Superman: The Movie (DVD, 2001, 2-Disc Set)

Unable to convince the ruling council of Krypton that their world will destroy itself soon, scientist Jor-El takes drastic measures to preserve the Kryptonian race: He sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth. There, gaining great powers under Earth's yellow sun, he will become a champion of truth and justice. Raised by the Kents, an elderly farm couple, Clark Kent learns that his abilities must be used for good. The adult Clark travels to Metropolis, where he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet...and a caped wonder whose amazing feats stun the city: Superman! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, the world's greatest criminal mind, is plotting the greatest real estate swindle of all time. Can't even the Man of Steel stop this nefarious scheme?

Actors: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper
Directors: Richard Donner
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001
Run Time: 143 minutes
DVD Features:
Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Incorporates Added Scenes
3 Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries:
The Magic Behind the Cape (Special Effects)
Making Superman: Filming the Legend (Production and Release)
Taking Flight: The Development of Superman (Preproduction)
Feature-Length Audio Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
Superman, Lois Lane, & Ursa Screen Tests
Audio Outtakes: Alternate Scoring for 8 Sequences
2 Deleted Scenes
TV Spots

This movie is a msut see for those to understand the new movie SUperman returns becasue there are alot of references made between the two such as the crystals, the fortress of solitude and so forth. I purchased this movie because I am a big silver age comic book fan even though I was born after it was over. Superman is a character that has endured for a very long time and is one of my favorite characters. While this movie is not as sophisticated as the new one, I think the directors did the best with what they had. Also, Christopher Reeve set the standard for how Superman was supposed to be done without looking hokey. This movie is a classic and a must for Superman fans, comic book fans, or for anyone who likes older movies. Chrisptopher Reeve gives an excellent performance as Superman and does make you believe that a man can fly.

This movie is a classic, with SUPERMAN RETURNS out and about it's a must to have both this and SUPES II in your collection. My fun fact? Watch for the scene when Lex Luthor/Gene Hackman reveals his evil plot to Superman in the subway lair...he is showing a map on the ground of the west coast (don't want to give away the plot) but he has new names for the west coast (Lexville, Otisburg <written by Otis/Ned Beatty>) and...

...his lady-friend, Miss Tesmacher...she has a place named after her and what do you think it is called? TESMACHER PEAKS (complete with two mountains, do I need to spell this out for you)...don't believe me, watch closely and pause--then ZOOM IN, if you DVD player can do that, and you will see for yourself!

Also, the reason why Miss Tesmacher helps Superman is because a missle is headed for HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY...where her mother lives...well, I am from New Jersey too and my family lives in Hackensack as well. Another reason of many that I LOVE this movie.

Superman is a fantastic film. Christopher Reeve brings an intelligence, power and charisma to the character that had not been seen previously and hasn't since. In this film, he gives the greatest performance of anyone that has ever donned the cape and tights.

This extended version of the classic 1978 SUPERMAN:THE MOVIE has 10 minutes of added footage from the archives that have been incorporated into the already classic motion picture. Christopher Reeves gives a performance and portrayal of Superman like no other actor has ever given of the comic book character ever since Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster created Superman in 1938.
A great cast of actors such as Marlon Brando playing Superman's father Jor-El and Gene Hackman's unforgettable portrayal of Lex Luthor have already blessed this flick along with state of the art special effects. During that time in 1978 these effects were top notch for a motion picture considering there wasn't computer animation to enhance special effects that are used in today's movies such as Jurassic Park (1993) or Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2003), Lord of the Rings (2004) and Superman Returns.
So for a very entertaining movie for action, comedy and family fun entertainment, Superman:The Motion Picture the Extended Version has all that.
Furthermore: John Williams created an excellent sound track for this motion picture and it is being used in SUPERMAN RETURNS due out on dvd on 11/28/06.
For further reviews or background research check out the website supermantv.net.

CAST:
Superman/Clark Kent.........................................Christopher Reeve
Lex Luthor..................................................Gene Hackman
Jor-El......................................................Marlon Brando
Lois Lane...................................................Margot Kidder
Perry White.................................................Jackie Cooper
Jonathan Kent...............................................Glen Ford
Otis........................................................Ned Beatty
Lara........................................................Susannah York
General Zod.................................................Terence Stamp
Jimmy Olson.................................................Mark McClure
Miss Tessmarker.............................................Valerie Perrine

This is the Superman that I grew up with.. The cast of actors is top notch including Christopher Reeves, Gene Hackman, and M. Brando of coarse as Superman's father.. Brando was such a gifted actor that he got a role in Superman Returns and he is not even alive anymore.. This movie laid the foundation for all of the films and tv shows that followed for years to come.. I really wish that the new Superman film would have taken more notes from ( Superman: The Movie ) when the screenplay was being written.. Because this one is a timeless classic and should remain with us always...

