Yup. This movie caused a chain reaction, a domino effect, that led to Keaton Batman, the Fox X-Men movies, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies, all of which itself led to the MCU being a thing.
@loganbigmo absolutely true before this movie superheroes movies were to much of a risk of backfiring. I'm 20 years old born 28 years after this movie came out and while I acknowledge other Superhero movies and superheroes are better, this is my favorite superhero movie and my favourite superhero.
Saw this as a small child in the cinema with my whole family in Oxford, UK - either 78 or 79. This scene got the audience clapping, standing and cheering - it made quite an impression on little me!
You are right on! The music is great. And I love the shot of him looking at the phone and then pulling open his shirt to reveal the superman logo. Awesome stuff. It does never get old. I think the first Superman is my favorite. I really like 2 and 3 as well.
I cried in 78 in the theater with this scene.....and till today I still can't stop tearing for some reason when he rescues lois..im a 48yr old man for God's sake...that's how much impact Christopher had on me
@Project Lee You're 100% right, but The Man of Steel is the Trump version of Superman 😒. Superman was never meant to be dark. The Man of Steel did to Superman what the last The last Jedi did to Star Wars(RUINED IT)
That was absolutely put in the movie for an easy laugh. The funny thing is Superman RARELY changed inside a phone booth in the comics. That idea/cliche took off from the Superman cartoons from the 1940s.
I really like that he’s still smiling when he turns to leave- he’s not just putting on a brave face for people, he actively enjoys doing the right thing. Christopher Reeve just *got* it. It’s so hard to encapsulate a big legacy character like Superman and he absolutely nailed it
And when he faces other people, he's not smiling so widely, just showing that heroic confidence and that he is still "a friend" here to save the day. Christopher Reeve is one of those people I hope to meet in the next life, and shake his hand in thanks for his golden portrayal of the one true Superman who makes our hearts shine with joy.
People don't seem to get that while a lot of superheroes used to be cheesy because of the time period in which they were created (like Batman), Superman is _supposed_ to be cheesy. He's supposed to be a happy-go-lucky, friendly, optimistic guy, with a chipper smile on his face and an eagerness to do the right thing. That's his whole character. To paint him as some dramatic, tragic figure, a tortured soul with an inner wrath on the brink of breaking loose... That misses the entire point of the character. It's why I hate Injustice, why I'm not a huge fan of Henry Cavill's Superman, and why Christopher Reeves is the best we've ever gotten. Fortunately, Tyler Hoechlin also seems to get the character, which makes Superman and Lois one of the best pieces of Superman media _since_ Reeves played the role.
I remember seeing this in the theater the first night of it's release in 1978. When Superman caught the helicopter, there was NO ONE sitting in their seat. EVERYONE was on their feet. I'm proud to say I was there.
@@LinkedHero It was a little bit of both. About 50/50. The thing with this movie was, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was shown in any of the previews. It was mostly an image of floating through clouds and the tagline "You will believe a man can fly", so we had no idea what to expect. That's what made it such an experience.
Catching the helicopter was awesome. But the part where he first looked at the payphone before using the revolving door to change was much funnier to audiences in 1978 than today. First of all, I am not sure kids today know what a payphone is. But leaving that aside, people much younger than I am (56) probably don't realize that Superman was famous for using phone booths to change. But by 1978, most phone booths had been replaced with the open design that Christopher Reeve looked at and moved on. That got a huge laugh in 1978.
@@michaelmcchesney6645I recognized that when watching this as a child, in the 1980s. I think my generation was probably the last to experience pay.phones and rotary dialing and such.
"I just cannot believe it. He got her!" It can't be stated enough that part of what makes this scene so magical is the reaction of the crowd. There's genuine awe in their faces and you can just feel it.
Absolutely. The horror on the crowd's faces as 1:01 as Lois falls really adds to the impact of the scene. Really, this whole sequence is a masterclass in filmmaking.
01:11 The woman says "I can't believe it, he got her" instead of saying " Wtf is a man doing flying in the air?! Anything else she needed to say should have came afterwards! Lmao
I, like a lot of people in the Comments section, tear up at this scene. I think it’s mainly the crowd reaction of seeing this unfold, and the perfection in the execution of the scene in general. The score is synced flawlessly as well. Just a thing of beauty. This scene will always hold a special place in my heart.
Remember kids: If *not* for Superman: The Movie you wouldn't see Batman, X-men, Spider-man and the Avengers. This movie broke the ground and paved the way for the superhero genre. Superman did for the superhero genre what Star Wars did for sci fi. Elevated it into the mainstream.
Perfect, it did. :). It was the first non-2d wire-flying movie. It really was the basis for superhero movies today (like Batman) as we all know it. This was indeed the first.
I couldn't agree with you more. My dad got me into science fiction when I was little, and I never got a chance to tell him thank you for that cause he passed away 21 years ago.
Christopher Reeve's amused "hm" in response to "Who's got you?!?!?" is just perfect. The entire scene is great, but that's the part I could rewatch over and over and over.
I first saw this scene in 1994 when I was 8 years old! I became a visual effects artist because of him. Thank you Christopher Reeve, the one and only Superman!
I normally am not the biggest fan of Superman, but this movie will always make me smile so hard. Reeves' Superman is just so authentic to what I imagine Superman being, straight from the page
@@danbasta3677 I never saw it. I've heard he was able to play many parts. I think it might have been damaging to his career to be Superman. I remember seeing him in another movie before he played Superman. He was quite versatile.
Richard Donner knew EXACTLY how to make a superhero movie. He set the standard for decades to come. And Christopher Reeve’s performance, of course, was brilliant in its simple innocence.
THAT was the feel of the "comic-book" they were going for, i.e. the innocence and wonder of a child reading it-- as shown in the opening scene with a little boy opening and narrating the Superman comic to the audience: since that's what it was trying to relate.
He knew exactly how to do this film. He knew the material was funny, but they couldn't be funnier than the material. By playing it straight, the laughs come naturally and it isn't camp.
