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The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection (R1) in November
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20-09-2006 22:04 | 41978 views | Dave Foster | My Other Content

In celebration of the year of Superman Warner Home Video have announced a host of Region 1 DVD releases for 28th November 2006, all starring the late Christopher Reeve in his landmark portrayal of the Man of Steel. Leading the way will be the long-awaited Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut ($24.98 SRP), directed by Donner and representing Superman II as it was originally conceived and intended to be filmed. An overwhelmingly requested title, the movie features Donner's original footage, shot but never used before, including a never-before-seen beginning, a never-before-seen resolution, with 15 minutes of restored footage of Marlon Brando as Jor-El and much more.

Other titles to be released include Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition ($39.92 SRP) which features both the DVD debut of the 1978 theatrical version as well as the 2001 extended edition with commentary from director Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, archival footage of additional scenes and screen tests.

Richard Lester's ever-popular Superman II will be available in a new Two Disc Special Edition ($26.99 SRP) including a new featurette, vintage television specials and additional vault elements; and Superman III and Superman IV Deluxe Editions ($19.97 SRP). Finally, The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection ($79.92 SRP) will be offered in an 8-disc boxed set including all the above (except Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut).

View the DVD Trailer in Quicktime or Windows Media formats.

Also released separately from the box-set on the same day is Supergirl priced at $14.97 SRP.

Details follow...

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Superman II will delight fans who, for years, have been imploring Warner Home Video via voluminous numbers of petitions, letters, phone calls and e-mails to release the Donner cut.

In fact, Donner had already shot most of the Superman II footage during Superman: The Movie. But as production on the sequel continued, creative differences between the director and the film's producers became irreconcilable and Donner left the project. Although Richard Lester was hired to finish production, he chose to make major changes to the film, leaving only vestiges of Donner's original vision and concepts in the version of Superman II that was ultimately released to theaters.

Now, nearly thirty years later, Warner Home Video is honoured to grant the wishes of countless Superman fans. With this DVD release, Richard Donner has become the first director in history to be able to complete a film he left during production with nearly all his footage "in the can." Adding back a substantial amount of that unused footage, the director has seen his original vision restored and brought to fruition.

Most notably, the "Donner cut" restores the Marlon Brando role, filmed for, but not included in the final theatrical release version of Superman II. The legendary Brando's performance as Jor-El has finally been restored in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the profound relationship between father and son.

With so many other changes, large and small, including a variety of Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman, this Superman II will prove to be an eye-opening experience and an important addition to film history.

DVD Special Features:

All new introduction by director Richard Donner
Commentary by director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
New featurette Superman II: Restoring the Vision
Additional scenes
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)

Superman: The Movie (1978/2001) Four-Disc Special Edition
A box-office smash, an Academy Award(R) winner and a fan favourite since it first flew into theatres in December 1978, Superman: The Movie assembles an "A List" cast and creative contingent. At its heart is Christopher Reeve's intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel.

The movie's legacy was amplified when director Richard Donner revisited this beloved adventure 22 years later and integrated eight minutes into the film. Enjoy more footage of the Krypton Council, a glimpse of stars of prior Superman incarnations, more of Jor-El underscoring his son's purpose on Earth and an extended sequence inside Lex Luthor's gauntlet of doom.

DVD Special Features:

Disc One:

Original 1978 theatrical version with soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
Commentary by producer Pierre Spengler and executive producer Ilya Salkind
Theatrical trailers
TV spot
Languages: English & French
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)

Disc Two:

2000 expanded edition movie with commentary by director Richard Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
Music-only audio track
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish & Portuguese

Disc Three:

Three documentaries:
- Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
- Making Superman: Filming the Legend
- The Magic Behind the Cape
Restored scenes
Screen tests
Audio-only bonus: additional music cues

Disc Four:

Vintage TV special The Making of Superman: The Movie
1951 Movie Superman and the Mole-Men, starring George Reeves
Nine Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons mastered from superior vault elements:
- Oscar nominee Superman
- The Mechanical Monsters
- Billion Dollar Limited
- The Arctic Giant
- The Bulleteers
- The Magnetic Telescope
- Electric Earthquake
- Volcano
- Terror on the Midway

Superman II Two-Disc Special Edition (1980)
Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three super-powered Kryptonian criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran) plan to enslave Earth - just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman (as Lex Luthor) also returns from the first film with a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction and visuals that astound and delight.

