Title: Superman: The Movie: Original 1978 Theatrical Release
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Year: 1978
Director: Richard Donner
Writer: Jerry Siegel (Original Characters By), Joe Shuster (Original Characters By), Mario Puzo (Story By), Mario Puzo (Screenwriter), David Newman (1937) (Screenwriter), Leslie Newman (Screenwriter), Robert Benton (Screenwriter)
Rating: Rated PG : Peril, Some Mild Sensuality and Language
Length: 143 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 2-Channel Stereo, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, German: Dolby Digital: Mono, Italian: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Portuguese: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: Danish, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish

Stars:
Marlon Brando as Jor-El
Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor
Christopher Reeve as Superman / Clark Kent
Ned Beatty as Otis
Jackie Cooper as Perry White
Glenn Ford as Pa Kent

Plot:
Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father), the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time, the movie has run through his teenage years, and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet, where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action, special effects and a surprising amount of humor.

Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Featurettes
1951 Theatrical Feature "Superman and the Mole-Men" Starring George Reeves
Classic Cartoons "Super-Rabbit", "Snafuman" and "Stupor Duck"

My Thoughts:
This movie... with Christopher Reeve in the starring role... was how I grew up knowing Superman to be. At the time I was more used to seeing him in the role more so then George Reeves. I believe this came from a time that I did not like to watch anything that was in Black and White.... yes... I was one of those people at one time. But I have sense learned there is a lot of great entertainment out there in Black and white... and now have all the George Reeves Superman episodes... including the early Black and White ones. But I think... to me at least... when I think Superman... I still picture Christopher Reeve.

My favorite scene in this movie... one that makes me laugh even to this day... has to be the scene when Superman is seen for the very first time. Especially when he flies up the side of the building to catch Lois Lane... saying "Don't Worry Miss, I got you."... and she comes back with... "You got me... Who's got you!!!"... I don't know what it is about it... but I love that line.

I know there is some that don't like how Christopher Reeve portrayed Clark Kent. But you know... while I understand that point of view... I find it very entertaining and fun to watch. I also felt it added to the whole Clark Kent can't be Superman... even more so then the glasses for a costume. I have to say... I think I like the entire cast for these movies. Especially Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and of course there is Marlon Brando as Jor-El.

Also I have to say I liked how they had some nodes to past incarnations of Superman when they showed a young Lois Lane riding the train with her parents early in the movie. They had Noel Neil as her mother... who was of course Lois Lane in Adventures of Superman and Kirk Alyn as her father... who was of course Clark Kent/Superman in the old movie serials.

While this is a great film... one I have always enjoyed over multiple viewings... there is parts I didn't care for. The main one being the scenes where Lois is interviewing Superman towards the beginning of the film. Especially the scenes where they are flying together and you here the voice-over of Lois reciting the poem "Can You Read My Mind." To me this scene slowed down the film almost to the point of bordom. Though it is short enough not to effect the film to badly.

My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5

Superman and the Mole Men
Reporters Clark Kent and Lois Lane arrive in the small town of Silsby to witness the drilling of the world's deepest oil well. The drill, however, has penetrated the underground home of a race of small, furry people who then come to the surface at night to look around. The fact that they glow in the dark scares the townfolk, who form a mob, led by the vicious Luke Benson, intent on killing the strange people. Only Superman has a chance to prevent this tragedy. 

Stars:
George Reeves as Clark Kent / Superman
Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane
Jeff Corey as Luke Benson
Walter Reed as Bill Corrigan
J. Farrell MacDonald as Pop Shannon

My Thoughts:
This film was originally shown in the theater back in 1951 and was a trial run for the TV Series The Adventures of Superman. It was also shown as a 2 part episode on TV. It is a good film. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Worth the hour put in to watch it.

My Rating:

The Making of Superman: The Movie [1978 TV special]
Ernie Anderson narrates this look at the making of Richard Donner's blockbuster 1978 film. Behind-the-scenes footage, as well as scenes from the film, reveal just how audiences were able to "believe a man can fly". This program features interviews with key cast and crew.

My Thoughts:
A nice documentary on the film. It encompasses the entire film. Though most things covered I already knew. Not much of anything new here. Over-all I enjoyed it but don't think it is something I would revisit again anytime soon.

My Rating:

Well that is everything on the first disc (except for the Commentary Track)... so I think this is a good stopping point for today. I will try to get to disc 2 after work tomorrow. 

Now watching Superman 2: Theatrical Release.