Superman The Movie (1978) Retrospective/Review - Superman Retrospective, Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 25 июл 2024
- Today's cinematic landscape has become utterly dominated by the superhero genre. Marvel's Cinematic Universe is the highest grossing movie franchise ever and DC's more standalone efforts continue to intrigue and surprise. However, in 1978 the precursor to this era and the greatest superhero film ever made was released: Superman The Movie.
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00:00 Intro
00:39 Origins
03:15 Development
09:14 Casting
14:40 Production
24:44 Superman The Movie
32:38 Release and Reception
33:36 Legacy
34:40 Outro
#superman #supermanretrospective #rowanjcoleman 
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Do you believe you cannone day make a star wars retrospective ?
Genteelness not gentleness. It wasn't a typo.
Genteel:
[ jen-teel ]
adjective
(1) belonging or suited to polite society.
(2) well-bred or refined; polite; elegant; stylish.
(3) affectedly or pretentiously polite, delicate, etc.
Please start adding formatted subtitles! Most of the people that I would be able to recommend the channel to need them and it's easier than you think
Was SM3 changed as the trailer is the full movie? however they change 1 thing.
if you want more of Superman 1978 check out The Final Cut, a fan project that restores deleted scenes and fixes some of the effects. ruclips.net/video/DqboiCImlzo/видео.html
Every superhero is silently judged against Superman. Every actor playing a superhero is judged against Christopher Reeve. He was, the perfect actor to bring Superman to life - no offense to the older actors who have played him.
Yes. Yes-Exactly.
It's interesting when casting directors say they found "the perfect" actor for the role. Of course if their performance sucked or the movie bombed, we don't hear such things.
@@sandal_thong8631 It's pretty self explanatory why they don't.
I think Chris Evans as Captain America has gotten the closest to the same perfection. Another throwback hero portrayed with respect.
What a lot of today's audience don't appreciate is that back then, Reeve's honest sincere temperament as Superman was 100% refreshing. Superhero shows up to that point were always expected to do the generic over-the-top, hands on hips, disc-jockey style, Hanna-Barbera acting.
I love that he made the conscious choice to let the costume do much of the acting, which made for a more grounded and realistic portrayal, I think.
Agreed. The big thing that struck those of us who saw the film was how comfortably human his portrayal was. No one knew how that was going to be managed, and he did it. I love the scene where Lois is interviewing him and asking him his height and weight, and he just answers her like he's at the doctor's office or something.
I think a big part of the joy in looking back at these movies is that they are largely aspirational. Superman is a paragon to look to for inspiration, not a dark and flawed antihero breaking the rules that need broken for their vision of justice.
Agreed. It's encapsulated in that wonderful sendoff speech by Jor-El, "They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way."
Well... Superman was corrupted into a status quo Boy Scout for censorship abd propaganda purposes. Superman was invented to break rules of the corrupt and tyrannical. He's invented to be a rebel.
Today is even more cynical than the 1970s, so an idealistic Superman is needed even more. They were mad to make Superman a dark character in the last few movies.
In the history of cinema has there ever been a more perfect casting than Christopher Reeve has Superman and Clark Kent. Both performances are absolutely perfect and the music still gives me chills. And a special shout out to Gene Hackman as Lex Luther, my personal favorite comic book movie villain.
I actually think Gene Hackman's "Lex Luthor as Bond villain" portrayal is wonderful, and totally fits the character. Much better than Jesse Eisenberg's "Mark Zuckerberg as Lex Luthor" portrayal.
Only thing that gets close is Marlon Brando in The Godfather.
*Unironically laugh in gary oldman
What about Lois Lane?
I'd disagree slightly. Though Christopher Reeve is my favorite actor of all time just because of how well he portrayed Clark/Superman, I think a close second for comic book character actors goes to Willem Defoe as Norman Osborn. He has some of the same sort of subtle-but-definite switches that Christopher Reeve uses when he's contemplating telling Lois his secret.
Additional honorable mention to James McAvoy in Split.
Genuinely the most awe inspiring, hopeful superhero film ever made.
I’ve always said it’s so unfair that Marlon Brando can be so good at acting while completely not trying.
Every time I see a video about a movie with him in it there's stories (note the plural) about how he just couldn't be bothered. Mind, at least for _The Island of Dr. Moreau_ he had the death of his child to explain it.
He must have that "affluenza" where he's never been punished for doing a bad job.
