Ironically the removal of the Jor El scenes giving Supe back his power made his entrance at the Daily Planet to confront the villains even more effective.
Only thing i dissliked was the dinner scene at the end. Man of Steel did it better by letting Cavill take his revenge unnoticed while reeves made a big drama out of it and tryd to proof something. I always found that weird but superman 2 is a weird film to begin with so...
True. My childhood basically ended when batman begins was released so its a full circle. Nolan was one of the last creative and qualified Directors for the superhero-genre and it seems we will not have a good blockbuster superhero movie for a long, long time again.
I agree some of my best memories are these movies I thought I was superman when I was 5 I wore my Superman pajamas everywhere lol even in a children's modeling show where I ran around the stage like I was flying
40-years later and I still find myself whistling the Superman soundtrack. So powerful, so moving. And seeing Reeves always makes me feel like I can be a better person.
Despite the recent superhero shenanigans in the cinema, I still say the smackdown between Christopher Reeves' Superman v Terence Stamp's General Zod is one of the best comic book fights on film. And the White House invasion is classic.
Terence Stamp was so iconic in this. General Zod's character has been so influenced by his portrayal. In both TV, games, and comics, the "Kneel before Zod" thing remains a constant.
Kevin Hansen I think it was a part of season 9 of smallville when Zod comes into it again where they talk about Terence stamps zod...including one awesome story stamp himself tells, about being struck by a skateboard riding punk, and stamp noticed the smallville ZOD logo on the kids short, and when the kids eyes widened when he realised who he was stamp went into character and screamed “kneel before Zod you bastard!”...to which the kid of course did
I think I read somewhere that if that scene was filmed today, the revenge part would not have been filmed. Sweet revenge worked for me when I saw this as a kid.
I liked that they had Superman's mother in the fortress this time, it was a good balance of storytelling , having him learn about his hertiage and his powers from his father in the first one and learn about love and human nature from his mother in the second one
He had restrained himself from hitting her but knowing she is just as strong and just as bad should have been an incentive to say fuck that "man shouldn't hit a woman" crap. She wants to be a baddie like the others she can get POPPED in the face like them.
@@darthmetallus1977 Except when Christoper's original Superman costume was examined his name was written on the label...it read Reeves. So it would seem that my memory was accurate. In addition, there are tons of residual newspaper articles and movie listings that show that his name was Reeves.
@@darthmetallus1977 It's called the Mandela Effect. It literally changes reality by altering small details of the world we're familiar with. This changes don't match our memories. But the Effect leaves behind hints that our memories aren't wrong - for example leaving Christopher's name written in the label of his original Superman outfit.
"Come Son of Jor-El kneel before Zod." is still to this day the most iconic & imitated line from the film. Ironically it's one of those lines that survived the Donner & Lester Cuts of the film.
Every time they show these movies the audience claps when margot kidder and christopher reeves names appear in the opening credits rip chris n margot!!
I'm glad I have the DVD with both versions, as I agree there's something to be enjoyed from each. Plus I think growing up, I watched the second movie more than the first. It would've been nice if Donner had directed the movie completely, but his "close enough" cut is still fascinating viewing.
I love the ending they put in all of the superman movies with Reeve flying toward the camera and giving that big smile before the credits run. Rip i bet he was a super guy jn real life. And rip to Margot Kidder.
I disagree. It's nice as an exhibition piece, but to me it felt choppy and unrefined. The performances were stiff compared to the Lester re-shot versions, and some of the creative changes that he made (like Niagara Falls) were just nicer to look at. I do enjoy the extra footage, but as a whole the Lester version wins for me.
Good times! I remember running out the house after the movie ended with my superman cape..I slipped on oil and cracked my head open..haven't been the same since
I still like both versions of superman 2, but the 1st scene in a movie that got me wanting to make a movie and get involved in special effects is when he changes into Superman while running down an alley. I learned about ghosting and transitions due to that scene
Yeah I agree with Minty. Although I do love Donner's cut of Superman 2, and wish they could've somehow incorporated Jor-El's role into the Salkind version as well like Donner did in his version, I will say I never liked the ending of it to be honest. While the original theatrical ending was a bit of a cop out, it at least made sense. The whole Superman going back in time to make sure the whole thing never happened didn't make a lot of sense to me in superman 2: donner's cut because then you'd have to ask, why didn't you do that before? Seriously why even fight Zod and his gang at all after you get your powers back? I mean your just going to go back in time to make sure it all never happens anyways, so were you just fighting them to get your rocks off or something? Seriously think about it.
@@thewolfofwallstreet627 They had to reuse the turning back time ending because that was the original ending to superman to which was then put into superman 1 and before dinner could think of a new ending he was fired. So when they were in the process of making the doner cut dinner either had to chose lester's ending or the original one and the rest is history.
Despite its flaws, I've always been fond of Superman II. I remember having a SUperman II sticker album when I was a kid. Could have been a collector's item! For me, the crucial point was when Superman lost his powers. Then I thought: "Actually, Lois Lane fell in love with Superman, not Clark Kent!" Anyway, good fun. Good video, too. One thing, though: at 9:41, I guess you meant General Zod, not Jor-El.
From what I've seen I will and have always said movie wise Christopher Reeve was and will always be Superman to me. it's hard to say anything about Henry cavill because I haven't watched his version or anyone else's. Accept in the animated movie Batman dark knight returns where superman appears!
I agree. I also feel Brandon Routh was not given a chance to succeed with Superman Returns. In my opinion he (and the writing) channeled the ideals of Superman much better than the Henry Cavill version.
cavill could have given Reeves a run for his money if he had a script equip in quality. There are moments where I see the comic character brought to life though in everyone who's put on the cape. Reeves will always be the person Superman is measured by dueti his humanity and gentlemanly presence.
I also liked how Reeve played Clark Kent and made him a completely different character to Superman, not just "Superman with glasses". Reeve's Kent walked a certain way, said dumb things, the slapstick. It made you believe that even though it was unbelievable that they didn't know that he was Superman, that it would also make you think that they were two different people as well.