DVD Special Features:

Disc One:

Movie with commentary by executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler
Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & French
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)

Disc Two:

Vintage TV specials The Making of Superman II and Superman 50th Anniversary
New featurette First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series
Eight Famous Studios Superman cartoons mastered from superior vault elements:
- Japoteurs
- Showdown
- Eleventh Hour
- Destruction, Inc.
- The Mummy Strikes
- Jungle Drums
- The Underground World
- Secret Agent

Superman III Deluxe Edition (1983)
Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a half-witted computer programming wiz. Reeve reprises his role, deepening his character's human side as Clark Kent reunites with old flame Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. When Superman becomes his own worst enemy after Kryptonite exposure, Reeve plays both roles with dazzling skill.

DVD Features:

Commentary by executive producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler
Vintage TV special The Making of Superman III
Additional scenes
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & French Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)

Superman IV The Quest For Peace (1987)
Christopher Reeve not only stars as the title hero again but also helped develop the movie's provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow).

DVD Special Features:

Commentary by screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
Additional scenes
Theatrical trailer
Languages: English & French
Subtitles: English, French & Spanish (feature film only)

And released separately on the same day (not part of the Christopher Reeve Superman Collection)...

Supergirl
Creative forces behind Superman: The Movie bring another DC Comics hero to life with this fun- and effects-packed adventure about the Girl of Steel. Helen Slater plays the title role, battling a sorceress (Faye Dunaway) for control of an alien power orb. Peter O'Toole and Mia Farrow add more starpower.

DVD Features:

European Theatrical Version with 10 minutes of footage not seen in North American Theatres
Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
English DD5.1 Surround
French Dolby Surround
English, French and Spanish subtitles
Commentary by Jeannot Szwarc and Scott Bosco
Theatrical trailer

Artwork follows...

#1 Posted: 21-07-2006 21:47
ravma479 Member Posts: 143	So..... why not include the Donner cut in the big box set? Wasn't that what they said they were going to do? Why force us to buy it on it's own? It doesn't really make sense...

#2 Posted: 21-07-2006 21:54
Paulyd Member Posts: 85	It looks like i'll be just getting Donner's Superman 2 on its own. I already have the extended cut of the first Superman, and the rest just does not interested in. Superman returns doesent even feature in this set. i think we can expect a bigger box set some time next year ------ Paulyd

#3 Posted: 21-07-2006 22:18
chrisrus Account Disabled Posts: 5	What about the 14 disc boxset

#4 Posted: 21-07-2006 22:18
Phil Q Member Posts: 1817	So hang on, does this mean the rumoured 14-disc Superman box set is now abandoned? I thought that was going to include the Donner cut?

#5 Posted: 21-07-2006 22:28
DaveF Administrator Posts: 2318	I'm sure it's still coming and more than likely going to debut on the same day, but considering it's meant to include Superman Returns I doubt they're in any rush to announce it.

#6 Posted: 21-07-2006 22:45
ravma479 Member Posts: 143	Ah, I didn't catch the disc count on the Reeve collection. Yeah, they don't want to remind people of when Returns will come to DVD, but they want to start getting the smaller packages ready to go.

#7 Posted: 22-07-2006 03:00
ravenus Heretic Posts: 201	Well I'm happy that they're not going to force you to buy a huge box set (with...YECCHH...Supegirl...why is this mess in a Chris Reeve Superman set, IIRC they only have his poster in one scene of the movie) just to get the Donner cut of Superman II.

#8 Posted: 22-07-2006 03:32
Katzenbach Member Posts: 71	Christ on a cross, I can't wait for this!!! 4-Disc set of the Superman??!! Finally! Christmas can't come soon enough! ------ "Do on to others as you would like done on to you"

#9 Posted: 22-07-2006 09:48
NormH Crack Whore Posts: 69	I'm totally confused and don't know what to get now! Are we still getting a big 14 disc bugger?