Would he have been better if he tried? Or was the skill in him knowing not to try, but just to do? We'll never know.
@@garyv2498 It's Krip-TON not Kript'n. Say it right Marlon!
@@sandal_thong8631 as a native of the planet…
My elementary school played Superman in the auditorium in 1979. I think we were charged 50¢ to watch it. Even though we were poor, my parents let us go, but there was no money for popcorn or soda. I'm not even sure how or why our school got the film. I just remember that it was the biggest reel of film I'd ever seen.
Christopher Reeve's Superman is the best 👍
Yeah. Tho it is a shame how at the end of his life he was eating so many aborted babies so as to consume their stem cells.
Yup.
Yes.
Agreed. Broke my heart when he broke his neck.
he captured both superman and Clark kent and that's a hard thing to pull off. not to mention everybody else behind this picture went all in and really wanted to nail it. I'm talking of the first one of course
When Reeve smile at the audience at the end of the movie, is pure gold!
Truly embodies The Man of Steel!
I was 16-1/2 years old when I saw this movie for the first time, and was immediately awed by it. What struck me most was when, after putting Earth back to it’s normal spin, he checks in on Lois but never once brags about what he just did and endures Lois’s constant complaining like a man. You know; like a Superman.
To me Christopher Reeve's performance as Superman is the definitive live-action interpretation of the character and John Williams's march is the tune I find myself humming when I read Superman comics.
Every 80’s kid knew the love of tying a towel around your neck and running around the house. Superman will always be my first and favorite super hero, largely because of this movie.
80s kid ??? I'm a GROWN man and I still tie a towel around my neck and run around the house !!!! LOL. Superman is my favorite super hero because of the comics I collected/read about him.
Or jumping off a dresser and getting your first broken arm ;)
A while back I got worried this channel would “end” after the Star Trek retrospective. Now, I’m fucking THRILLED to see how you’ve expanded the scope of your videos. You’re already top-tier on youtube and I want you to understand how deeply this one fan in particular values what you’re doing. Thank you!!
For me, John Williams' Main Title for this film is the single greatest piece of music in his entire oeuvre. While "Star Wars" remains to me his greatest full score, nothing is as grand and sweeping, truly dragging you into the feeling of a film, than the opening to "Superman: The Movie." It brings tears to my eyes every time, and I want to jump up and conduct the orchestra.
Yep watched blue ray couple days ago and the music then the words come out at you on the screen is a tear jerker to me.
Totally agree with you. Even after the credits end and we hear Williams swelling Krypton theme as we pass the red sun....My favorite movie ever
John Williams is a master at his craft. There are others who have done good scores, but for consistency, he's the tops. Don't know if he's ever scored a western though. I'd like to see whether he'd do a movie score similar to _A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More,_ and _The Good, the Bad and the Ugly._
@@sandal_thong8631 He's the GOAT
The credit scroll/zoom were mind blowing too.
The reason why that first film means so much to me is because my dad took me to see it in the movie theater when I was little. He crossed a picket line in order to get us tickets ( the employees were striking) but he promised me Superman and saw to it . And then we saw all the Christopher Reeve Superman films when they came out . But that first one will always hold dear for me . I love it so much and Christopher Reeve will be the best Superman to me . The fact that he passed on the same year as my dad makes it more important to me .
Superman's backstory in Smallville sets up all the vulnerability needed to relate to him. It is the true foundation of the movie.
The photography is absolutely beautiful, the lighting is amazing.
We miss you, Chris. You are still my Superman
Thank you, Rowan. Keep 'em comin.
One of my absolute favorite movies as a child - and kind of introduction into the world of physics and fantasy at the same time. I was so blown away of the scene were Superman rewinds the time that I had to read about time travel and the speed of light (we had a library just 5 minutes away). I then calculated that Superman would have to fly around earth 7 times per second to be faster than light and tried to imagine what a feeling that must be. This movie influenced me in more ways than any other movie I guess. Morality, kindness, the will to simply help where possible, ....
Christopher reeves did such an amazing job portraying superman
He is, to this day, sorely missed by many.
He was born to portray superman. One of the few good things that happen in history.
Nice to see the scene when he takes off his glasses and changes his posture as he's considering revealing himself.
