JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonSuperman II: The Donner Cut (2006)-Footage Included
December 21st 2006 08:42
Superman II: the Donner Cut
Dedicated to my Dad.
Disclaimer: For years there has been speculation and now after and a long wait it has arrived. Now you all know JD’s policy on spoilers, but in this case it really is the core of why we are here. So if you don’t want the surprises ruined, please feel free to scan down and watch the footage.
DVD Cover- couldnt find the aussie one, but how cool does this look?
Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Valerie Perrine, Ned beatty, Terrence Stamp, Sarah Douglas,
“Then let me give you an easy one. Why, with thousands of children falling off something lethal somewhere else in the world, why would Superman appear here - at Niagara Falls - today? Why not the Grand Canyon?” - Lois Lane
More serious, less Richard Lester, an epic vision is partially restored with the elusive Richard Donner Cut of Superman II.
Originally conceived as two films shot back to back, a la Lord of the Rings. Director Dick Donner (Superman: The Movie) was fired from the second film and replaced, even though he had already shot the bulk of the story.
Painstakingly pieced together, the restored footage, alternate takes and entirely new scenes make this a far cry from the version we saw in cinemas.
Running about 10 minutes shorter but featuring over 20 minutes of completely new material. As the WB logo is replaced with the shiny new DC branding, immediately the tweaking is evident.
Instead of opening to John Williams rousing score, we see Jor-El’s (Marlon Brando) sentencing of the three super criminals Zod, Ursa and Non, shown from an alternate camera angle.
Due to excessive financial demands Marlon Brando did not appear in the Richard Lester edit, but now we are treated to multiple appearances of Butter boy in several crucial scenes.
As we continue through the highlights of Superman’s first adventure another, twist arrives.
Originally, a nuclear-device-loaded French elevator was hurled into outer space to release the green planet powered evil trio. In this new edit, the blast is from one of the missles that was destined to take out half of the U.S.
“Your father once condemned us to eternal living death. Your fate shall be the same.
You will live, Kal-El. Forever - as my slave. If not, then others will pay for your stubborn attitude. Innocent people, millions of them if necessary ...Beginning with her.”-Zod
Now let loose five minute into the film, the familiar opening credits woosh by.
Instantly another new scene arrives, Lois is no slouch, straight away she is on to the man of steel’s secret identity and confronts Clark.
“Oh, it won't take long, Clark. We can just...fly right up there and then sort of ...zoom right back again. You know. Like Superman.”-Lois
It would be wrong to tell you what happens next so to wrap, up super feats ensue, a new discovery is made, the father becomes the son and the son becomes the father.
Here is a picture of the 13 disc box set which includes the Directors cut..
Before John Doe tells you his verdict, I think a little perspective is needed.
Deeply personal feelings of grief and loss will always go hand in hand with the inspiration and fond memories of seeing these films on the big screen. I clearly remember back in 1980, as a nine year old with my old man right beside me, enjoying it just as much as me.
My dad lived day to day as Superman, performing feats beyond the capabilities of mortal man...
When Mr Doe’s father passed away a few years ago, the John Williams score was chosen by the family to blast in the background as he carried out his daddy’s coffin.
Anyway you get the idea, heavy mumbo surround the myth in our family. That just scratchs the surface of the emotional baggage that comes with sitting down to watch the first two superman movies.
So back to the boy in blues newest clothes, does the new edit improve on the original?
Like judging the remastered Star Wars, it all depends on what your looking for. The first half of the new film moves along at a swift speed, abandons a lot of the comedy and adds weight to the story.
Lois’ leap of faith at the start adds much needed vermulsitude. (Yep, I listened to the Donner commentary and had to use his 50 cent word)
Her Niagra Falls discovery of the man in tights secret identity is leaps and bounds better, even if the footage is from a screen test.
The second half is where the vision loses its way and the ending will disappoint most traditionalists. I was never a fan of the memory wipe Kiss idea, but this solution is no better. Worse it actually contradicts itself.
The action sequences lose some of sense of fun and the final confrontation is much more a battle of words than Kryptonian muscle.
Terence Stamp brings an extra menace, with more aggressive takes being selected. Plus did I mention there is more of Marlon Brando.
Can’t be too judgmental though because Director Dick Donner (Lethal Weapon, The Omen, The Goonies) had very limited footage and had to use a lot of his nemesis (read Richard Lester) material to fill out story blanks.
This is the first Directors cut I ever knew about and so have waited for nearly 25 years to see it and for me it was worth the wait. Sufficed to say there is still some super action, a deeper emotional core and the price is the strange feeling that one of your childhood dreams has been tampered with.
Still John Doe wept.
The DVD:
Transfer: Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Both versions of the film, A directors commentary, making of, restoration featurette and more..
Below you can watch Richard Donner’s vision for The Man of Steel sacrificing his powers for love, much to Jor-El’s (Marlon Brando’s) disappointment.
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Comment by Filmpeeker
Film Peek
Gizmo Peek
Film Peek Forum
Reeve's acting. I'm not gonna go into that more cause I don't know exactly why?
And why do the dudes in the end of the clip walk in slow motion when fighting with the gun-men?
Anyhow, I'm sure it's a very good movie and will check it out!
Thanks,
filmpeeker
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The films are sentimental favourites for me but I should state that the Superman the movie is better than Superman II.
If you have never seen it before, you should watch the original edit of Superman II first instead of the Donner cut. It is just a more complete film for the uninitiated.
The directors cut does need to be viewed with the original cut in mind.
A fun film that will always be a holidays favourite..
PS- They walk casually around the white house while bullets bounce of them because their is no need to rush, their invincible.
Comment by nagster
Cenacle
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
As you can probably tell from my post, I cant be objective about the films, (Superman I, II and Returns)they are to near and dear to me.
Finishing the job that Star Wars started, warping my preteen mind forever into cinematic obsession as a child.
The new one took me back to my childhood and continued the saga with respect.
They all have there faults, but satisfy me deeply.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Nice poignant review there mate, I would like to see this cut. I did not know if it until about a year ago ...
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This re edit hints at how great it would have been to have Richard Donner finish the job he started.
Comment by Anonymous
And yes Reeves is quite stilted sometimes Film peeker, but c'mon man! - Its Superman for farks sake, who can help getting a big fat kid on a smartie grin when we hear that John Williams score.
This is probably the film that I have seen more than any other film in my life, and probably watched it about thirty times between 1990 to 94 (the next most watched is Nil by mouth hehe.....just kidding....or am I).
My point is that I was dissapointed by donner cut - because it still wasnt the film he was trying to make.
For all tense and purpose it should rightfully be refered to as a the Donner edit not the Donner cut
S.K.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I had to inject abit of my personal feelings with this one so that my gushing could be taken with a grain of salt. I talk up the films I love so much sometimes i have to clarify the difference between a personal favourite and cinema great.
Agreed this only hints at the film Donner wanted to make as stated above. Still its unmissable for fans who seek a taste of what he would have done with the sequel.