Had the salkinds left donner alone and let him complete his duology, those two films would have been classics of the genre. The richard donner cut is a reedited version of the 1980 theatrical version of superman ii, directed by richard lester, and serves as an alternate sequel to the 1978 film superman. Imagine that youve just directed the movie thats going to spark the publics love. As it is, we have one classic superman the movie one schizophrenic sequel released in theaters and one half baked sequel cobbled together 25 years later. The richard donner cut video 2006 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
Reporting on movies, television, video games, and pop culture. The movie, albeit with a slightly different conclusion, superman ii begins with superman sending an atomic missile out into space to save countless lives. Donner had a chance to credit as codirector before the theatrical release of superman 2 but he decline. Warner brothers have assembled most, if not all the scenes filmed by richard donner and released his version of the film. For decades, the donner cut of superman ii was the stuff of legend among. Having grown up on superman, i feel cheated i had to wait until now to finally understand one of my favorite film series. The richard donner directors cut is a reedited rendering of the legendary superhero film that closely follows the original script and restores the lost footage originally shot by. Director richard donner was famously fired from the production of superman ii before completion and director richard lester took over. Winners best picture winners golden globes emmys san diego comiccon new york comiccon sundance film festival toronto intl film festival awards central festival central. No, superman ii will never quite reach the near perfection of superman. Christopher reeve margot kidder gene hackman 2006 the man of steel christopher reeve gets serious with lois lane margot kidder and fights three krypton outcasts in league with lex luthor gene hac. The movie, but with richard donners cut, it comes as close as can be and we get to see the film as the original. There is no perfect version of superman ii, and this proves it.
Donner has since stated that only a fraction of his filmed scenes made into the theatrical cut of the film. The new scenes are very good and just show what chris reeve could do what a wonderful actor he really was, marlon brando scenes are superb to watch, new music cues from superman one, lots of new funny scenes, and new special effects that dont look out of date in what is supposed to be a 1980 film. It features a significant amount of lost footage shot by the original director, richard donner, in 1977 before he was taken off the project and replaced by richard lester, who not only completed the remainder of the film for its theatrical. The original version of superman ii the lester cut has been fairly well liked by both critics. Beyond gotham 2014 video game entering the fortress of solitude, lex luthor comments that he thinks hes been there before, and hes glad it wasnt destroyed. I liked that ending better except that he spoiler used the spin the world trick again. Namely, it plays on a major theme for kal elclark kentsuperman from the first film. It features a significant amount of lost footage shot by the original director, richard donner, in 1977 before he was taken off the project and replaced by richard lester. By taking the superman 2 richard donner cut that was deleted out of the theatrical cut i edited my final cut that compliments the film best in my opinion in a way superman didnt save humanity. Superman ii 1980 theatrical cut or the richard donner.
In 2006 donner was permitted to release his version, superman ii. The richard donner cut is quite literally a frankensteins monster. All media content included here photographs, video stills, storyboards, etc. The 1980 classic is reedited to its original director. Finally released as visionary director richard donner originally conceived and intended, superman ii. In order to make donners vision of superman ii feel less incomplete, finished scenes by lester that donner was unable to shoot were incorporated into the film as well as the screen tests by reeve and kidder for one pivotal. As initially planned, the first two films were to be filmed backtoback using the same sets and actors to save on. Superman ii 1980 footage used to restore the version of superman ii that the original superman director, donner, had in mind before he was fired from the. Superman ii 1980 footage used to restore the version of superman ii that the original superman director, donner, had in mind before he was fired from the project due to creative differences with the producers. Film students and superman fans own it to themselves to seek out this version, as its a fine example of what different directors, and visions can bring to a film.
