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Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

  • 20062006
  • PGPG
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.
Play trailer1:37
1 Video
24 Photos
  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Romance
Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
17K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Richard Donner
    • Richard Lester(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Joe Shuster(characters)
    • Jerry Siegel(characters)
    • Mario Puzo(story by)
  • Stars
    • Gene Hackman
    • Christopher Reeve
    • Marlon Brando
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Richard Donner
    • Richard Lester(uncredited)
  • Writers
    • Joe Shuster(characters)
    • Jerry Siegel(characters)
    • Mario Puzo(story by)
  • Stars
    • Gene Hackman
    • Christopher Reeve
    • Marlon Brando
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 156User reviews
    • 42Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:37
    Teaser Trailer

    Photos24

    Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, and Jack O'Halloran in Superman II (1980)
    Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in Superman II (1980)
    Terence Stamp in Superman II (1980)
    Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty in Superman II (1980)
    Christopher Reeve in Superman II (1980)
    Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, Richard LeParmentier, and Jack O'Halloran in Superman II (1980)
    Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
    Gene Hackman in Superman II (1980)
    Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder in Superman II (1980)
    Gene Hackman and Valerie Perrine in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
    Marlon Brando in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
    Marlon Brando and Christopher Reeve in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gene Hackman
    Gene Hackman
    • Lex Luthoras Lex Luthor
    Christopher Reeve
    Christopher Reeve
    • Clark Kentas Clark Kent…
    Marlon Brando
    Marlon Brando
    • Jor-Elas Jor-El
    Ned Beatty
    Ned Beatty
    • Otisas Otis
    Jackie Cooper
    Jackie Cooper
    • Perry Whiteas Perry White
    Sarah Douglas
    Sarah Douglas
    • Ursaas Ursa
    Margot Kidder
    Margot Kidder
    • Lois Laneas Lois Lane
    Jack O'Halloran
    Jack O'Halloran
    • Nonas Non
    Valerie Perrine
    Valerie Perrine
    • Eve Teschmacheras Eve Teschmacher
    Clifton James
    Clifton James
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • The Presidentas The President
    Marc McClure
    Marc McClure
    • Jimmy Olsenas Jimmy Olsen
    Terence Stamp
    Terence Stamp
    • General Zodas General Zod
    John Ratzenberger
    John Ratzenberger
    • Controller #1as Controller #1
    Shane Rimmer
    Shane Rimmer
    • Controller #2as Controller #2
    John Morton
    John Morton
    • Nateas Nate
    Jim Dowdall
    • Borisas Boris
    • (as Jim Dowdell)
    Angus MacInnes
    Angus MacInnes
    • Prison Warderas Prison Warder
    • (as Angus McInnes)
    • Directors
      • Richard Donner
      • Richard Lester(uncredited)
    • Writers
      • Joe Shuster(characters)
      • Jerry Siegel(characters)
      • Mario Puzo(story by) (screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Donner had been approached about a possible Director's Cut of this film as early as 2001, however complex legal issues involving the cut footage, as well as reluctance on the part of Donner prevented any official restoration from taking place. All this changed with the production of Superman Returns (2006), which led to Warner Brothers resolving all outstanding legal disputes regarding footage from the first two Superman films. By that time, public demand led Warner Brothers to commission a "Donner Cut" edited by Michael Thau, based on the original shooting script, without Donner's participation. After repeated urging by Thau, Donner eventually agreed to approve of scenes as Thau progressed in editing. Over time, the more Donner allowed himself to participate in the project, the more interest he took in restoring his original concept for the film, even going so far as to bring Screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz to the fold to ensure story cohesion. The result is the closest film possible to Donner's and Mankiewicz's original vision for the film.
    • Goofs
      Superman turns back time so that General Zod, Ursa and Non never leave the Phantom Zone, but we aren't shown how Superman deals with the missiles launched at the end of the first Superman movie - meaning, after turning back time, they should escape again, if Superman dealt with the nuclear missiles in the same manner. (This is a problem that actually stems from the first movie, where we aren't shown Superman dealing with the crisis in a different fashion after Lois dies - he shows up at Lois' car, and the aftershocks that caused her death just never happen.)

