Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut

I haven't been this excited to own a DVD in a long time! In fact, if everything that I've been hearing regarding this DVD release is true, Warner Bros. might actually want to consider releasing this NEW version to the BIG SCREEN as well! This isn't JUST a director's cut, it's practically a WHOLE NEW film!Richard Donner, the director of Superman "the movie" completed 75% of Superman II in 1977. Donner was actually hired to film the first movie AND the sequel at the SAME time! But before he could film the final 25% of Superman II, Richard Donner was fired and a terrible "hack" named Richard Lester was hired to complete the film. The Marlon Brando footage was removed (so that the producers would not have to pay Brando) and the script was given a quick re-write. When Richard Lester finally resumed production of the film in 1979 he decided to re-film the MAJORITY of the story. He ended up TRASHING about 45% of everything that Donner had filmed and replaced it with quickly shot, poorly directed scenes. Gene Hackman quit, he did not want to work with Richard Lester. A body double was used to replace Hackman in several scenes that had not yet been filmed. John Williams also quit stating that he "could not work with the man" (in regards to Richard Lester). Both Christopher Reeve and Margo Kidder WANTED to quit but were contractually obligated to finish the project.In the end, the version of Superman II that finally made it to the theater in late 1980 (Europe) and 1981 (U.S.) can be broken down like this:70% filmed in 1979 by Richard Lester.30% filmed in 1977 by Richard Donner.This new DVD version breaks down like this:75% filmed in 1977 by Richard Donner8% filmed in 200617% filmed in 1979 by Richard Lester (re-edited in 2006).50% of this new "edit" should be footage NEVER BEFORE SEEN by the public! Mostly stuff that was filmed by Donner in 1977 and then trashed by Richard Lester in 1979.I'm hoping this new version lives up to the hype, but I'm not expecting a perfect film. Keep in mind that this is a movie that was shot 30 years ago!I'm giving the DVD 5 stars without even viewing the film simply because I think the idea itself (gathering all of the original footage and allowing Donner to complete the film... 30 years later) is absolutely incredible!Now that this film has finally seen the light of day, I can only hope for the following releases:* "Back to the Future; the Eric Stoltz version" I know it may not even exist (according to most accounts), but there are a few sources online that claim that ALL of the Eric Stoltz scenes were filmed. I can dream can't I?* Original "Star Wars" trilogy (fully RESTORED plus the deleted scenes)* "Superman the movie" enhanced with new CGI effects, ONLY where it seriously NEEDS it. Mostly at the end of the film, the town flood, bridge, and earthquake sequence could certainly use a revamping! I would only use CGI to correct and improve the old effects shots that NEED fixing. I would not pull a "George Lucas" and ruin the film by changing it too much! This film really does need some fixing. It's a true classic in every way, but the BAD model effects at the end of the film need to be fixed!!!I'll update my review once I actually watch the new version of superman II!----------- UPDATED REVIEW -----------A lot of excellent reviews have appeared since my initial review/announcement of this DVD's arrival. I cannot really add more to the argument, but I would like to simply bring my review up to date.I agree completely with those reviewers pointing out flaws with this version, it's certainly not a perfect film. You have to remember that it was NEVER finished to begin with and Richard Donner had to FIGHT every step of the way to TRY to achieve his vision. If he had been allowed to finish the ENTIRE superman project (both films) in the way that he had originally intended (without constant interference and script altering), we may have ended up with two truly GREAT films.Those voicing dissapointment with the ending of this film must remember that it was indeed the ORIGINAL ending. When "Superman: The movie" was rushed to completion they simply took the ending from Superman II and used it to complete the first film. After Donner was fired, Superman II was left without an ending. I'm quite content to see the ORIGINAL ending used.Also, after comparing both the Lester and Donner versions - I can say without a doubt that the Donner version is FAR superior. The film certainly has flaws, but that's primarily due to the fact that it was never finished to begin with. Modern viewers must also remember that this film is almost 30 years old. If you're a fan of the current crop of CGI based super-hero movies then this film might be a let down.Watch both versions back to back. You'll be amazed at how much better the Donner version is. I'm not claiming that it's a GREAT film, but I am claiming that you'll become painfully aware of just how BAD the Lester version is. It will leave you wondering just what Richard Donner might have accomplished with BOTH superman films had he simply been left alone by the producers.-JM

