Superman II The Richard Donner Cut.

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I recieved my new DVD today and have now seen Donners original vision of Superman II.
I enjoyed this version of the film.
With a selection of scenes that are from the original the rest are made up from what was found in the archives.
It was a bit strange not having the eiffel tower scene, but got to see a different story which was a continuation from Superman 1.
Im not going to go into it much more, but just wondered what views others had on this new version of Superman II...
 
As everyone ignored my thread I was beginning to think I was the only one who'd seen it.
It's a very different movie without the comedy terrorists and with the reinstatement of Brando.
The models still look dodgy but the removal of Richard Lester's lame comedy is definitely an improvement. :)
 
I haven't seen it yet (delayed in post! :mad: ), so obviously I don't want too many spoilers. But one thing I want to know is: does the beginning tie in with the first movie at all, the way it was originally indended? With the missile from Superman 1 releasing the super villians from the phantom zone? And how well polished is it? Is it obvious that the footage was unfinished, or have they made efforts to clean it up and finish it? What's the 5.1 sound like?
 
The opening scene was very good and yes happens as you have said.
It was strange watching the film though becuase you keep thinking of scenes in the Lester version that you remeber, but dont happen.
One scene was a screen test, but unless you know which scene it is, I dont think you would even notice as it doesnt change the feel of the film.
I think the film has a better feel to it than the Lester version.
I cant wait to watch it again.
Oh! and the 5.1 sounRAB pretty good too.
 
I've just watched it. I think it's actually hard to judge, as I found it so weird watching it. I think I'll have to reserve judgement until I'm used to seeing this version. If there is anything that lets it down, it's probably just that the film isn't as polished as it would have been if Donner was allowed to finish it. But it was good that the slapstick was gone from the fight scenes, and the scene where Jor-El sacrifices himself was brilliant! One thing I am sure of though, is that Superman 1 is still by far the best!
 
Hi Im monkeyking87, and Ill be keeping this thread alive for the next few weeks, dont believe me?

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So whats first then guys? Is it worth buying then so?
 
Well I can't really add anything to what I said above. But on the subject of buying it, if you're in the UK, it's packed in with the normal Superman 2 release anyway. If you're somewhere where it's been released seperately, I'd rent it. As I said, the way it's been cobbled together is very rough, so it probably wouldn't be a movie you could watch over again the way you might with the other films.
 
I watched both version back to back yesterday with the commentary on, which made for interesting viewing.

Donner sounRAB very bitter on his track, while Ilya Salkind & Pierre Spengler sound really defensive on theirs.

I liked Donner's version but I still think theatrical version is a good film. I'm glad they included Brando scenes and it certainly made the return of Clark's powers more interesting (but I did miss Susannah York's scenes). Thought the way Lois proved Clark was Superman was interesting, but the jumping out of the Daily Planet bit at the beginning was a bit hollow for me. I think it needed another scene to build up to it, it felt kinda leftfield that she'd start the film like that.

all in all both versions work for me
 
to clarify my point slightly, in the Lester version Lois questions how Superman just happens to be at Niagra Falls and Clark isn't around "as usual" then jumps in the water. Whereas the start of that Donner version Lois is already suspicious

now obviously the earthquake scene from Superman I sets that up, but Lois had already dismissed that (somewhat). I just felt a scene/bit of dialogue that prompted Lois to start filling in the blanks (or photo as it were) would have made more sense/aesthetically pleasing for me

also this film is still only 80% of what Donner had finished filming, so there was still another 20% that had yet to be completed (including the different ending after it had been used for first film). So it's possible there still some scenes that had to be slotted in
 
it works at a complete film, there aren't any bad parts.

the ending is the turning the world back bit from Superman I and you don't get any of the Gene Hackman body double stuff from the theatrical version at FoS

you get both versions of the film, so it makes for a good compare and contrast (less comedy in Donner's version)
 
The whole turning the world back thing was ONLY meant to be in Superman 2 but loaRAB of things got changed around. It's such a shame that Donner left the movie because we would have had two out-and-out classics, one big story really.
 
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