#10 Posted: 22-07-2006 10:13
Benji Member Posts: 97	Shame the 20 minute longer tv cut of 3 with space credits wont be included but I assume the "additional scenes" incorporates that. Kinda expected 3 and 4 to get a bum wrap with regard to extras (1 disc each?) and supergirl has poor specs considering the much better release 5 years ago with the international cut (which thankfully I own!). Stupid not including the donner cut in the "reeve" box set!

#11 Posted: 22-07-2006 10:20
K das contributor Posts: 920	I'd have preferred the fleischer toons to be presented on one disc. Seems a bit rubbish to split them between Supes I and II ------ www.koreancinemahouse.co.uk

#12 Posted: 22-07-2006 11:06
bradavon Banned Posts: 2907	What does Supergirl have to do with Christopher Reeve? Other than the poster on her bedroom wall connecting them. Still I'm pleased they're all getting released seperately so I can pick up: 1. Superman 1 SE 2. Superman 2 SE 3. Superman 2 Richard Donner Cut I'll pick Superman 2 SE up later though just in case the Richard Donner cut wipes all over it.

#13 Posted: 22-07-2006 11:15
bradavon Banned Posts: 2907	Are we to assume Superman 2: RD Cut and Superman: Extended Cut are NOT going to have DD5.1 remixes? Odd when there is already a DD5.1 mix from the Superman: EC (from the current DVD). Shame if that's the case.

#14 Posted: 22-07-2006 12:27

Takeshi357
Rock N' Troll
Posts: 334

Quote:
Originally Posted by bradavon:
Still I'm pleased they're all getting released seperately so I can pick up:

1. Superman 1 SE
2. Superman 2 SE
3. Superman 2 Richard Donner Cut

I'll pick Superman 2 SE up later though just in case the Richard Donner cut wipes all over it.

I'll get those too, plus Superman III...which I should probably watch first to see if it's as fun as I remember it being. I haven't seen it for years.

I'd definitely skip the box set though; Superman IV and Supergirl are of no interest to me, former because they didn't bother cutting the excised footage INTO the film (and because the movie itself stinks), and there is a considerably better release of Supergirl, too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by K:
I'd have preferred the fleischer toons to be presented on one disc. Seems a bit rubbish to split them between Supes I and II

I already have the Fleischer cartoons on DVD, but the quality is so horrible I hope WB offers a big improvement.

#15 Posted: 22-07-2006 13:42

bradavon
Banned
Posts: 2907

Quote:
Originally Posted by Takeshi357:
and there is a considerably better release of Supergirl, too.

I'm sure that's long since OOP though.

I kinda like Superman 4, it's better than Superman 3 but neither are keepers.

#16 Posted: 22-07-2006 14:07
stuartbannerman Member Posts: 305	and i spent all this time looking forward to the definitive release of the 14 dvd box set. Disapointing....but i will still end up buying these or at least some of them. Looking down the list. Ive gone from wanting the 14 DVD set that was rumoured. To now only bothering with the Donner Cut. Loss of money from me and i wonder how many others that would have bought the 14 dvd set for £x

#17 Posted: 22-07-2006 14:41

bradavon
Banned
Posts: 2907

Quote:
Originally Posted by NormH:
I'm totally confused and don't know what to get now! Are we still getting a big 14 disc bugger?

Read the comments.

Quote:
Originally Posted by stuartbannerman:
and i spent all this time looking forward to the definitive release of the 14 dvd box set. Disapointing....but i will still end up buying these or at least some of them.

Read the comments.

#18 Posted: 22-07-2006 14:51
Predator Alien Member Posts: 92	14 to 8 discs is a big drop, perhaps they over estimated their requiements on this package. I'd still like to see full uncut versions on 3 and 4.

#19 Posted: 22-07-2006 15:15
stuartbannerman Member Posts: 305	i did read the comments.

