In a world of superhero movies that seem to only be getting darker and darker, strap in for the 1978 blockbuster featuring bright colors, dorky superheroes, and awesomely bad special effects. Honestly,everything the 1978 superman movie did well is perfectly encapsulated in the helicopter rescue scene. The richard donner cut, and author david michael petrou is the man behind the stories i fondly. The movie 4 discs special edition dvd 1978 at best buy. Really, though, as much fun as we had talking about the batman movies, the superman films were even more important in bringing comic books. What bestselling novelist wrote the original screenplay. But if superman was overpowered as the negative haters say then he could simply blink his eyes and end the corona virus, dr. An international coproduction between the united kingdom, switzerland, panama and the united states, the film stars an ensemble cast featuring marlon brando, gene hackman, christopher reeve, jeff east, margot kidder, glenn ford, phyllis thaxter. Perhaps the filmmakers agreed with spielbergs famous statement that jaws would work better the longer he kept the shark off the screen. It was followed by three sequels superman ii 1980, superman iii 1983 and superman iv. Many were released on cardboard or vinyl records with accompanying readalong books. Marc mcclure and christopher reeve superman the movie 1978 see more. The thing superman still has going for it, even as its cutting edge youwillbelieveamancanfly effects age, is christopher reeve.
When the journey ends, kalel has aged twelve years to the age of 30, although in the timetwisting of interdimensional travel the earth has aged 22 years to the year 1978 a. The movie inspired the kinks 1979 song wish i could fly like superman, when the bands main songwriter, ray davies, watched the film in late 1978. The movie or just superman, the onscreen title did the same for bigbudget superhero films. Since his first comic book appearance in 1938, superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The scenes of young clark kents boyhood and adolescence might seem pointless if we didnt know, and somedaythat child will grow up to be superman. Photo book with numerous large, color pics from the 1978 superman movie starring christopher reeve. A new, updated version of the popular comic book hero superman. Superman and batman had both appeared in radio, serials, tv shows, and cartoons well before 1978, but that years superman advertised as. The making of superman the movie by david michael petrou. The making of superman the movie took four years, people, eleven separate film units, three studios, filming on three continents and in eight countries and over a million feet of film.
Now in the extended cut rediscover superman with nearly 40 more minutes of story unseen in decades. It wasnt until 1978 that a big budget producer partnered with steven spielberg to make the first true superman movie. The 1978 film directed by richard donner created the first real success of comictofilm adaptations and became a blockbuster around the world. In fact, id go so far as to say richard donners superman is the greatest, most charming, and most joyful comic book movie of the 20th century. We are keeping a close eye on developments and hope to reopen by the end of april if not sooner, circumstances permitting. Younger viewers may not have the patience to wait through the first third of superman.
Now you can read the whole story of the spectacular and complex undertaking in this firsthand report by. Welcome to superman the movie celebrating superman the movie iv and supergirl. How jewish history, culture and values shaped the comic book superhero, says that. The character regularly appears in comic books published by dc comics, and has been adapted to a number of radio serials, movies, and television shows. The movie was a poststar wars blockbuster, recruiting the likes of marlon brando and gene hackman to confer some class onto a usually kidtargeted property. Cast information crew information company information. The movie 1978 just before the destruction of the planet krypton, scientist jorel sends his infant son kalel on a spaceship to earth. Superman comic strip superman vs covid19 superman homepage.
Now, you can read the whole story of the spectacular and complex. The success of superman in the comics opened the doors for other masked marvels in colorful costumes and 1978s superman. To put it in 1978 comic book terms, the movies smallville looked and felt more like the golden age of earthtwo than the modern earthone. How many candidates were considered for the superman role. Backed by an armada of 100 powerful warships orbiting the planet, ratlar demands that earths greatest champion battle the mightiest scrubb warrior. Superman is a 1978 superhero film directed by richard donner, based on the dc comics. The making of superman the movie paperback book is the definitive insight to the filming of richard donners superman the movie and superman ii commonly known now as superman ii. What hit film inspired the use of two separate scripts and two separate films in the shooting of superman. Released in two series, 1978 topps superman the movie also includes traditional stickers as well as foil stickers. In fact, richard donners superman 1978 is surprisingly slowstarting. Superman 1978 a new, updated version of the popular comic book hero superman. The movie, even if his nefarious scheme was ludicrous. The first time we see superman in his red, blue and yellow uniform is nearly an hour into superman. The cast articles are plentiful, and the tagline, you will believe a man can fly, is a grabber.
These were handed out at the theater featuring the movie. At least, he appears perfectly normal, until he transforms into superman flying around with his underpants over his tights, saving the day. Believing a man can fly for three and a half decades. One thing we comic book fanatics love to do is nit pick every tiny detail on an adapted character, and who am i to. He debuted in cinemas in a series of animated shorts beginning in 1941, and then starred in two movie serials in 1948 and 1950. Not only didnt the movie superman do the costumed hero thing as a kid, he completely disappeared from the face of the earth for 12 years from age 18 to age 30. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. National catholic register a classic tribute to an american popculture icon, superman is the first great comic book movie and a nostalgic ode to the ideals of a more innocent time. The fictional character superman, an american comic book superhero in dc comics publications, has appeared in various films almost since his inception. Even in 1978, everyone knew superman s origin or at least enough to understand the rest of the movie. What modem miracle of our century was used for the first time as a publicity mechanism for superman. Superman is perhaps the longestlived of the classic golden age superhero characters to remain in the public imagination, and, in addition to a 75year history of comic book publication, the character has also had a long career on the silver screen. That 1978 classic is what paved the way for many comic book based movies. This movie begins on krypton, where superman s father sends him off to earth as a young child.