@@ponokunishima1 Yeah; the base for a perfect DVD/Blu-ray box of the "Superman" tetralogy is: "Superman", "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut", "Superman III" and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace"
No actor will NEVER play the role of Superman like Christopher Reeve did. Still get goosebumps when he rips open his shirt and you hear that theme start. Wish i born earlier when this came out in the late 70s to see it in theaters
Look at the part when he was running across the street before he ripped open his shirt. There was a guy and lady in the background who accidentally looked at him then turned away 😄😄
I'm from India. That direction, that screenplay, that editing, that music, that shirt rip to show the S and of course, Christopher Reeve. This is the single greatest scene that I've watched in all of movies till date [born a yr after this movie release].
2:15. I don’t know if this was in the script or at the direction of Donner, but Chris Reeve’s smile as he walked away is what makes his casting so perfect. Yes, he looks like the character and totally sells you on the physical feats. But here we see him simply enjoying the moment. Superman knows Lois talks nonstop and, for once, she’s speechless.
I'm 51 and I was an 8 yr old when I saw this in the movies in 78. that scene of him running and then opening his shirt had me jumping up and down in the seat!!!!
"You've got me? Who's got you?" I get a jolt of electricity through my spine every time I hear that line in this scene. It was absolute genius to put such a boldly comedic line in the middle of this intense action scene. And one that perfectly encapsulates Lois' spunky personality in this movie. I will also note to critics that Superman lets both Lois and the helicopter drop a little bit when he catches them. So he is not defying the laws of physics here. He is avoiding doing damage by slowing them down first before reversing their course. He is not bringing them to an abrupt stop.
@Kevin McDougall That sounds a little bit like what John Byrne invented in his Superman comics revamp in 1986. From the Wiki: "Tactile Telekinesis An attempt was made to explain Superman's ability to fly with large objects through the introduction of tactile telekinesis. Objects that Superman touched were enveloped by an invisible telekinetic field that allowed him to move them with the force of his will. The ability also explained Superman's ability to fly."
@Kevin McDougall Telekinesis can explain many of his standard abilities. Superstrength, including the ability to lift objects in ways that leverage and material strength should make impossible - He's actually grabbing it in a TK field and supporting it all over. Invulnerability - Skin tight telekinetic absorbtion field Eye Lasers, Freeze breath - Manipulating the vibration speed and therefore the temperatures of the molecules. Even the visible light of the laser eyes can be explained as using telekinesis to create refracted light. Flight - Self-levitation. Surviving and breathing in space - Telekinetic atmosphere containment field, molecular vibration control of temperature, plus decomposing the air in his lungs back into oxygen. Superspeed is canonically the speed force, however.
Once I was in a university dorm room full of engineering undergrads and we were watching Superman together. (mid '80s) This scene sparked an argument about why Superman grabbing the helicopter could/could not happen due to physics/mass/inertia/center of gravities. Decades later, when I watch TBBT, with Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj having one of THEIR arguments re: comic book hero superpowers, I can't help but smile and remember. :)
Almost 50 years later. This sequence STILL holds up! Brings a smile to my face every time. The most impressive shot in the entire movie flying sequences is @2:49 when he takes off straight up and out into the dark. Done practically. Still amazing to watch.
Agreed. Also love the music score build up when Clark looks up to see what’s going on and he’s looking for a place to remove his civilian clothes. Just brilliant in so many ways.
This is the best and most iconic scene in all of the Superman films. You always want to jump up and cheer as Superman catches Lois, and raises the helicopter single-handedly! It is a symbol of heroic triumph. It is a beacon of hope, much like that of the torch held by the Statue of Liberty! Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder are irreplaceable. Forever in the hearts of longtime Superman fans, and in future fans to come!
Yes. It slows down towards the end, gets boring, but then the time travel thing surprises you. He would do another time travel movie, with Jane Seymour (who was in Battlestar Gallactica). .. Somewhere in Time.
Kelly KitKat This movie and the number 2never bored me one bit as a child and an adult, it was captivating. Full of energy, hope and grand great acting.
This scene still gives me the shivers, and tears in my eyes, 35 years after first time I saw it. A little boy got marked for life. Movies don’t get better than this!
I feel blessed to be born in the early 70s and got to witness all those classics as a young child when I believed there really were men capable of flying! RIP Mr Reeve
1978, I was six. Just seen star wars, which impressed me, then Superman came out. Star wars the toy advert was forgotten about. "Who are you?" "A friend" Supes flies off. Still gives me shivers and is probably one the best written scene for a superhero film ever, even outclasses the Mediocre Marvel films
Don't care what ANYONE says...this movie started it all, the superhero movie genre!! IT still the 1st and best superhero film of all time. It hits all the marks...great action, great actors, great script, timeless score, never before seen cutting edge special effects (at the time LOL) humor and haert!!
Truly historical motion picture. Before CGI, and other computer effects.. they were creative, worked hard at making you believe. Watched this as a kid about 5/6 years old in the cinema in Chicago. The crowd reaction in the theater was explosive .. I’ll never forget. The music helped to make this scene so magical as well. Reeves was the real deal.
This movie is the gold standard of all Superman films. Each scene was exceptionally crafted. For me, the most important element was a subtle sense of humor that brought out a warmth to the characters and the story. Richard Donner was a genius.
Everything about this scene was so perfect. Makes me wish I could travel back in time and see this movie in the theatres, reading all these stories of the audiences cheering and applauding loudly when Clark opens his shirt to reveal the S inside, the glorious laugh to Lois's "You've got me... Who's got YOU?!" And another fantastic cheer when he catches the helicopter. It's like being with the citizens of Metropolis, all cheering and smiling brightly as Superman is here to save the day. One other endearing detail I love is how Superman has that big grin when he looks away from Lois, but when he turns around, he's got that expression that is more firm and confident, but polite and friendly. I can imagine the audience got one more good laugh when Lois fainted. Superman will always be one of the greatest superhero films ever, and Christopher Reeve will forever be the one and only Superman. God bless him.
I saw the movie on the teather...it was such a perfect scene for the superman first apearance to the world..i remember the feeling of seeing the superhero doing things that i could only imagine...flying and all that... AWESOME!
