. regional) and Nine split up Ten's licenced U.S. programming. An example being Miami Vice, which screened on Nine in the Perth Metro area and GWN regionally. Thanks for sharing Your memories. Very fond nostalgia. Yes, BASF chrome and the higher grade Sony cassettes in the gold and black packaging.
@@defanged9630 Oh that's surprising. I didn't realize channel 10 wasn't operating in W.A. during that time and that the U.S. programming was split between Channel's 9 and 7. I did entertain the notion that maybe because we are in different states the programming might be differently allocated to networks but I had no idea channel 10 didn't exist in your area. I'm from inner Sydney, NSW.
@@mickbashem8304 Yeah, just three stations, largely operating as independents taking feeds from Sydney/Melbourne (networking came much later). ABW2, TVW7 and STW9. SBS TV commenced a Perth relay in March 1986 and NEW10 commenced local operations in May 1988.
Mr. Harper, another excellent review. I have to admit, as a kid, I never liked the Richard Donner movies. I always found them overly cheesy and overlong. But, frankly, I keep returning to your Superman reviews, and you have definitely changed my opinions for them. Although they're still not my favorite, I can appreciate them for what they are, especially given all the background you've given on them. And boy, are these films fun, at least! The best iteration of Superman. I hope, once my husband finishes Superman: The Movie (he, like the old me, isn't too keen on it), I can show him your review. I'm more than certain his appreciation will change. Thanks for making a believer out of me!
Keep checking youtube for background on the movie's history and development alliesfrench! There are dozens of Superman The Movie videos also highlighting the film production. Some of the videos, interviews and clips aren't on any home releases like the; DVD's and Blu-ray's. Hope you and your husband, download them and enjoy'em all the more. Cheers!
MGSBigBoss77 nice info! Thank you!!⭐️👍
MGSBigBoss77 That’s wonderful! Thank you for sharing. I look forward to looking those videos up! I’m glad I developed a better appreciation for this film. It really is a fun movie.
VERISIMILITUDE Weren’t you working on a documentary about “Superman IV” and the true story behind it?
Michael Kurland I was / am, have been re editing a lot of stuff for the past while.
I’ve put up parts one & 2 just recently together. Thank you for remembering! I’m currently trying to get an interview finished for part 3 with Clive Mantle, hence why it’s taken this long. He lives locally.
Since this extended cut was only in mono, and WB wasn't going to spend the time and money to redo the added scenes in surround for a title that probably would not sell enough to warrant it, they added the stereo audio from the 2000 edition for the opening credits (and I think the closing ones as well) and called it a day. That might be why you noticed something was off. I am just happy they were able to release it in the proper aspect ratio.
More movies need to do this. I know the Halloween II special edition contains the tv cut but it's only on DVD in standard edition sadly.
I do hope there are more suprises this year for Superman The Movie.
There's a 3 hour version of Superman??? When the hell did this happen??!! Why am i always the last one to know about these things??!!
....see, there's Biff our there waxing it now...
Because the last thing you need...is headaches.
If Biff's out there waxing it, the neighbors are going to call the police to report someone performing a lewd act in public.
LMFAO! Awesome reference!
Roger Schneider interestingly enough, Marc McClure was in both of these movie franchises.
I sure hope there’s a 40th anniversary rerelease in theaters this year!
Joe Vitale that makes two of us. I even asked Fathom Events to consider it. They said it wasn’t in their plans for this year, but they always appreciate feedback. If we can get enough people to talk to them about “Superman” then they might have to alter their agenda to include it.
EDIT: Fathom Events did reissue the film for a brief run in September of 2018.
Sadly, no. However, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is prepping the film for 4K UHD Blu-Ray & digital release at the end of this year. Not sure which version, though. Hopefully It'll be all three versions.
Who knows? Maybe Fathom Events will change their minds and re-release the film in theaters for two days, to coincide with the 4K UHD Blu-Ray release like they did last year for E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.
great news a must have, thanks for bringing this to my attention, still the best portrayal of clark/superman and Lois lane , isn't there a longer tv cut of Halloween would like to see that on DVD , good review sir.
7:57 Look, there’s a picture of E.G. Marshall as the President!
Yes, True man of Steel
Really great video and thanks for all the info on the other Superman cuts. I have the extended US edition blu ray, where many scenes were put back in, but now I know about this two part tv cut, I want that too! The scene where Superman gives Miss Testmarker a flying lift and many other additional scenes, I think it would be worth paying for, should they release it on blu ray. Releasing it too would be a quite wonderful tribute to the late, great Christopher Reeve.
