Customer Reviews

Superman: Le Film

5 star:		(146)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Yes, that's right. DO NOT buy any other movie in the Superman Saga besides this one.

Why?

Because it's the only one that actually takes full advantage of DVD's higher image quality.

For those of you who still haven't seen this film even 25 years after its original theatrical run, it's a very simple story. Superman (or Kal-El) is the last survivor of the planet Krypton, sent to Earth to help us with our problems--renegade nuclear missiles, evil geniuses and muggers.

If you have owned any copy of the film previous to this release, you will be amazed. Completely remastered for a theatrical release that never took place, it sounds and looks even better than it did in 1978.

Even more interesting is the audio commentary featuring director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant (a Salkind euphemism for screenwriter) Tom Mankiewicz, as well as two making-of featurettes which finally reveal more about the tensions between Donner and the Salkinds which resulted in his firing from "Superman II"--which took Mankiewicz, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman and composer John Williams with him, and almost scuttled the project when Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder threatened to quit as well.

In short, don't waste your money on the other three DVDs in the saga; this is the only one worth owning.

BTW, in "Superman II," most of Donner's footage was reshot, but all of his work with Gene Hackman (shot from the front; all back shots were done by Richard Lester with a double) remains.

SUPERMAN THE MOVIE falls into the "they-don't-make-movies-like-that-anymore" category. It is a hybrid of 60's "epic" movies, 70's all-star-cast disaster flicks, and the late-70's special effects films (like STAR WARS and CLOSE ENCOUNTERS).

The DVD looks and sounds wonderful. The extra's are very interesting - 3 documentaries illuminate the journey from page to screen. The battles between director Richard Donner and his producers are fascinating. However, in all fairness, one wishes the Salkinds (or someone on their side) could respond.

There are some very cool early flying effects in the bonus stuff. The screen tests are hilarious - Stockard Channing as Lois Lane would have been a hoot. Lesley Anne Warren was an interesting choice as well. However, when Margot Kidder's screen test appears it is obvious why she was chosen. In her screen test she had a bad haircut and a 70's hippy dress on. However, she simply glows with energy and the magic required to help the audience believe a man can fly.

The film has held up well. It moves from Greek-like Krypton to the Americana of Smallville to the zippy, campy feel of Metropolis. Gene Hackman is hilarious as Lex Luthor.

The re-inserted scenes are fine. They are really minor additions to this great film. They only help make it better. (I'd really like to hear/see more of the SUPERMAN II cut scenes!)

SUPERMAN is a super DVD!

To be honest, I have had every rendition of this movie available to me for home viewing, so this was to not put too much of a fine point on it, not really a necessary purchase. Nevertheless, It was my birthday and I was kinda feeling a bit down, so I went to the store and searched the Blu-ray section for some movies I might have missed. Then, what should my wondering eyes behold? SUPERMAN THE MOVIE on Blu-ray DVD! I thought, what the heck! Now the price was fairly decent, and there was a few extras on the disc. I watched that night after work, and found that the movie seemed kinda different with the added clarity and better sound, it was like a whole new movie. Now I know this movie pretty much backwards and forwards, but when a new format makes a old movie seem like new, that kind of purchase makes you sad day a bit happier. I recommend this movie for Superman fans and people like classic movies. Nuff said.

considering this movie was made in the late 1970's,it is a remarkable
achievement.technically,it is nearly flawless,in my opinion.i guess
there are few tiny details you could pick apart if you wanted to,but
overall,it's a brilliant piece of work.as for the movie itself,i
thought the story was superb,with a lot of depth to it.the movie was
well acted and believable.Having Marlon Brandon and Gene Hackman was a
stroke of luck,as well as genius.and hiring a then unknown Christopher
Reeve in the title role was equally genius.having an unknown keeps the
focus on the character and the story,not the actor.a famous actor in
the role would not have been believable.Margot Kidder was also good as
Lois Lane.the rest of the supporting cast was also great.this movie is
a true epic,which still has an impact today.the special effects were
cutting edge at the time.i think the movie as a whole has more than
stood the test of time.an easy 5/5 in my opinion.

I understand that many people who like this movie regard it as a classic, and they grew up on it. Heck, their kids probably grew up on it too. However for me it was quite different. I first saw this movie when I was about 8 I belive, and it didn't manage to keep my interest, and I fell asleep. I didn't remember any of it, until I decided to rent it a month or two ago on DVD. I had low expectations due to my boring memories of it and the fact that it was made in 1978. My low expectations were justified. This movie doesn't stand up to modern comic book flicks like Spider-Man and X-Men. Christopher Reeve plays Superman, who, unfortunately, is wearing tights, wich are, to put it delicately, tight. Perhaps too tight in some spots. Margot Kidder plays Lois Lane, howerver her performance comes across as "flakey". One might go as far as to use the word "dingbat". Gane Hackman play Supeman's arch nemesis, Lex Luthor. Unfortunately, I found his character to be the worst of all (second to Ned Beatty's "Otis"). It is impossible to take him seriousely. He does not come across as dangerouse, powerful, or even threataning. Hackman more or less plays him like a big joke. Perhaps I'm spoiled by the animated Superman cartoon from the 90's and the new show "Smallville" on The WB, but Hackman's Lex just doesn't work for me. Casting issues aside, the movie has a rather weak story. Basically it's written to accomidate as many special effects as possible. Rather than the special effects working for the story, the story works for the special effects. The story is very simple, obviousely geared towards kids, and when Superman uses his powers, it's almost always just to show off the special effect. The special effects were very good for '78, however that doesn't excuse how they used them for no other purpose than to "wow" the audience. Also, if this movie takes place in Metropolis, why do we constantly see new york landmarks? It's not accidental either. They intentionally flaunt images of the Statue of Liberty and the now fallen Twin Towers in our faces. Obviousely the director couldn't make up his mind where the movie takes place. In the end, you have a movie for young children, with production values up the wazoo (things like the Kryptonian counsil at the start and the earthquake climax were well done, but unfortuately wasted by the rest of the film), with a half baked story. If you can call it baked at all. This movie ranks in fourth place in the superhero flicks I've seen.

