听 Why Warner Bros insist on using the lousy cardboard cases for their DVDs is incomprehensible. Especially when the disc inside is the stunning DVD for "Superman: The Movie".
Repeat showings of this movie in pan and scan, with advert breaks, considerably reduced the impressive scale of this motion picture. Now presented in 2.35:1 with a remastered picture, the film is once again a spectacle of Oscar-winning visual effects.
The new 5.1 sound mix for this DVD is a masterpiece. The opening credits will have you rooted to the spot as the titles swoop through the room, and the sub-woofer explodes with tremendous force at the various visual highlights that open this film.
Simply in terms of sound and picture quality, this DVD is a winner as it has restored "Superman" into an 'event' movie. No matter how many times you've seen the film on TV, this disc will really thrill you, and we haven't even got started on the special features.
The Special Features:
The quality of the special features is excellent, with entertainment guaranteed as every element of this movie is dissected with interviews, rare old footage, and a genuine enthusiasm for what remains a massive motion picture event.
Disc One:
- Audio commentary with Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz. Both Donner and Mankiewicz seem to really enjoy themselves on this commentary, littering it with amusing anecdotes, and paying homage to the ingenious team of talents that realised this spectacle. There's plenty of technical information on offer, and it ties-in well with the documentaries on the flip side of the disc.
- 5.1 Music-Only Track. Often 'music-only' tracks on DVD tend to be in 2.0 even if the movie is in 5.1, so this 5.1 music score is a real treat.
- Added Scenes. Ten short added scenes, all with commentary, including one where the famous Hollywood sign falls down.
Disc Two:
- 'Taking Flight: The Development of Superman' (30 mins). The Salkinds always planned to make this movie an epic, as this fascinating documentary reveals. In their bid to be taken seriously, they attached the services of some of the biggest heavyweights in Hollywood, including people like Mario Puzo (scriptwriter of "The Godfather") and actor Marlon Brando. Amongst the many amusing anecdotes thrown up by the interviews in this documentary, is that Richard Donner was offered the job to direct while sitting on the toilet.
- 'Making Superman: Filming the Legend' (31 mins). A lot of behind-the-scenes footage litters this documentary, as everything from the size of Superman's codpiece to the budget problems is frankly discussed.
- 'The Magic Behind the Cape' (22 mins). The magic behind the visual effects is revealed, with lots of test footage showing just how ingenious the technical crew had to be to create the still impressive FX.
- Screen Tests. Three character try-outs including a sweaty Christopher Reeve in an ill-fitting costume.
- Deleted Scenes. Not much on offer here.
- Trailer and TV Spot.
- Additional Music Cues. Eight scene cues including alternative title music.
It's not often that reviewing DVDs with this much material is such a pleasure. Fans of the movie will be delighted with this disc.
Region: 2
Ratio: 2.35:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5:1
Technical Features:
Scene selection, animated menus, multiple languages and subtitles and English for the hearing impaired.
Read reviews of "Superman II", "Superman II", and "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace".
