Supergirl (1984)

After losing a powerful orb, Kara, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Writer:

David Odell (screenplay)

Stars:

Faye Dunaway, Helen Slater, Peter O'Toole

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Faye Dunaway	...	Selena
Helen Slater	...	Kara Zor-El / Supergirl / Linda Lee
Peter O'Toole	...	Zaltar
Hart Bochner	...	Ethan
Mia Farrow	...	Alura
Brenda Vaccaro	...	Bianca
Peter Cook	...	Nigel
Simon Ward	...	Zor-El
Marc McClure	...	Jimmy Olsen
Maureen Teefy	...	Lucy Lane
David Healy	...	Mr. Danvers
Sandra Dickinson	...	Pretty Young Lady
Robyn Mandell	...	Myra
Jenifer Landor	...	Muffy
Diana Ricardo	...	Mrs. Murray

Storyline

After a power source for the community of Krypton survivors is accidentally whisked to earth, Kara-El, cousin to Superman and niece to Jor-El, chooses to go to earth to find it, and bring it back. Upon her arrival, she becomes just a powerful and Super as her cousin, but encounters dangerous battles and unexpected obstacles when a mean spirited woman who practices rituals of the occult takes the power source for herself, and uses it to cause destruction and attempt zenith human status.

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Plot Keywords:

power | city | encounter | monster | phantom zone | 

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Taglines:

Adventure Runs In The Family!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Supergirl: The Movie

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$13,600,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artistry Limited, Investors In Industry PLC, Robert Fleming Leasing Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min 124 min (international) 105 min (theatrical) 138 min (director's cut) 150 min (original cut) 89 min (Video Version)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ilya Salkind's partner, Alyssa Cartagena, was the original producer. During pre-production and principal photography, there was much tension between Cartegena and Alexander Salkind. Cartegena was not pleased with the script or the film's publicity campaign. Eventually she was replaced by Timothy Burrill, the co-producer. Cartegena was very resentful; she had secured most of the film's financing and was responsible for bringing Faye Dunaway on board.

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Goofs

The mirror in the castle changes to transparent glass when Supergirl flies through it. After the vortex swallows Selena and Bianca, it turns back into a mirror.

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Quotes

Supergirl: I can't. I can't
Zaltar: You can. On, girl.

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Crazy Credits

In the end credits Argo City is kept in view until the last minute.

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Connections

Featured in You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (2006)

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Soundtracks

"NEW SONG"
Written and Performed by Howard Jones
Courtesy of WEA Records Limited

User Reviews

Glad I'm not the only one

I guess I was 7 or 8 when my parents took me to the cinema for the first time. They picked Supergirl as something fun and unthreatening. I have been hooked on film ever since! Supergirl is a hugely under-rated movie, and while I can take on board some of the negative comments you read here, I also think they're a bit harsh. Come on people (you know who you are), it's a fantasy film! If it played the same as Superman (another great), there would be no point in making it in the first place. Sure the magic angle is slightly odd, but what the hell, it's a fun film which doesn't take itself too seriously, but doesn't go in for over the top slapstick either (take heed Richard Lester!!). And of course the effects are a little dated, it is 20 years old after all (though many still look great). Jerry Goldsmith's score it beautiful and lyrical, as it should be, becoming triumphantly heroic when it needs to (The main theme is tremendous, even with the eighties electronic whooshes and eagle squarks). Helen Slater is gorgeous in the lead role, and considering this was her first major role, she does a commendable job. Then there's Miss Dunaway: first rate as always-you can almost see the scenery going down her throat, but that's part of the charm of the character. All the actors come off well, and if you ignore some bits and pieces (there's still some huge plot holes even in the Directors Cut!) you should have a great time. It would be interesting to see a remake that perhaps didn't stray so far from the source mythology (was the omegahedron in the comics?), but on the other hand, the eighties was a different time, and perhaps today's climate (whether the world could use a super-hero or not) is not right to relaunch the poor girl to Earth. One of my all time favourites, and I'm glad to see so many other fans on the IMDB. Let's lobby Anchor Bay for an official Region 2 version. My TV can't broadcast NTSC signals, so have to watch it in black & white, or in jerky (but colour) vision on a slow laptop. Peace. Out.