I hate to be “that guy” but at 9:41 you miss spoke when you said “Jor-El orders that that kid be killed.” Should have been “General Zod orders that that kid be killed.” Great Video none the less Minty!
The reason Donner was fired was due to to his refusal to cut out Marlon Brando's scenes as Jor-El from the film, as the Salkinds didn't want to pay Brando's salary for the sequel.
He was fired over an accumulation of things.. The Salkinds and Donner were feuding over the schedule and budget from day one. At one point they were not on speaking terms at all during production..
Brando thought he was shooting footage for one movie. When he found out that half of his scenes were being used for a sequel, he demanded to be paid more. I really don't blame Brando on that note, because it does seem like the Salkinds were trying to pull a fast one, getting twice the profits while only paying Brando once. Well, they opted to not pay Brando, so he put the kibosh of using his footage. The Salkinds really should have been up front from the beginning, and they really should have paid Brando for two movies. Their decision really compromised the film. There is a great many stories from both sides about why Donner did not return. We will never know the absolute true story, as everyone thinks they are right.
Brando's scenes were much more superior to Susannah York's. The Salkinds being cheap really cost the quality of the film. Didn't they make enough from the film? I remember, it was a huge hit. I saw it three times in the theatres in 1980. Then it was on TV and home video, the Salkinds didn't need to short change anyone. I'm sure, they're still making money off of it.
@@lamarravery4094 Exactly. Normally when a film is as big of a success as Superman was, you don't expect the producers to become cheapskates when making the sequel.
The Donner Cut is fine, but wasn't it missing the "Care to step outside" line? That's the best part. And what they should've used when he returns in JL as well.
That scene was crap in the doner cut!!! Best part of the film as the theme sends chills down the spine as supes returns and then that iconic line!!! I much prefer the lester/doner version tbh
lester's film is donner's, that's the problem with this, nearly 75% of Superman 2 is Donner's work. The exception scenes are the honeymoon suite and a few scenes with the villians and that stupid scene where Superman through his superman S on the villians at the end of the movie. Whenever there was cheese, you know it was Lester. Donner wanted it darker and grim, the approach lester took did the job, remmeber, without Donner, there would be no Superman 2.
It missed many classic lines. One I liked was when Perry White was telling Clark Kent about the terrorist threat on France and Lois being there. Clark doesn't know about it, and Perry says :- "Get your head out of the clouds, Kent. Don't you watch the news?"Clark Kent:- "Well, I actually don't watch TV, Mr White. Too violent. I'm reading Dickens". I like it because I could imagine Clark Kent being nerdish like that.
@@GisherJohn24 The reason for the new scenes was due to Hollywood rules, Donner did not want credit when the separation occurred because he didn't want his name associated with scenes he didn't believe in, so in order for Lester to get sole credit, he had to have directed 51% of the movie. so he had to re-shoot at least 26% of Donner's footage as well as the final 25% to receive sole credit. So after they scraped Donner's original opening, with Lois jumping, they had to retool the whole Niagara falls scene which is why we got the week fall in the fire moment instead of the shooting the blank scene which unfortunately they never filmed outside of screen tests. And Brando sued the producers for more money even though he knew it was supposed to be for 2 movies so they cut him and hastily inserted Susanna York which then also didn't make sense. And Minty missed one bonus fact.................
I prefer the Donner Cut. The theatrical cut is campy. The Donner cut, although incomplete, has the same tone as the first film. It's made with care and you can tell the actors were affected by not having him there. They even say they were mad about him being gone. Left to his own devices, Lester created Superman 3. The only good part of that film is bad Superman.
"The Donner Cut feels like an incomplete film" Sorry, but obviously. Imo, I think this shows how his vision could have been superior. Alas, he never had the chance.
One of my favorite parts of this movie is when the president says there is one man who will never kneel before you and General Zod says, “ who is this imbecile.” Lol. Hilarious.
@@dalethelander3781 It most certainly does! I found it in a thrift store almost mint. I was impressed by how they did that hologram effect of the S logo on the vinyl. I'm surprised if never seen them do that effect before and I have quite a few vinyl collection from Queen to Michael Jackson
Sadly a lot of the Donner cut footage is a disappointment. The Brando stuff is good. But actually Chris is off in a lot of the scenes. It was obvious this all shot very early in during production. So he had not completely found his performance yet..
@@darthmetallus1977 Not the parts I mean.. Those were obvious. Chris was a scrawny kid.. The scenes in the FOS were off. The Brando stuff worked but Chris was not in character yet..
Look at Zod's makeup. I he has the red blush around his eyes to make him appear more sinister, it is Donner. If he has a more natural shade of makeup and longer hair in the back, it is Lester.
@@dbreiden83080 , agreed, Reeve was not quite comfortable and settled into the character yet in his scenes with Brando. Still, I would take that any day because Brando really is THAT important to the story. Who knows, though. Had Donner returned, he might have reshoot some of those scenes with Reeve. It would be easy enough to do and edit it in with the Brando stuff.
No one ever talks about why Sara Douglas had her actually good speaking voice dubbed over by Annie Ross, who played Vera in Superman 3. You can hear Sara in the extended TV cut, she sounds sexy and good. I still don't get the reasoning.
When it comes to iconic movies superman, star wars,Indiana jones ,etc .its the music that really gives movies that spark that gives goosebumps. Music makes movies.
Al Bundy for President the problem is that he didn’t finish the movie. We only have what he shot so far. It’s really not his complete vision. I saw one ending with the villains surviving and being arrested by the artic police which is just silly. I thought that was the donner ending.
i will say, the Lester cut is still Donner's movie, anything with Hackman, when Lois lane isn't anorexic, that's all Donner'work. Nearly all the flying sequences are Donner's too. The big scene at the beginning at the tower and honeymoon is Lester, but for the most part, the rest is all Donner. I heard nearly 75%. When they did the donner cut, it became about 90% his adding the Brando scenes.
Ursa is one of the most badass chics I ever seen on my life. Those eyes and vibe can cut diamonds. Other girls wanted to be princesses I wanted to be Ursa.
