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:

Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, 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:

evil witch | megalomaniac | showdown | superheroine | villainess | 

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Taglines:

From out of another galaxy and into your hearts comes... Supergirl

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Romance | 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:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$35,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,738,249, 25 November 1984, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,600,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artistry Limited, Investors In Industry PLC, Major Studio Partners

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min (international) 105 min (theatrical) 138 min (director's cut) 150 min (original cut) 89 min (Video Version) 105 min (shortened) 92 min (TV)

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

Helen Slater would later play Superman's biological mother Lara in Smallville (2001) and Kara Danvers' adoptive mother Eliza Danvers in Supergirl (2015).

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Goofs

When Ethan falls unconscious on the couch, his arm is close to his face. In the following shot it has moved down.

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Quotes

Selena: I'm considering nothing less than world domination.

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Crazy Credits

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

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Alternate Versions

Theatrical versions and the U.S.A. Home Video version add two additional credits after the closing credits, one for the film's international sales consultant, and another giving special thanks to Pierre Spengler, who produced the first three Superman films. Those credits were removed from current home video releases.

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Connections

Version of The Adventures of Superboy (1966)

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Soundtracks

New Song
Written and Performed by Howard Jones
Courtesy of WEA Records Limited

User Reviews

A gentle tale worth watching with a relaxed mind.

Watching Supergirl this week for the first time since childhood I see it with fresh eyes and a newfound appreciation of the movie. Supergirl must be considered separate and unrelated to the Superman movie foursome or it will fall short. There is not supposed to be a comparison. The Superman movies are action epics, Supergirl is the story of strength growing out of innocence.

Watching Supergirl now with an understanding of focus that I did not have when younger, I truly enjoy it. Helen Slater, Peter O'Tool, Peter Cook and Maureen Teefy all put in superb performances. Mia Farrow tends to overact the part of Selena, but then the character believes herself larger than life. Brenda Vaccaro could use a little more self assertion, but does alright. Marc McClure is of course an undeniably talented actor, though his part in this film is minor. I am forced to scream at the screen however; Why the hell do you wear a camera if you aren't going to use it when a major news piece flies into your lap?

I remember being dismissive of Supergirl when I was younger; due in part to the use of magic which has no part in the Superman films, but mainly I suspect due to the ludicrous man-eating excavator scene. This scene remains the major absurdity of the movie. Supposed to be terrifying it comes off as a rather poor imitation of the hundred Volkswagens from Herbie Rides Again. It isn't scary, its stupid.

Apart from that scene, Supergirl is good gentle viewing and a nice counterpoint to Superman.

It is hard to describe my exact feelings, but I do feel that standing on its own Supergirl should be considered a success and I deeply regret never having a chance to watch the sequels that were never made.