Reeve*
Everything that followed this movie, whether it's TV or film, has been doing its very best to pay homage to this movie, with my favorite part probably being Christopher Reeve's guest spot on two episodes of Smallville, which were the final acting roles of his career and in those episodes, despite being wheelchair bound, you can feel his presence and he's giving his everything. A true Superman.
I just realized that the Superman theme has become the default heroic them. Cool.
It's so cool that in 2022 we're still talking about this film. For my generation, Christopher Reeve IS, and always will be, the definitive Superman. It's just such a beautifully filmed and vibrant movie, a treat for both the eyes and ears! So fortunate to have been able to see it on the big screen when I was a child.
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton
I think I got to stay up late when we were visiting someone, so all the kids could watch the 3-hour movie.
What do you think of Superman Returns ????
I saw this film with my best friend during its original release when I was ten. The perfect age, the perfect time, and the perfect Superman. I sincerely wish it were possible to replicate that experience for every kid, everywhere, at least once.
To this day I still remember the adverts. “You *will* believe a man can fly!” This was my all time favourite superhero movie
Just CRAZY to know they actually HAND PAINTED full sized 'matte paintings' to extend backgrounds! Today they'd just put up some green felt and add a CGI background in post!
Er, that’s not quite how matte paintings work…
The John Williams Superman score is iconic and will remain one of the most beloved movie scores right up there with Raiders and Jaws.
Loved this movie all my life. This review actually brought me to tears. Loved Reeve. He was the best Superman by far. Henry Cavil does a great job but Christopher nailed it. The best scene for me was Jol-El and Lara discusses the pros and cons of being Superman to baby Kal-El.
One of the biggest reasons I prefer the theatrical Justice League to the Snyder Cut is that it allows Cavil to actually play Superman, rather than Zack Snyder's Superman.
For all its confusing “is this a sequel or a remake?”, Brandon Routh did a great take on Reeve’s performance in Superman Returns.
@@CantankerousDave I always felt Routh was playing Christopher Reeve rather than playing Superman/Clark Kent.
henry sucked
As a kid I always had trouble with the idea that people wouldn't recognize Clark Kent when seeing Superman, even without the glasses; it was Reeve's performance in that one scene that finally convinced me that it was possible. One reason, among many, why I love this film.
Somewhere in the multiverse is a Lucas directed Superman staring Muhammad Ali.
Films like this are simply not made anymore. Seeing this movie as a child with my father is one of my most cherished memories. Can't wait for more in this series Rowan.
You're right,films like this aren't made anymore,it was filmed in the late 70s.A whole different era,we need Supes movies for modern day audiences with up to date effects.Superman Returns was a snore-fest.Man of Steel was GREAT !!! In my opinion.
Superman (1978) is my favourite superhero movie by far. I love the dichotomy between Clark and Superman, and Christopher Reeve does such a great job of acting both parts and making them distinct, yet similar. The scene where Clark Kent and Louis Lane are robbed at gunpoint and Clark pretends to pass out like a wuss so he could catch the robber's bullet is such a great scene.
I saw an interview with John Williams who said he chose the iconic "daa-DAAA-DAAA" for the theme because Superman's name has three syllables and Superman's S-shield is a triangle, so it just made sense. Such a great theme, I get goosebumps just hearing it.
From everything I've heard, the Salkinds were the shadiest, greasiest people that represented the worst of Hollywood greed and corruption.
Having seen the Richard Donner cut of Superman II, and having always been annoyed the the cheesy, slapstick, silly shenanigans of Richard Lester's Superman II, I really wish Superman/Superman II had been finished by Richard Donner and and released as-is, cliffhanger and all.
I also *really* hope Rowan covers the Richard Donner cut of Superman II!
I think one reason I don't at all care for the Zack Snyder Superman movies is because *this* is my Superman. Now I really want to rewatch Superman.
Sadly Donner didn't have the faith to end it on a cliffhanger. Lucas had watched movie serials and Shazam and Superman were two of them, so he could have done either movie and probably would have ended on a cliffhanger.
I went to see Superman in the cinema with my grandmother when I was a little boy. Even at that age, it was mindblowing.
One thing that will never leave me is the moment when he catches the falling helicopter (just after everyone had laughed the famous "You've got me? Who's got you!" line). Everyone - and I mean everyone (including little me but maybe not my grandma come to think of it) - in the theater spontaneously cheered!
I've never experienced that collective engagement and joy in a movie theater since.
What a movie!
"Don't applaud. No one who made the movie is here."
I love this film....and truly ADORE the music!
