Superman (Extended Cut and Special Edition 2-Film Collection)

Firstly this review is for the Superman The Movie Blu ray Extended Cut (TV Version 188mins)/Expanded Discs, because for some reason Amazon reviews are jumbled up with other Superman The Move previous releases.As a child I originally saw this in 1978 in the cinema and was completely blown away from start to finish! and easily became one of my favourite films of all time along side the original 1977 Star Wars film. Wasn't it brilliant back then in the 1970s of people of a certain age, boy just fantastic! Special Effects may be dated in places, but are more organic and solid, than the over the top CGI of today's age.I won't go into the storyline, but theatrical version is well paced, with drama, action and adventure through Space to Farm to City. Christopher Reeve performance as the Man of Steel/Clark Kent is the definitive in my eyes. All the nolstalgic Actors/Actresses all excell.I remember collecting the full set of Superman Trading Cards and always wonder why certain pictures did not featured in the Cinema version. It wasn't until the early 1980s I read a review in Leonard Martins Film Book that he mentions there was a two night TV Version with around 40mins of deleted footage added to the then 1982 ABC TV Network in the US that featured those pictures in the Trading cards.(Back then there was no Internet! you found info in books and widely published magazines like Starburst) As far as I know the Extended Cut was shown only in the US in the early 1980s, and a even longer cut to 188mins in 1994 and subsequently in Australia and Ireland.Fans out there who recorded various versions on VHS or obtained 16mm film did put together an available 188mins cut for sale or download free over the years. I managed to obtain this years ago on DVD/ VHS quality. I thought the extended cut was absolutely brilliant with the expanded scenes and deleted cuts especially when Superman flies at different angles and wonder why they were cut from the theatrical version. I can understand for time constraints and pacing that alot of scenes were not used in the cinema version and suitable for TV as to why the original Producers made the TV Versions for Viewing/Financial reasons, but I'm glad they did made these versions or we would have never seen or heard about them (General public/Fans) over the decades, until maybe the DVD/Blu ray AGE as extras!!!Historically The original film source TV Version Cut seemed lost forever and patching up to match them from scratch I imagined would have required locating original film negatives and restoration as Richard Donnor did in his Expanded 2000 release. But out of the blue as I recently read prior to this Blu Ray release, the WIDESCREEN! full length TV VERSION was found in some Warner Archive Vault. And now we can fully enjoy the actual Extended Cut in HD Blu ray! albeit restored sound/visuals where necessary. I understand unknown to a majority of people/fans but probally die-hard fans of Superman a certain TAKE involving Lex and Ottis clammering around when the ambulance van doors are flung open seems shorter which was actually the edit used in the 1982 TV ABC version and a longer one in an international TV Broadcast. A downloaded version made by a fan called Restored International Cut included the longer one with Lex and Ottis as opposed to the original TV Broadcast in 1982 which also didn't include Christopher Reeve/Marlon Brando scene in the fortress of Solitude after Superfeats. I guess Pan & Scan and edit cut downs were used to form from the 188mins Widescreen recentley discovered were used in the original 1982 TV Network broadcast. Interesting stuff, though I personally think this Blu ray release is as good as it gets.For most of us the TV Extended cut is virtually new and discovered or even unheard of until now it's availability on Blu Ray Disc.From my own experience I thought I saw everyithing having been used to the Pan & Scan TV Average quality, but was blown away like being a child again by this fantastic WIDESCREEN VERSION with scenes I obviously haven't seen in my life. Overall brilliant. 3 hours or so flew by.The picture quality is unique to it's own compared to the theatrical/expanded release in a positive way. I'm glad they kept the original sound, with enhanced spacial mono where dialogue music ques/special effects are clear and in my oppinon done well. The opening/end credits include true stereo that blends in well into the film.The only quarm I have with this release is that like so many of the Superman DVD/Blu ray cover design they are too generic. They should have used the original UK 1978 UK art poster! buy hey! i'm probally being picky!Note: Though this is a WARNER ARCHIVES release only available ON DEMAND via Online/Sellers and not in shops, this is a geniune Blu ray manufactured DISC like any other commercial/chart busting film release quality disc and not a B D- R. It is also Region Free and should play on worldwide players.Thankyou to you guys at Warner BrosArchives for this TV Version on Blu Ray.A BRILLIANT MUST BUY!!!!!