This blew my mind when i first saw it on the big screen!!! Everyone cheering and stuff. Very cool!!! 😎😎😎 (the memory wiping kiss is very funny when Robot Chicken did it)
Me! And, I was young enough that someone had to take me. I remember my Dad asking my older sister to take me, and she wasn't happy because she didn't really have an interest in going at the time. But she did take me and after the movie was over, she said "That was actually a really good movie!" :)
Not only did we (the family) see it, but when we were leaving through one of the hallways to the exit, my dad turned around and said “You want to see it again?” and I was ecstatic. We snuck back around the corner, sat in the middle third row and watched it again!
The best thing about the Donner cut (and there are plenty of positives) - it explains how Clark gets his powers back. This is left entirely mysterious in the cinematic release.
Yes Minty!! Yes!! That's my favorite line my from Superman 2! It was like he was saying "have u met me? have you seen what I do?". My other is "give me another plate of this garbage" 😂👏🏾 I miss Christopher Reeve so much. Great video.
"What I do now, I do for the sake of the people of the world. But there is one man here on Earth who will never kneel before you." "Who is this imbecile? Where is he?"
Although I like the new technology in CGI, I have to say that Chris Reeves played a great Superman. That's not to take away from the other actors though.
Christopher Reeves Superman was my hero growing up as a small lad. I had the superman wall paper, quilt, books. In my 40s now and ill still watch these movies from time to time
As a 6 year old kid in 1980, this film had a huge impact on me. Somewhere in my still developing brain I believed that if I wanted it enough I could be a Superman. Although of course that was not possible. However, even today as a deeply flawed adult, when times are difficult, I still draw on that original desire to try and be the best version of myself that I can be. Maybe not quite super, but something good.
Now you're talking! I fondly remember seeing this movie on the big screen when I was 7 years of age. Christopher Reeve's performance of Superman, along with the orchestral soundtrack composed by John Williams, made a lifelong impact on me at such a young age.
Yep, I was also this age then. Those deleted scenes I remember well from the TV versions, soffle, kid never becomes a man. I might still have on vhs who knows. Still the best Super hero film ever made, 1 and 2, bar none
As a Big Superman fan I have all the Documentaries on this film series. And the Behind the Scenes Drama could have been made into a movie itself.. It was nuts..
Saw this 5 times in the theatre as a kid. Loved it then and I love it now , this movie is the reason we have these super hero movies today . Superman 1 and 2 are the shit .
I always liked that Superman's Mother was the force ghost that he visited in the second movie like he visited the force ghost of his father in the first movie, because it takes two forces a male and female to make a child
futuramayeah not to mention: The first film deals with fatherly themes, such as treating humanity as your family, keeping your word and making tough decisions. The second deals with similar themes, but more motherly themes, such as sacrifice and love. So it makes sense that both his father _and_ mother have an equal effect on his character, and equal screen time in the combined films.
Of the two versions I prefer Lester's version for 2 simple reasons it's what came out in theaters and Donners version although very good feels incomplete or unfinished what warners brothers should do is like people behind Blade Runner they should make a Ultimate Cut combined both Donner Version and the Lester Version therefore combining both into one
I'm going to cut these movies together today with the main focus on keeping the original ending while leaving the Brando parts in tact and removing some of the silliest moments. Any ideas on what you guys would like to see?
Well, to be fair to Donner, he intended to use a different ending for Superman II because the time travel sequence got moved to the end of the first Superman, and Donner decided that he'd just figure out a new ending for Superman II once he finished the first film and got back to work on the sequel. We'll never know what ending Donner would've come up with for Superman II, but I do know it would have ended with Lois still knowing that Clark was Superman and would also have set up the Brainiac plotline for Superman III... which also, sadly, never happened.
4:07 I guess you missed the part where a Kryptonian who is neither Kal-El’s mother or father is talking about trees? Joe-El didn’t “imprint” himself (or just himself) on the green crystal - the green crystal had everything Joe-El wanted Kal-El to remember/learn about Krypton. So short of being a stone cold bastard, I don’t think Joe-El would leave out his kid’s mother. 4:57 I know people gripe about the “plastic S”, but I loved it as a kid and still do. I love(d) the idea that Superman’s suit had functionality and wasn’t just some cotton leotards. As far as the S disappearing so quickly, I felt that the S could contain someone indefinitely, depending on how long Superman wanted the target held. It disappears on Non because Superman knows it won’t contain him, so it’s there to get him angry. If you notice, everything Superman does is to piss off the Super Villains, so by the time he makes a Batman Gambit with Luthor and uses the molecule chamber, they’re too angry and/or gloating with impending victory to notice the red lights or their bodies changing. 12:04 that pink, evening glow is the _city on fire!_
The Donner cut of the White House siege was way ahead of its time. It really underlined Superman later returning the dome and apologizing to the President for his absence.
Nothing like seeing him run though that Ally as Clark and changing into Superman. Crazy to think that the love scene is still controversial. Did he not use super protection?
The Donner Cut was great to see and I really enjoyed it, but it can never truly replace the Lester version as the official sequel. Why? Because the Donner Cut is a sequel to a version of Superman The Movie that never existed. See, when they were filming 1 and 2 back to back, Superman The Movie was going to end with the cliffhanger of the criminals being freed from the Phantom zone by the missile. There was no death of Lois, and no turning back time. Notice in the Daily Planet scene at the start of the Donner Cut, the earthquake is in the headlines, as it was never undone by the time reverse. The time reverse was always intended for Superman II's finale. When the decision was made to focus on the first movie only, the expensive effects shot for turning back time was already completed and the Salkinds wanted to use it here just in case Superman II never happened, so it was worked in to the finale of the first film. Had Donner returned, a new ending would have been created for Superman II since the time reverse was already utilized. After all of these many years, it was not possible to film a new ending, so Donner stuck to that original plan of time travel. So, if you replace the theatrical cut with the Donner Cut, then using time travel twice makes the entire thing pretty lame. The Donner Cut will always be an awesome glimpse at what could have been. Now, what I would like to see is a new cut of the film that uses everything possible from both directors to present the best version. Imean, the Donner Cut as it exists today...unfinished...could really use some Lester scenes to fill it out and make it run better, and yes, we would stick with the magic kiss ending because it is the only ending to use without repeating time travel.