This sequence is nigh on perfect. It shows the wonder and power of Superman but also his humanity. Man Of Steel really needed a scene like this with Superman being Superman. Instead, Clark is entirely reactive, only coming out of hiding because Zod forced him to and then he basically destroyed Smallville.
They're trying to make Superman look cool. They need to stop trying, he's literally the most popular comic book character ever. Just let Superman be Superman, the big blue boy scout.
I'd have liked Man of Steel a lot more if there was more of a midsection. He becomes Superman, reveals himself to the world, goes to work at the Daily Planet, averts a few disasters around the world, then Zod's invasion happens.
I can hardly argue against it. I can't tell you how often I replayed this scene with my self made Supermen figures ( made out of "The New Adventures of He-Man" action figures). I just love this movie.
Morgan Mosley I was 1 when this came out and by the time I was 5 I was hooked. Watched this movie almost every day at my neighbors apartment who owned it on laser disc ☺️😂🙂
Too many superman movies with so many actors playing the part. Even with all the shuffling around, no one comes close to Christopher Reeve. Christopher Reeve is Superman period.
So many jump cuts and reaction shots perfectly timed while still maintaining focus on the subject and story of the frame. That’s why this feels so realistic. I can’t get over it.
an excellent well made film from Richard Donner to the late great Chris Reeve to John Williams score everything came together here.did I forget the great Derek Meddings special effects-a true classic!
There are many scenes in many films that are great, often for different reasons. Supes making his first appearance and saving Lois is simply perfect. The build-up, the tension and then the save, perfectly timed. The script is great, the performances are charming and the effects are superb; you really believe a man can fly. And the music is unforgettable. This scene never gets old. I must have watched it a thousand times.
When I was a child, I was blessed to see this film, in the theater. I jumped out of my seat, with excitement, when he caught her!; Great memories! #ibelievethatamancanfly
Well...Consider that in those twelve years he spent under his late dad's tutelage in The Fortress of Solitude, all the vast cosmic academic ground they first needed to cover together before Clark could grow up, become strong, wise and mature enough to finally become Superman...The subject of how human males wear their underwear never quite came up. :)
My beloved late father always loved this scene, great first appearance of Superman and very dramatic mixed in with John williams's great score! Christopher reeve,the one and only Superman, forever!!!
I remember seeing this in the vinema back in 1978. One of the best moment sof themovie, the cheers when Christopher Reeve pulled open his short to reveal that "S". John Willaims' triumphal music in the background, Reeve was perfect as Superman. "Who _are_ you? " "A friend"
That movie was a pure miracle. Everything worked like magic. Casting, music, photography, production design, costume design, special effects...Good editing is invisible, so it's often overlooked, but this scene is one of the best examples of how masterful the editing by the great Stuart Baird was.
So many elements make this scene work perfectly, as others have said. But what stands out for me besides the music is the applause when Superman catches the helicopter. Nobody on Earth knew he existed until this point, but they immediately show their gratitude to him for preventing a tragedy which they were sure was inevitable.
And you could tell that he was having a little cute fun at her expense, allowing that inner mischievous boy out to impishly tease her for just a moment!
NOBODY compares to him as SuperMan and i have a serious impression nobody ever will. PERFECT behavior PERFECT poise PERFECT demeanor AND All that you see on that suit ,its just him looking PERFECT. RIP Chris,Margot and Richard .
I wholeheartedly agree. But, even Christopher Reeve would have deferred to the late George Reeves, the other living embodiment of Superman. Had George lived to see Christoper, he would have been very proud of him! Both George Reeves AND Christopher Reeve were born to play Superman. It's a dead heat photo finish! Both of them brought completely different interpretations to Clark and Superman, yet BOTH were completely valid. Superman is all about dignity, inspiration, grace, and charm. Both men knew that. It's a tragedy that George never lived to meet Chris. Fate is cruel. (Had he lived, he should have played Jor-El or Pa Kent!) May they all rest in peace!
I love that dudes reaction. The first man ever to see Superman. Hes not speechless or struck with disbelief. He's just impressed with his outfit and thinks him flying off is worthy of a 'Wowh!"
Brilliant touch with Clark, going up to the phone both and thinking "maybe I can change here" mr.donner, sir you were one of the greatest filmmakers ever in the history of Hollywood __ thank-you.
*THIS!* This is the Superman I will always love and remember. A simple, straightforward, film about good and evil. No nuances. No trying to check off the 'right' boxes to pander to certain interest groups. No trying to hijack the script to make a profound, 'woke' statement to pound into the heads of the audience. If you came away with any message from the film, great. If you didn't, then fine, as long as you enjoyed the movie. I fear that 43 years later, we've somehow lost that. Now, EVERY TV show and movie has to have a 'right' message to shove on the audience. Every director seems to feel that they HAVE to use the show or movie to push home a moral point. Can't we just get back to this? A more simpler time, when we could enjoy what we want, without others telling us how to enjoy something...or worse, when it's something *they* don't like, how we can't enjoy it.
All movies are stories and stories have messages in them. That is why people tell stories to share the messages in them. The message in this movie and the Superman story is that you have great powers , do you use them to help or harm others? Superman decides to use his powers to help people
Although I've seen this film a million times on TV, DVD since I was a kid and loved it. I just got back from the theater with my 3 sons and seen the 45th anniversary release of this movie for the first time! with my 3 sons and it's a brand-new experience! For the both of us.
This scene was really awesome where Superman appears for the first time and everyone's reaction when they first see him and when they start playing the theme song when he catches the helicopter.
I just love the LOOK (cinematography) of a Richard Donner movie, don't you? It's so distinct, especially in the late 70's/early 80s - Superman, the Omen, good looking films.
This wasn't just the moment that Christopher Reeve became Superman. This was the moment that the entire superhero genre changed forever.
You are absolutely spot on with that comment
Facts
Absolutely 👌
Yup. This movie caused a chain reaction, a domino effect, that led to Keaton Batman, the Fox X-Men movies, the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man movies, all of which itself led to the MCU being a thing.
@loganbigmo absolutely true before this movie superheroes movies were to much of a risk of backfiring. I'm 20 years old born 28 years after this movie came out and while I acknowledge other Superhero movies and superheroes are better, this is my favorite superhero movie and my favourite superhero.
