Superman The Movie: Extended Cut & Special Edition 2-Film Collection [Blu-ray]

Ever since I was a kid I loved watching the Superman Movie, and over the years from watching the 2000 Special Edition and film sites telling me of the KCOP version I had to admit I was more than interested when said version was available to watch. I didn't even rent it, I just purchased this set.1948, the planet Krypton is doomed as its greatest scientist proclaims this to the planet's ruling class but to no avail. So he sets his only son on a lifeboat to the planet Earth, living amongst them, being fueled by their young star rendering him strong but restrained by a loving couple with morals and the belief in his ability to do something great with his abilities. He grew up to become Clark Kent, also known as Superman to the people of Earth, standing for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. But he is envied by a powerful criminal Lex Luthor as this vile excuse of a human hopes to destroy Krypton's Last Son from ending his dreams of world domination.A classic story that everyone knows, with its late 1970s film adaptation having become timeless thanks to its great director, writer, cast, and score. While happy with the product he made, Richard Donner put forward an extended cut in the year 2000 but also worked with the Los Angeles TV station KCOP to release an alternate cut of the film exclusively for its TV audience, similar to how other big-named TV stations did for other films as VHS/Betamax made it easier to watch a movie at home away from the TV schedules, particularly if they had to omit things like language and violence for something never before seen.Having seen the theatrical cut I did enjoy it, but when I saw the 2000 Special Edition I felt it was more definitive. But the KCOP cut is too long, and the pace is very slow. I admit it feels better when seeing it for the journey to the Fortress of Solitude when the long journey gets you more anticipatory for the mystery of the Kryptonian technology. But other things made the movie feel too slow. The KCOP Cut has no special features but the Special Edition contains the same special features from the original release. There is no digital copy which would have been nice.

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."