Join SUPERMANIA as we spin the world back 35 years to celebrate the worldwide release of the undisputed godfather of the modern Superhero Movie –
In an age where technology has elevated the Superhero epic to new and unprecedented heights, the sparkle from this vintage gem has yet to diminish thanks to its combination of charm and magic generated from its dedicated cast & crew.
For an insight into the longevity of this classic picture click here to watch friend & SuperFan Oliver Harper’s outstanding retrospective tribute and then enjoy the scans above taken from an ultra-rare Italian TV Listings magazine…
Happy 35th Anniversary to SUPERMAN – THE MOVIE..!
Longtime followers of SUPERMANIA may recall that in the wake of the Hot Toys figure (MMS 152) release, among the inevitable customs that followed one in particular by Duabelas Custom Works was standout.
Following a fine example neatly set by SuperFan Michael Stribling last year, Duabelas has struck again, creating an entirely new sculpt of an instantly recognisable 1/6 Reeve Clark Kent that would be a perfect opponent for the recently released Toyfair Exclusive Superman III figure (MMS 207) .
Though the glasses may not be 100% screen accurate, the wry smile is rendered perfectly and evokes the tongue-in-cheek characterisation remembered so fondly.
Interested parties should check out this thread on the Sideshow Freaks forum…
Though the the restored and remastered Superman: The Movie Special Edition narrowly missed out on a theatrical release in 2001, the subsequent DVD transfer became a significant milestone in the Superman series celluloid history.
long-awaited and a superlative presentation for its time, the double-sided disc would represent the cleanest, sharpest version of the film to date in an extended cut supported by a significant amount of quality extras – but was not without its faults. (not least the awful cardboard snapper case.)
Indeed, many fans of the original picture were bemused by the liberties taken with the all-new sound-mix and some of the questionable editing choices by producer Michael Thau, whose revisions were felt by many to be invasive and clunky. Despite this, sales were immense and the Special Edition would be a mainstay for future formats (though the beloved original soundtrack would later mercifully resurface on Blu-ray)
As one of Warner Brothers flagship catalogue titles, Superman would be further awarded the Deluxe Box Set treatment in 2003,( alongside The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey) by CDA Entertainment, where the original disc would be supplemented by an array of reproduction ephemera presented in a handsome oversize black case.
Stylishly marketed and backed by an all-new advertising campaign (top 2 pics for MVC Stores exclusive to the SFX Magazine Superhero Special), the Deluxe Box Set was an expensive but irresistible package in the wake of what would eventually be less affectionately known as ‘double dipping’.
Given its slick appearance, its surprising and disappointing just how poor the final product turned out to be, starting with the Senitype (where the iconic, sharp 35mm film frame is obscured by the frankly godawful quality print on the mount) and moving onto the lobby cards and reproduction booklet (badly reprinted without any restoration and consequently way too dark). The poster is also a redundant addition being folded (though an offer restricted to the US made a rolled one available).
A triumph of promise over content resulting in an underwhelming dud, the box set today (bottom pic) is affordable as the DVD format erodes but is ironically hard to find. Genuine fans, however, would be better serviced with a copy of the blu-ray and genuine copies of the original memorabilia…
From page to screen as promised in the last post, here is a selection of rare and unpublished prints from the set of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace in 1986 –
From the top – In a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, a prop Russian Nuclear Missile atop a transporter contrasts markedly with a random selection of British cars and outbuildings at Cannon’s Elstree Studios. Situated on the left is the crane from which hangs the flying rig and on the right, held up by scaffolding is the facade of a building of the ‘Red Square’ set.
Hooked up in his harness and swung out into the the drab, winter UK skies is Christopher Reeve, who in the course of the action has just prevented Nuclearman’s attempt to launch the missile into the crowd before flying off to give chase.
The illusion complete is revealed in the uncommon publicity/press kit shot from the finished scene (bottom) where through the the magic of cinema the elements are combined to depict Superman swinging into Moscow to save the city from destruction…
More extraordinary sketches taken from the production-used ‘Big Red Book’ hand-drawn by artist Martin Asbury –
In the context of the story, Superman has already rid the world of Nuclear Weapons, so quite what a whopping great Nuclear Missile is doing at a parade in Red Square remains unexplained. Nevertheless, the scene was shot precisely as drafted and made the International edit but was ultimately excised for the US cut.
Coming soon – EXCLUSIVE vintage behind-the-scenes pics of the shooting of this sequence..!