1. X-men, an excellent re-envisioning of the comic.
2. Spider-Man, however I actually would have it tied with X-Men.
3. Batman, wich I place in third, however I think it had bad casting (Micheal Keaton?) and low production values.
4. Superman, wich places fourth, right below Batman. A kid's film with high production values and no story.

I seriousely hope that Superman's new film will turn out better than his '78 attempt. Superman was never my favorite superhero, but I think that since he launched the genre, he at least deserves a film that ranks up there with Brian Synger's X-Men and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man.

Okay-- let's face it, "Superman" is not the best, and certainly not the most consistent, franchise in movie history. The second film in the series, "Superman II", is a classic comic book movie-- superior in every way, shape, and form to the original. How rare is that??

This first Superduperman is too LONG!! It is also very short on STORY. All the stuff on Krypton with Superman's parents, the baby Superman's voyage to Earth, the teenage Superman-- all this stuff could have been told so much quicker. The early scenes with Clark Kent and Margot Kidder at the Daily Planet are cute, but beyond that, there isn't much going on in this movie. Lex Luthor wants to blow up the California coast, Superduperman has to stop it. And the ending?? Well, I don't want to spoil anything for people who haven't seen it, but suffice it to say that I don't believe anyone can literally turn back the clock.

As for the DVD, yes its a lavish package (the screen tests are particularly fun). But there are better movies that deserve this deluxe treatment far more. Richard Donner is a good director, but I bet he's had bowel movements more interesting than this overall bland film. Rent part II and save yourself the gas pains.

I realize that what i'm about to say is going to be considered sacreligious to all you S-Man fans,but DVD does nothing to hide the fact that "Superman the Movie",and the rest of the series have not aged well.I loved them when i was young,but now,even with the enhanced sound,and fairly decent DVD transfer,there is nothing appealing about the man in tights.I tried to enjoy it with the same youthful wonderment i did as a child,but i soon realized there's times when you can't go back.I did'nt even finish watching it,that's how boring and outdated everything felt.If you are a fan,you probably pre-ordered the original,or the collection the day it was announced,but i would caution the undecided to maybe rent them first,to see if the magic is still there.You'll be glad you did.

I remember going to see this movie in 1978.You could feel the anticipation and excitement in the audience just before the first flying scene.You can believe a man can fly,but can you believe the illogical plot?Lex Luther(Gene Hackman)is going to create new beachfront property by separating California from the rest of the USA with nuclear weapons and Superman reverses time by reversing the rotation of the Earth(come again??).This movie has superb production values and good performances,but is let down by a ridiculous and campy plot and villian.If it had stuck to a serious plot,like Star Wars,it would have done much better.An over-rated film.

Superman: The Movie is the best of the Superman movies and Christopher Reeve will always be "Superman" Great villains played by Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty and who else could be Lois Lane other than Margo Kidder. Jackie Cooper plays Perry White right out of the comic books. The story is a classic and is fast paced. This movie is over 30 years old but is really timeless. They have done a marvellous job of making it a Blu-ray release and it far exceeds the numerous releases over the years. Video is great and audio is fantastic. For those who like the "extras" , there are great stories of the making of the film which was fraught with problems and it was amazing that the film was completed and that it turned out to be a "Classic".

This movie was simply made for High Definition. The blue, cloud speckled sky through which Superman soars, the delicate wind swept grain fields of Clark Kent's youth. Even the seedy underbelly that is Metropolis, come to life in spectacular fashion in this welcome HD transfer.

The movie was groundbreaking in it's day, and set the bar for all superhero movies to come. It MUST be seen in high definition to truly appreciate the accomplishment that this movie was, and remains to this day.

The special features on this disc are a little too light for my tastes. Although the documentaries that are included are informative, and the commentary entertaining, I felt myself wanting just a little bit more. The addition of a zoom feature did spruce up my mood as I used it quite a bit to examine even the tiniest of details in the corners of the picture. The details hidden in every frame are incredible. A tribute to the film-makers.

Some criticize the sappy ending of this movie, but not me. Made in 1978, the film has an innocence that cannot be argued with. Watching this movie, you'll come away feeling like you too can soar above the clouds. And who doesn't love that?