      The next scene we see is meant to be the beginning of the movie again, with the Daily Planet - so after the nuclear explosions, and before the arrival of the villains - but Clark goes back to straighten out the trucker who hit him afterwards - though because Superman turned back time, basically, this event never happened - so Clark was hitting an innocent man for no reason. (The diner owner says that he just had the place fixed up - meaning the scuffle did occur, and Clark claims he's been working out, meaning from the last time they saw him, when he was beaten - however, again, this never happened because Superman turned back time again.)

      Moreover, towards the end of the film, Superman destroys the Fortress of Solitude with his heat-sight - the Fortress of Solitude should be reconstructed (and with Jor-El available to guide Kal-El again) due to Superman turning back time again. The time travel device, beyond complicating the film's time-line, nullifies Jor-El's sacrifice and Superman's lesson, as after turning back time, things should be "back to normal" again.

      Furthermore, if Superman's end-game was to turn back time all along, he didn't have to fight the super-villains in Metropolis or in the Fortress of Solitude at all - he could have turned back time immediately after regaining his powers, or following the Metropolis fight.
    • Quotes

      Lois Lane: You ARE Superman, aren't you?

      Clark Kent: Lois, now we've been through these haullcinations of yours before. Can't you see what you almost did? Throwing yourself off a building 30 stories high? Can't you see what a tragic mistake you almost made?

      Lois Lane: I made a mistake. I made a mistake because

      [Lois pulls out a gun]

      Lois Lane: I risked my life instead of yours.

      Clark Kent: Lois... don't be insane!

      Lois Lane: And don't fall down 'cause you're just going to have to get up again!

      Clark Kent: Lois, don't be crazy now... LOIS!

      [Lois fires at Clark, who just stands there with a stern look on his face]

      Lois Lane: [Lois looks at amazement] It IS you...

      [Clark takes off his glasses to reveal that he is indeed Superman]

      Lois Lane: I guess I've known this for the longest time.

      Clark Kent: You realize, of course, if you had been wrong, Clark Kent would've been killed.

      Lois Lane: [Lois holds up the gun] With a blank?

      [Clark closes his eyes in embarassment]

      Lois Lane: Gotcha!

      Clark Kent: [Clark sits down ready to talk]

    • Crazy credits
      After the Warner Bros./DC Comics logos, there is an on-screen dedication "in loving memory" of Christopher Reeve, "Without whom we would have never believed a man could fly".
    • Connections
      Edited from Superman II (1980)

    User reviews156

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    In any shape or form, Superman II is a flawed masterpiece
    I've just seen this 'Richard Donner' cut of Superman II after getting the Christopher Reeve box set for Christmas. Its great. Really great. But heres the thing. There is material in the Richard Lester version that has been airing in the UK for years that i love and when you see the Donner cut its either edited out or the music is completely changed! The scenes i'am talking about are really around the Krypton villains. Their arrival on the moon and attack on the astronauts was one of the best sequences in the movie and the villains' theme by Ken Thorne (originally by John Williams) which plays over that sequence and whenever they are on screen was fantastic...the soundtrack is not in that sequence in the Donner cut!

    Also, the hand wrestling scene between the farmer and Ursa in the coffee shop is gone! Please don't get me wrong, this version is superb and i guess it is as close to seeing what Richard Donner originally intended for the sequel before he was replaced with Richard Lester. Also the 'new' footage which i have never seen is really great, especially the opening sequence with Lois Lane throwing herself out of the Daily Planet office window in an attempt to get Superman to save her, as is the small new inclusions of the attack on the White House, making it a little longer and more violent was the right direction and you can clearly see where the makers of the X Men got their inspiration from in this sequence.

    The final battle at Superman's address in the North Pole is slightly disappointing. More a battle of super minds than super powers.

    However, this is really fascinating if you are a Superman fan and thankfully because of the box set i now have both versions. One is not better than the other, they are both flawed brilliance.
    helpful•22
    4
    • CalDexter
    • Dec 30, 2006

    FAQ1

    • Why was Richard Donner fired from directing the original cut of Superman II?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 15, 2006 (Spain)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Superman Reforms
    • Filming locations
      • Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $54,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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