Warner Archive Announces “Superman: The Movie” Extended Cut (1 Viewer)

[Lord Dalek]

I swear the Rosenthal commentary on IV is the closest thing we'll ever get to an official rifftrax on a film. He's clearly not happy to be there and let's the film know it.

 

[Jake Lipson]

Do these Warner Archive titles ever come down in price? $21.99 seems a bit steep to me given that the current release of the special edition cut is available for $8.99.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

It'll probably be $17.99 on street date.

Warner Archives periodically holds BD sales with 4 for $44 deals, so if you don't need it right away, you can get it cheaper later on.

 

[Allansfirebird]

This is one bluray I'm happily going to pay full price upon release. I've been waiting for a widescreen transfer of the longer version for quite some time.

 

[Rick Thompson]

This is awesome news, for a variety of reasons - one being, it opens the doors of possibility that more long-unavailable alternate/ extended cuts might finally see light of day again - and not just the Reeve/ Superman movies or Warner movies in general. There are, ofcourse, numerous theatrical films that have run on TV in alternate and sometimes greatly-expanded versions.

To name a few:

"The Deep" (1977) - shown on Tv as much-expanded miniseries.

"The Godfather Saga" (AKA The Godfather: The Complete Novel for Television) - chronological version, with additional scenes not in theatrical versions, of first two Godfather films. Last aired (in HD) on HBO in 2016. Released on VHS and Beta in the 80s.

"The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980" - chronological version, with additional scenes not in theatrical versions, of all three Godfather films. Released on VHS and laserdisc in 1992.

"Jaws" - extended ABC-TV version (first aired 1978, last aired for 25th anniversary in 2000)

"Blazing Saddles" - alternate versions of scenes (to replace racy dialogue etc.), several extra scenes not in theatrical version.

As for Reeve/ Superman, it would be really nice to see the extended versions of 'Superman III" and "Superman IV: Quest for Peace" (which, among other things, ads a romantic subplot and a second [actually first] Nuclear Man).

Another example: MacArthur on TV had extra footage of a subplot involving his treatment of Gen. Yamashita, played by James Shigeta.

 

[Jason_V]

I swear the Rosenthal commentary on IV is the closest thing we'll ever get to an official rifftrax on a film. He's clearly not happy to be there and let's the film know it.

I've only listened to it once, on a dark Saturday night with a bowl of popcorn in my lap. I remember being highly amused by it, but I couldn't pick out any specific details at this point. Maybe I need to revisit it just for the "haha" factor.

 

[deepscan]

I have been reading conflicting reports on the aspect radio on the extended cut. I just hope it is in widescreen.

Anyway one week to go!!! And I am sure we will have some online reviews before then.

 

[Allansfirebird]

I have been reading conflicting reports on the aspect radio on the extended cut. I just hope it is in widescreen.

Warner Archive confirmed with me that it's in widescreen.

 

[Jonathan Perregaux]

The IV commentary kicks into full gear the moment we see the dodgy main titles appear, and Rosenthal greets us by stating the obvious: that something is very wrong here. An honest, enjoyable listen.

 

[Norm]

Someone posted all the TV added footage together on youtube.

 

[Detour (1945)]

This is great news! I first saw SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (sorry, that's how I've always know it!) when it came out in 1978, and was lucky enough to see the TV version soon after.

I'll be placing my order today with Amazon. Hopefully this leads to the TV versions of the other Reeve Superman films being released, along with a host of other films that have these versions (some already being mentioned by others).

 

[Brian Kidd]

And I've been suckered into once again re-buying a film I've owned on CED, Laserdisc, VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray. What can I say? It was a seminal film from my childhood.

 

[Detour (1945)]

I'm in the same boat with this film, Brian. Bought it on VHS, DVD and Blu, but like you said, for me too it is a childhood favourite.

 

[Interdimensional]

I remember 2 night Airport 77 extended very well.
What I remember: It had scenes of Jack Lemmon going through a pilot training simulation in a hanger, a lot more scenes of the high jackers planning and carrying out their plan. More scenes of what their plan entailed after they got the plane. A lot more of Jack Lemmons relationship with the stewardess before the plan took off.
King Kong 76 and Midway also had 2 night extended versions. King Kong had some good extra scenes of Kong causing havoc in the city before climbing the world trade center. And a lot more before the Island and on the Island.
Earthquake did have one. The motorcycle stunt team story was much more fleshed out as well as the military soldier gone crazy.

A release with both edits of the DeLaurentiis' King Kong would be high on my personal wishlist, but I won't hold my breath. Last year was the 40th anniversary, and this year saw the release of the newest Kong movie; I figure if it was ever going to happen, it probably would've happened by now.

 

[John Sparks]

I remember when SUPERMAN came out, they blew it up to 70mm at a theater in Pasadena, along with ALIEN, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS AND JAWS.

The radio stations out here in So Cal played the theme music all the time. It's the only time that I remember that that was ever done.

The extended scenes were all over the sci-fi mags at the time and when it came on TV, it was neat seeing them other than on the printed page.

 

[Brian Kidd]

I have a very strong memory of being six years old and my Dad taking my brother and me to see it at the Blue Prince Cinemas near Princeton, WV. It was a clear night and the whole way home, I just stared up at the stars and dreamed about flying. The newest cinematic Superman would never have that kind of profound effect on a child. To me, it's the perfect superhero film. I miss the Big Blue Boy Scout.

 

[KPmusmag]

I have a very strong memory of being six years old and my Dad taking my brother and me to see it at the Blue Prince Cinemas near Princeton, WV. It was a clear night and the whole way home, I just stared up at the stars and dreamed about flying. The newest cinematic Superman would never have that kind of profound effect on a child. To me, it's the perfect superhero film. I miss the Big Blue Boy Scout.

I could not agree more. I was 13 at the time, and I walked out of that theater feeling like I could fly. The new versions are interesting but do not give me that feeling of joy I had back in 1978 - and still get when I re-watch this wonderful movie.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Christmas 1978 is firmly etched in my memory for two reasons:
1. Seeing Superman: The Movie on the largest screen in town [the Paramount in Lethbridge, AB]; and
2. Magic: the creepy ventriloquist dummy film starring Anthony Hopkins and adapted by William Goldman from his novel of the same name. Many may remember the TV ads using the dummy, which scared the daylights out of me as a 7-year old. It didn't help that I had to walk past the poster to see Superman, because Magic was playing on the smaller screen at the Paramount, which was really the only thing that marred the experience. I still feel a twinge every time I see that damn poster.
Superman, on the other hand, was fantastic, and still seen by me as the template for all future comic book origin story movies.

 

[B-ROLL]

Christmas 1978 is firmly etched in my memory for two reasons:
1. Seeing Superman: The Movie on the largest screen in town [the Paramount in Lethbridge, AB]; and
2. Magic: the creepy ventriloquist dummy film starring Anthony Hopkins and adapted by William Goldman from his novel of the same name. Many may remember the TV ads using the dummy, which scared the daylights out of me as a 7-year old. It didn't help that I had to walk past the poster to see Superman, because Magic was playing on the smaller screen at the Paramount, which was really the only thing that marred the experience. I still feel a twinge every time I see that damn poster.
Superman, on the other hand, was fantastic, and still seen by me as the template for all future comic book origin story movies.

Candice Bergen had almost the same issue with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd hanging in the garage ...

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Candice Bergen had almost the same issue with Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd hanging in the garage ...

Wonder what the therapy bills were like. Funnily though, I had no problems with Terry Fator's Vegas show.