FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Superman The Movie [DVD] [1978]

Superman The Movie [DVD] [1978]
enlarge	Director: Richard Donner Actors: Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty Studio: Warner Home Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£13.99~~ Buy New: £1.48 as of 23/11/2009 03:49 GMT details You Save: £12.51 (89%) New (39) Used (34) Collectible (2) from £0.49 Seller: media_moguls-uk Rating: 25 reviews Sales Rank: 5381 Format: Dubbed, PAL, Special Edition, Widescreen Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), Arabic (Subtitled), Bulgarian (Subtitled), Dutch (Subtitled), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Romanian (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed) Rating: Parental Guidance Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 146 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 7321900010139 ASIN: B00005B75U Theatrical Release Date: December 15, 1978 Release Date: June 1, 2006 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: Superman II [DVD] [1981] Superman Returns - Single Disc [DVD] [2006] Superman 2 / Superman 2 - The Richard Donner Cut (3 Disc Special Edition) [1980] [DVD] Superman III [DVD] [1983] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] Superman Returns - 2 Disc [DVD] [2006]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review Modern blockbuster cinema came of age with the release of three huge science fiction/fantasy extravaganzas in the late 1970s. In 1978 ISuperman/I was the last of these, a gigantic hit unfairly overshadowed by IStar Wars/I (1977) and IClose Encounters of the Third Kind/I (1977). Christopher Reeve is completely convincing as both Superman and mild-mannered alter ego Clarke Kent, sparking real chemistry with Margot Kidder's fellow reporter Lois Lane. Very much a film of two halves, the opening tells the origin of Superman from the apocalyptic fate of Krypton to his nostalgically rendered boyhood in the mid-West. After a wonderful sequence introducing the Fortress of Solitude the film changes gear as the adult Clarke Kent arrives in Metropolis and Superman battles arch-nemesis Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman). Though the tone becomes lighter and introduces comedy, ISuperman/I succeeds because Donner plays the titular character straight. From Marlon Brando's heavyweight cameo to the surprisingly wrenching finale, ISuperman/I unfolds as an epic modern myth, a spiritual fable for a secular age and a fantastic entertainment for the young at heart. With breathtaking production design, still special effects, gorgeous cinematography, thrilling set-pieces, wit, romance and John Williams' extraordinarily rich music score, ISuperman/I has the power to make you believe a man can fly.pBOn the DVD:/B ISuperman/I is presented in an extended director's cut which adds eight minutes to the theatrical original. The restored material is so artfully integrated many viewers may not even notice, but it would have been nice to at least have the opportunity to watch the original via seamless branching. The sound has been remixed into extraordinarily powerful Dolby Digital 5.1--the superb main title sequence is worth the price alone--and the anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 image is, except for some unavoidably grainy effects shots, pristine. The commentary by Richard Donner and writer Tom Mankiewicz reveals more about the background than all but the most dedicated fan will ever need to know, while film music aficionados will revel in the opportunity to listen to John Williams' score isolated in Dolby Digital 5.1. On the second side of the disc are a eight alternate John Williams music cues, a selection of deleted scenes and the screen tests of a variety of would-be Lois Lanes, introduced and with optional commentary by casting director Lynn Stalmaster. These are fascinating, and show how right for the part Margot Kidder really was. A DVD-ROM only feature presents the storyboards plus various Web features, while the real highlight is a 90-minute documentary divided into three sections covering pre-production, filming and special effects. The picture quality on all the extras is very good indeed. An enthralling package, DVD doesn't get much better than this. --IGary S Dalkin/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 25 1 2 3 4 5 Next » Movie Magic April 15, 2006 M. JONES (uk) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful Arguably the best superhero movie of all time, and certainly the first decent one, is Superman: The Movie. br / br /From the rousing opening credits to the iconic fly-by at the end, the film remains one of the most enjoyable spectacles you could ever see and even improves on dvd. The sound and picture quality is excellent although the full anamorphic frame is not always utilised in terms of setting scenes, it still looks great on a big tv. br / br /Of course everyone knows the story, but what may surprise newcomers is the time frame in which it happens. Roughly 15/20 minutes are spent on Krypton, and another 25 minutes or so describing Clark Kent's early life. Many criticize this section for various reasons, including Brando's overpriced cameo. However, I think it adds to the epic scale of the film and makes it a true classic. br / br /Christopher Reeeve IS Superman. His performance in both guises is spot-on and everything that he does manages to make you either smile or cheer. Gene Hackman is given plenty of one-liners and (too many) slapstick gags, but still comes across well as the genius who may just get the better of the Man of Steel. Margot Kidder is also terrific as Lois Lane, and although she gets a better-written part in the sequel, she captures the awe and amazement that we are all feeling. br / br /The effects are probably the only thing that breaks the film up and (ironically) takes you away from the film's world. Although very impressive at the time, I'm sure, you just can't believe some of the flying images. Dont get me wrong,I hate CGI, but some of the rear projection shots don't seem to match with Supes' movements occasionally - for instance, one shot over the city sees Superman turning in the air, but the background seems to zoom in and pan etc. even though he's just turning... br / br /But nevertheless, the overall tone and good-natured spirit of the film, combined with some of the more