I have a 2000 extended version, is this what he was talking about? I'm not sure it is 3 hours, though. And I don't remember having him trying to catch a rocket and failing. It's a 2006 collector's edition.
Happy Christopher Reeve Day ,September 25th
Which superman 2 or superman 2 Richard donner version is better
Impressive once again. Immersive indeed. Thank you immensely. Everything about these films are so nostalgic. #Superman
I loved the #Supergirl Blu-ray release review just as much. 🙋🏻♂️🙋🏼♀️
Would love to see an official release of the TV cut of Superman III as it was the one I had on VHS as a kid and kept watching.
Cool, thanks! I heard that they cut all of Brando’s scenes from S2, because he would get paid and credited naturally. I’d like to see those scenes, especially integrated into the movie.
The film's 2001 Special Edition does indeed have the sharpest picture quality for the 1978 Superman the movie. somehow its was properly remastered. And yet, the Extended 3 hour TV cut remastering managed to get the colour grade of Superman's costume down, he's never so good beforehand, costume wise i reckon. Even better i'd say, than the 2001 edition version. But yes i'd say audio wise and with a few exceptions, the blurred picture at times isn't the best with the extended cut. Visually, the 2001 SE of the movie has the best picture quality overall.
Oliver, I could definitely see a Superman II TV edit release from Warner Archive later this year based on the success of this release. Though I do wonder if this release was more a happy accident due to the combination of: WB discovering an intact and high quality print of the TV edit, wanting to capitalize on Justice League’s release in whatever small way, Warner really being the only studio still having a commitment to releasing its own catalog on blu-ray, and this being a generally low budget release via the Archive imprint. Based on all that, it seems the only stumbling block for a Superman II TV edit blu would be availability and condition of a theoretical print. Sadly, all of these factors don’t bode well for TV edit releases of other studios’ films.
Thanks for the review. Is there any place to get a good version of the Superman poster with Reeve pointing at the sky? Seems hard to find....
Why do you think Warners has not re-released a "fixed" version of Superman IV. I believe they got the complete ownership back from Cannon Films. Unlike Stars Wars: Special Editions which was taking something that wasn't broken and fixing it, WB can go the Highlander II route and "fix" a movie that is missing a lot of necessary footage and redo the effects. Just like Highlander II it wont make the movie brilliant but it will make it watchable and be a way to honor Christopher Reeve's intention for Superman IV. I really want to see that dance sequence that was never released and apparently was shot well.
I even thought of that myself. I'd check that one out if it were to be done
This is the version I first saw. RTE (Ireland's state TV station) showed this cut in the early 80's for the film's first TV broadcast. I hadn't seen the movie in the cinema, but I had seen the second film on the big screen first.
have you got any of the RTE and UTV versions of superman?
I've got a version downloaded that is 3hr 21mins, I believe it was a German TV version. Looks like they threw in every scene filmed! Will try and see what was left out of this release to the one I have...
Just Otis being punched by Lex at the back of the ambulance. for some reason? This scene is not on this beautiful widescreen Blu-ray version. So keep your downloaded DVD/file? versions however. Thats the only scene which is left out of this release, it has everything else though.
superman1978.com/DELETED_SCENES_SUPERMAN_THE_MOVIE/STM_DELETED__ALTERNATE_SCENES_PAGE_6/Missiles_DELETED_SCENES_28_Superman_The_Movie.html
could you do me a copy of the german version of STm 3hrs 21min, i could give you STM Kcop version. please let me know
please could you reply
Hope they do the new extended cut for superman 2 with a new remastered scan
Superman The Movie theatrical cut is 2 hrs and 23 mins, not 2 hrs and 7 mins. Superman 2 theatrical cut is 2 hrs and 7 mins.
yes the theatrical cut run at 2 hours and 23 mins. The original 1980 video release came out at 2 hours and 7mins. Silly me!
No Ollie you aren't silly, as not all the VHS tape ran the film at the theatrical's; 144/143 minutes running time. Some were shorter in length y'know! VHS PAL running for the film vary upon several releases of the film y'know.
*2 hours and 17 minutes/i.e. 137 minutes*
vhscollector.com/sites/default/files/vhscovers/Superman%20the%20movie%20swe749_0.jpg
*138 minutes long*
supermania78.com/word/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Superheroes_STM.jpg
*WCI Release, 127 minutes long* (no its not Superman II either, but STM??! YES!)
i.ebayimg.com/images/g/V0AAAOSw9hdaAopE/s-l1600.jpg
MGSBigBoss77 I think it's hilarious that WCI trimmed the film down to 2 hrs. 7 min. for their VHS release, then had the balls to claim they were presenting it in it's original theatrical version!😂 Incidentally, I wonder what scenes were trimmed. Does anyone here know? I mean, c'mon, that's 16 minutes taken out of the movie.