The new Supermans are pants in comparison.
I can only really compare The Boys, which show us what would truly happen if Superman was without the extra-ordinary morals of the true superhero.
Every time I here the theme....shivers go up and down my back!
Plus Reeve was incredible as this character!!!!! Just perfect!
The problems come later with other films, not with this film.
Can we talk for a minute about how good Terence Stamp's Brando impression is? Lmao that was wild!
Yeah,the impression was spot on.I wonder how much Brando's percentage points from the film netted him.
Christopher Reeves portrayal of Superman is perfect.
Reeve, not Reeves.
A genuine masterpiece of American cinema & uniquely smart film. Donner understood that the character is 20th century mythology born from the Depression-era experience & his shifting of tone is masterful: the film goes from cod-Shakespearan Space Opera to Disaster movie to elegaic John Ford-esque Drama to Howard Hawks Screwball Comedy to Romance to Action movie to Tragedy, ending with hope, resolve, & a wink to camera.
It's the small stuff: one brilliant technical moment is the shot of Superman's taking off after the helicopter rescue. Standing in frame, he flies up directly and the camera _shakes_ from the "turbulence".
Another brilliant script choice is Superman revealing his kryptonite vulnerability to Lois for publication. This is a film that understands that Superman is not a cop or authoritarian - he's a friend: open, honest, vulnerable, & entirely uncynical. That's an extraordinarily smart understanding of moral identity & the implications of (super) power from Mank & Donner.
Alan Ladd Jr (the exec who greenlit _Star Wars_ & _Blade Runner_ ) is quietly the grandfather of _Superman: The Movie_ - it was he who hired Richard Donner for _The Omen,_ plucking him out of TV directing.
I’m glad that you acknowledged the Superman ‘78 comic. They really showed what could’ve been with Christopher Reeve as Superman under Richard Donner’s direction.
Can’t wait for Part II. Awesome work.
Christopher Reeve is the definitive Superman. Paired with the music, the scene where he turns back time is one of the best in film history.
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton
Thank you for this. Superman is the one movie that made me and the audience stand up and cheer. We loved this movie together as a American family.
Cannot wait.. Rowan always delivers quality
This man is a LEGEND :)
Love this retrospective. This movie along with Star Wars and Star Trek shaped my childhood.
Brilliant video and one of my favourite all time movies. I thought I knew everything about Superman the Movie but I definitely didn't after watching this video. I saw Superman twice in the cinema (in Scotland) at the start of 1979 and went Superman daft for the rest of my primary school days. I'm now in my fifties and I first had my own copy of Superman on a Betamax tape recorded off the TV by me at the start of the eighties, then on a proper VHS tape in the nineties, then on DVD in the 2000s and today I still watch it every couple of years on blu ray. Can't wait for the Superman II video.
Thank you Rowan! I saw this film at the cinema when it first came out and absolutely loved it. I had read the DC comics as a child and was a real superman fan
The degree to which this movie just gets Superman right feels more and more remarkable as the years go by without anyone else being able to get Superman right.
Ive seen plenty of superhero movies that excited me but this is the only one that moved me. One of my absolute favourite movies. The main theme still raises the my spirits.
I feel like the world could use a more optimistic version of Superman on the big screen similar to the Richard Donner films again.
I would rather have that than Zack Snyder’s “2 deep 4 me” take on the character.
I don't know about the big screen but on the small screen there is a GREAT version of Superman being played by, Tyler Hoechlin on a show called, Superman & Lois. If you haven't seen it yet you should definitely check it out.
@@germanshepherdguy Agreed. Superman & Lois is the truest depiction of Superman in decades
my only issue with snyder version that i have and its a big one its the fact the message that sup identity is so important that his parents were telling him its better for people to die than know he has extra power. Its a bad message, It should be a hero do the right thing in spit of the consequences down the line.
@@Marveryn Yeah, Snyder's an objectivist. He may not identify that way, but it's pretty apparent if you look at his comments about superheros. Made him a good match for Watchmen thematically, but it fundamentally poisons his views on power, social responsibility, and compassion for anything more altruistic.
Superheros have a tendency to attract that type, but outside of deconstructions they just annoy the audience. Ditko was an objectivist too, but had no input on Spiderman's writing; his own characters, The Question and Mr. A are both more in line with those principals, Mr. A to the point of just outright letting people die if he didn't see value in them.
