New transfers?
 

so do any of these new releases of the old "Superman" have new transfers or audio?

I'm betting they're not new transfers.

I would hope that Superman: Theatrical Cut, Superman II-IV all have new transfers.

uhh...not according to what you told me. :P

Sorry if this has already been asked, but are all the deleted scenes from Supe 1 (that were shown once on network tv) on this set?

We don't know yet. Probably not.

Gosh darnit. Wouldnt you think with 4 dvds for 1 movie, they'd have room for these puppies.

I guess there are rights issues?!?!?!

No. As far as I know, they're not including any more deleted scenes. Who knows why they're not included. One disc is the theatrical version and the other is the already released extended.

Guess we'll all still have to hold on to those other ABC TV DVD versions. :)

Here are some recent, though unofficial reviews from the SUPERMAN CINEMA Message Board of Richard Donner's SUPERMAN II:

http://thecinemaforums.com/forums/vi...7017a210249877

and here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/fe...ws.php?id=4872

My guess too.

I'm actually content with the current Superman: The Movie disc and would only repuchase it if the transfer -- or even is the compressioning has improved. This is the case with Superman II (Lester cut), as well. I know it adds 5.1, but I'll have to read the reviews to see if it's really worth it or not for the soundtrack alone.

I just preordered it at Amazon, I can't wait to get it, if there is a poll which asks which DVD has the best packaging, the Superman set would get my vote! :thumbsup:

PS I will have to say this is the DVD of the year too :thumbsup:

Quick question about the upcoming Superman:The Movie Re-release:

Has it been confirmed anywhere that the original theatrical version to be included will have the original SOUND as well(which would be awesome!), or is it to be the theatrical cut with the DVD restoration/recreation sound mix (which would be disappointing)?

I got the chance to watch the Donner cut tonight (my full review will be over on DVD Empire this time tomorrow) and I have to tell you it's a mixed bag. Seeing the restored Brando footage and some of the intereaction between Brando and Reeve is great, but ultimately this is still an incomplete film...more of a curiousity to "what might have been" than a restored director's vision.

The new ending

is far more silly than Richard Lester's "super kiss" and would have been a worse ending, since it basically "cheats" the audience out of everything they saw.

On top of that, the final scene

doesn't even make any logical sense now since


Although John Williams didn't record any new music for this cut, almost all of the scenes have different musical cues...many of which don't fit the scenes very well and are inferior to the cues used in the Lester cut.

But I think by BIGGEST gripe about this Donner version compared to the Lester film is that all the romance between Clark and Lois seems to have been sucked out of the movie...in this version, Clark's decision to give up his powers comes off as more selfish and less romantic as in the Lester cut.

Still, there's a lot to like here...with a lot of never-before-seen footage and a lot of extended material (fans who have seen the extended ABC version will be happy to know that much of that footage is back in place here). But if you asked me to pick between this Donner version and Lester's version, I still like Lester's more...even if Donner was responsible for much of it. That's not to say that Donner's vision wouldn't have been better if he'd been given the chance back in the late 70s, I'm just saying this attempt at restoring his vision isn't able to suprass the Superman II we already know and love.

can't wait to read the full review but on your spoiler i have to disagree

I would agree with you except for the fact that:

Even though I haven't seen THE DONNER CUT yet, Shannon is correct in saying that it's a mixed bag. In recent interviews and online articles documenting this restoration process, it has become clear that Donner's vision can't help but be compromised by the incomplete scenes, unfinished effects, the revised ending for II after it was appropriated for the first movie, his stubborn insistence that as much Lester footage as possible be removed or replaced from his cut (even though it's incorporation might make more sense dramatically and technically).

Many, many posts ago, I stated that I was just happy to see the Brando/Reeve footage intact. For over twenty years, legal disputes have kept these scenes hidden from public view. The fact that it's being placed into the context of a "Donner Cut" is merely icing on the cake.

No matter how we may react to this "new" SUPERMAN II, we should reminds ourselves that it truly is a fanboy's dream to see it at all.

Postscript: I just noticed Andy Dursin's review of this SUPERMAN II is now up and worth reading...

http://www.andyfilm.com/11-15-06.html

Look at this GREAT pics of Superman Ultimate Col.!!

OMG! looks AWESOME!


the site is R2... but the packaging is exactly the same as R1 ...

but, look at this Superman Returns S.E. in a steelbook with a comic book (I think is R2 exclusive): Pics here


:jawdrop:

Sigh, do I get the Ultimate Superman Collection in SD-DVD, or do I get Superman 1, 2, and Returns in HD-DVD?

Decisions, decisions.

I guess in your case it really depends on what type of player you have in the Fortress of Solitude / Bat Cave. ;)

I believe the theatrical cut has both 5.1 and Stereo mixes.

All of the above for me.

From what I've read in un-official reports on the SUPERMAN CINEMA Message Board, the theatrical cut does NOT have the original mix (as heard on the old VHS Hi-Fi tapes and laserdisc).

Just read it too. It's from an early R3 release though, so R1 might be different.

That sucks! The whole reason I wanted the theatrical cut on DVD was for the original mix. Guess I better hang onto the LD.

That's what I'm thinking, too. The only reason I have a problem with the DVD mix is due to all the mistakes: the stuttered word from Brando's speech during the Fortress scenes; the absent "it is forbidden!" lines when Superman turns back the world; the wrong/delayed beat of music when Kal-El's rocket rips through the ceiling, and so forth.

On the other hand, the original mix is tinny, distorted, compressed and just plain primitive. It's a choice between listening to highly dynamic, but different sounds and listening to the original in all its shrill glory.