“Superman 5-Film Collection 1978 – 1987” Review
Posted on May 09, 2023 by Neil Cole
Warner Bros. Home Video recently provided the Superman Super Site with a review copy of the “Superman 5-Film Collection 1978 – 1987” 4K Ultra-HD box set which debuted at all major retailers on Tuesday, May 9th, 2023.
Included in the box set are the five Chirstopher Reeve films; “Superman: The Movie,” “Superman II,” “Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut,” “Superman III,” and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” on 4K Ultra-HD, Blu-ray, and Digital all housed in collectible packaging featuring Reeve standing with the Fortress of Solitude.
Also included are an abundance of special features such as commentary by producers and directors of the films, making of featurettes, classic Superman themed cartoons, TV spots, teaser trailers, theatrical trailers, deleted scenes, and the Superman 50th Anniversary TV Special from 1988.
The overall picture quality of each film in outstanding and has not been enhanced to the point of looking awful which is sadly the fate of some 4K remasters. While there is a certain level of grain left in the films, it only adds to the viewing experience as opposed to becoming an overly enhanced, digitized mess.
Some scenes are so impressive that one could argue that the sets were recreated using original source material and filmed for this release. The practical effects – such as various flying sequences – look stunning and have aged quite well to the point of rivaling some of the best CGI that is crammed into nearly every modern day film.
The amount of work put into each film at the time of their original release can now be fully appreciated all these years later and takes on a level of realism that makes your believe a man can fly all over again.
However, there are a few noticable flaws such as darker scenes being a bit muddled (especially in “Superman IV”) but, all-in-all, the edges of objects & people hold their lines and colors look true while providing a great sense of clarity.
All-in-all, the “Superman 5-Film Collection 1978 – 1987” 4K Ultra-HD box set offers a wonderful and visually stunning look back at these films that set the ground work for all the superhero films we have today and offers enough bonus content and special features to keep any fan entertained for hours.
On a side note, unfortunately the box set does not include the bonus material that was featured in the limited edition Steelbook Library Case Collection that included a numbered certificate of authenticity, “Superman ’78” miniature collectible comic book, Phantom Zone lenticular card, and a 16-page photo book.
With that being said, whether you are a die-hard Superman fan or just the occassional watcher of films featuring the Man of Steel, this is one box set you will absolutely want to add to your movie collection.
Ultra HD Blu-ray Elements
Superman: The Movie Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
• Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler
• The Making of Superman – vintage featurette
• Superman and the Mole-Men – vintage featurette
• Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon
• Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon
• Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon
• TV Spot
• Teaser Trailer
• Theatrical Trailer
Superman II Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
• Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
• The Making of Superman II – 1980 TV Special
• Superman’s Soufflé – Deleted scene
• Fleischer Studios’ Superman vintage cartoons
○ First Flight
○ The Mechanical Monster
○ Billion Dollar Limited
○ The Arctic Giant
○ The Bulleteers
○ The Magnetic Telescope
○ Electric Earthquake
○ Volcano
○ Terror on the Midway
• Theatrical trailer
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
• Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
• Introduction by Richard Donner – featurette
• Superman II: Restoring the Vision – featurette
• Deleted scenes
○ Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head north
○ Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head south
○ The villains enter the fortress
○ He’s all yours, boys
○ Clarke and Jimmy
○ Lex’s gateway
• Famous Studios vintage cartoons
○ Japoteurs
○ Showdown
○ Eleventh Hour
○ Destruction, Inc.
○ The Mummy Strikes
○ Jungle Drums
○ The Underground World
○ Secret Agent
Superman III Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
• Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
• The Making of Superman III – 1983 TV special
• Deleted scenes
○ Save my baby
○ To the rescue
○ Making up
○ Going to see the boss
○ Hatching the plan
○ The con
○ Rooftop ski
○ Boss wants this to go
○ Superman honored
○ Gus’ speech
○ Hanging up on Brad
• Theatrical trailer
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
• Commentary by Mark Rosenthal
• Superman 50th anniversary special – 1988 TV special
• Deleted scenes
○ Clark’s morning
○ Jeremy’s letter
○ Superman’s visit
○ Nuclear Man’s prototype
○ Metropolis after hours
○ Lex ponders
○ Flying sequence (extended scene)
○ Battle in Smallville
○ Battle in the U.S.S.R.
○ Nuclear arms race
○ Superman’s sickness
○ Red alert
○ By my side
○ Clark and Lacy say goodbye
○ No borders
• Theatrical trailer
About the Films:
Superman: The Movie
Academy Award winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the fantastic, action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time. From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth. Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. But with powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman.
An Alexander Salkind presentation and directed by Richard Donner (The Goonies, Lethal Weapon, The Lost Boys), the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, The Godfather) as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman (The French Connection, Unforgiven) as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton. Ilya Salkind served as executive producer. The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Glen Ford as Jonathan Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, and Terrance Stamp as General Zod.
Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score) and Best Sound. The film also received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. In 2017, Superman was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Superman II (Theatrical Version)
Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three superpowered Planet Krypton criminals Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O’Halloran) plan to enslave Earth – just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman also returns as Lex Luthor in this sequel that features a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction, and visuals that astound and delight.
Directed by Richard Lester (A Hard Day’s Night, The Three Musketeers), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman. Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer. The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Director Richard Donner began shooting Superman II while concurrently filming Superman: The Movie, though the theatrical version of the film was ultimately directed by Richard Lester. In 2006, Donner’s original unique vision was released for the first time. Jor-El (Marlon Brando in footage cut from the theatrical version) appears in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the relationship between father and son. Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) plots more schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman (Christopher Reeve). With so many changes, large and small, including a different beginning and resolution, this version is an eye-opening alternate experience.
Directed by Richard Donner, the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler and Michael Tau from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman. Ilya Salkind served as executive producer. The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.
Superman III
Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a naive computer-programming natural. For him, a keyboard is a weapon – and, as a result, Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his signature role, deepening his character’s human side as Clark Kent sees Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when the Man of Steel becomes his own worst enemy after exposure to Kryptonite, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Relive Superman III with all its heart, heroism and high-flying humor.
Directed by Richard Lester, the film stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a screenplay by David Newman and Leslie Newman. Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer. The film also features Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Jackie White as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, and Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster.
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Christopher Reeve not only dons the title hero’s cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie’s provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.
Directed by Sydney J. Furie (The Ipcress File, Iron Eagle), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.
Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan from a story by Christopher Reeve & Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal and a screenplay by Konner & Rosenthal. The film also features Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Jon Cryer as Lenny, Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield, Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man, and Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield.
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