The music, the crowd's reaction, the dialogue - one of the best movie scenes ever that never gets old.
Yeah I know
Saw this as a small child in the cinema with my whole family in Oxford, UK - either 78 or 79. This scene got the audience clapping, standing and cheering - it made quite an impression on little me!
You are right on! The music is great. And I love the shot of him looking at the phone and then pulling open his shirt to reveal the superman logo. Awesome stuff. It does never get old. I think the first Superman is my favorite. I really like 2 and 3 as well.
Never get old, and Sheldon got it totally wrong in Big Bang theory. No eidetic memory.
I absolutely agree with you Richard.
I love the line “You’ve got me?! Who’s got you?!” Perfect Lois response.
And it was reused in the DC Animated movie: The Death of Superman.
@@TheScribe1.0 +1 for a fact-based, value added comment
The great Margot Kidder.
Ditto ! 😊
Never was a Margo Kidder fan....
❤ Christopher Reeve is The Superman. RIP. Redefined the superhero genre. He was the best.
Christopher Reeve didn’t play Superman. He was Superman.
He was the best❤
Fr
" well Superman where are you now ?
when everything gone
wrong somehow ." 🎼🎵🎶☮🌎
@@MarkNavarro-k1z yeah
Absolutely. No one has done Superman right since because Christopher was Superman. Period.
I cried in 78 in the theater with this scene.....and till today I still can't stop tearing for some reason when he rescues lois..im a 48yr old man for God's sake...that's how much impact Christopher had on me
You too?
The scene where Clark has to say goodbye to Ma Kent really choked me up..and still does. Just pure cinema perfection
@@KarlA-vk4kn oh yeah, every time.
@Project Lee You're 100% right, but The Man of Steel is the Trump version of Superman 😒. Superman was never meant to be dark. The Man of Steel did to Superman what the last The last Jedi did to Star Wars(RUINED IT)
zbndriorirtiieksh. ynnaooak a. zvjiqi
The phone booth spoof was perfectly inserted. Even as a child, I understood that from the Comic Books. Beautiful!
Betraying my age, watching it in the theater, it got a really good laugh.
Phone booth are rare
That was absolutely put in the movie for an easy laugh. The funny thing is Superman RARELY changed inside a phone booth in the comics. That idea/cliche took off from the Superman cartoons from the 1940s.
I always thought it was Underdog that used a phone booth to change.
Gives me goosebumps everytime I watch this scene... Best Superman ever R.i.p Christopher Reeve
I love how Superman waves and says "Bye" as he flies away. He is just so wholesome.
Makes you feel glad Superman found his way to America!!
The casual way he said it: "Just all in a days work."
@@superstarultra28 like superman should be
MUSIC, TONE, this movie is the gold standard of superhero movies.
I really like that he’s still smiling when he turns to leave- he’s not just putting on a brave face for people, he actively enjoys doing the right thing. Christopher Reeve just *got* it. It’s so hard to encapsulate a big legacy character like Superman and he absolutely nailed it
The same epic grin at the end of each movie when he flies around the planet as he smiles into the cameras
And when he faces other people, he's not smiling so widely, just showing that heroic confidence and that he is still "a friend" here to save the day. Christopher Reeve is one of those people I hope to meet in the next life, and shake his hand in thanks for his golden portrayal of the one true Superman who makes our hearts shine with joy.
You damn right he did!! I still laugh when he walks by the pay phone. That expression on his face is priceless!!
I saw on another yt video on mistakes in movies and this one had a few and one of them was him smiling as he walked away. He wasn't supposed to smile.
People don't seem to get that while a lot of superheroes used to be cheesy because of the time period in which they were created (like Batman), Superman is _supposed_ to be cheesy. He's supposed to be a happy-go-lucky, friendly, optimistic guy, with a chipper smile on his face and an eagerness to do the right thing. That's his whole character. To paint him as some dramatic, tragic figure, a tortured soul with an inner wrath on the brink of breaking loose... That misses the entire point of the character. It's why I hate Injustice, why I'm not a huge fan of Henry Cavill's Superman, and why Christopher Reeves is the best we've ever gotten. Fortunately, Tyler Hoechlin also seems to get the character, which makes Superman and Lois one of the best pieces of Superman media _since_ Reeves played the role.
I remember seeing this in the theater the first night of it's release in 1978. When Superman caught the helicopter, there was NO ONE sitting in their seat. EVERYONE was on their feet. I'm proud to say I was there.
Wow that is so cool!
@@nelsonc6173 It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in a theater!
@@LinkedHero It was a little bit of both. About 50/50. The thing with this movie was, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING was shown in any of the previews. It was mostly an image of floating through clouds and the tagline "You will believe a man can fly", so we had no idea what to expect. That's what made it such an experience.
I envy you
@@orlandobabe Thank you, dear. You're very kind to say that. ☺️
Dude straight one-handed caught a helicopter like a rock star. This is one of the most epic scenes in Hollywood history.
It's not "Dude". It was Christopher Reeve.
Catching the helicopter was awesome. But the part where he first looked at the payphone before using the revolving door to change was much funnier to audiences in 1978 than today. First of all, I am not sure kids today know what a payphone is. But leaving that aside, people much younger than I am (56) probably don't realize that Superman was famous for using phone booths to change. But by 1978, most phone booths had been replaced with the open design that Christopher Reeve looked at and moved on. That got a huge laugh in 1978.
@@michaelmcchesney6645I recognized that when watching this as a child, in the 1980s. I think my generation was probably the last to experience pay.phones and rotary dialing and such.
Over 40 years later and hollywood has yet to recapture the magic of this Superman movie.
@@RyderDavisit's not "Christopher Reeves", its dude.
This scene is literally perfect. It still holds up all these years later!
It really does. Those practical effects were spot on
Statistically speaking , Chritopher Reeve is the best Superman actor of all time. RIP.
and statistically speaking, flying is STILL the safest way to travel. 40+ years later.
@DaleWinarski
Nah, walking is.
@@lyndoncmp5751actually it isn’t believe it or not.
