In November 28, 2006, in celebration of the year of Superman, Warner releases several DVDs, all starring the late Christopher Reeve in his landmark portrayal of the Man of Steel.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, directed by Donner, represents the film as it was originally conceived and intended. An overwhelmingly requested title, the movie features Donners original footage, shot but never used before, including a never-before-seen beginning, a never-before-seen resolution, with 15 minutes of restored footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El and much more.
Other titles to be released include “Superman: The Movie: Four Disc Special Edition,” which features both the DVD debut of the 1978 theatrical version as well as the 2001 extended edition with commentary from director Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, archival footage of additional scenes and screen tests.
Richard Lesters popular “Superman II” is available in a new Two Disc Special Edition, including a new featurette, vintage television specials and additional vault elements; and “Superman III” and IV Deluxe Editions ($19.97 SRP).
“The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection” is be offered in 8-disc boxed set including all the above, except “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut.”
New Warner Superman Releases
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Superman II will delight fans who, for years, have been imploring Warner Home Video via voluminous numbers of petitions, letters, phone calls and e-mails to release the Donner cut.
In fact, Donner had already shot most of the Superman II footage during Superman: The Movie. But as production on the sequel continued, creative differences between the director and the films producers became irreconcilable and Donner left the project. Although Richard Lester was hired to finish production, he chose to make major changes to the film, leaving only vestiges of Donners original vision and concepts in the version of Superman II that was ultimately released to theaters.
Nearly thirty years later, Warner is honored to grant the wishes of countless Superman fans. With this DVD release, Richard Donner has become the first director in history to be able to complete a film he left during production with nearly all his footage in the can. Adding back a substantial amount of that unused footage, the director has seen his original vision restored and brought to fruition.
Most notably, the Donner cut restores the Marlon Brando role, filmed for, but not included in the final theatrical release version of Superman II. The legendary Brandos performance as Jor-El has finally been restored in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the profound relationship between father and son.
With so many other changes, large and small, including a variety of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman, this Superman II will prove to be an eye-opening experience and an important addition to film history.
DVD Special Features:
All new introduction by director Richard Donner
Commentary by director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
New featurette Superman II: Restoring the Vision
Deleted scenes
Subtitles: English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
Superman: The Movie (1978/2001) Four-Disc Special Edition
A box-office smash, an Oscar winner and a fan favorite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles a cast and creative contingent as only a big movie can. At its heart (just as in three sequels) is Christopher Reeves intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel. Watching Superman again isnt just like being a kid again. Its better.
The movies legacy soared even higher when director Richard Donner revisited this beloved adventure 22 years later and integrated eight minutes into the film. Enjoy more footage of the Krypton Council, a glimpse of stars of prior Superman incarnations, more of Jor-El underscoring his sons purpose on Earth and an extended sequence inside Lex Luthors gauntlet of doom. Reeve, Marlon Brando (Jor-El), Gene Hackman (Luthor) and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) give indelible performances that fuel the films aura of legend.
DVD Special Features:
Disc One
Original 1978 theatrical version with soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
Commentary by producer Pierre Spengler and executive producer Ilya Salkind
Theatrical trailers
TV spot
Languages: English & Franais
Subtitles: English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
Disc Two
2000 expanded edition movie with commentary by director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
Music-only audio track
Subtitles: English, Franais, Espaol & Portugus (feature film only)
Disc Three
Three documentaries:
o Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
o Making Superman: Filming the Legend
o The Magic Behind the Cape
Restored scenes
Screen tests
Audio-only bonus: additional music cues
Disc Four
Vintage TV special The Making of Superman: The Movie
1951 Movie Superman and the Mole-Men, starring George Reeves
Nine Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons mastered from superior vault elements:
o Oscar nominee Superman
o The Mechanical Monsters
o Billion Dollar Limited
o The Arctic Giant
o The Bulleteers
o The Magnetic Telescope
o Electric Earthquake
o Volcano
o Terror on the Midway
Superman II Two-Disc Special Edition (1980)
I thought the original Superman was terrific entertainment, the Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert wrote, and so I was a little startled to discover that I liked Superman II even more. Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three super-powered Kryptonian criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack OHalloran) plan to enslave Earth just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman (as Lex Luthor) also returns from the first film and with a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction and visuals that astound and delight, Superman II saves the day any day you watch it.
DVD Special Features:
Disc One
Movie with commentary by executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler
Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & Franais
Subtitles: English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
Disc Two
Vintage TV specials The Making of Superman II and Superman 50th Anniversary
New featurette First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series
Eight Famous Studios Superman cartoons mastered from superior vault elements:
o Japoteurs
o Showdown
o Eleventh Hour
o Destruction, Inc.
o The Mummy Strikes
o Jungle Drums
o The Underground World
o Secret Agent
Superman III Deluxe Edition (1983)
After Superman: The Movies epic storytelling and Superman IIs awesome battles, how could the first two hits be topped In Superman III, meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a half-witted computer programming natural. For him a keyboard is a weapon and Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his most beloved role, deepening his characters human side as Clark Kent reunites with old flame Lana Lang (Annette OToole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when Superman becomes his own worst enemy after Kryptonite exposure, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Incredible visual effects abound but above all it has heart, heroism and high-flying humor. All in superabundance.
DVD Special Features:
Commentary by executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler
Vintage TV special The Making of Superman III
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & Franais
Subtitles: English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
Superman IV The Quest For Peace Deluxe Edition (1987)
Christopher Reeve not only dons the title heros cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movies provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. For me, its the most personal of the entire series, Reeve said. It directly reflects what Superman should be, and should be doing. Superman does a lot this time around. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug a volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.
DVD Special Features
Commentary by screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
Deleted scenes
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & Franais
Subtitles: English, Franais & Espaol (feature film only)
Supergirl
Creative forces behind Superman: The Movie takes another page from DC Comics lore with this fun- and effects-packed adventure about the Girl of Steel. Helen Slater plays the title role, posing as Midvale prep-schooler Linda Lee, battling a sorceress (Faye Dunaway) for control of an alien power orb and enjoying an unexpected dating ritual called kissing. Peter OToole and Mia Farrow add more starpower to the superpowered excitement.
DVD Special Features
Commentary by Jeannot Szwarc and Scott Bosco
Theatrical trailer
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Street Date: November 28, 2006
Run Time: 122 minutes
$24.98 SRP
Rated PG
The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection
Street Date: November 28, 2006
Collection: $68.92 SRP.
Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition
Run Time: 151 minutes
Rated PG
Superman II Two Disc Special Edition
Run Time: 127 minutes
Rated PG
Superman III Deluxe Edition
Run Time: 125 minutes
Rated PG
Superman IV The Quest For Peace
Run Time: 90 minutes
Rated PG
Supergirl
$14.97 SRP
Rated G
