Warner Home Video unveils a "Superman" 14-disc set

[Bill Williams]

Home Theater Forum conducted an excellent online chat session with Warner Home Video last night, and from what was discussed, here are the latest details:

- Superman: Both the original theatrical version and the 2001 Special Edition will be included in the set (the original theatrical cut's inclusion was requested by Ilya Salkind himself).
- Superman II: Both the original theatrical version and the new Richard Donner version (currently being edited by Michael Thau) will be issued in the set, as well as a standalone release.
- Supergirl: Will not be included in the 14-disc box set, as Warner is preparing a separate release.
- Superman IV: THE DELETED SCENES EXIST!!!!! (Sorry for the all caps there, Andy!) They will not be intercut into a new longer version of the film but will be on the set. No idea how much, if all, of the deleted scenes will be included, as they stated "a great deal of deleted scenes" would be included.
- Superman Returns: Will be included in the 14-disc set.

Nothing else confirmed at this time, so let's sit back and see what transpires!

On a side note, the two Kirk Alyn serials "Superman" and "Atom Man vs. Superman" will be issued later this year through Warner's TV group and will not be included in the 14-disc set.

Here's the link to the chat transcript:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/ ... fchat.html

[Eric W.]

Nice!

Thanks, Bill!

[AndyDursin]

Great work Bill. That's good news -- I'm glad I don't have to re-buy SUPERGIRL again (unless they get the transfer right this time!). SUPERMAN IV does not surprise me in terms of there being no officially completed "long cut," I'm guessing a lot of those deleted scenes are unfinished or required more work -- it's not like the TV edits of SUPERMANs I-III, even though people have pushed unsubstantiated rumors for years that some magical 135 minute "SFM" TV version existed (which was nothing but garbage, since not one person in the world actually has a copy!).

I do hope they include the TV edits of the SUPERMANs -- especially III, I see no reason why they can't do it -- but apparently we shall see.

FUNNY FARM and SPIES LIKE US in widescreen as well -- nice!

Also glad to see that POLTERGEIST will happen, though as long as the participants are alive, I have my doubts as to how objective it's going to be...but nevertheless, some deleted scenes and proper Making Of materials would be nice!

[Bill Williams]

SUPERMAN IV does not surprise me in terms of there being no officially completed "long cut," I'm guessing a lot of those deleted scenes are unfinished or required more work -- it's not like the TV edits of SUPERMANs I-III, even though people have pushed unsubstantiated rumors for years that some magical 135 minute "SFM" TV version existed (which was nothing but garbage, since not one person in the world actually has a copy!).

Of course, Andy, the only official "long cut" is the 93-minute European version issued from Cannon Films in different countries, such as Japan (issued in a widescreen laserdisc format from Tohokushinsha Home Video), so we know for a fact that the tornado and Red Square scenes were intact in the overseas version (and not shown in the United States until its first syndicated broadcasts in 1990).

And all of the SFM rumors are total garbage. You would not believe how many variants of the same song and dance were out there - "My parents/brother/uncle/best friend recorded it but lost the tape/taped over it/can't find it" - and were even reported on some Superman web sites as fact. Of course, every time people pushed for proof, nothing ever emerged. I myself debunked a couple of rumors that someone in Washington was hawking videos of the master cut for $20 apiece, and, as late as 2004, a fellow in England was hawking a bootleg workprint video of the uncut version on eBay. Both of those rumors turned out to be completely false.

It'll be interesting to see the quality of those deleted scenes and how many of them are included on the DVD.

[AndyDursin]

SUPERMAN IV does not surprise me in terms of there being no officially completed "long cut," I'm guessing a lot of those deleted scenes are unfinished or required more work -- it's not like the TV edits of SUPERMANs I-III, even though people have pushed unsubstantiated rumors for years that some magical 135 minute "SFM" TV version existed (which was nothing but garbage, since not one person in the world actually has a copy!).