I'll keep this short. This is a slimline cased 2 disc Bluray set. It features the Special Edition version & the 3 hour long TV version of the film. I already had the Special Edition (which is the Richard Donner revised Director's Cut, by the way) in another boxset, but I really wanted to see the 3 hr version. So, that's what I'll concentrate on.Firstly, it's presented here in 2.40:1 aspect ratio just like in cinemas, not the 1.33:1 it would have gotten on TV when it was televised. However, the sound is only mixed in a rather disappointing 2.0. I think this is a deliberate move on behalf of the producers and perhaps Richard Donner himself, to ensure you don't take this longest cut as the ultimate version of the film. And with good reason. This cut of the film feels like a rough cut assembly. It's full of flab and scenes that take too long or are just immaterial. There a few nice additions, but they are too few to mention and I've already forgotten what they were. It is worth seeing this version of the film if you are a Superman fan, but don't expect to be wowed by a revelation because there isn't one. This is padded out with stuff that was ultimately cut from the Theatrical edition, and rightly so. This TV version was shown over 2 nights and I can imagine being quite the event in its day. But all together it can be agonizing to watch, especially if you know the theatrical version so you are ahead of the film, waiting for things to happen. This is one for the purists and die hard fans only, but as a curio I thank Warner Brothers for not only making it available, but partnering it with the Special Edition.The Special Edition is Richard Donner's restored - Director's Cut - he did in 2000, which runs 151 mins. It is mixed in a lovely 5.1 audio and looks and feels like the original version, only better. There are slight changes in audio cues and some added scenes not in the Theatrical version.Special Edition also features Commentary by Director Richard Donner & Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz, Screen Tests, Restored Scenes, Additional Music Cues, Music Only Track & 3 Documentaries: The Development of Superman; Making Superman:Filming the Legend; & The Magic Behind The Cape. Also worth noting is this is a Region Free Bluray set.

This movie is almost 40 yrs old but it still wipes the floor with all of today's superhero movie efforts. Shows that you don't need a lot of fancy CGI to make an exciting and thrilling movie. The new additional scenes and moments are all valid and could only have been removed to get the original running time down. Gene Hackman gets some additional scenes that are highly entertaining. Its hard to believe they have been kicking around for 40yrs. John Williams score is also re-introduced into scenes where it had been originally removed and just makes them that much more exciting and dramatic. The overall image quality is outstanding, the sound is above average on this version, but not the 5.1 mix of the director's version.Overall amazing. If you love Superman the Movie, it's a must see. Watch and see how a superhero origin story should be told...

This is a must for and Superman The Movie Fan it’s amazing so much extra footage (80 Minutes), with a running time of 3 hours & 8 Minutes and it’s worth every penny,Video is MPEG 4 AVC 24PSound DTS-HD Stereo

Classic film never bettered, I actually prefer the cinema version the pacing for me works better hence the 4 stars.

No black bars left and right !!! It is the cinematic format.Many scenes are different and "longer". Very goog for an all-time fan.

Really pleased with the extra film footage! A must see/buy for all who know & appreciate the Superman movies!!!!

Brilliantly put together, a piece of cinema history! Christopher Reeve will always be the iconic superman!

ambas versiones clasicas para recordar.

