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Superman

  • 19781978
  • PGPG
  • 2h 23m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
172K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,180
400
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas, Jeff East, Margot Kidder, Jack O'Halloran, Valerie Perrine, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)
Trailer for Superman: The Movie
Play trailer2:39
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Sci-Fi

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

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
172K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,180
400
  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writers
    • Jerry Siegel(character created by: Superman)
    • Joe Shuster(character created by: Superman)
    • Mario Puzo(story)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Reeve
    • Margot Kidder
    • Gene Hackman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Richard Donner
  • Writers
    • Jerry Siegel(character created by: Superman)
    • Joe Shuster(character created by: Superman)
    • Mario Puzo(story)
  • Stars
    • Christopher Reeve
    • Margot Kidder
    • Gene Hackman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 629User reviews
    • 207Critic reviews
    • 81Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 17 wins & 23 nominations total

    Videos3

    Superman: The Movie
    Trailer 2:39
    Superman: The Movie
    We Are Superman
    Clip 0:59
    We Are Superman
    'Aquaman' Star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Picks the Baddest DC Villain Ever
    Video 2:15
    'Aquaman' Star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Picks the Baddest DC Villain Ever

    Photos418

    Gene Hackman in Superman (1978)
    Marlon Brando and Maria Schell in Superman (1978)
    Marlon Brando, Lee Quigley, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)
    Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978)
    Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, and Jack O'Halloran in Superman (1978)
    Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978)
    Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, and Margot Kidder in Superman (1978)
    Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978)
    Marlon Brando, Lee Quigley, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)
    Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter in Superman (1978)
    Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978)
    Marlon Brando and Lee Quigley in Superman (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Christopher Reeve
    Christopher Reeve
    • Supermanas Superman…
    Margot Kidder
    Margot Kidder
    • Lois Laneas Lois Lane
    Gene Hackman
    Gene Hackman
    • Lex Luthoras Lex Luthor
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Jor-Elas Jor-El
    Ned Beatty
    Ned Beatty
    • Otisas Otis
    Jackie Cooper
    Jackie Cooper
    • Perry Whiteas Perry White
    Glenn Ford
    Glenn Ford
    • Pa Kentas Pa Kent
    Trevor Howard
    Trevor Howard
    • 1st Elderas 1st Elder
    Jack O'Halloran
    Jack O'Halloran
    • Nonas Non
    Valerie Perrine
    Valerie Perrine
    • Eve Teschmacheras Eve Teschmacher
    Maria Schell
    Maria Schell
    • Vond-Ahas Vond-Ah
    Terence Stamp
    Terence Stamp
    • General Zodas General Zod
    Phyllis Thaxter
    Phyllis Thaxter
    • Ma Kentas Ma Kent
    Susannah York
    Susannah York
    • Laraas Lara
    Jeff East
    Jeff East
    • Young Clark Kentas Young Clark Kent
    Marc McClure
    Marc McClure
    • Jimmy Olsenas Jimmy Olsen
    Sarah Douglas
    Sarah Douglas
    • Ursaas Ursa
    Harry Andrews
    Harry Andrews
    • 2nd Elderas 2nd Elder
    • Director
      • Richard Donner
    • Writers
      • Jerry Siegel(character created by: Superman)
      • Joe Shuster(character created by: Superman)
      • Mario Puzo(story) (screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, young Clark discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor, while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane —Jwelch5742
    • superhero
    • dc comics
    • year 1978
    • 1970s
    • hero
    • 364 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • You'll believe a man can fly.
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Adventure
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for peril, some mild sensuality and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Roger Moore's autobiography, he witnessed Christopher Reeve walking through the canteen at Pinewood Studios in full Superman costume, oblivious to the swooning female admirers he left in his wake. When he did the same thing dressed as Clark Kent, no one paid any attention.
    • Goofs
      (at around 44 mins) When Jor-El introduces himself in the Fortress of Solitude, he explains that by this time, he will have been dead for thousands of Earth years. Yet during his teaching during Kal's journey to Earth from Krypton (at around 21 mins), Jor-El refers to Einstein's theory of relativity, which wasn't formulated until long after the destruction of Krypton.
    • Quotes