poignant moments, makes this an awesome feat and easily worth owning on dvd. Someone to love September 26, 2001 Elvis Polonius (Glasgow, Scotland) 4 out of 4 found this review helpful For critics in the late seventies, it was very easy to be derisive of Superman. Brando's outlandish fee, the sledgehammer marketing and the film's own pompousness- not least in delaying the appearance of its title character for a whole hour- made it stick in the craw for many people.pBut for children, innocent of such things, it was a tremendous, uplifting (excuse me) experience. I remember leaving the cinema and instantly punching the air in the full belief that I too could streak into the sky. And I know I'm not the only one.pSeeing the film now, it's possible to make sense of both responses. Now that it has dated badly, its commercial exigencies are all too apparent, and more than once come close to knackering the narrative (see any scene with Brando in it).pHowever, the film is still bursting with charm. The cornfield Smallville sequence and yappy Metropolis are extremely well realised, and take life from a raft of quality performances.pCentral is the casting masterstroke of Christopher Reeve, whose sensitive reading of the role is about as perfectly judged as they get. His Clark Kent is a klutzy fish out of water, but it's the way he lets that vulnerability seep into the Man of Steel that makes it a performance to cherish. The effect is this: Superman has the looks and powers of a god, but he's also an outsider who just wants to be loved.pThe new release is excellent, with a much-improved soundtrack and supplementary materials that enrich the experience rather than just prolong it. Like the best DVDs, the documentaries and lively commentary provide an illuminating insight into the passions and struggles involved in making films, and recommend it as an essential buy, not only for fans of this film, but for everybody who loves the movies. Andrew Moynihan, author of 'Student' (Zeus Publications) October 10, 2003 A. Moynihan (Ireland) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful I first saw 'Superman, the Movie' when I was only 8 years old. I remember sulking before watching it because my mother wouldn't let me see Jaws 2 which was on the previous night. Furthermore, I assumed Superman would be crap anyway. But I was in for a surprise...pSuperman the Movie blew me away, even moreso than Star Wars. I was absolutely flabbergasted by this, the most magical three hours of my childhood. It was an epic of all proportions ... brilliant characters, drama, effects, photography, story, romance, music, etc... pI even remember going to bed that first night and being unable to sleep because my mind had gone into overdrive, thinking about the movie I had just seen. And then, I think I spent the following two years on an hourly basis humming the tune, wearing the custume and/or basing Superman stories around my lego collection. pWhat I found particularly entrancing about the film was it's original ending. pI'm now 29 years old and that child is long gone. But my love for 'Superman, the Movie' remains ... Super hero spectacular June 17, 2006 Aarron (UK) 3 out of 3 found this review helpful Superman the movie is the best film adaptation of a comic book character since movie making began, it has rightfuly won a place in audiences hearts around the world with its mixed of romance, comedy and action. br /Superman has the pleasure of boasting a fantastic cast. Marlon Brando takes a brief but vey memorable role as Superman's father, Jor - El and is outstanding in his 10 minutes on screen. Gene Hackman is fiendishly brilliant as the evil Lex Luthor and Margo Kidder is a great Lois Lane. br /The man that shines from the rest in this epic is Superman himself, Christopher Reeve. Reeve injects a more human side into the man of steel and brillantly juggles the dual personas of Clark Kent and Superman making the audience believe that they are two different men. This is done with such ease by Reeve that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role. br /Richard Donner makes us believe a man can fly thanks to the flying effects that won his team an oscar and John William's opening theme is unforgettable. br /Superman will always be a classic film and a landmark in comic book films in which other movies of it's kind will be comapared. Look! Upon the screen! It's that puff in tights! December 22, 2003 Scarecrow (Gotham City) 5 out of 7 found this review helpful There are movies that have captured the imagination of generations, like the Star Wars movies (God, how I hated the Star Wars movies) and the Indiana Jones trilogy, Superman is one of them.pA year ago, if you'd asked me what I' thought of the movie my answer woulkd be "it CRAP". But, I go the DVD free with the british movie magazine EMPIRE and thought "Okay, well, I'll give it a try". I obviously did and fell in love with it.pThe movie starts of on the planet Kryton, Kal-El/Superman/Clark Kent's (Christopher Reeve) home planet, where evil the evil Genral Zod (Terence Stamp), Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) are being sentenced to life enprisonment in the Phantem Zone by the Council of Kryton lead by Jor-El (Marlon Brando), Superman's father. Jor-El's theory of Kryton's destrucion has been over-ruled by the council and he and his wife have been forebidden to leave the planet. Jor-El's theory is right. Just before Kryton blows up Jor-El sends baby Kar-El to earth where he is brought up by the Martha and Jonathan Kent (Phyllis Thaxter and Glenn Ford). The teenage Clark Kent (played in an excellent proformce by Jeff East) suffers the lost of another farther. With a strange green crystal, which Jor-El had sent to earth with him, he decides to go and find out where he is from. He get s to the Fortress of Solitude where he spents year lerning from the spirit of Jor-El. The adult Clark (Reeve) goes to Metropolis, where he gets a job a the Daily Planet newpaper office. There is a scene where he first reveals himself SUPERMAN and save Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).pWith a brilliant screenplay written by Mario Puzo (The amzaingly classic Godfather trilogy) and brilliantly directed by Richard Donner (The Omen, The Lethal Weapon Series). Showing reviews 1-5 of 25 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

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