He was a symbol of hope that the character always needed
Couldn’t agree more
"I just cannot believe it. He got her!" It can't be stated enough that part of what makes this scene so magical is the reaction of the crowd. There's genuine awe in their faces and you can just feel it.
Absolutely. The horror on the crowd's faces as 1:01 as Lois falls really adds to the impact of the scene. Really, this whole sequence is a masterclass in filmmaking.
01:11 The woman says "I can't believe it, he got her" instead of saying " Wtf is a man doing flying in the air?! Anything else she needed to say should have came afterwards! Lmao
It does at that, but ... there is no way that reporter could have known it was a "he" at that distance. Still this scene is cinema magic.
@@benclassified9451 You know Ben, once upon a time the male pronouns were used generally.
@Norin Ali For your information, we are aware of that. I was just pointing out an obvious glitch in the continuity of the movie.
I, like a lot of people in the Comments section, tear up at this scene. I think it’s mainly the crowd reaction of seeing this unfold, and the perfection in the execution of the scene in general. The score is synced flawlessly as well. Just a thing of beauty. This scene will always hold a special place in my heart.
They just tru to look cool and bad ass at the end they will never shadow the emotions this scene has caused in generation of viewers
You’re gay lol
wanted to see this on big screen
Amen. What a special moment it time. Reeve was the right man for that job. Williams's score is perfect.
Remember kids: If *not* for Superman: The Movie you wouldn't see Batman, X-men, Spider-man and the Avengers. This movie broke the ground and paved the way for the superhero genre. Superman did for the superhero genre what Star Wars did for sci fi. Elevated it into the mainstream.
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
That's true. OG status forever.
Perfect, it did. :). It was the first non-2d wire-flying movie. It really was the basis for superhero movies today (like Batman) as we all know it. This was indeed the first.
I couldn't agree with you more. My dad got me into science fiction when I was little, and I never got a chance to tell him thank you for that cause he passed away 21 years ago.
superman 1 & 2 still greatest superhero movies of all time
Christopher Reeve's amused "hm" in response to "Who's got you?!?!?" is just perfect. The entire scene is great, but that's the part I could rewatch over and over and over.
I first saw this scene in 1994 when I was 8 years old! I became a visual effects artist because of him. Thank you Christopher Reeve, the one and only Superman!
Brandon Routh did a awesome job as superman also
I normally am not the biggest fan of Superman, but this movie will always make me smile so hard.
Reeves' Superman is just so authentic to what I imagine Superman being, straight from the page
why are you not a fan of superman
I'm a fan of superman why not you
It shows he was a talented actor.
@@christopherfoote4643 He was in yet a much better movie called Somewhare In Time in 1980. Now that's a movie.
@@danbasta3677 I never saw it. I've heard he was able to play many parts. I think it might have been damaging to his career to be Superman. I remember seeing him in another movie before he played Superman. He was quite versatile.
Richard Donner knew EXACTLY how to make a superhero movie. He set the standard for decades to come. And Christopher Reeve’s performance, of course, was brilliant in its simple innocence.
THAT was the feel of the "comic-book" they were going for, i.e. the innocence and wonder of a child reading it-- as shown in the opening scene with a little boy opening and narrating the Superman comic to the audience: since that's what it was trying to relate.
He knew exactly how to do this film. He knew the material was funny, but they couldn't be funnier than the material. By playing it straight, the laughs come naturally and it isn't camp.
Too bad they didn’t use Richard Donner’s version in the theaters.
@@ponokunishima1 Yeah; the base for a perfect DVD/Blu-ray box of the "Superman" tetralogy is: "Superman", "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut", "Superman III" and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace"
Can't say the same for his version of the sequel. The ending just made watching the movie a colossal waste, and repetitive.
No actor will NEVER play the role of Superman like Christopher Reeve did.
Still get goosebumps when he rips open his shirt and you hear that theme start. Wish i born earlier when this came out in the late 70s to see it in theaters
I remember the cheer that went up in the theatre when Chris tore open his shirt.
@@PlasmaCoolantLeak I wasn't born yet when it came out but i can imagine people cheering during that part. I would, too.
@Project Lee wish we had a real life Superman
Look at the part when he was running across the street before he ripped open his shirt. There was a guy and lady in the background who accidentally looked at him then turned away 😄😄
"Excuse me", then shoots up to save Louis. What a scene, Reeve all day 👍
Christopher Reeves always has been and always will be THE Superman!
Except that his name is Christopher Reeve with no s. George Reeves (with the s) played Superman on TV in the ‘50s.
You are correct.There is only one Superman.And we know who he is.
Movie = Christopher REEVE. TV show = George REEVES. Learn it. Know it. Live it.
@@trwent LOL! Fast Times at Ridgemont High. 🙂
@@emartin787 👏 Judge Reinhold.
I'm from India. That direction, that screenplay, that editing, that music, that shirt rip to show the S and of course, Christopher Reeve. This is the single greatest scene that I've watched in all of movies till date [born a yr after this movie release].
2:15. I don’t know if this was in the script or at the direction of Donner, but Chris Reeve’s smile as he walked away is what makes his casting so perfect. Yes, he looks like the character and totally sells you on the physical feats. But here we see him simply enjoying the moment. Superman knows Lois talks nonstop and, for once, she’s speechless.
What saddens me is people think Superman is lame just because he inspires hope. I love Batman but what the world needs is Superman.
It's for that very reason that I'm Team Superman, and always will be.
😊👍
Some people are SOOOO ignorant 🙄 and they MISS what’s really going on in the world 🌎.
Any Superman that's not Christopher Reeve is lame.
Sadly, we now live in a very pessimistic world where being a good person is ridiculed…
I remember we (family) see this Superman in the theater back in '78 and this scene made the whole cinema burst out loud with applause and shouts
0:18 that quick up-down glance Reeve gives the phone stall: "Nope, that won't work!" Priceless!
I'm 51 and I was an 8 yr old when I saw this in the movies in 78. that scene of him running and then opening his shirt had me jumping up and down in the seat!!!!
He is the most perfect and classic superman. Miss him forever.
"You've got me? Who's got you?"
