Superman III (1983)

Synthetic kryptonite laced with tar splits Superman in two: good Clark Kent and bad Man of Steel.

Director:

Richard Lester

Writers:

Jerry Siegel (character created by: Superman), Joe Shuster (character created by: Superman)

Stars:

Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Margot Kidder

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Reeve	...	Superman / Clark Kent
Richard Pryor	...	Gus Gorman
Jackie Cooper	...	Perry White
Marc McClure	...	Jimmy Olsen
Annette O'Toole	...	Lana Lang
Annie Ross	...	Vera
Pamela Stephenson	...	Lorelei
Robert Vaughn	...	Ross Webster
Margot Kidder	...	Lois Lane
Gavan O'Herlihy	...	Brad
Nancy Roberts	...	Unemployment Clerk
Graham Stark	...	Blind Man
Henry Woolf	...	Penguin Man
Gordon Rollings	...	Man In Cap
Peter Wear	...	Bank Robber

Storyline

Wealthy businessman Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn)discovers the hidden talents of Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a mischievous computer genius. Ross decides to abuse his talents, in a way to help Webster with his plans for economic control. When the man of steel interferes, something must be done about Supes. When Gus' synthetic Kryptonite fails to kill Superman, it turns him in an evil incarnation of his former self. The tar-laced Kryptonite pits man against himself, setting up the Clark vs. Superman battle.

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Plot Keywords:

campy | legs | blonde woman | woman in red dress | man wears eyeglasses | 

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Taglines:

The world's super hero in his toughest adventure yet!

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

WB Home Entertainment - DVD site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian Spanish

Release Date:

17 June 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Superman vs. Superman

Filming Locations:

Glen Canyon, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$39,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,352,357, 19 June 1983

Gross USA:

$59,950,623

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dovemead Films, Cantharus Productions, Major Studio Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Peter Whitman, who played a larger role in Superman II (1980), that of a Sheriff's Deputy, has a minor role here.

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Goofs

The plastic bubble that encases Superman has a golden ring with a hole on it. It's clearly visible right before he blasts it with his heat vision.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Unemployment Clerk: Next. Name?
Gus Gorman: Gus Gorman.

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Alternate Versions

In a ITV broadcast of the film in the late 1980s, a deleted scene which a brain surgeon is about to operate on a patient is reinstated.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Man with Two Brains/Superman III/Trading Places/Psycho II (1983)

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Soundtracks

Rock On
Performed by Marshall Crenshaw
Music by Giorgio Moroder
Lyrics by Keith Forsey
Produced by Giorgio Moroder

User Reviews

whatever

Not only did I feel that this wasn't a great movie, some people are going to hate me for saying this. I didn't like it as much as Superman IV. Now don't get me wrong, this was a descent movie but I just didn't feel it had as much magic as the 4th one.

I missed the romance between Superman and Lois Lane, probably because Kidder only had a cameo. And the thing I missed most was Gene Hackman. For the first two movies, he was a great criminal and I think he got into it a little bit. But beyond that, I didn't like the idea of someone overnight being able to know everything about computers and do whatever he wanted.

Finally the thing that bugged me was the opening scene. I loved seeing all the names fly by in the first two, now this just made me want to cry.