I am sure I will like the new movie with the new Chris Reeve lookalike, but this one is a definite classic, especially in the opening scenes on Krypton and then the early life of Superman. Then things start moving along at a fast pace with Superman's career as Clark Kent in Metropolis. The scenes with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor are classic comic villainy. The movie is a great classic with outstanding pre-CGI Age special effects. Great blue screen and animation effects. Look Ma--no wires! You will truly believe a man can fly with the viewing of this great, touching classic telling of the Superman story, pretty close to the original comic book storyline. In fact, this movie is better than what they have done to Superman in the comics in the 80's and 90's, trying to reinvent the character. I am of the old school that believes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" This movie tells the tale properly and with a lot of fun and visual wizardry mixed in. You will love it. I didn't like the Superman movies after this one II, III and IV were just a shadow of the original. The stories were way off. This movie stands as THE Superman movie of the 20th century and the new movie coming out June 28 will stand out as the Superman movie of the 21st.

I bought it because, this was Clark Kent at his best - the actor did everything right - the movie was interesting - frightening - tender and the theme song "Can You Read my Mind" was excellent. Would recommend it for all ages.

A great movie, well worth owning! Christopher Reeve's will always be the real superman to most of us! And there is no better Lex Luthor, than Gene Hackman.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF SUPERMAN MOVIES, TO ME IT IS A GREAT LOSS TO LOOSE CHRISTPHER REEVES. OTHER ACTORS CAN PLAY HIS PART, BUT THEY CAN NEVER FILL HIS CAPE!!!

A very good dvd. Just as stated in like new condition. Not a scratch on blemish on the movie. We have been getting for the most part very nice dvds on e-bay.

When I recieved this movie it appeared to be in good condition but it turned out to be in bad condition. Right as we were watching this movie it all the sudden stopped in the middle of the movie. The picture would not move so I had to send it back and get my money back. I chose to buy it cause it was a movie my mom had wanted in her collection.

The movie Superman came broken in the case. I looked for it for a long time, I’m so glad I finally found it. I hope it can be replaced.

Very pleased! Loved this movie and it was one I didn't have in my collection. Watched it with my grandson as soon as we got it. Quality was excellent.

It was fun to think about this movie and be able to go on line and find it. What a treat for my grandson to see the movie that his mother saw when she was a young child. Thank you for this viewing opportunity.

Anybody who used to run around with a comic book rolled up in his back pocket should see this movie. Yes, it's "hokey" Yes, it's silly. Yes, it's a perfect recreation of what we saw in our minds when we read those "Marvel" comic books so long ago.

C'MON!!!
It's Superman at his best ...
Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, what a cast.
Funny, entertaining, & exciting. What a ride.

Very hard to find movie. Probably the best of the Superman movies until Superman Returns. Even younger kids can watch this one. Not many super hero movies like that now. Most are very scarey.

Everything's remembered from the Superman from my youth -- at least about Superman, Lois Lane, Perry White, and Jimmy Olson. I saw this when it first came out, and still laugh at Clark Kent running to a phone booth to change into the outfit only to find out that it was one of those little kiosks (this in itself is dated -- I can hardly remember seeing a phone booth at all these days once cell phone use became almost universal, so perhaps this will be lost on the youngsters, but at the time everyone in the theater roared with laughter).

There were a few spots that I thought could have been done better, but the origin of Superman, being sent off by his parents from Krypton to be found, and raised by, the Kents of Smallville was just about flawless, and true to the original story.

What I didn't like was the campy stuff with Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) and Otis (Ned Beatty). I could have lived without that part of the film, or would have at least been thrilled to see a LOT less of it. This is why I can't give the film an "excellent" rating. Other than that, however, Superman: The Movie is a classic, and way ahead of its time in special effects. It was a thrill to see this brought to life from my old DC Comics in my youth. If you grew up engrossed in the lives of superheroes, this should be part of your collection.

I was not personally acquainted with the product. My 6 year old grandson requested it for Christmas at a late date so I turned to eBay. It was received on time and according to my grandson , it is exactly what he wanted and he and his family have been enjoying it.

I bought Superman: The Movie for my son. He loves everything about superman. He really enjoyed the movie. But prefers to watch the most recent Superman that came out.

It is a classic. I bought it for my 83 year old Dad. He loves it. Has the whole set. It was a great gift to him.

I saw this movie at the theater when it first came out. Christopher Reeves, in my opinion is the BEST Superman. I grew up watching the black and white TV show, which I also liked. But this movie is my all time favorite.