I have the Richard Donner DVD of Superman 2. It's either before the film starts, or in the Bonus Material on the DVD, Richard Donner gives a speech about the film & he does in fact point out that it may feel incomplete, but that's because the reel of film that contained some scenes that he had filmed went missing & was never found. Richard Donner also points out how he had to use Screen Tests & tried to blend them into the film. It really is worth watching the Bonus Material.
I remember how pumped I felt as a kid when Superman got his powers back and was ready to kick ass again
gsxerwhite very few moments in life compare to this one. I still love the theme song!
@@fulcruman1877 you are so correct. Music was amazing
Ironically the removal of the Jor El scenes giving Supe back his power made his entrance at the Daily Planet to confront the villains even more effective.
Only thing i dissliked was the dinner scene at the end. Man of Steel did it better by letting Cavill take his revenge unnoticed while reeves made a big drama out of it and tryd to proof something. I always found that weird but superman 2 is a weird film to begin with so...
The Diner scene was about giving a bully a taste of his own medicine.
The 80s gave us some magnificant films..i was lucky to be a kid then.
True. My childhood basically ended when batman begins was released so its a full circle.
Nolan was one of the last creative and qualified Directors for the superhero-genre and it seems we will not have a good blockbuster superhero movie for a long, long time again.
Me too! Soooo lucky.
I agree some of my best memories are these movies I thought I was superman when I was 5 I wore my Superman pajamas everywhere lol even in a children's modeling show where I ran around the stage like I was flying
Kinda helps that we were the blessed with the VCR. 😃
Can relate. I was a poor kid in the 90's, so all our entertainment came from the 80's.
40-years later and I still find myself whistling the Superman soundtrack. So powerful, so moving. And seeing Reeves always makes me feel like I can be a better person.
Same here and I completely agree the soundtrack is powerful, moving and timeless. However, Christopher's last name is Reeve (singular), not Reeves.
Terrance stamp as general Zod was amazing
Scared the shit out of me when I was little
@@gsxerwhite I always thought he was up their with Darth Vader as the best movie bad guy
Must agree. Stamp of Approval! Lol
and he was so awesome, that DC changed Zod to be more like Stamp's portrayal (and even imported Ursa & Non into the canon!)
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!
Hands down one of the best superhero movies EVER made. Zod great movie villain and had the best lines in the movie
The best. Only one I actually ever liked.
Despite the recent superhero shenanigans in the cinema, I still say the smackdown between Christopher Reeves' Superman v Terence Stamp's General Zod is one of the best comic book fights on film. And the White House invasion is classic.
Terence Stamp was so iconic in this. General Zod's character has been so influenced by his portrayal. In both TV, games, and comics, the "Kneel before Zod" thing remains a constant.
Kevin Hansen I think it was a part of season 9 of smallville when Zod comes into it again where they talk about Terence stamps zod...including one awesome story stamp himself tells, about being struck by a skateboard riding punk, and stamp noticed the smallville ZOD logo on the kids short, and when the kids eyes widened when he realised who he was stamp went into character and screamed “kneel before Zod you bastard!”...to which the kid of course did
Yeah, but it was weird that Jor-El sounded just like him in Smallville.😁😁
Don't forget the SyFy show Krypton, their General Zod ended season one with that line.
I half expected him to say that in The Limey to Peter Fonda lol
Awesome villain
I can accomplish anything while listening to the Superman theme.
I call bullshit. Come pick up my Buick and spin it on your nose
I remember how upset I was as a kid when Superman got his ass kicked in that diner, not Superman.
Me, too. It sucked.
@@AndronicusKomnenos Yeah.. but when he came back.... Ohhhh baby!
@@kingloser4198 yeah diner bully regretted it later!
I think I read somewhere that if that scene was filmed today, the revenge part would not have been filmed. Sweet revenge worked for me when I saw this as a kid.
@smilebackifyourugly "Rocky, that's my #1 special!"
I liked that they had Superman's mother in the fortress this time, it was a good balance of storytelling , having him learn about his hertiage and his powers from his father in the first one and learn about love and human nature from his mother in the second one
Lex Luthor wants to be ruler of Australia. That doesn't look good for Minty.
wstine79 The only difference between Lex Luther and other world leaders is Luther is intelligent so I wish he was the ruler of Australia 😬
Minty would total be his henchman and lord of video propaganda 👍
Luthor is highly intelligent but he's crooked so I think it would be bad.
Jayson Raphael Murdock Pretty much whats in place now.
Mollymoet Don’t kid yourself. Nobody becomes a world leader without being intelligent. Unless it’s an inherited title like N. Korea. 🤮
I Miss old-school
Chris Reeves
Superman.
Part 1&2
Are cinematic
Masterpieces!
It will never be topped or recreated.
@PokémonNerd 98 I love 3. 4 is a little disappointing but enjoyable enough to get more superman. It's still got a better superman than the new movies.
Man of steel was really good. Reeves is always Superman but cavil is a perfect follow up
@PokémonNerd 98 Facts!!!
i like when Ursa says, Supeman, and then throws a manhole cover at him
He had restrained himself from hitting her but knowing she is just as strong and just as bad should have been an incentive to say fuck that "man shouldn't hit a woman" crap. She wants to be a baddie like the others she can get POPPED in the face like them.
@@homelesshannah50 exactly. You think Batman holds back on female criminals or villains? He fucks them up 🤣
@@knightghost1782 why? Cuz Batman don't give a fuck lol
Ursa was a freaking hot gal :]
@Doctor Octagon YAAASSSSS!!! x3
When you think of SUPERMAN you think of Christopher Reeve😎
Except I think of Christoper Reeves because that's what I remember his name being.
@@johnellizz You're thinking of George Reeves from the older TV series. Christopher's surname was Reeve.
@@darthmetallus1977 Except when Christoper's original Superman costume was examined his name was written on the label...it read Reeves. So it would seem that my memory was accurate. In addition, there are tons of residual newspaper articles and movie listings that show that his name was Reeves.
@@johnellizz I'm surprised to hear that. My guess is maybe they were typos. His father was born Reeve.