In 2006 warner brothers released the fan demanded richard donner cut. The richard donner cut christopher reeve margot kidder gene hackman 2006 the man of steel christopher reeve gets serious with lois lane margot kidder and fights three krypton outcasts in league with lex luthor gene hac. Donner gets to go back and assemble his version of the film mostly from before he was removed from the production, which fixes some sequences and. Nov 04, 20 finally released as visionary director richard donner originally conceived and intended, superman ii. Disc 6 in the superman ultimate collectors edition 14disc box set, and. The movie was an expensive and ambitious production for its era, with donner being. When donner helmed the first superman, he actually shot a good deal of footage for superman ii, much of it including. The comparison between the theatrical version and the richard donner cut is more than difficult, as both version are very different from each other.
May 06, 2014 film students and superman fans own it to themselves to seek out this version, as its a fine example of what different directors, and visions can bring to a film. This alternate version of the film is based on footage shot by director. Kryptonian villain general zod terence stamp and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outerspace imprisonment and threaten earth with destruction, just as superman christopher reeve decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, lois lane margot kidder. Director richard donner began shooting his vision of superman ii while concurrently filming superman the movie. The culmination of this conflict was that although richard donner had filmed probably more than 80% of the footage for superman ii, the salkinds decided to pretty much fire him before completion of the sequel and brought richard lester to film additional footage and make the film his. The richard donner cut is the christmas miracle of 2006.
Reconstructed using archival film and sound elements long thought to be extinct, this special cut of superman ii pieces together unseen footage shot by richard donner in order to present the most comprehensive version of what was to be the original cut of the blockbuster sequel. Richard donner had been approached about a possible directors cut of this film as early as 2001, however complex legal issues involving the cut footage, as well as reluctance on the part of donner prevented any official restoration from taking place. The richard donner cut is a 2006 reedited directors cut of the 1980. Director richard donner began shooting his vision of superman ii while concurrently filming superman the movie his neverbeforeseen vision has a totally different beginning and resolution and includes so many changes, large and small, that this superman ii is an eyeopening alternate experience. Jun 06, 2016 for many years fans wrote and even petitioned warner bros to see the footage donner filmed. Although i found a mix of concerns here, given the nature of this project, the visuals were stronger than anticipated. The richard donner cut was released on home video where donner had edited his original filmed footage, along with unused scenes and footage from the theatrical cut to order to form a complete film, due to the fact. Donners cut is actually more personal, it is very close to the first superman film. The richard donner cut is a 2006 superhero film that is a reedit. Still lesters version isnt bad, since about 60 percent of lesters cut was shot by donner. So with this edit i want to tell a single story of superman i and superman ii using the best from lesters and donners cut. Apr 15, 2018 by taking the superman 2 richard donner cut that was deleted out of the theatrical cut i edited my final cut that compliments the film best in my opinion in a way superman didnt save humanity jor.
He felt that the producers and lester made many changes that they were silly, especially in certain key moments. The richard donner cut is a 2006 superhero film that is a reedit of the 1980 film superman ii. The richard donner cut makes superman ii a better movie, period. This new, more interesting and fun version of the second reeve superman film is now available on bluray as superman ii. Superman ii 1980 theatrical cut or the richard donner cut. By now youve probably heard the story of how superman ii. Brandos completed scenes for superman ii would be excised from the movie in. All this changed with the production of superman returns 2006, which lead to warner brothers resolving all outstanding legal disputes.
Now this forst time in film history that a director was brought back to a film. Donner was signed to direct the sequel 1980 and was nearing completion when he was fired because of differences with the producers. Donner had filmed roughly 75% of the script when lester was brought on board, and he reshot most of donners footage. This scene appears to have been completed with brand new footage. Starring christopher reeve, margot kidder and gene hackman. The action and effects are back up to the standard of the first superman movie and the villains are genuinely sinister. The richard donner cut is a 2006 reedited directors cut of the 1980 film superman ii.