I get a jolt of electricity through my spine every time I hear that line in this scene. It was absolute genius to put such a boldly comedic line in the middle of this intense action scene. And one that perfectly encapsulates Lois' spunky personality in this movie.
I will also note to critics that Superman lets both Lois and the helicopter drop a little bit when he catches them. So he is not defying the laws of physics here. He is avoiding doing damage by slowing them down first before reversing their course. He is not bringing them to an abrupt stop.
@Kevin McDougall That sounds a little bit like what John Byrne invented in his Superman comics revamp in 1986. From the Wiki:
"Tactile Telekinesis An attempt was made to explain Superman's ability to fly with large objects through the introduction of tactile telekinesis. Objects that Superman touched were enveloped by an invisible telekinetic field that allowed him to move them with the force of his will. The ability also explained Superman's ability to fly."
@Kevin McDougall Telekinesis can explain many of his standard abilities.
Superstrength, including the ability to lift objects in ways that leverage and material strength should make impossible - He's actually grabbing it in a TK field and supporting it all over.
Invulnerability - Skin tight telekinetic absorbtion field
Eye Lasers, Freeze breath - Manipulating the vibration speed and therefore the temperatures of the molecules. Even the visible light of the laser eyes can be explained as using telekinesis to create refracted light.
Flight - Self-levitation.
Surviving and breathing in space - Telekinetic atmosphere containment field, molecular vibration control of temperature, plus decomposing the air in his lungs back into oxygen.
Superspeed is canonically the speed force, however.
EXACTLY. I'm betting that was a Richard Donner decision. His motto was "Verisimilitude," roughly meaning staying true and authentic.
Once I was in a university dorm room full of engineering undergrads and we were watching Superman together. (mid '80s) This scene sparked an argument about why Superman grabbing the helicopter could/could not happen due to physics/mass/inertia/center of gravities. Decades later, when I watch TBBT, with Leonard, Sheldon, Howard and Raj having one of THEIR arguments re: comic book hero superpowers, I can't help but smile and remember. :)
In the middle of everything, time to be polite to a pimp. God bless you, Christopher Reeves Superman!
Politically incorrect to call them pimps today, they are better known as love brokers.
Reeve
Superman is nice to everyone unless they are up to evil.
Yeah brings back memories of better era
@@classic1971 Thank you
Almost 50 years later. This sequence STILL holds up! Brings a smile to my face every time. The most impressive shot in the entire movie flying sequences is @2:49 when he takes off straight up and out into the dark. Done practically. Still amazing to watch.
Agreed. Also love the music score build up when Clark looks up to see what’s going on and he’s looking for a place to remove his civilian clothes. Just brilliant in so many ways.
Yeah I know
More magical and awe inspiring more than any big cgi fight scene could ever be
This is the best and most iconic scene in all of the Superman films. You always want to jump up and cheer as Superman catches Lois, and raises the helicopter single-handedly! It is a symbol of heroic triumph. It is a beacon of hope, much like that of the torch held by the Statue of Liberty! Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder are irreplaceable. Forever in the hearts of longtime Superman fans, and in future fans to come!
Nice comparison to the Statue of Liberty, it is a similar pose. Cool
This movie is basically the bar that was set for all superhero movies to come. And very few films can actually rival it.
True that. Good script., Reeve and rest of actors.
Adam Langfelder very true.
Yes. It slows down towards the end, gets boring, but then the time travel thing surprises you. He would do another time travel movie, with Jane Seymour (who was in Battlestar Gallactica). .. Somewhere in Time.
Kelly KitKat This movie and the number 2never bored me one bit as a child and an adult, it was captivating. Full of energy, hope and grand great acting.
Hear hear. Great movie. Chris was awesome.
The whole audience in ovation when this scene was presented on silver screen. Just awesome!
Still, after all of these years...this scene is one of the few that brings tears to my eyes. Such an icon.
Everything is just magical, genuine and charming that digital movies with all the CG nowadays can never replicate. Simply the best and classic.
"I've got you"
"You've got me! Who's Got You!???"
Now that Ms. Lane is a question for the ages.
Allah brotects suberman.
Now think of it again.
_Which Single Woman Wouldn't Want to be rescued by Superman?_
On the other hand, if the rescuer is Venom..... :)
Lol. Yep!
What?!
She obviously checked for a ring on his finger, but still suspected he was withholding.
A woman needs to know who may have stolen him first
This scene sent shivers down my spine and oddly made me cry
Happens to me every time i watch it.
I know, right?
you too?
Me too.....😭😭
me too even to this day
This scene still gives me the shivers, and tears in my eyes, 35 years after first time I saw it.
A little boy got marked for life.
Movies don’t get better than this!
I was like that when I was 14yrs old.. back in '78
@@woodyferrari1718 Watching it for the first time in cinema must have been magical!
Still my favourite of all the Superman Films.@@laurensmork
He really is the big blue Boy Scout here. Superman 78 wears its heart on its sleeve and I love it, I’m here for it!
I feel blessed to be born in the early 70s and got to witness all those classics as a young child when I believed there really were men capable of flying! RIP Mr Reeve
Man, I remember being a kid and constantly getting this movie from the rental store JUST to see this scene.
👍🏽me too🤣🤣
1978, I was six. Just seen star wars, which impressed me, then Superman came out. Star wars the toy advert was forgotten about.
"Who are you?"
"A friend" Supes flies off.
Still gives me shivers and is probably one the best written scene for a superhero film ever, even outclasses the Mediocre Marvel films
You’ve got me. Who’s got you? Most famous quote!
Don't care what ANYONE says...this movie started it all, the superhero movie genre!! IT still the 1st and best superhero film of all time. It hits all the marks...great action, great actors, great script, timeless score, never before seen cutting edge special effects (at the time LOL) humor and haert!!
Reeve’s little smile is so pure
Truly historical motion picture. Before CGI, and other computer effects.. they were creative, worked hard at making you believe. Watched this as a kid about 5/6 years old in the cinema in Chicago. The crowd reaction in the theater was explosive .. I’ll never forget. The music helped to make this scene so magical as well. Reeves was the real deal.