Like any other red blooded American Superman fan, I really do enjoy the Richard Donner cut of this movie. However, it seems like ever since that was released it has come to overshadow this original theatrical version which is actually still a really awesome movie in its own right.The three Kryptonian super villains were a brilliant genius edition to either version of this movie, and both pack a lot of intensity and story writing in scenes that will still grip you by the heart and make you feel everything the characters on screen are feeling.

There is a lot of misconception that the "Donner Cut" is an entirely new cut. It is not. The truth is this was not actually cut together by Richard Donner himself, but rather by editor Michael Thau under Donner's creative supervision utilizing all of the available footage that he originally shot and should be considered to be a "reconstruction" of Director Richard Donner's original film had he been allowed to complete it before he was unceremoniously fired by producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind. Fans expecting some miraculous reconstitution of Superman II or an entirely new version of the film altogether may be setting their expectations way too high. The Donner cut still utilizes much of the footage shot by Richard Lester to maintain a cohesive film but with alternate takes and unseen footage, this is the version of Superman II you have never seen before. It also includes screen tests shot by Donner of Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder standing in lieu of unshot scenes resulting in an uncomfortably abbreviated romantic plotline between Lois and Supes. To be fair, most of the scenes shot by Richard Lester for the theatrical version fleshed out most of the stronger dynamic chemistry between the characters with snappier and more memorable dialogue. Lines like "General, would you care to step outside?" have been replaced with less-quotable lines like "General, have you ever heard of Freedom of the Press?" or Lex Luthor's sarcastic quips like "When will these dummies learn to use a doorknob?" are notably missed but make the overall tone less comedic than Lester's slapstick comical farce and more to-the-point.However, Donner's Superman reigns supreme with it's restoration of Marlon Brando's deleted scenes as Jor-El and the prophecy of "The father becomes the son and the son becomes the father" recited in the first film is finally realized here. In the theatrical version, the exposition that takes place in the Fortress of Solitude occurs between Kal-El and his mother Lara. When the studio did not want to pay Brando millions of dollars to be billed in the sequel, the footage was re-shot with Susannah York instead. There was a genuine sentimental emotion shared in those scenes between Kal-El and his mother that is lost in the Donner version but the restoration of Brando's Jor-El into the film gives it more weight and redemption as a second half of the historical first film.The opening sequence with Lois taken hostage by terrorists at the Eiffel Tower have thankfully been replaced by a much more satisfying introduction of Lois' suspicion that Clark is Superman. There is an urgency to the plot as General Zod, Ursa and Non escape from their imprisonment in the Phantom Zone and descend upon the Ear... er... "Planet Houston" and come off much more sinister and threatening adversaries this time around. Additionally, John William's original score has been fully restored with additional cues from Ken Thorne's theatrical scoring.The controversial ending is the target for much cynacism and debate amongst fans and while it may come off to some as a cheapened recycling of the original film's ending, it is much more satisfying than say Lester's laughible scenes where Superman throws a big cheesy plastic "S" at Non or the ridiculously inexplicable teleportation game of hide-and-seek by projecting multiple images of himself to psych-out Zod and his cronies are definitely not the least bit missed.Fans will argue and debate over the better of the two cuts for years to come but thankfully we have both versions to compare and contrast. In an age where re-edits of popular films run rampant on the internet, I'm sure someone is already busy constructing their own cut of the film that is an amalgamation of the best scenes of both compiled into one Suped-up fanboy-edit. There may never be a "definitive" version of Superman II, but this reconstruction of Donner's film is a welcomed alternative and thankfully we will always have both now that the real Superman, Christopher Reeve, returns.

classic movie, love it, very good quality =)