@@darthmetallus1977 It's called the Mandela Effect. It literally changes reality by altering small details of the world we're familiar with. This changes don't match our memories. But the Effect leaves behind hints that our memories aren't wrong - for example leaving Christopher's name written in the label of his original Superman outfit.
"Come Son of Jor-El kneel before Zod." is still to this day the most iconic & imitated line from the film. Ironically it's one of those lines that survived the Donner & Lester Cuts of the film.
"You are not the president. No one who leads so many could possibly kneel so quickly."
@@PhantomFilmAustralia phatomfill.
Mautrrt
"Why do you say this to me, when you know I will kill you for it?" is the best.
Every time they show these movies the audience claps when margot kidder and christopher reeves names appear in the opening credits rip chris n margot!!
I'm glad I have the DVD with both versions, as I agree there's something to be enjoyed from each. Plus I think growing up, I watched the second movie more than the first. It would've been nice if Donner had directed the movie completely, but his "close enough" cut is still fascinating viewing.
I remember watching it in the 80s and Superman turned back time by flying around the Earth to get it to spin the opposite way to turn back time.
I love the ending they put in all of the superman movies with Reeve flying toward the camera and giving that big smile before the credits run. Rip i bet he was a super guy jn real life. And rip to Margot Kidder.
My favorite of the Christopher Reeve Superman Films!
This and the first one hold a special place in my heart. I am 35 and still get excited when I get a chance to watch it.
The best cut of this movie is The Richard Donner Cut, showing alternate and deleted footage. I watched this on AMC, and it was amazing to watch.
I disagree. It's nice as an exhibition piece, but to me it felt choppy and unrefined. The performances were stiff compared to the Lester re-shot versions, and some of the creative changes that he made (like Niagara Falls) were just nicer to look at. I do enjoy the extra footage, but as a whole the Lester version wins for me.
Another epic scene:
When the President kneels before Zod... Says: "Oh God"
And Zod very subtly corrects him:
"....Zod."
It was not really subtle....
Reminds me of Airplane. Surely you cant be serious. I am. And dont call me Shirley. Different i know but i always think of that for some reason
My favorite part!
That was a good part and creative script!
I used to always see this on HBO at my grandmas house in the 80s
Edward Sanchez ...it was on hbo 24/7 back in the days .lol
Good times! I remember running out the house after the movie ended with my superman cape..I slipped on oil and cracked my head open..haven't been the same since
Ozzy morrison ...that S2 movie beats any of the superman movies made to date. Theyve all sucked
@@robdcollector2808 absolutely! agreed..none have made me feel the way superman 2 has
Lol me to
I still like both versions of superman 2, but the 1st scene in a movie that got me wanting to make a movie and get involved in special effects is when he changes into Superman while running down an alley. I learned about ghosting and transitions due to that scene
40 years and I never heard anyone complain about the kiss
I did mostly on fan forums. It works in the context of the movie, and the love story. But fans need things to whine about.
Yeah I agree with Minty. Although I do love Donner's cut of Superman 2, and wish they could've somehow incorporated Jor-El's role into the Salkind version as well like Donner did in his version, I will say I never liked the ending of it to be honest. While the original theatrical ending was a bit of a cop out, it at least made sense. The whole Superman going back in time to make sure the whole thing never happened didn't make a lot of sense to me in superman 2: donner's cut because then you'd have to ask, why didn't you do that before?
Seriously why even fight Zod and his gang at all after you get your powers back? I mean your just going to go back in time to make sure it all never happens anyways, so were you just fighting them to get your rocks off or something? Seriously think about it.
@@thewolfofwallstreet627 They had to reuse the turning back time ending because that was the original ending to superman to which was then put into superman 1 and before dinner could think of a new ending he was fired. So when they were in the process of making the doner cut dinner either had to chose lester's ending or the original one and the rest is history.
@@bongoman9578 I'm already aware of what you said. I'm just stating that I prefer the salkind ending.
You must not get out much
Superman II is an absolute classic. Love the Donner cut.
J guess I must be weird because I actually like this Superman better than the first one. I think it's because I just love Zod and his crew.
I’m with you too! I’d always choose Superman 2 over the original when I was a kid and watching movies with my little friends.
Its a step up from 1 and that was amazing!!! This was bloody awesome 👏🏻
Cool. Would you kneel before Zod though?
That's not weird at all
Critics praise the original movie, but audiences widely regard the sequel as being superior - and I agree.
"I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed" - General Zod
lol
My first thought lol
Superman one and two = classics! Made childhood fun
Despite its flaws, I've always been fond of Superman II. I remember having a SUperman II sticker album when I was a kid. Could have been a collector's item! For me, the crucial point was when Superman lost his powers. Then I thought: "Actually, Lois Lane fell in love with Superman, not Clark Kent!" Anyway, good fun. Good video, too. One thing, though: at 9:41, I guess you meant General Zod, not Jor-El.
Terrence Stamps chest hair stole the show
His makeup stole the show in Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Talk about 'spectrum of roles'. He's quite the actor's actor.
@@Scottie_S good in the limey
Terrance Stamp's London accent came out when he shouts "Superman"
“Come to me, Supaman!!” I love it. That just makes Mr. Stamp’s interpretation all the more distinctive and definitive.
Like, if Christopher Reeve is still the best Superman, ever.
From what I've seen I will and have always said movie wise Christopher Reeve was and will always be Superman to me.
it's hard to say anything about Henry cavill because I haven't watched his version or anyone else's. Accept in the animated movie Batman dark knight returns where superman appears!
I agree. I also feel Brandon Routh was not given a chance to succeed with Superman Returns. In my opinion he (and the writing) channeled the ideals of Superman much better than the Henry Cavill version.
cavill could have given Reeves a run for his money if he had a script equip in quality. There are moments where I see the comic character brought to life though in everyone who's put on the cape. Reeves will always be the person Superman is measured by dueti his humanity and gentlemanly presence.
Is that a question or a statement?