#20 Posted: 22-07-2006 15:32

Takeshi357
Rock N' Troll
Posts: 334

Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator:
I'd still like to see full uncut versions on 3 and 4.

There's stuff missing from 3 as well?

Certainly can't be as bad as 4, with huge plot holes left behind.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bradavon:I'm sure that's long since OOP though.

I know...I'd say it's worth the effort to find, but I don't think the movie itself is worth it.

#21 Posted: 22-07-2006 15:53
stuartbannerman Member Posts: 305	there are bits missing from 3. Broadcast version uses separate title sequence similar to original Superman - The Movie titles, with adapted John Williams theme. Theatrical and home video versions had difficult-to-read titles over opening slapstick sequence. In some versions, Lorelei sees that Gus has scrawled the circuit diagram and states, off her guard: "It's a computer." Before hastily adding, in her bimbo voice: "Or a hairdryer! Is it a hairdryer?" The televised version contains numerous scenes not included in the theatrical release. For instance, one scene has Vera reading a book on computers while Lorelei and Superman can be heard fooling around in the next room. Gus Gorman's speech about Superman's feats while wearing skis is longer, and so forth. The UK television release included an extended title sequence. The section that is still included on the video release where a bank is robbed; is extended on the TV release to include a scene where superman catches the bank robber who drops his stolen money bag on to a nearby seesaw with a child on it. The child is catapulted into a tree, and is then rescued by superman and returned to his/her mother. In the scene where Richard Pryor (Gus Gorman) is trying to get Gavin O'Herlihy (Brad) drunk (where pryor is wearing the giant cowboy hat) there is extended dialogue on the UK TV version (cut out from the UK video release) where O'Herlihy talks about his high school nickname 'The Phili/filly flash'. Which is then referenced a couple of minutes later when pryor is dragging him into the computer room. Also on some TV/Video versions there is an additional shot of Pryor knocking open a utility room and scaring himself in a mirror

#22 Posted: 22-07-2006 18:45

Eny-
Member
Posts: 31

Quote:
Originally Posted by ravenus:
Well I'm happy that they're not going to force you to buy a huge box set (with...YECCHH...Supegirl...why is this mess in a Chris Reeve Superman set, IIRC they only have his poster in one scene of the movie) just to get the Donner cut of Superman II.

Supergirl is not included in Reeve's boxset.

Superman SE : 4 discs
Superman II SE : 2 discs
Superman III DE : 1 disc
Superman IV DE : 1 disc

= 8 discs ;)

#23 Posted: 22-07-2006 22:25
Maffew Member Posts: 430	Thank God Superman 1 and 2 are being released seperately. I'd rather shove bees up my arse than watch 3 and 4 and again. ------ I am currently watching: What do you care? Get a life!

#24 Posted: 22-07-2006 22:59

bradavon
Banned
Posts: 2907

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eny-:
Supergirl is not included in Reeve's boxset.

Superman SE : 4 discs
Superman II SE : 2 discs
Superman III DE : 1 disc
Superman IV DE : 1 disc

= 8 discs ;)

I was going to post that WB clearly aren't very good at maths :D

EDIT: Re-reading it no where does it actually say Supergirl will be included we all just assumed it was. It says:

"The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection ($79.92 SRP) will be offered in an 8-disc boxed set including all the above (except Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut)."

Supergirl isn't mentioned until right at the bottom, so a single disc R1 release of the UK R2 released last month:

http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=61352

I've always liked Supergirl, shame a sequel was never made.

#25 Posted: 23-07-2006 08:39
Phil Q Member Posts: 1817	I assume the Supergirl disc will actually be in the rumoured 14-disc set, not this "Christopher Reeve" 8-disc set. The 14-discer will presumably include the 8 discs from the "CRSC" plus the Donner Cut, Superman Returns 2-disc, Supergirl, the Look! Up In The Sky documentary and, I dunno, another disc of "exclusive" extras. Personally I'd still like to see an extended cut of Superman IV - I know it's tosh, but it was Reeve's baby and since they're paying tribute to him it would be nice to see what he had in mind.

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