@@morganrobinson8042 right that style would work for hero from the boys universe but superman is suppose to be what normal human hope to strive. He is a boyscout while someone like batman is more of a realist
I was eight when I saw this in the local cinema and I can say without a shadow of a doubt, that sense of wonderment was for real.
Just with this theme and star wars John Williams is the GOAT
"John Williams [is dead]. Great, now we got to do the rest of this thing with Danny Elfman." -Family Guy Star Wars.
Loved this retrospective. Absolutely spot on. I remember being a 5 or 6 year old seeing the movie for the first time at the cinema, and it was just awesome. I wanted to fly afterwards, I wanted to be like Superman. So many powerful moments in the movie. The first time he hit Metropolis and lets the world know he exists - 'Say Jim/Kid? ... that's a bad outfit!' There was something je nais se quois about this film. It was obviously rescued by the right people at the right time.- from director, creative consultant, composer and many more - Including an amazing Christopher Reeve. Such innocent times have passed unfortunately. I appreciate anybody who says they don't want a new 2022+ Superman to be like Reeve's version or if they 'just don't like the Donner version' - well that's because this movie was made during times when life was a bit more simple and honourable. You've got to have been born into that world to remember it. BUT Dick Donner and Chris Reeve totally got it for the time...That's what made it special and it still is. A person with humanity, compassion and who brings HOPE.
Brilliant review, as always! I recently saw the live orchestra performance of this movie at the Royal Albert Hall, which was a fantastic experience. Much as I love John Williams' work with Spielberg and Lucas, to me, this is his best theme.
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton
Thank you for showing me why I loved this movie again. You're doing the Dark Lords work!
I was 15 when this movie came out. I was a "kid" at just the right time I guess... Superman, Star Wars, Jaw's, Close Encounters etc... I can't tell you how many reruns of "The Adventures of Superman" with the incredible George Reeves I watch over and over... oh, and over again. When I saw this movie, and remember gang this was the 70's, it was amazing. It was a different time, the world was different. After the movie, Superman was EVERYWHERE...Lunch Boxes, most fast food places, etc. These "retrospectives" I think mean more to me then it might some, because I was there...at the time it was happening. So when I say how good of job Rowan J. Coleman does these videos.. I speak with experience. They are on the money. I can say this, when I left the theater, after the first showing, "I believed a man could fly".
Loved this! Your Star Trek retrospectives were amazing and really got me into your channel and now to see you talk about such an amazing film with such love and care is very special. This was one of a handful of films that I watched repeatedly on VHS as a kid and had a huge impact on how I look at heroes to this day. I appreciate your take because while this movie may not seem modern enough to many people, I still absolutely love it. It nails the most important thing, the Man of Steel himself and who he is to the world and those close to him. I eagerly await part 2, because while not quite as good as the first, I still love Superman 2.
Well I just found your channel for the first time and this is one of the best reviews of this movie I’ve seen in a fantastic history portion I was not aware the first was originally intended to end on a cliffhanger but thank you so much for this fantastic video you’ve earned a new subscriber!
Phenomenal retro of one of my favorite films, one I'm old enough to remember seeing in theaters in 1978.
the Superman theme still gives me chills after all these decades.
I love how wholesome Reeves was in the part, and it's amazing to hear just how perfect he was in the role
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton////
Reeve, not Reeves.
Amazing work Rowan. Did not see the super man retrospective coming. Brilliant.
Yep.... the lack of realistic physics on the time turning was a bit irritating, but I agree with you. I watched it as a kid and was so happy when Lois was alive again.
There were only a few criticisms of the movie; I don't remember the 35mm backgrounds being one of them, though the flood stopping looked cheesy. I prefer to think he didn't change the Earth's spin twice but went back in time. But then what did the past Superman do when he saw his duplicate catch the 2nd missile? I guess he then went back in time and that version never saw Lois dead?
Someone said this is a long movie without a lot of action, and that's true. Not sure what could be done if you don't like rescues. Could there be lesser villains in a 5-minute montage testing their weapons against Superman, like how Luthor did the machine guns?
Nice. I was a teenager in the 70s and was in the theater opening night for Star Wars, Superman, and Star Trek. It's hard to imagine today what a big deal these films were to kids like us. We were seeing our favorite fantasies on the screen, for the first time done in a believable way. I'm really enjoying your retrospectives. They bring back a lot of memories.