Of course, Andy, the only official "long cut" is the 93-minute European version issued from Cannon Films in different countries, such as Japan (issued in a widescreen laserdisc format from Tohokushinsha Home Video), so we know for a fact that the tornado and Red Square scenes were intact in the overseas version (and not shown in the United States until its first syndicated broadcasts in 1990).

And all of the SFM rumors are total garbage. You would not believe how many variants of the same song and dance were out there - "My parents/brother/uncle/best friend recorded it but lost the tape/taped over it/can't find it" - and were even reported on some Superman web sites as fact. Of course, every time people pushed for proof, nothing ever emerged. I myself debunked a couple of rumors that someone in Washington was hawking videos of the master cut for $20 apiece, and, as late as 2004, a fellow in England was hawking a bootleg workprint video of the uncut version on eBay. Both of those rumors turned out to be completely false.

It'll be interesting to see the quality of those deleted scenes and how many of them are included on the DVD.

Exactly Bill. I noticed even the guy in the HTF chat mentioned all the "long" versions -- as if the 135 min. SUPERMAN IV was as "real" as the TV cuts of the other three we already have I just go on the conversation I had with one of Sidney J. Furie's editors years back -- he had asked him specifically about the long cut of IV and said it was not viewable, was never completed, etc. If they tested it at all, it was in incomplete workprint form and thus never actually existed as such. That 93 min. version as you said is the only "long" cut out there.

I wish they'd just give us the TV versions for I and III...they're out there, I can't see any reason why not include 'em like SUPERGIRL did?

[Bill Williams]

Of course, the main proof we have that "Superman IV" ran at least 120 minutes long comes from two different sources: a Starlog blurb that appeared at the time of the film's release stating that 30 minutes of footage was cut from the film, and Alexander Courage's statement to Jeff Bond in "The Music of Star Trek" that he had composed 105 minutes of music for the film.

And then, of course, there's all those trailers and TV spots with different clips throughout each that were taken from the original print. That would seem to suggest that the footage was of good enough quality to be included in those trailers and TV spots.

I agree completely, the rest of the footage to I deserves to be seen, as there is some pretty substantial footage with Christopher Reeve in it. The extra scenes to III, however, aren't really substantial overall, just a few quick trims here and there that nobody seems to miss, and Chris is in only three or four of those added clips at most - everything else is basically surplus junk. I'm not as burdened or troubled about the deleted scenes to III being restored into the context of the film; just clean them up and give them a good home in the deleted scenes section of the DVD.

What does concern me, and this was brought up a couple of weeks back with a discussion I had, is the poor transfer of II, III, and IV. Bottom line: you can see the wires throughout! And in the lunar battle in IV - well, it's curtains for the Man of Steel, literally! Not to mention Superman's battle with the Nuclear Man on the glass table. If Warner Home Video would simply do some good color correction and CGI cleanup for the sequels, and make them more presentable, then it would be a bit better to handle.

[AndyDursin]

Of course, the main proof we have that "Superman IV" ran at least 120 minutes long comes from two different sources: a Starlog blurb that appeared at the time of the film's release stating that 30 minutes of footage was cut from the film, and Alexander Courage's statement to Jeff Bond in "The Music of Star Trek" that he had composed 105 minutes of music for the film.

And then, of course, there's all those trailers and TV spots with different clips throughout each that were taken from the original print. That would seem to suggest that the footage was of good enough quality to be included in those trailers and TV spots.

I agree completely, the rest of the footage to I deserves to be seen, as there is some pretty substantial footage with Christopher Reeve in it. The extra scenes to III, however, aren't really substantial overall, just a few quick trims here and there that nobody seems to miss, and Chris is in only three or four of those added clips at most - everything else is basically surplus junk. I'm not as burdened or troubled about the deleted scenes to III being restored into the context of the film; just clean them up and give them a good home in the deleted scenes section of the DVD.

