Superman (1978)

An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest super-hero.

Director:

Richard Donner

Writers:

Jerry Siegel (creator), Joe Shuster (creator),

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 12 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Jor-El
Gene Hackman	...	Lex Luthor
Christopher Reeve	...	Superman / Clark Kent
Ned Beatty	...	Otis
Jackie Cooper	...	Perry White
Glenn Ford	...	Pa Kent
Trevor Howard	...	1st Elder
Margot Kidder	...	Lois Lane
Jack O'Halloran	...	Non
Valerie Perrine	...	Eve Teschmacher
Maria Schell	...	Vond-Ah
Terence Stamp	...	General Zod
Phyllis Thaxter	...	Ma Kent
Susannah York	...	Lara
Jeff East	...	Young Clark Kent

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

planet | reporter | newspaper | flying | california | 

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Taglines:

The movie that makes a legend come to life.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook WB Home Entertainment - DVD site

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Superman: The Movie

Filming Locations:

Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$134,218,018 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dovemead Films, Film Export A.G., International Film Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min 127 min (1980 video release) 151 min (2000 restoration)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints) Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

William Goldman was approached to write the screenplay as was Leigh Brackett. Ilya Salkind hired Alfred Bester but Alexander Salkind didn't think he was famous enough so he hired Mario Puzo instead on a $600,000 salary.

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Goofs

At the end of the work day in the Daily Planet, Clark presses the 'Up' button on the elevator and when the doors open, he asks if the lift is going down, and an irate passenger retorts, 'Up! Up!' Clark then presses the 'Down' button. Basically, Clark should have pressed the 'Down' button the first time if he were going down.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jor-El: This is no fantasy - no careless product of wild imagination. No, my friends. These indictments that I have brought to you today, specific charges herein against the individuals. Their acts of treason, their ultimate aim of sedition. These... are matters of undeniable fact. I ask you now to pronounce judgement on those accused.

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Crazy Credits

Next Year: "Superman II"

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'My Super Ex-Girlfriend' (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Only You"
(uncredited)
Performed by The Platters

User Reviews

The ultimate superhero film-and don't you forget it!

Yes, Superman, the superhero everyone knows about. What is there to say, that hasn't already been said. This film is superb! Perfect, outstanding, touching, tear-jerking, and everything else good one could possibly say! That is because this film was made by people who knew what they were doing, and they knew how to give us a real story. Richard Donner has given us this total depiction of a real Superman, and in no other way, could we receive anything other than this. Donner has filled this movie with so much heart, and inspiration, so much talent, and every bit of hard work and dedication one could imagine. Tom Mankiewicz revised the story with clever dialogue, so the characters would not just appeal to children, but to adults as well. Like them, or hate them, the Salkinds really gave us the works with their effort to produce the film with extreme effects and a terrific crew to pull the film off. What they did to Donner while production for #2 was halted, was wrong! We can hate them for that, but we cannot deny that they knew how to make a good movie, and make it right! Warner Bros. Pictures are also to give credit, for they gave themselves the chance to give audiences the movie of the decade! Marlon Brando is just powerful, although he was seen as powerful many times before in earlier films. He is subtle, but tense, and his opening brilliance is that of god sending his only son to earth. Just amazing! Gene Hackman, you can never get any better! With witty dialog, and smart, quick character developments, Hackman is the only one who could've pulled this film off as Lex Luther, then again, only they who were in this could've done right at all. Christopher Reeve, hansom, smart, charming, strong, brave, and as super as they get! He was the only man on earth to have the look, the style, and the strength to show what no one else could possibly show. He was Superman. Luthers crazy side-kicks, Otis and Teschmacher, are as convenient as ever. Both Ned Beatty and Valerie Perrine are just adorable as the co-conspirators of Lex Luther, and the three villains have great chemistry, as does the rest of the cast! Then comes the lovely Margot Kidder, the definitive Lois Lane. Again, like Reeve, the only woman, who was sexy, sultry, witty, charming, and yet vulnerable as the leading lady, and the love of Supermans' life. Kidder is head-over-heals in this one, getting herself into trouble, but the man of steel is always watching. With state-of-the-art special effects, the crew behind the scenes of this masterpiece were the only ones who could make a man fly, and they did. You will believe a man can fly, and afterward, he will fly in your heart for always. They story is just remarkable. The writing consists of such dramatic introductions for every vital character. So, we have a fully engaged film, with characters we love and cherish. Superman doesn't fight off monsters and aliens, but instead needs to look after the world, in order to save them from natural monsters, of the cruel people on earth. John Williams has never written anything better, next to "Jaws", Superman is one of his all-time best! From the mysterious opening of outer space, to the tear-jerking moments in Smallville, to the action-packed conclusion all over the world! This was the first, and the strongest superhero film ever. It has set standards. It gave us three sequels, and an exciting spin-off in 1984's "Supergirl". But this one will always be the first, the granddaddy of all action films that follow in it's footsteps! Super man is the ultimate superhero film, filled with love, heart, and strength, and no sequel, or remake will EVER take that away!