DEUX VERSIONS d'un film de mon enfance. La version de DONNER incontestablement plus fine et plus belle malgré certains effets bof bof mais on les oublie. Une 4K magnifique et un son ATMOS formidable (on oubli la VF en mono). Foncez

is a 1980 superhero film directed by Richard Lester and written by Mario Puzo and David and Leslie Newman from a story by Puzo based on the DC Comics character Superman. It is the second installment in the Superman film series and a sequel to Superman (1978). A direct continuation of the first Superman, Christopher Reeve reprises his role as Superman. The returning cast includes Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Sarah Douglas, Margot Kidder, Marc McClure and Jack O'HalloranThe film's plot features the arrival of General Zod & his comrades on Earth, released from the prison of the Phantom Zone made by the people of Krypton. Zod seeks revenge by pursuing the planet's last son Kal-El, alias Superman. Kal-El, who unknowingly freed them, must now face the threats of his long dead home planet. Zod also aligns with the returning Lex Luthor who still desires world domination. The hero is also in conflict with his duties as Earth's hero and desire to live amongst them solely as Clark Kent, especially with his love interest, Lois Lane.In 1977, it was decided by producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind that they would film both Superman and its sequel simultaneously, with principal photography beginning in March 1977 and ending in October 1978. Tensions rose between original director Richard Donner and the producers in which a decision was made to stop filming the sequel, of which 75 percent had already been completed, and finish the first film. Following the release of Superman in December 1978, Donner was controversially fired as director, and was replaced by Lester. Several members of the cast and crew declined to return in the wake of Donner's firing. To be officially credited as the director, Lester re-shot most of the film in which principal photography resumed in September 1979 and ended in March 1980.The film was released in Australia and mainland Europe on December 4, 1980, and in other countries throughout 1981. It received positive reviews from film critics who praised the performances of Reeve, Stamp, and Hackman, the visual effects, and the humor. It grossed $190 million against a production budget of $54 million, a box office success but less than its predecessor. A sequel, Superman III, was released in June 1983, for which Lester returned as director.The Richard Donner cut is a 2006 re-edited director's cut of the 1980 superhero film Superman II. It is a sequel to Richard Donner's 1978 film Superman, based on the DC Comics superhero of the same name, and stars Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, and Marlon Brando. This alternate cut was edited by Michael Thau and was overseen and completed by Donner himself. It features a significant amount of discarded footage, alternate takes, and story elements not featured in the theatrical version.In 1979, after the tense nineteen month-long shoot on Superman and a significant portion of Superman II, Alexander Salkind, who had bought the film rights to the character, removed Donner from production on the sequel and replaced him with director Richard Lester. Lester completed the remainder of the film for its theatrical release, but also re-wrote and re-shot a substantial portion of Donner's footage in order to receive full director's credit. While the sequel was a critical and financial success upon release, interest in Donner's cut of Superman II became well known after a community of online fans began petitioning for Warner Bros. Pictures to release Donner's vision. After Marlon Brando's death in 2004, his family estate allowed for Warner Bros. to feature archival footage of the late actor in the 2006 film Superman Returns, thus granting the studio permission to restore Donner's version of Superman II.Since Donner never completed Superman II in its original form, certain key scenes filmed by Lester, along with newly created visual effects shots and an early screen test of one pivotal scene featuring Reeve and Margot Kidder, had to be added to the film in order to create a completed work. The film also features an early developed alternate opening and ending that were both envisioned before the theatrical release of Superman, in which the sequel's original ending was re-worked as the finale to the first film. Donner stated that, had he finished the film in 1980, he would have shot a different ending. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and HD DVD on November 28, 2006, to positive reviews and is dedicated to Reeve's memory.As much as I like the Lester version of the film the Donner cut always teases me with what could have been if it wasn't for the behind the scenes tension and a lesson to all film producers after the success of the first trust your team and directorR.I.P Richard Donner.

Superman 2 con doppiaggi originali, top!! Grazie mille

ESTA VERSION ES MUCHO MEJOR QUE LA CONOCIDA DE TODO EL MUNDO,MUY RECOMENDALE