I also liked how Reeve played Clark Kent and made him a completely different character to Superman, not just "Superman with glasses". Reeve's Kent walked a certain way, said dumb things, the slapstick. It made you believe that even though it was unbelievable that they didn't know that he was Superman, that it would also make you think that they were two different people as well.
I hate to be “that guy” but at 9:41 you miss spoke when you said “Jor-El orders that that kid be killed.”
Should have been “General Zod orders that that kid be killed.”
Great Video none the less Minty!
NERRRRRRRRRRD!! LOL.
HAHAHAH FOR REAL!!!!!!!!!! TOOOOTAL NERRRRD!!!!!
I thought the dumb one did it himself but he ORDERED it?!! Mind blown
True, but wrong also, seeing Terence is Jor-El, just many years later in the Smallville series, so he was correct, but mis-spoke by 30+ years. LOL
Jor-El will make you an offer you can't refuse.
The reason Donner was fired was due to to his refusal to cut out Marlon Brando's scenes as Jor-El from the film, as the Salkinds didn't want to pay Brando's salary for the sequel.
He was fired over an accumulation of things.. The Salkinds and Donner were feuding over the schedule and budget from day one. At one point they were not on speaking terms at all during production..
Brando thought he was shooting footage for one movie. When he found out that half of his scenes were being used for a sequel, he demanded to be paid more. I really don't blame Brando on that note, because it does seem like the Salkinds were trying to pull a fast one, getting twice the profits while only paying Brando once. Well, they opted to not pay Brando, so he put the kibosh of using his footage. The Salkinds really should have been up front from the beginning, and they really should have paid Brando for two movies. Their decision really compromised the film.
There is a great many stories from both sides about why Donner did not return. We will never know the absolute true story, as everyone thinks they are right.
@@jamiebraswell5520 The Salkinds ruined my childhood, and are generally a boil on my ass.
Brando's scenes were much more superior to Susannah York's. The Salkinds being cheap really cost the quality of the film. Didn't they make enough from the film? I remember, it was a huge hit. I saw it three times in the theatres in 1980. Then it was on TV and home video, the Salkinds didn't need to short change anyone. I'm sure, they're still making money off of it.
@@lamarravery4094 Exactly. Normally when a film is as big of a success as Superman was, you don't expect the producers to become cheapskates when making the sequel.
I'm fine with the memory erasing kiss... but what with the cellophane S logo he used as a weapon? That always felt ridiculous to me.
Oh, I love it. Perhaps the corniest of all the schtick in the movie. Just adds to the charm.
I thought it was ok, but the effect looked odd. I was a kid, so didn't really question too much like that.
The Donner Cut is fine, but wasn't it missing the "Care to step outside" line? That's the best part. And what they should've used when he returns in JL as well.
That scene was crap in the doner cut!!! Best part of the film as the theme sends chills down the spine as supes returns and then that iconic line!!! I much prefer the lester/doner version tbh
lester's film is donner's, that's the problem with this, nearly 75% of Superman 2 is Donner's work. The exception scenes are the honeymoon suite and a few scenes with the villians and that stupid scene where Superman through his superman S on the villians at the end of the movie. Whenever there was cheese, you know it was Lester. Donner wanted it darker and grim, the approach lester took did the job, remmeber, without Donner, there would be no Superman 2.
It missed many classic lines. One I liked was when Perry White was telling Clark Kent about the terrorist threat on France and Lois being there. Clark doesn't know about it, and Perry says :- "Get your head out of the clouds, Kent. Don't you watch the news?"Clark Kent:- "Well, I actually don't watch TV, Mr White. Too violent. I'm reading Dickens". I like it because I could imagine Clark Kent being nerdish like that.
@@GisherJohn24 The reason for the new scenes was due to Hollywood rules, Donner did not want credit when the separation occurred because he didn't want his name associated with scenes he didn't believe in, so in order for Lester to get sole credit, he had to have directed 51% of the movie. so he had to re-shoot at least 26% of Donner's footage as well as the final 25% to receive sole credit. So after they scraped Donner's original opening, with Lois jumping, they had to retool the whole Niagara falls scene which is why we got the week fall in the fire moment instead of the shooting the blank scene which unfortunately they never filmed outside of screen tests. And Brando sued the producers for more money even though he knew it was supposed to be for 2 movies so they cut him and hastily inserted Susanna York which then also didn't make sense. And Minty missed one bonus fact.................
I prefer the Donner Cut. The theatrical cut is campy. The Donner cut, although incomplete, has the same tone as the first film. It's made with care and you can tell the actors were affected by not having him there. They even say they were mad about him being gone. Left to his own devices, Lester created Superman 3. The only good part of that film is bad Superman.
"The Donner Cut feels like an incomplete film"
Sorry, but obviously. Imo, I think this shows how his vision could have been superior. Alas, he never had the chance.
Oh this was my favorite movie growing up 👍👍👍
One of my favorite parts of this movie is when the president says there is one man who will never kneel before you and General Zod says, “ who is this imbecile.” Lol. Hilarious.
My favorite Superman film. I even have the OST on vinyl.
Awesome!!!
With the four "S" symbols on each side of the record?
@@dalethelander3781 It most certainly does! I found it in a thrift store almost mint. I was impressed by how they did that hologram effect of the S logo on the vinyl. I'm surprised if never seen them do that effect before and I have quite a few vinyl collection from Queen to Michael Jackson
I remember watching this on TV in the early ‘80’s , and the scene where Non throws the police car light at the kid was in it.
I remember seeing that as well.
Stamp delivers the line differently and more seriously in the Donner Cut: "Why do you say this to me when you know I will kill you for it?"
Sadly a lot of the Donner cut footage is a disappointment. The Brando stuff is good. But actually Chris is off in a lot of the scenes. It was obvious this all shot very early in during production. So he had not completely found his performance yet..
@@dbreiden83080 Some parts in the Donner cut were screen test footage.
@@darthmetallus1977
Not the parts I mean.. Those were obvious. Chris was a scrawny kid.. The scenes in the FOS were off. The Brando stuff worked but Chris was not in character yet..
Look at Zod's makeup. I he has the red blush around his eyes to make him appear more sinister, it is Donner. If he has a more natural shade of makeup and longer hair in the back, it is Lester.