Those are the exact same 3 that I also hold up as the pinnacle of my childhood movie going experience too.
We were absolutely lucky to see Star wars and Superman and you are absolutely right....ST:TMP should always finish out that Trifecta and its always overlooked. Unpopular opinion: ST: tmp is a great Star trek film, its one of my favorites. I smile and always remember my dad who had a nice approving little laugh when Shatner says "Thataway" and we watch the amazing shot of the Enterprise going into warp (still the best warp effect to this day) along with the brilliant Jerry Goldsmith score.
First time for me was I was accompanied by my mother and brother to Lowe's 86th Theater when the film premiered in 70 millimeter. To this day it's considered to be the ultimate superhero film.
"Margot is a born accident waiting to happen"
-Literally, the understatement of the decade.
I will never be able to un-hear, SU-PER-MAN whenever I listen to the John Williams soundtrack now. I actually have his greatest movie soundtracks on my personal play list whenever I'm driving or riding the bike.
When Superman, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Dual of the Fates, Jurassic Park, or even Harry Potter, I'm IMMEDIATELY reminded of my childhood. The man is a bloody genius.
It's a real classic, totally iconic. So well-made and the music is fantastic of course. Like many others commenting here, I first saw this movie with my dad (RIP) and it reminds me of him and simpler times. Thanks for this great video Rowan. All your videos are just so good.
So beautifully written, Rowan. Thanks for making this. I've seen this film countless times throughout my life. Christopher Reeve will always be the perfect Superman, not only on screen, but off screen too. I've seen him in many interviews and he is such a gentleman. I liked Henry Cavill's portrayal, but it was the wrong director to bring out the inner beauty of Superman.
I agreed with almost every word. Although, I seem to be the only person in the world who likes the Can You Read My Mind scene. I think it's charming, romantic, well delivered by Margot, well placed and paced, and, perhaps most importantly, novel.
The only change I would make to the film would be to increase the duration of the long shots when Superman is next to Lois' body after the earthquake. I sometimes think about doing a re-edit of this part. I know it's already a fairly slow scene, but increasing the duration of those moments would make them even more poignant, where you could stay with Superman and his pain longer. It would also show that he was in such shock at losing Lois he didn't know what to do, rather than going rushing in to turn back the world. Still, that roaring scream he lets out when he flies into the sky remains one of the best moments in cinema history.
My father died when I was very young and I found myself watching the film regularly and, to a degree, I even modelled myself off him. Useful that I grew to 6'4" with very dark hair!
Another excellent retrospective, you've reminded me how much I enjoyed this film.
Saw this when it came out. I was in high school. The scene where Superman catches Lois Lane literally made us gasp. And for a while the love theme was everywhere. No other super-hero movie has had the same emotional impact on me as this one.
Excellent work! Thanks so much for making this glorious treasure trove for us! Outstanding BTS doc, very thorough, well-researched and presented! Bravo!
Wow! I am flashing back on my childhood so hard. I loved this movie, I would sing this Superman song and and run around in the backyard pretending to be superman. I had a red sheet that mom gave me that I pretended was my cape. Haven't thought about that in years, so thanks for that. :-)
Samir - But Peter, it's not much money
Peter - That's the beauty of it. Each withdrawal is a fraction of a cent. It's too small to notice
Michael - It's like Superman 3
very nice work, I'm glad you appreciate it in the same way I do. I watched over and over on VHS as a kid, the music being a major part of my enjoyment of it. Richard Donnor was a legend, just a truly great storyteller who knew how to spellbind an audience. thank you!
The uplifting nature of Superman is so spot on. Today's superhero films uplifting message often begins and ends with "We have a diverse cast" which, sure, is a good start but...
Superman the way it should be. :) Reeve nailed that line and balance between Clark and Superman and no one has quite gotten both halves of the man the same way. And I say that having been a fan of many Superman properties, including the obscure live action Superboy series. The only Sups I’ve ever hated was the Man of Steel version.
Glad you mentioned Reeve's performance in relation to the ending of the film. The ridiculousness of spinning time back only works because Reeve was 100% in on conveying the emotions of the scene.