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I first saw "Superman The Movie" in the theater with my sister Melody when it was first released at Christmas 1978. I was was 23 at the time. Well, I'm 66 now and I got it on DVD and I appreciate it even more. You could call it the granddaddy of the comic book super hero movie. The movie won an "Oscar" for Best Visual Effects. As of 2022 it is on the list of The Top 100 Box-Office Champions of all time ,(adjusted for inflation.) The Library of Congress' National Film Registry established in 1988 to preserve films for "historic, cultural and aesthetic contributions" put "Superman" on the list in 2017. They add 25 movies to the list every year. There are only around 800 films on that list. Quite an honor. The movie opens in 1938,with a child reading from "Action Comics" where it all began when Jerry Shuster and Joel Siegel, two Jewish teenagers from Cleveland, Ohio, created the comic strip. They said this was inspired by the Holy Scriptures, The Book of Exodus, the story of Moses. We see "The Daily Planet" building in black and white. Then the camera pans upward past the full moon toward the night sky and we the fantastic opening credits, ( the graphics, new at the time, are still used in many commercials today.) Then we hear composer John Williams great score, as good as his score for "Star Wars", the year before. Then we go past the red Krypton sun and see the frozen planet Krypton. We are then introduced to "Jor-El" , council man and scientist, played by the great Marlon Brando. He tells his fellow council man that the the planet will be destroyed in 30 days by the Krypton sun. The council don't agree, so he will send his infant son "Kal-EL" on a trip to Earth. Jor-El's wife Lara well played by Susannah York asks "Why Earth Jor-El? They're primitives, thousands of years behind us. Joe-El, "He will need that advantage to survive. His dense molecular structure will make him strong. He will look like one of them." Lara-"He won't be one of them. He'll be odd, different." Jor-El ,"He'll be fast, virtually invulnerable." Lara-"He'll be isolated, alone." Jor-El, "He'll never be alone." Mario Puzo author of "The Godfather" was hired to write the original story. Richard Donner who directed "The Omen" in 1976 which was a big hit, was hired as Director. He does a really great job. Donner was dissatisfied, thought Puzo's story was too campy and brought in Tom Mankiewicz for a rewrite. Mankiewicz co- wrote the James Bond flicks "Diamonds are Forever" from 1971; "Live and Let Die" from 1973: "The Man with Golden Gun" from 1974: "The Spy Who Loved Me" from 1977 and "Moonraker" from 1979. Ben Mankiewicz of TCM, Turner Classic Movies is his cousin. Donner and Mankiewicz contribute an entertaining commentary on the DVD. Donner didn't want to parody and didn't want to take it too seriously. The first DVD has 45 minutes of additional footage not seen in the theatrical version. Includes some fantastic scenes. The second DVD, hosted by Marc McClure, who played Jimmy Olsen, an entertaining look at the making of and behind the scenes. This was one of the most expensive movies ever made up to that time. Arnold Schwarzenegger lobbied hard for the role but was ignored. The role was offered to Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Paul Newman, Robert Redford and Warren Beatty and they all turned it down. Sylvester Stallone was interested but Director Donner wanted an unknown for the role. And he found Christopher Reeve who was great as Clark Kent and the last son of Krypton who would become known as Superman. It features a great supporting cast including Glenn Ford as Jonathan Kent who tells his adopted son that "You were put here for a reason." Gene Hackman as the villain Lex Luthor and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane. This is the kind of family friendly entertainment Hollywood should make more of. GOD bless Marlon Brando, Richard Donner, Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve. Rest in Peace. The tagline for the movie poster read.... " You'll Believe A Man Can Fly."

Amazon reviews can be confusing because different versions of movies are all mixed together with respect to reviews. I bought the version that has 2 movies in one Blu Ray case titled Superman (Extended Cut and Special Edition 2-Film Collection). Please note that this is the 3 hour and 8 minutes version!! If you are looking for that long TV version that is 188 minutes (3 hours and 8 minutes), then this is the one to buy.I had also bought the Superman Anthology. This can be confusing too as they have two versions of the Anthology. One version is a 5 disc set and the other Anthology is an 8 disc set. I bought the 8 disc set and that does NOT have the 188 minute version of Superman - The Movie. Even though it is listed as an Expanded Edition. This Extended Edition is only 2 hours and 31 minutes (151 minutes).If you are a fan of Superman, then I recommend buying the 8 disc Superman Anthology set, but I recommend that you also buy the Superman (Extended Cut and Special Edition 2-Film Collection) if you want the 188 minute TV version that the Anthology does not have.This review is to help those that have questions about that elusive and hard to find 188 minute TV version of Superman - The Movie on Blu Ray.

Beau petit coffret éditions longues et cut de superman 1 et 2. Rien à redire