      Lex Luthor: Some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

    • Crazy credits
      Next Year: "Superman II"
    • Alternate versions
      The current DVD, in addition to containing the 2000 restored director's cut, has 2 deleted scenes (both of Lex' babies, and seen in the TV edits in their original context), and alternate audio scoring for 8 sequences (including an unreleased alternate pop version of Margot Kidder's "Can You Read My Mind"). The DVD has the 2000 restoration with the following additions / expansions (all of which were seen in previous expanded television versions):
      • Some added dialogue when Jor-El is talking with the council.
      • The council calls an "Executioner" to hunt and kill Jor-El to keep the rocket from launching.
      • Noel Neill and Kirk Alyn's speaking cameos on the train.
      • Little girl sees Clark running faster than train, parents call her Lois Lane.
      • In the kitchen Martha Kent takes out a box of Cheerios.
      • After rescuing Air Force One Superman returns to Fortress of Solitude and has a conversation with his father.
      • In Metropolis when the news of Superman comes out, Clark is a spectator. A stranger (played by an uncredited Richard Donner) comments "that'll be the day when a man can fly"; Clark grins.
      • While trying to get Luthor's lair Superman goes through machine guns, flame throwers, ice machines with Luthor taunting on loudspeaker.
      • The sequence with the Girl Scouts.
    • Connections
      Edited into Superman II (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Can You Read My Mind
      Music by John Williams

      Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse

      Performed by Margot Kidder

    User reviews629

    Review
    Top review
    Great Cast and Fun Action
    Superman (1978)

    *** (out of 4)

    One of the best comic book adaptations has Christopher Reeve playing an alien orphan who finds himself on Earth working as a nerdy reporter under the name Clark Kent but his true calling is that of Superman who finds himself going up against Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman). It's easy to see why so many comic book fans consider this one of the strongest adaptations out there. This film pretty much delivers everything from romance to adventure to action to some rather funny moments as well. A lot of credit has to go to director Richard Donner who really does a remarkable job at bringing all of this together. I think a lot of credit also has to be given to the bravery of keeping Superman pretty much hidden for well over a hour. The first forty-five minutes pretty much deals with Superman's father (Marlon Brando) and the fall of his planet, which is something else that a lot of movies wouldn't have bothered with or at least wouldn't have spent so much time on. I think the film's greatest moments are when Superman is in action. One such example is the first sequence when we see Superman for the first time. There's also the incredibly tense ending, which contains one great sequence after another but the dam is clearly the highlight. Another strong thing this film has going for it are the performances with Reeve leading the way in the title role. The actor was simply born to play this part as he perfectly nails not only to nerdy Kent but he's also believable as the superhero. Margot Kidder is also extremely fun in the role of the love interest and there's no question that Hackman brings a lot of smiles as Luthor. It's also great fun being able to see the likes of Brando, Glenn Ford and Jackie Cooper in their parts. The special effects when viewed today aren't the greatest but there are still several spots that hold up extremely well. If I had a problem with anything it's the extremely long running time, which I felt was just too long for its own good. Still, SUPERMAN was ground-breaking when it was first released and it's easy to see why as it still holds up well after all these years.
    helpful•6
    0
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Jun 11, 2013

    FAQ10

    • Which characters were adapted from the Superman comic books?
    • What is Miss Teschmacher's relationship to Lex Luthor? Is she his girlfriend? If so, why does he not call her by her first name? Does she work for him?
    • Where is Smallville located?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 15, 1978 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Superman: The Movie
    • Filming locations
      • Range Road 264, Blackie, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Dovemead Films
      • Film Export A.G.
      • International Film Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $55,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $134,478,449
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,465,343
      • Dec 17, 1978
    • Gross worldwide
      • $300,478,449
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 23 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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    Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Christopher Reeve, Jackie Cooper, Sarah Douglas, Jeff East, Margot Kidder, Jack O'Halloran, Valerie Perrine, and Susannah York in Superman (1978)
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