Superman The Movie, despite all the difficulties Donner put up with, is his most memorable work. Everything about that film seemed to be just right. I look at that movie now as a work of art that really has no equal. Even with the imperfections in special effects, the story, the acting, the music, all make up for it. And remember, they did all the effects the hard way. No CGI to help cheat their way through it. Reeve had mentioned how he hurt his back on that first scene of him flying inside the Fortress. But like a real trooper, he pushed on. How many actors today would put up with that? Superman the movie was the very definition of the phrase, “catching lightning in a bottle.” Hollywood knew how to build blockbuster films in those days.
My mum and dad took me to see Superman at the Odeon Leicester Square when it came out, I was 7. I remember it like it was yesterday. I have seen this movie countless times and it evokes so many wonderful childhood memories and feelings every time. I love this movie. I thought your synopsis of the timelessness and hopefulness was spot on. Looking forward to part two.
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton
Rowan: the Superman of retrospectives.
I've seen this BTS featurette 100 times since Superman's release on DVD. You've done a good job adding some much-needed context.
Thanks for using some of my photos! Great review! Jim Bowers, CapedWonder Creator/Editor. Stay Super!
Interesting to hear of Brando being put in his place, for lack of a better term, and realizing with grace what would be best for the project not himself.
The bagel bit ??? I thought Brandon was joking around,so I didn't take that bit seriously.
Thank you so much @Rowan J Coleman for your Superman retrospectives. I've watched them all and it's incredible how much research you put into them: finding all the old footage, news stories, and interviews must've taken ages. Thank you!!!!
Thanks, I always enjoy your perspective and analysis.
I love the optimism in this movie, even in the light of personal loss and potential mass destruction.
"They can be a great people, Kal-El. They wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you, my only son."
It's not a "strange poem". It's literally the _lyrics to the song._ Watch it again. The words fit the melody that's playing behind them exactly. It was just decided that Margot should recite instead of sing, but that is very obviously a song.
Wonderful review Rowan, thank you.
I would love to see one of these on Ghostbusters '84.
Actually this is a beyond excellent video! Thoroughly enjoyable! Superb!
One of the best you have ever reviewed. Bravo!
I would like to point out a structural choice by Donner and the cinematographer, Unsworth. The use of a flying camera POV was simply genius, most particularly in the early sections of the first film. In the Krypton scenes, the camera POV would start at a height, and slowly glide down. Gravity was always pulling the POV back down. And, in a very literal choice, the people of Krypton are shown dying by falling to their deaths into the canyons of their cities.
Then, in the Kansas and Smallville scenes, plus to an extent in the initial Arctic scenes, the camera POV will begin at ground level, and will swoop *up* into the sky. This is a purely emotional foreshadowing of the difference between the fates of the Kryptonians and that of their Last Son. For Kal-El, gravity could not kill him. On Earth, he transcended all that took the lives of his people.
It was brilliant filmmaking.
The first, or one of the first movies I ever owned and saw on VHS. I watched it so often and I'm still occasionally listening to the main theme and the love theme. It may be the best movie theme of all time. At least to me.
Charm, Humor, Action, Excitement, Pathos, plus-deft Writing, Great Visual Effects (for their Day), Unbelievably effective Music..
The 1978 SUPERMAN had it All.
Thanks! I really appreciate all the effort you put into your reviews & retrospectives! 👍😊
Excellent job, as always!!!!!
Grew up watching Reeves Superman films. I used to roll my eyes at the turn back time ending until I heard it explained as he was going so fast he went back and the reversed images were only perception not actual. You make me want to rewatch them now, guess it's time to introduce the kids to it.
They needed to show a 2nd Superman catching the 2nd missile before it detonates.
Smashing review and great information.
Rowan! Excellent as always. Donner's cuts of 1 & 2 are my absolute favourite films of all time. I watch them at least once a year. I always found that despite so much going wrong off camera with this film, Donner, Reeves and Williams managed to capture lightning and get it up on screen. To this day I still believe a man can fly.
Reeve, not Reeves.
@@magicjim1 My apologies.
@@magicjim1 My apologies.
Very thorough! Great job! The story of this movie really takes one back to a time when 'movie magic' was still a thing. Wow.
I loved this movie when it came out in 1978 when I was a kid, and I still do.
Brilliant to watch just brilliant this may be your best yet.
Really took me back to my childhood when my dad took me to see it.
I've just bought the video and I am about to watch It.
Thanks man
I too loved that scene where Superman speaks to Jor-El after his first night as Superman. Amazing scene!
World's Finest "Movie" ruclips.net/video/89yiguzcAZc/видео.html with Christopher Reeve & Michael Keaton