Christopher Reeve is once again and will always be the best Superman ever.
Brandon Kohout yep. He has no equal. He was 1 in a billion lol
Brandon Kohout superman3
Dambert Clifford what about it? His acting was great in it. The director and writer are the ones who screwed it up
John J. Rambo Yeah, Bizarro and Brainiac would’ve been the REAL villains of Superman III.
Brandon Kohout it would of been even better if Richard Pryer was not in the movie.
The music is just wow. I was a kid in the '90s and I remember having the soundtrack score to this movie
This movie is the gold standard of all Superman films. Each scene was exceptionally crafted. For me, the most important element was a subtle sense of humor that brought out a warmth to the characters and the story. Richard Donner was a genius.
This movie still looks pretty good , great , actually .
Of course it is
Ashley David such an iconic scene love this movie wen I was a kid
And all before CGI. Reeve dangled from wires the whole time.
For a 42 year old movie it definitely
It,s Iconic... be talked about for decades to come
“Who...are...you?”
“A friend.”
That is the perfect Superman answer.
He was no Simp
*jes*
He subliminally told her who he was, just didn't reveal his name.
To humanity.
Absolute perfect. He was, is, and will always be Superman.
Everything about this scene was so perfect. Makes me wish I could travel back in time and see this movie in the theatres, reading all these stories of the audiences cheering and applauding loudly when Clark opens his shirt to reveal the S inside, the glorious laugh to Lois's "You've got me... Who's got YOU?!" And another fantastic cheer when he catches the helicopter. It's like being with the citizens of Metropolis, all cheering and smiling brightly as Superman is here to save the day. One other endearing detail I love is how Superman has that big grin when he looks away from Lois, but when he turns around, he's got that expression that is more firm and confident, but polite and friendly. I can imagine the audience got one more good laugh when Lois fainted. Superman will always be one of the greatest superhero films ever, and Christopher Reeve will forever be the one and only Superman. God bless him.
Fantastic comment! I thought I was the only one who noticed that smile. Glad to know I'm not.
I saw the movie on the teather...it was such a perfect scene for the superman first apearance to the world..i remember the feeling of seeing the superhero doing things that i could only imagine...flying and all that... AWESOME!
Also that casual "BYE!" showed that to him it was just all in a days work.
@@iamemjarrobinson8713 Well said.
The 1970s were filled with great cinema. Superman included!!
This sequence is nigh on perfect. It shows the wonder and power of Superman but also his humanity. Man Of Steel really needed a scene like this with Superman being Superman. Instead, Clark is entirely reactive, only coming out of hiding because Zod forced him to and then he basically destroyed Smallville.
and destroyed Metropolis. MOS was a POS.
They're trying to make Superman look cool. They need to stop trying, he's literally the most popular comic book character ever. Just let Superman be Superman, the big blue boy scout.
@@minorears5205 yup
I'd have liked Man of Steel a lot more if there was more of a midsection. He becomes Superman, reveals himself to the world, goes to work at the Daily Planet, averts a few disasters around the world, then Zod's invasion happens.
Christopher Reeve IS Superman, John Williams is a genius.
Christopher reeve was also the voice of the copter pilot.
He was Not
He was Never the Voice of the copter pilot
he was indeed. lol. do a search for it. directors cut it was his voice where they were making the approach to land to pick her up..
I Dont have to do a Search
I know he wasnt the Voice of the copter Pilot
How can he Do 2 Voices at Once
He just cant
grow up he did. good lord.
The greatest scene in ANY superhero movie. Period. RIP Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve.
I can hardly argue against it. I can't tell you how often I replayed this scene with my self made Supermen figures ( made out of "The New Adventures of He-Man" action figures). I just love this movie.
Even though the train scene from Spider-man 2 is my favourite superhero movie scene, I really love this aswell.
@@mr.person4050 the final scene of Spider Man 3 is a masterpiece .
This is a great scene but greatest for me has to be spiderman stopping the train in spiderman 2.
If not this, then “General, would you care to step outside,” and the initial battle that followed competes.
This is where 4-year-old me fell in love with both Superman and Christopher Reeve.
Morgan Mosley I was 1 when this came out and by the time I was 5 I was hooked. Watched this movie almost every day at my neighbors apartment who owned it on laser disc ☺️😂🙂
My 10 year old me too😍
Forever and ever. 😘😘😘
Too many superman movies with so many actors playing the part. Even with all the shuffling around, no one comes close to Christopher Reeve. Christopher Reeve is Superman period.
I was 6 in 1992 when I saw this movie ❤
So many jump cuts and reaction shots perfectly timed while still maintaining focus on the subject and story of the frame. That’s why this feels so realistic. I can’t get over it.
My favourite movie moment ever. When he catches the helicopter, show me a better timed music moment in a movie
Almost like the composer knew what he was doing
1:05 - Undoubtedly one of the most charming moments in cinema history.
The one and only Christopher Reeve. No one can play Superman to this day. No one like him. Wow. Best Superman of all time.
🥇
an excellent well made film from Richard Donner to the late great Chris Reeve to John Williams score everything came together here.did I forget the great Derek Meddings special effects-a true classic!
There are many scenes in many films that are great, often for different reasons. Supes making his first appearance and saving Lois is simply perfect. The build-up, the tension and then the save, perfectly timed. The script is great, the performances are charming and the effects are superb; you really believe a man can fly. And the music is unforgettable. This scene never gets old. I must have watched it a thousand times.
This whole sequence is fantastic, but I always tear up at "A friend." Such a great use of Superman's theme.
Superman made us believe a man can fly. The pimp made us believe a man is fly.
WOO!
bad outfit!
Many Kids through the years actually jumped from Windows of their big tall Buildings thinking they can FLY like SUPERMAN .
"Say Jim, woo! That's a bad outfit!" - my 2nd favourite line from any movie behind "Leave the gun. Take the canoli"!
I'm dying right now. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
0:41 "Say Jim, whoa, that's a bad outfit!"
Best line in all of American cinema.
Change my mind.
christopher reeve the best casting in the history of cinema.
I love the crowd ovation instead of the much more realistic reaction of “That guy can fly? What in the actual fuck?”
