View Poll Results: Which version of Superman to watch in 2018?
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll
Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: In the straps of boots
Posts: 27,904
Received 1,148 Likes
on
816 Posts
Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
I think the last time I watched this was on an old VHS tape my parents had that had two other movies on it (If I was a betting man, I'd say the other movies were Tremors and Police Academy, as I remember watching all three of those pretty regularly)
Anyway, I wanted to watch this again, and it looks like there are three versions available:
- Theatrical - 143 minutes
- Special Edition - 151 minutes
- Extended TV Cut - 188 minutes
I'd kind of like to see all three, which makes me disappointed that you can't buy them in a nice cheap bundle, but I'm definitely not interested enough to pay $41!
So... what shall it be, assuming I'll never get around to watching all three cuts... should I stick with the Theatrical? Or go all-out for the Extended? Or go for the middle ground with the SE?
POLL!
Anyway, I wanted to watch this again, and it looks like there are three versions available:
- Theatrical - 143 minutes
- Special Edition - 151 minutes
- Extended TV Cut - 188 minutes
I'd kind of like to see all three, which makes me disappointed that you can't buy them in a nice cheap bundle, but I'm definitely not interested enough to pay $41!
So... what shall it be, assuming I'll never get around to watching all three cuts... should I stick with the Theatrical? Or go all-out for the Extended? Or go for the middle ground with the SE?
POLL!
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Theatrical
I watched the special edition several years ago when the big DVD set came out and thought it was repetitive and disrupted the smooth pacing of the theatrical cut. It also felt overly long with the additional 10 minutes.
I’ve never seen the TV cut but aside from being curious about any additional added scenes I’d imagine it suffers even more from the above mentioned issues, only worse.
I watched the special edition several years ago when the big DVD set came out and thought it was repetitive and disrupted the smooth pacing of the theatrical cut. It also felt overly long with the additional 10 minutes.
I’ve never seen the TV cut but aside from being curious about any additional added scenes I’d imagine it suffers even more from the above mentioned issues, only worse.
Last edited by GoldenJCJ; 03-28-18 at 05:38 PM.
#5
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Theatrical. Haven't seen the SE in a while but did watch the Extended version when the Blu-ray came out and while interesting, didn't really do that much to advance either character or story.
#6
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
The theatrical is better than the extended but we’re talking about probably the most inoffensive altered cut of a movie ever. If the handful of additions in this movie get you all riled up and/or affect your enjoyment of this movie then odds are you’re just one of those OCD Blu-ray.com weirdos.
The extended TV cut, on the other hand, is a game-changer. It’s completely artless in its assembly, they clearly threw every piece of footage together to pad the runtime. I watched it for the first time on the recently-released Warner Archive Blu and the destruction of Krypton early in the film really sets the stage for all the tedious nonsense that follows. There comes a point where it feels like it’s gone on twice as long as the original version and then it goes on and triples and quadruples that original length. That’s what it feels like, at least, I wasn’t timing it.
The extended TV cut, on the other hand, is a game-changer. It’s completely artless in its assembly, they clearly threw every piece of footage together to pad the runtime. I watched it for the first time on the recently-released Warner Archive Blu and the destruction of Krypton early in the film really sets the stage for all the tedious nonsense that follows. There comes a point where it feels like it’s gone on twice as long as the original version and then it goes on and triples and quadruples that original length. That’s what it feels like, at least, I wasn’t timing it.
#7
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Theatrical all the way. Director's and extended cuts usually are inferior to the theatrical cut (with the rare exception of Aliens).
#8
Moderator
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
I also agree with the sentiment that the Theatrical is best. I have not yet watched the TV edit (other than when it aired when I was a kid). I plan to, but largely for curiosity sake.
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
The Extended/TV edit is interesting if you're a big fan of the theatrical cut and want to see discarded footage woven back in as a bonus, but... the theatrical movie flows perfectly as is.
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
TV cut is great. Its must see if you want more Lex and Tessmacher.
#13
Senior Member
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Plus you get to see Lex almost straight up murder Tessmacher at the end. Its an amusing scene.
#15
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Said no one ever.
I LOVE Gene Hackman but the Lex, Tessmacher, Otis stuff almost sinks the movie. Hackman could have played a great Lex Luthor on a 70s Superman...but he didn’t.
And don’t even get me started on Otis.
I LOVE Gene Hackman but the Lex, Tessmacher, Otis stuff almost sinks the movie. Hackman could have played a great Lex Luthor on a 70s Superman...but he didn’t.
And don’t even get me started on Otis.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
#18
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#19
Inane Thread Master, 2018 TOTY
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Are any of us really anywhere?
Posts: 48,863
Received 821 Likes
on
698 Posts
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Did you all know Mario Puzo wrote the story and co-wrote Screenplay? Holy shit. I had no idea. That blows my mind frankly that I never caught on before.
#20
Member
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Guess I’m in the minority but I usually watch the SE now. I like the added bits ie. Krypton and Luther’s booby traps when Kal is approaching his lair.
The following 3 users liked this post by CristonCole:
#22
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
I guess it makes sense that Don Corleone was Superman’s dad.
The following users liked this post:
OldBoy (03-13-23)
#23
DVD Talk Reviewer/Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Formerly known as Kurt D - On a cloud of Judgement
Posts: 13,910
Received 1,626 Likes
on
1,112 Posts
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
and what destroyed krypton was basically just a big earthquake. wait, puzo was a lazy hack!
#25
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Superman (1978) - Which version to watch?
Well, he wrote a screenplay, and his name is on the film, but the person generally acknowledged to be responsible for what was actually shot is Tom Mankiewicz.
The following users liked this post:
majorjoe23 (03-14-23)