@@dbreiden83080 , agreed, Reeve was not quite comfortable and settled into the character yet in his scenes with Brando. Still, I would take that any day because Brando really is THAT important to the story. Who knows, though. Had Donner returned, he might have reshoot some of those scenes with Reeve. It would be easy enough to do and edit it in with the Brando stuff.
-ohh my god… -NO.. ZOD! best scene EVER.
true
agreed.
Exactly.
That was deep. Great line.
I don't get it
My favorite Superman film
Gene Hackman was brilliant as Lex Luther…one of the most clever portrayals of a comic book character, ever!
No one ever talks about why Sara Douglas had her actually good speaking voice dubbed over by Annie Ross, who played Vera in Superman 3. You can hear Sara in the extended TV cut, she sounds sexy and good. I still don't get the reasoning.
I didn't know that. It does look slightly off when she talks.
When it comes to iconic movies superman, star wars,Indiana jones ,etc .its the music that really gives movies that spark that gives goosebumps. Music makes movies.
The richard donner cut of 2 is my favorite superman film.
The one with the artic police ending? That ending was goofy.
@@christianrapper the artic police isn't in the donner cut that was a deleted scene.
Al Bundy for President the problem is that he didn’t finish the movie. We only have what he shot so far. It’s really not his complete vision. I saw one ending with the villains surviving and being arrested by the artic police which is just silly. I thought that was the donner ending.
@@christianrapper that's in the deleted scenes. Also, in the extended television version.
i will say, the Lester cut is still Donner's movie, anything with Hackman, when Lois lane isn't anorexic, that's all Donner'work. Nearly all the flying sequences are Donner's too. The big scene at the beginning at the tower and honeymoon is Lester, but for the most part, the rest is all Donner. I heard nearly 75%. When they did the donner cut, it became about 90% his adding the Brando scenes.
Ursa is one of the most badass chics I ever seen on my life. Those eyes and vibe can cut diamonds. Other girls wanted to be princesses I wanted to be Ursa.
*Jes she had another set of glass cutters!* 😂
I think this was as good as the first film.as a kid this was my favourite film.good video as always mate.
This blew my mind when i first saw it on the big screen!!! Everyone cheering and stuff. Very cool!!! 😎😎😎 (the memory wiping kiss is very funny when Robot Chicken did it)
Who else saw Superman II in theaters back then?
Me! And, I was young enough that someone had to take me. I remember my Dad asking my older sister to take me, and she wasn't happy because she didn't really have an interest in going at the time. But she did take me and after the movie was over, she said "That was actually a really good movie!" :)
Not only did we (the family) see it, but when we were leaving through one of the hallways to the exit, my dad turned around and said “You want to see it again?” and I was ecstatic. We snuck back around the corner, sat in the middle third row and watched it again!
And it was released in Australia in 1980, yet 1981 in the USA. Strange, but true...
I saw at the state and lake theatre in Chicago
The best thing about the Donner cut (and there are plenty of positives) - it explains how Clark gets his powers back. This is left entirely mysterious in the cinematic release.
It’s up to your imagination, but you do get a scene with Clark grabbing the green crystal.
Margot Kidder was the Lois Lane..
She was great. RIP
By far the best Louis
you mean Lois LAME dint you? I felt Margot was awful as Lois. Her voice alone sounds like she has a permanent sore throat.
I kidder you not
Yes Minty!! Yes!! That's my favorite line my from Superman 2! It was like he was saying "have u met me? have you seen what I do?". My other is "give me another plate of this garbage" 😂👏🏾 I miss Christopher Reeve so much. Great video.
I love the TV cut I used to watch where he walks back to the Fortress to regain his powers and then blows up the Fortress in the end.
Glad you’ve been bringing back the soundtracks as background music in your videos. It really adds to the enthusiasm.
"What I do now, I do for the sake of the people of the world. But there is one man here on Earth who will never kneel before you."
"Who is this imbecile? Where is he?"
When u hear the superman music comes on you kno shit finna go down lol🙏😎😂😞😣😣😞😉😍😌😎😞😞😂😣😣😣💖💖💨💤💤💤💖💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏💖🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Please do Heavy Metal (1981), and I'll send you some plutonium nyborg.
Love that movie
@@Cheprock83 It was shit
Hell yeah
"STERRRNNN!!! STERRRNNN!!!"
"Let's just hold hands...."...she was fierce
Although I like the new technology in CGI, I have to say that Chris Reeves played a great Superman. That's not to take away from the other actors though.
Christopher Reeves Superman was my hero growing up as a small lad. I had the superman wall paper, quilt, books. In my 40s now and ill still watch these movies from time to time
As a 6 year old kid in 1980, this film had a huge impact on me. Somewhere in my still developing brain I believed that if I wanted it enough I could be a Superman. Although of course that was not possible. However, even today as a deeply flawed adult, when times are difficult, I still draw on that original desire to try and be the best version of myself that I can be. Maybe not quite super, but something good.
Now you're talking! I fondly remember seeing this movie on the big screen when I was 7 years of age. Christopher Reeve's performance of Superman, along with the orchestral soundtrack composed by John Williams, made a lifelong impact on me at such a young age.
Yep, I was also this age then. Those deleted scenes I remember well from the TV versions, soffle, kid never becomes a man. I might still have on vhs who knows. Still the best Super hero film ever made, 1 and 2, bar none
As a Big Superman fan I have all the Documentaries on this film series. And the Behind the Scenes Drama could have been made into a movie itself.. It was nuts..
The scene with the M16 is in fact, the only scene in which I smile in the entire film! 😁
Saw this 5 times in the theatre as a kid. Loved it then and I love it now , this movie is the reason we have these super hero movies today . Superman 1 and 2 are the shit .
I always liked that Superman's Mother was the force ghost that he visited in the second movie like he visited the force ghost of his father in the first movie, because it takes two forces a male and female to make a child
futuramayeah not to mention:
The first film deals with fatherly themes, such as treating humanity as your family, keeping your word and making tough decisions.
The second deals with similar themes, but more motherly themes, such as sacrifice and love.