What does concern me, and this was brought up a couple of weeks back with a discussion I had, is the poor transfer of II, III, and IV. Bottom line: you can see the wires throughout! And in the lunar battle in IV - well, it's curtains for the Man of Steel, literally! Not to mention Superman's battle with the Nuclear Man on the glass table. If Warner Home Video would simply do some good color correction and CGI cleanup for the sequels, and make them more presentable, then it would be a bit better to handle.

I also hate the soundtrack on the SUPERMAN II DVD...the current DVD's 2.0 Surround track is so pinched and compressed that it hasn't nearly the oomph of the laserdisc (or even VHS) release. I hope for the theatrical version they can make amends on that.

[mkaroly]

This has been a really fun thread to read- I was never enthusiastic about anything having to do with SUPE IV but after reading all this stuff I want to see the deleted scenes!

[AndyDursin]

This has been a really fun thread to read- I was never enthusiastic about anything having to do with SUPE IV but after reading all this stuff I want to see the deleted scenes!

While I'm excited to see what they tossed, SUPERMAN IV is still an atrocious bomb that I don't believe any amount of deleted scenes could fix -- you'd STILL have Jon Cryer, a lousy script and dialogue like "The Earth is my home, too!"

Of course, remember I'm one of the few defenders of SUPERMAN III on the planet (it's not that bad -- go back and watch it again, there are some good scenes in it!), so you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt I just can't fathom how there are people who actually think IV is better than III, but...it's a free country.

[romanD]

hi there, I may attend the recording sessions in April for SUPERMAN RETURNS.. got invited by John Ottman, it all is now a question of whether that fits into my schedule...

am very excited... the sessions will be 11 days long!

I keep you updated!

[AndyDursin]

Roman, you better fill us in....and you'd better tell us if he's writing another X-MEN 2 or FANTASTIC FOUR!!

[romanD]

will do my best! But John thinks, no matter what he writes people will hate it... either he stays too close to Williams' work or he stays too far away from it... it's a catch 22 for him...

havent talked to him a lot about the score recently, but I think I remember him saying that the Supi-Theme won't be used that much...

well, I keep you posted

(somehow I dream of Williams stopping by at the session... that would be amazing... where does he live by the way? In LA???)

[AndyDursin]

havent talked to him a lot about the score recently, but I think I remember him saying that the Supi-Theme won't be used that much...

That will be a shock for many viewers since it's plastered all over the trailers, video game ads, etc. that have come out. When you basically announce to audiences that this is classic SUPERMAN and you use 100% Williams music, you're essentially telling them this music will be in the film -- if nothing else they'll be in for a rude awakening if the themes aren't utilized.

There's a middle ground he can find. The problem for him is that, based on his past scores, there's nothing he's going to be able to write that will be comparable to the original SUPERMAN themes.

If I were him, and wanted to keep my job, I'd do my own thing and work the original Williams motifs in as best I could. I bet that's what he'll find based on reaction to the movie, and I wish him the best.

[Carlson2005]

Of course, remember I'm one of the few defenders of SUPERMAN III on the planet (it's not that bad -- go back and watch it again, there are some good scenes in it!), so you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt

Grain? I'll give you a sackful of the stuff. Six weeks we ran that turd, four shows a day in the worst summer of my life working in the cinema: we also had 12 weeks of Octopussy and 10 weeks of Return of the Teddys as well - three of the very worst films ever made. Lord knows where I found the strength to get up in the morning and go to work that summer.

[AndyDursin]

Of course, remember I'm one of the few defenders of SUPERMAN III on the planet (it's not that bad -- go back and watch it again, there are some good scenes in it!), so you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt

Grain? I'll give you a sackful of the stuff. Six weeks we ran that turd, four shows a day in the worst summer of my life working in the cinema: we also had 12 weeks of Octopussy and 10 weeks of Return of the Teddys as well - three of the very worst films ever made. Lord knows where I found the strength to get up in the morning and go to work that summer.

But what would have happened if it was IV instead of III that you ran that summer? Would you even still be with us today??!?