When I was a child, I was blessed to see this film, in the theater. I jumped out of my seat, with excitement, when he caught her!; Great memories! #ibelievethatamancanfly
This scene right here epitomizes what Superman is about, he saves lives he smiles he wears his underwear on the outside and people love him. :)
He's more than that.
Well...Consider that in those twelve years he spent under his late dad's tutelage in The Fortress of Solitude, all the vast cosmic academic ground they first needed to cover together before Clark could grow up, become strong, wise and mature enough to finally become Superman...The subject of how human males wear their underwear never quite came up. :)
It is not underwear. Superman's original designers were inspired by the trunks that the strong man would wear at the circus.
YES, he’s cool WITHOUT looking or behaving cool
This is how Superman is supposed to be
He’s not supposed to look cool.
Unassuming, looks like a regular guy but way more powerful than the Hulk
Still the best reveal of a superhero. R.I.P. Christopher Reeve, you made us believe a man could fly.
My beloved late father always loved this scene, great first appearance of Superman and very dramatic mixed in with John williams's great score! Christopher reeve,the one and only Superman, forever!!!
I remember seeing this in the vinema back in 1978. One of the best moment sof themovie, the cheers when Christopher Reeve pulled open his short to reveal that "S". John Willaims' triumphal music in the background, Reeve was perfect as Superman. "Who _are_ you? " "A friend"
This was the Superman we all knew and loved, right from the pages of the comics.
That movie was a pure miracle. Everything worked like magic. Casting, music, photography, production design, costume design, special effects...Good editing is invisible, so it's often overlooked, but this scene is one of the best examples of how masterful the editing by the great Stuart Baird was.
It wasn't easy though. Getting the right actor to play Superman.
the look Louis gives Superman while she's in one arm and he's holding the helicopter in the other hand is absolutely priceless.
Who's Louis? One of the men on the sidewalk watching him save Lois?
Nope They just misspelled Lois!😊
Thank you Richard for giving us the best Superman. Thank you for making me believe that a man can fly.
So many elements make this scene work perfectly, as others have said. But what stands out for me besides the music is the applause when Superman catches the helicopter. Nobody on Earth knew he existed until this point, but they immediately show their gratitude to him for preventing a tragedy which they were sure was inevitable.
Christopher Reveve is and will always be my Superman!
I always found it hilarious that Superman--of all people--would remind Lois that "statistically speaking, (flying) is still the safest way to travel."
He *is* the man who would know.....
Statistically speaking, helicopters are NOT the safest way to travel. Bad advice.
Kal has always been a stan for flying.
And you could tell that he was having a little cute fun at her expense, allowing that inner mischievous boy out to impishly tease her for just a moment!
NOBODY compares to him as SuperMan and i have a serious impression nobody ever will.
PERFECT behavior
PERFECT poise
PERFECT demeanor
AND
All that you see on that suit ,its just him looking PERFECT.
RIP Chris,Margot and Richard .
I wholeheartedly agree. But, even Christopher Reeve would have deferred to the late George Reeves, the other living embodiment of Superman. Had George lived to see Christoper, he would have been very proud of him! Both George Reeves AND Christopher Reeve were born to play Superman. It's a dead heat photo finish! Both of them brought completely different interpretations to Clark and Superman, yet BOTH were completely valid. Superman is all about dignity, inspiration, grace, and charm. Both men knew that. It's a tragedy that George never lived to meet Chris. Fate is cruel. (Had he lived, he should have played Jor-El or Pa Kent!) May they all rest in peace!
@@davidgradwell8830 Amen to that!
I honestly believe, even objectively, that this is the greatest scene in the history of cinema. It will NEVER be equaled.
Same
I love that dudes reaction. The first man ever to see Superman. Hes not speechless or struck with disbelief. He's just impressed with his outfit and thinks him flying off is worthy of a 'Wowh!"
Brilliant touch with Clark, going up to the phone both and thinking "maybe I can change here" mr.donner, sir you were one of the greatest filmmakers ever in the history of Hollywood __ thank-you.
In 79' my age was 10 years. This is THE BEST Superman in all time.
Master piece of hollywood in all history.
*THIS!* This is the Superman I will always love and remember. A simple, straightforward, film about good and evil. No nuances. No trying to check off the 'right' boxes to pander to certain interest groups. No trying to hijack the script to make a profound, 'woke' statement to pound into the heads of the audience. If you came away with any message from the film, great. If you didn't, then fine, as long as you enjoyed the movie.
I fear that 43 years later, we've somehow lost that. Now, EVERY TV show and movie has to have a 'right' message to shove on the audience. Every director seems to feel that they HAVE to use the show or movie to push home a moral point.
Can't we just get back to this? A more simpler time, when we could enjoy what we want, without others telling us how to enjoy something...or worse, when it's something *they* don't like, how we can't enjoy it.
😊👍
Karen says “No” 🙎♀️
Well stated!
Can you give an example of "woke statement" that exists in today's movies, but not in 1978 Superman? Just to make clear what you meant.
All movies are stories and stories have messages in them. That is why people tell stories to share the messages in them. The message in this movie and the Superman story is that you have great powers , do you use them to help or harm others? Superman decides to use his powers to help people
Although I've seen this film a million times on TV, DVD since I was a kid and loved it. I just got back from the theater with my 3 sons and seen the 45th anniversary release of this movie for the first time! with my 3 sons and it's a brand-new experience! For the both of us.
The full energy of these movies, with Reese, is just always magic.
You feel good.
it brings tears of joy to my eyes when Superman takes off his shirt, one of the most amazing scenes ever
Still the all time best movie of superman. 😎😎😎
This scene was really awesome where Superman appears for the first time and everyone's reaction when they first see him and when they start playing the theme song when he catches the helicopter.
I just love the LOOK (cinematography) of a Richard Donner movie, don't you? It's so distinct, especially in the late 70's/early 80s - Superman, the Omen, good looking films.
2:24
…the moment you understand Christopher Reeve as Superman is literally PERFECT Casting.
This has got to be one of the greatest entrances of all time and one of cinema's most iconic moments! Christopher Reeve was and is the absolute best!