When donner helmed the first superman, he actually shot a good deal of footage for superman ii. In 2006, after years of fan petitions, a richard donner cut of superman ii was released that was meant to come near to donners original vision for the movie. This includes superman, its three 1980s sequels, 2006s superman returns and donner cut, and a disc of bonus materials. The richard donner cut serves as a true sequel that deals with the consequences of the first film. I just watched superman 2 the richard donner cut and i must say it was pretty impressive. The original superman is rightfully considered a classic among fans, thanks to christopher reeves iconic performance, the groundbreaking special effects and for bringing the titular hero to life. Well, if your richard donner, once youve completed 70% of the sequel youd. The movie director richard donner is not happy the film s extended cut is making its way to bluray. Although donner had already completed about 75 percent of superman ii, lester. Apr 24, 2019 the richard donner cut makes superman ii a better movie, period. Ultimate supermans repowering scene from superman ii richard. It has been pieced together using previouly unseen twentysix yearold footage that has collecting dust in a vault ever since, plus the more familiar material previously used theatrically and then restored for the superman ii reissue on standarddef dvd a few years back.
Donner s cut is actually more personal, it is very close to the first superman film. The purpose of this section is to present the clearest possible view of donner s vision for superman ii. The movie, but with richard donners cut, it comes as close as can be and we get to see the film as the original director of the first two superman films intended it. The richard donner directors cut is a reedited rendering of the legendary superhero film that. While several scenes had to be reconstructed from incomplete materials in one case, a 1978 screen test between christopher reeve and margot kidder was used, this cut is as close to donners vision of superman ii that anyone will ever see. The richard donner cut appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 2. His replacement, richard lester, finished the movie and reshot a number of earlier scenes. Jul 06, 20 when filming was suspended on donners superman ii in october 1977, the director had completed almost all of the major characterbased sequences in the film. I dont believe richard donners cut of superman ii recently released on dvd is necessarily better than the 1981 theatrical cut directed by richard lester, but it is still fascinating on its own terms. Im sure the films will be available individually at some point, but that date is currently unknown.
Longtime superman fans have long tilted at this windmill and the donner cut doesnt disappoint even those whove waited more or less patiently over 25 years since the original theatrical release of superman ii. With different lois lane margot kidder schemes to unmask clark kent as superman. When filming was suspended on donners superman ii in october 1977, the director had completed almost all of the major characterbased sequences in the film. Richard donner was the original director of superman 2 but he was replaced by richard lester and it is this version that was released to cinemas and home entertainment until now. This film is really not much better or different then the official superman ii credited to richard lester which was released in the usa in 1981. This is a fan film that follows the continuity of the first two christopher reeve films and superman returns 2006. The main feeling one gets after viewing this film is what might have been. Now this forst time in film history that a director was brought back to a film after he was fired. In the interim, donner had a dispute with the producers and was fired from the project, never completing his version of superman ii. Ultimate supermans repowering scene from superman ii. Now, for the first time, his neverbeforeseen vision is here. Id argue that the greatest trick donner pulls off in this cut is to make lois lane smart and likeable. The richard donner cut was released, in 2006, man of steel fans discovered an entirely different film than the one they had previously.
The richard donner cut was released on dvd, hd dvd, and bluray on november 28, 2006. The purpose of this section is to present the clearest possible view of donners vision for superman ii. We owe it to ourselves as a species to prevent the theatrical cut from ever being seen. The richard donner cut trailer kryptonian villain general zod terence stamp and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outerspace imprisonment and threaten earth with destruction, just as superman christopher reeve decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, lois lane margot kidder. The richard donner directors cut is a reedited rendering of the legendary superhero film that closely follows the original script and restores the lost footage originally shot by donner in 1977 before he was taken off the project. Not only the usual additional scenes were added, it is almost a completely new movie. Donner gets to go back and assemble his version of the film mostly from before he was removed from the production, which fixes some sequences and absolutely ruins others. Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with lois lane, unaware that three kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering earth. An alternate cut of this film, superman ii the richard donner cut, was eventually released on dvd in 2006.
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