The movie before getting a glimpse of superman s famous costume, and the picture is more than half over before he begins fighting crime in metropolis. The superman movies paved the way for comicbook blockbusters. An independent studio, lippert pictures, released the first superman feature film, superman and the mole men. You can say that without superman in 1978, we might not have had the marvel cinematic universe or the dc cinematic universe. It is based on the dc comics character of the same name and stars marlon brando, gene hackman, christopher reeve, margot kidder, glenn ford, phyllis thaxter, jackie cooper, trevor howard, marc mcclure, terence stamp, valerie perrine, and ned beatty.
The making of superman the movie mass market paperback december, 1978 by david michael petrou author. The making of superman the movie took four years, people, eleven separate film units, three studios, filming on three continents. The story begins with supermans birth on the doomed planet krypton and follows him on his arrival to earth, his childhood in kansas and his career as reporter for the daily planet. Apr 11, 2017 superman 1978 superman vs train scene. The film began with a marquee or theatre curtain opening on a black and white projected film, dated june 1938. The making of superman the movie david michael petrou on. Superman teaser trailer, designed by rgreenberg assoicates. And villain print batman christian bale, dark knight, comic books. Man, time flies because i vividly remember when this movie came out and the excitement it caused. December 15, 1978 was a defining day in my life when, as a 17yearold, i experienced the cinematic masterpiece, superman the movie, for the first time on the silver screen, followed by more viewings in the weeks that followed. Superman and batman had both appeared in radio, serials, tv shows, and cartoons well before 1978, but that years superman advertised as superman. Superman 1978 movie pressbook at 30 pages, this pressbook for superman is quite a flyer. Flashback fm on this channel is dedicated to the passages of the famous comic book movies and cult films and blockbusters. Superman an alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive homes first and greatest superhero.
This was the first superman anyone had ever seen with modernday special effects, so it was pretty cool, to say the least. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. We thought it would cheapen the tease if any real footage was shown. The first bigbudget movie was superman in 1978, starring christopher reeve and produced by alexander and ilya salkind. David michael petrou, author of the making of superman the movie. Superman 1978 movie simple english wikipedia, the free. The character was invented all the way back in 1933, and made his first comic book appearance in 1938. It is the most successful superman feature film to date in terms of box office revenue adjusted for inflation.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Comic book superheroes unmasked 2003 tv movie the movie superman 1978 is referenced in this documentary. Value of 1978 superman the movie cards superman blog. By watching a movie like superman, you acknowledge that this is a comic book character and that much of what happens will be implausible, and often just impossible. Developed by godfather scribe mario puzo with reverence for the venerable superhero, superman pays homage to the legend. This was the first of four epic, superhero films featuring comicbook hero superman derived from the 1938 action comics character not counting the latest film remakes. Why christopher reeves superman is so hard to forget.
The great superman movie book 1978 by dc comics ebay. He really was a source of a lot of the fun to superman. Here are 10 facts you probably didnt know about superman 1978. Superman ii movie soundtrack 1980 superman iii 1983 vinyl record lps shipsfree. To date, the 1978 theatrical version of superman remains the only motion picture based on a comic book to have a lush, epic feel. The middle couple pages have come out of the staple. There were no novelizations or ironically comic book adaptations released for either superman 1978 or superman ii 1980. It was directed by richard donner, produced by ilya salkind, and the music was provided by john williams. If you think the reeve movie was universally lauded by 1978 comic book fans, youre sadly mistaken. Directed by richard donner and starring the legendary christopher reeve as the man of steel. Dawn of justice came out in 2016, but its still a great time to look back at the first fulllength theatrical film based on superman.
Superman 1978 the best movies in cinematic history. Its interesting that another remake is coming out this year. Superman the movie 1978 merit publications comic books. The movie blew my mind and completely altered my view of. What terrifying accident was interpreted by the makers of superman as an omen that the film was bound to be a smash. Richard donner, 143 minutes, 127 minutes video, 151 minutes restored and expanded film plot summary.
Superman is a 1978 movie based on the popular superman superhero comic book. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. The film also spawned on of the nicer trading card sets of the era. Dc comics in film 1978 superman by richard donner illustration art superman movies. Just before the destruction of the planet krypton, scientist jor.
The movie remains the quintessential superman film. That means the film doesnt open like most superhero movies or james bonds with a sensational pretitle sequence. He grows up to be a perfectly normal newspaper reporter named clark kent. The movie starred christopher reeve, margot kidder, marlon brando, gene hackman, ned beatty, phyllis thaxter, glenn ford, and jackie cooper. The american comic book character superman has appeared in many types of media. Superman was the first comic book movie with grade a actors in it like marlon brando. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Forty years after its theatrical release in 1978, superman. Now you can read the whole story of the spectacular and complex undertaking in this firsthand report by a writer who was there. The story begins with superman s birth on the doomed planet krypton and follows him on his arrival to earth, his childhood in kansas and his career as reporter for the daily planet. Check out this exclusive first look at lex luthors subterranean lair from an upcoming art and architecture book. The movie in some listings and reference sources is a 1978 superhero film directed by richard donner. This was because mario puzo, who wrote the original script which became the basis of the first two superman films, had stipulated in his contract that the story could not be adapted in any other form. The movie is a 1978 superhero film directed by richard donner, based on the dc comics character of the same name.
The scene reveals the now fully matured kalel dressed in a redandblue costume with a long red cape and bearing his family symbol, ready to fulfill his purpose of protecting his new homeworld. He made his first movie appearance in 1951, but this was largely considered a trial run for the upcoming tv series. In fact, many regarded richard lesters superman ii a. Thus, the movie will appeal primarily to adults looking to relive their youth by watching a 1970sstyle.
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