So it makes sense that both his father _and_ mother have an equal effect on his character, and equal screen time in the combined films.
If I could turn back time....
Love all the Superman gear the stars are wearing in the photos.
Minty, ruler of Australia this has been a good video. Now kneel before ZOD!!!
Zod is one of my favorite villains. I really think Terrance should have gotten an Oscar nomination
Of the two versions I prefer Lester's version for 2 simple reasons it's what came out in theaters and Donners version although very good feels incomplete or unfinished what warners brothers should do is like people behind Blade Runner they should make a Ultimate Cut combined both Donner Version and the Lester Version therefore combining both into one
I love these rare pics in your doc!!!
Christopher Reeve is a legend
I'm going to cut these movies together today with the main focus on keeping the original ending while leaving the Brando parts in tact and removing some of the silliest moments. Any ideas on what you guys would like to see?
Did anyone spot Harry Potters Uncle Vernon in the film?
I've always loved the way Terence Stamp's cockney comes out when he yells at Ursa and Lon in the Fortress of Solitude, 'tyke 'im!'
Sarah Douglas was so hot!!
The greatest Superman film of them all. Sarah Douglas has a huge online following her efforts in keeping these film's legacy alive. She is amazing.
We come from a land down-under » beach-side property. Calling Australia, "beach-side property" was a great line!
Well, to be fair to Donner, he intended to use a different ending for Superman II because the time travel sequence got moved to the end of the first Superman, and Donner decided that he'd just figure out a new ending for Superman II once he finished the first film and got back to work on the sequel.
We'll never know what ending Donner would've come up with for Superman II, but I do know it would have ended with Lois still knowing that Clark was Superman and would also have set up the Brainiac plotline for Superman III... which also, sadly, never happened.
4:07 I guess you missed the part where a Kryptonian who is neither Kal-El’s mother or father is talking about trees?
Joe-El didn’t “imprint” himself (or just himself) on the green crystal - the green crystal had everything Joe-El wanted Kal-El to remember/learn about Krypton.
So short of being a stone cold bastard, I don’t think Joe-El would leave out his kid’s mother.
4:57 I know people gripe about the “plastic S”, but I loved it as a kid and still do. I love(d) the idea that Superman’s suit had functionality and wasn’t just some cotton leotards.
As far as the S disappearing so quickly, I felt that the S could contain someone indefinitely, depending on how long Superman wanted the target held. It disappears on Non because Superman knows it won’t contain him, so it’s there to get him angry.
If you notice, everything Superman does is to piss off the Super Villains, so by the time he makes a Batman Gambit with Luthor and uses the molecule chamber, they’re too angry and/or gloating with impending victory to notice the red lights or their bodies changing.
12:04 that pink, evening glow is the _city on fire!_
The S thing happened on episode of Family Guy. I never laughed so hard 😂
@@xiong994 m.ruclips.net/video/j_zRBULj_PU/видео.html
The Donner cut of the White House siege was way ahead of its time. It really underlined Superman later returning the dome and apologizing to the President for his absence.
So Richard Pryor was supposed to be Mxyzptlk? Why the hell wasn't that turned into a movie?!
This is easily the best one, by far. So many great lines i watched this over and over as a kid, good times.
"Why do you say this to me, when you know i will kill you for it?"
General Zod
This was great. Still learning new things about this film. The original theatrical version of Superman II is still my favorite. Love it.
Nothing like seeing him run though that Ally as Clark and changing into Superman.
Crazy to think that the love scene is still controversial. Did he not use super protection?
You're channel is great. I talk with friends at work about it. Hello from Boston!
When I was a kid the first time I saw Ursa I realized what evil but sexy was.😛
General Zod is awesome! Terence stamp just steals every scene he is in!
There's better be a "Kneel before Minty!" in this video. Or I will be sorely disappointed.
“What an undemanding make this Superman must be”
Lol Ursa was awesome. What a babe!
I thought Ursa was sexy as hell!
Minty I want to thank you for these videos I really enjoy them.
The Donner Cut was great to see and I really enjoyed it, but it can never truly replace the Lester version as the official sequel. Why? Because the Donner Cut is a sequel to a version of Superman The Movie that never existed.
See, when they were filming 1 and 2 back to back, Superman The Movie was going to end with the cliffhanger of the criminals being freed from the Phantom zone by the missile. There was no death of Lois, and no turning back time. Notice in the Daily Planet scene at the start of the Donner Cut, the earthquake is in the headlines, as it was never undone by the time reverse. The time reverse was always intended for Superman II's finale.
When the decision was made to focus on the first movie only, the expensive effects shot for turning back time was already completed and the Salkinds wanted to use it here just in case Superman II never happened, so it was worked in to the finale of the first film. Had Donner returned, a new ending would have been created for Superman II since the time reverse was already utilized.
After all of these many years, it was not possible to film a new ending, so Donner stuck to that original plan of time travel. So, if you replace the theatrical cut with the Donner Cut, then using time travel twice makes the entire thing pretty lame.
The Donner Cut will always be an awesome glimpse at what could have been. Now, what I would like to see is a new cut of the film that uses everything possible from both directors to present the best version. Imean, the Donner Cut as it exists today...unfinished...could really use some Lester scenes to fill it out and make it run better, and yes, we would stick with the magic kiss ending because it is the only ending to use without repeating time travel.
I have the Richard Donner DVD of Superman 2.
It's either before the film starts, or in the Bonus Material on the DVD, Richard Donner gives a speech about the film & he does in fact point out that it may feel incomplete, but that's because the reel of film that contained some scenes that he had filmed went missing & was never found. Richard Donner also points out how he had to use Screen Tests & tried to blend them into the film. It really is worth watching the Bonus Material.
I didn't enjoy the Donner Cut..I'd much rather get my hands on that rare 1984 Extended TV Edition.
Yes even the torrent sites don't have the complete recording. And my 1983 TV recordered videotape was stolen from home during a burglary
I had it on VHS...until I threw away all of my VHS tapes when I moved in 2004.
Excellent version. To me, definitive. Pitch dark
Really learned a lot from this one Minty,love your work,subscribed along time ago,keep up the good work,we are watching!