@@itsthatericguy7553 Nothing actually. Every scene without dialogue was sped up and end credits were removed. So technically it's all still there.
2 questions wasn't Krypton an ice world and were those Krypton City
I remember seeing it in the theatre when I was 4 an then watching the 2 part TV premiere.
Same here, guess we're the same age more or less. I was so young when i saw this film and Superman II. Memories are blurry somewhat. Superman III in 1983 is the only film besides Superman IV where i can recall the full cinema experience in greater details despite being so young. any film after 1981 i have full recollection of. Still its quite something to say we saw these films back in the day. Definitely remember the whistling in the cinema from the audience, as Superman II's rating and license came up on the screen. Folks today just don't do that for blockbuster films anymore! (sad face).
Thanks for this video. Didn't know this version existed!
WAY back in 1999 I bought a 2 tape vhs of this long cut off eBay for well over $100..After that I seen different places pressure WB to officially make a release either In theaters(which I would almost die for)or home video..That was my tiny tiny part in Superman history
GREAT REVIEW OLIVER!
The original Theatrical is two hours and twenty three minutes. You’re referring to the VHS cut that is sometimes erroneously called the Theatrical when it’s been edited down further to fit onto a tape. For some reason this cut made it to DVD as the “Theatrical cut” before the actual one came around. The original was somewhere between Donner’s cut and the VHS, well paced but still with some more density.
So yeah four cuts. It’s weird
It was kinda funny watching this when it premiered, the opening credits take like 10 minutes. Seriously like 10 straight minutes of flying words and gleaming star effects.
5 minutes actually and it's wonderfully scored by John Williams.
I uploaded a HD version of the opening credits to UA-cam a few years ago and it got over 620,000 views.
Best 10 movie-watching minutes of my life. Just hate that the original, longer "whoosh" effect over the credits is gone.
I can understand why Donner didn't approve. There is a reason they cut scenes, and he had made an almost flawless movie in the original theatrical version. Nothing they do can improve on it.
The extra scenes should perhaps be seen just as extra or deleted scenes on the disc.
They certainly shouldn't remove the original theatrical release from the discs, as I will always believe that is the best version you could watch.
Nice review! Just ordered a copy as a result. Thanks!
What an awful cover. Should've got Alex Ross to do some original art.
If he wanted to or was asked to, he would have.
If Alex Ross did the cover for Superman The Movie, Superman would always be looking very pissed off on it (Ross' general cliche) lol. And we wouldn't want that. instead go here to these links guys....
images.imagebam.com/1e/d2/e3/f2cfeb613235053.png
www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-1-JA-Theatrical-Version-Custom-BD.png
postimg.org/image/m06puvpgl/
img839.imageshack.us/img839/8305/supermanthemoviebdmoder.png
www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-1-JA-Expanded-Edition-Custom-BD.png
*Superman II (love these anyways)*
www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-2-Theatrical-JA-Custom-BD.png
www.capedwonder.com/wp-content/uploads/CW-Superman-2-Donner-Cut-JA-Custom-BD.png
*Superman teaser poster*
images.imagebam.com/ca/c5/2d/60e1b1613219733.jpg
Can’t believe I’ve not heard of this 3 hour cut,never mind having not seen it.First saw Chris in action as a 6 year old in ‘78 and loved it ever since.Thought I was a huge fan🤪Time to get it ordered 👍🏻
Oliver, do you know how Warner Bros. managed to find this edit of “Superman” and in good condition as well? If not, ask Jim Bowers. He might know.
The 35mm print was in their archive and in surprisingly good condition.
Oliver Harper do you believe that a 4K transfer is in the works? If so, does this mean that Warner Bros. will attempt the same with “Superman II?” I do happen to know that thanks to Michael Thau, Warner Bros. has a picture master of the Television Cut of “Superman II,” because of the extra scenes included on the Blu-Ray release.
@@OliverHarper I’ll say it was in good shape. But I have an idea about how to fix the audio issue with the opening credits. I would have inserted the 1978 stereo music track used for the Theatrical Cut on Blu-Ray.
i'd love it if WB restored the extended versions of superman 3 and 4. when i got the christopher reeve box set in '06 i was shocked when i saw how much of superman 4 was missing compared to the version i had on VHS, superman 3 wasn't as surprising as the version i got was identical to what had been shown on tv at the time although i had an extended version on vhs taped in the 80's which unfortunately got chewed up and showed more footage and dialogue for the supporting cast including a scene where vera had to put cotton wool in her ears because of lorelie and superman, which i always thought was pretty funny.