BLU-RAY REVIEW

Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 267, May/June 2023

WSR Score
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
3000094481
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$134.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-100 | BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
601
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
5/9/2023
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

The "Superman 1078-1987 5-Film Collection" is part of the centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio. The 4K Ultra HD collection is comprised of five films featuring the iconic DC Super Hero Superman: "Superman: The Movie," "Superman II," "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut," "Superman III" and "Superman IV".

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the "Superman" films star Christopher Reeve as the legendary “Man of Steel.”

Picture 4
Sound 4.5
WSR Score 4

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Synopsis: Academy Award winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time. From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth. Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. But with powers and abilities far beyond those of ordinary men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman. (Gary Reber)

Director: Richard Donner
Stars: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder & Christopher Reeve

Superman II (Theatrical Version) (1980)

Synopsis: Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three superpowered Planet Krypton criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran) plan to enslave Earth –– just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman also returns as Lex Luthor in this sequel that features a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction, and visuals that astound and delight. (Gary Reber)

Director: Richard Lester
Stars: Gene Hackman & Christopher Reeve

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

Director: Richard Donner
Stars: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Christopher Reeve & Richard Pryor

Superman III (1983)

Synopsis: Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a naive computer-programming natural. For him, a keyboard is a weapon –– and, as a result, Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his signature role, deepening his character’s human side as Clark Kent sees Lana Lang (Annette O’Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when the Man of Steel becomes his own worst enemy after exposure to Kryptonite, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Relive Superman III with all its heart, heroism and high-flying humor.(Gary Reber)

Director: Richard Lester
Stars: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Christopher Reeve & Richard Pryor

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Synopsis: Christopher Reeve not only dons the title hero’s cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie’s provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China. (Gary Reber)

Director: Sydney J. Furie
Stars: Gene Hackman , Margot Kidder & Christopher Reeve

Superman: The Movie Bonus Features
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler, two featurettes: The Making Of Superman and Superman And The Mole-Men,
Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon, Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon, Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon, TV Spot, Teaser Trailer and Theatrical Trailer

Superman II Bonus Features:
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler, The Making Of Superman II – 1980 TV Special, “Superman’s Soufflé“– Deleted scene, Fleischer Studios’ Superman vintage cartoons: First Flight, The Mechanical Monster, Billion Dollar Limited, The Arctic Giant, The Bulleteers. The Magnetic Telescope, Electric Earthquake, Volcano and Terror On The Midway and Theatrical Trailer

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Bonus Features:
Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz, the featurettes Introduction By Richard Donner and Superman II: Restoring The Vision, Deleted Scenes, Famous Studios vintage cartoons: Japoteurs, Showdown, Eleventh Hour, Destruction, Inc., The Mummy Strikes, Jungle Drums, The Underground World and Secret Agent

Superman III Bonus Features:
Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler, The Making of Superman III – 1983 TV Special, 11 Deleted Scenes and Theatrical Trailer

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:
Commentary by Mark Rosenthal, Superman 50th Anniversary Special – 1988 TV Special, 15 Deleted Scenes and Theatrical Trailer