Superman: The Movie (DVD, 2001, 2-Disc Set)

Unable to convince the ruling council of Krypton that their world will destroy itself soon, scientist Jor-El takes drastic measures to preserve the Kryptonian race: He sends his infant son Kal-El to Earth. There, gaining great powers under Earth's yellow sun, he will become a champion of truth and justice. Raised by the Kents, an elderly farm couple, Clark Kent learns that his abilities must be used for good. The adult Clark travels to Metropolis, where he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the Daily Planet...and a caped wonder whose amazing feats stun the city: Superman! Meanwhile, Lex Luthor, the world's greatest criminal mind, is plotting the greatest real estate swindle of all time. Can't even the Man of Steel stop this nefarious scheme?

Actors: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper
Directors: Richard Donner
Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: May 1, 2001
Run Time: 143 minutes
DVD Features:
Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Incorporates Added Scenes
3 Behind-the-Scenes Documentaries:
The Magic Behind the Cape (Special Effects)
Making Superman: Filming the Legend (Production and Release)
Taking Flight: The Development of Superman (Preproduction)
Feature-Length Audio Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
Superman, Lois Lane, & Ursa Screen Tests
Audio Outtakes: Alternate Scoring for 8 Sequences
2 Deleted Scenes
TV Spots

This extended version of the classic 1978 SUPERMAN:THE MOVIE has 10 minutes of added footage from the archives that have been incorporated into the already classic motion picture. Christopher Reeves gives a performance and portrayal of Superman like no other actor has ever given of the comic book character ever since Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster created Superman in 1938.
A great cast of actors such as Marlon Brando playing Superman's father Jor-El and Gene Hackman's unforgettable portrayal of Lex Luthor have already blessed this flick along with state of the art special effects. During that time in 1978 these effects were top notch for a motion picture considering there wasn't computer animation to enhance special effects that are used in today's movies such as Jurassic Park (1993) or Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (2003), Lord of the Rings (2004) and Superman Returns.
So for a very entertaining movie for action, comedy and family fun entertainment, Superman:The Motion Picture the Extended Version has all that.
Furthermore: John Williams created an excellent sound track for this motion picture and it is being used in SUPERMAN RETURNS due out on dvd on 11/28/06.
For further reviews or background research check out the website supermantv.net.

CAST:
Superman/Clark Kent..........................​...............Christopher Reeve
Lex Luthor........................​..........................Gene Hackman
Jor-El...................​..............................​.....Marlon Brando
Lois Lane..........................​.........................Margo​t Kidder
Perry White.........................​........................Jackie Cooper
Jonathan Kent..........................​.....................Glen Ford
Otis.....................​..............................​.....Ned Beatty
Lara.....................​..............................​.....Susannah York
General Zod...........................​......................Terence Stamp
Jimmy Olson.........................​........................Mark McClure
Miss Tessmarker....................​.........................Valer​ie Perrine

I am sure I will like the new movie with the new Chris Reeve lookalike, but this one is a definite classic, especially in the opening scenes on Krypton and then the early life of Superman. Then things start moving along at a fast pace with Superman's career as Clark Kent in Metropolis. The scenes with Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor are classic comic villainy. The movie is a great classic with outstanding pre-CGI Age special effects. Great blue screen and animation effects. Look Ma--no wires! You will truly believe a man can fly with the viewing of this great, touching classic telling of the Superman story, pretty close to the original comic book storyline. In fact, this movie is better than what they have done to Superman in the comics in the 80's and 90's, trying to reinvent the character. I am of the old school that believes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" This movie tells the tale properly and with a lot of fun and visual wizardry mixed in. You will love it. I didn't like the Superman movies after this one II, III and IV were just a shadow of the original. The stories were way off. This movie stands as THE Superman movie of the 20th century and the new movie coming out June 28 will stand out as the Superman movie of the 21st.

This movie is a msut see for those to understand the new movie SUperman returns becasue there are alot of references made between the two such as the crystals, the fortress of solitude and so forth. I purchased this movie because I am a big silver age comic book fan even though I was born after it was over. Superman is a character that has endured for a very long time and is one of my favorite characters. While this movie is not as sophisticated as the new one, I think the directors did the best with what they had. Also, Christopher Reeve set the standard for how Superman was supposed to be done without looking hokey. This movie is a classic and a must for Superman fans, comic book fans, or for anyone who likes older movies. Chrisptopher Reeve gives an excellent performance as Superman and does make you believe that a man can fly.

This movie is a classic, with SUPERMAN RETURNS out and about it's a must to have both this and SUPES II in your collection. My fun fact? Watch for the scene when Lex Luthor/Gene Hackman reveals his evil plot to Superman in the subway lair...he is showing a map on the ground of the west coast (don't want to give away the plot) but he has new names for the west coast (Lexville, Otisburg <written by Otis/Ned Beatty>) and...

...his lady-friend, Miss Tesmacher...she has a place named after her and what do you think it is called? TESMACHER PEAKS (complete with two mountains, do I need to spell this out for you)...don't believe me, watch closely and pause--then ZOOM IN, if you DVD player can do that, and you will see for yourself!

Also, the reason why Miss Tesmacher helps Superman is because a missle is headed for HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY...where her mother lives...well, I am from New Jersey too and my family lives in Hackensack as well. Another reason of many that I LOVE this movie.