Superman: The Movie (1978) – Review

With the current glut of superhero content being released theatrically – as well as streaming at home – it’s hard to imagine a time when comic book characters weren’t considered a financially viable for the big screen yet for years studios wouldn’t touch what was considered by most to be “kids stuff” with a ten foot pole. But in 1978 all that changed with the release of Superman: The Movie, a film that proved superheroes weren’t just for comic books and Saturday morning cartoons but fun for the whole family.

Superman’s trip to the big screen was not an easy journey and its rocky production has become legendary. with stories of notorious producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind constantly butting heads with director Richard Donner, yet out of great strife comes great art and the end product certainly speaks for itself. Anyone who’s ever picked up a Superman comic book knows his origin story, a small child is placed in a rocket by his parents allowing him to escape his doomed planet. He then arrives on Earth where he is raised by a kindly Kansas couple until he eventually strikes off on his own journey to become the world’s greatest hero. Of course, getting something like that to the big screen was no easy task, Richard Donner and company deserve any and all amounts of praise for pulling this off.

“I banish you three to a mere cameo in this film and a future in the sequel.”

The movie opens with Jor-El (Marlon Brando) of the Kryptonian high council sentencing three criminals to the Phantom Zone for insurrection, only to later have the rest of the council members dismiss his claims that their planet is doomed -“Doomed I tell you, doomed!” – and while he promises not to spread fear among the populace he is quick to load his only child in a rocket ship and send him off on a journey across time and space. What’s not clear is what he expected the council to do even if they had believed his claims that their planet was going to be destroyed. Krypton exploded almost immediately after their council meeting and he barely had time to explain things to his wife Lara (Susannah York) as to where he was sending their child before the shit hits the fan.  It’s not like they had time to construct a fleet of escape ships. And as to hiding in the Phantom Zone, no thanks.

He didn’t even get a chance to say “I told you so” to those asshat council members.

What follows is pretty much your standard telling of the Superman story. He arrives as a baby and is raised by Jonathon (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter) and it is from them that he is instilled with the moral code and virtues that will stand him in good stead as he becomes a hero. After a twelve-year sabbatical at the Fortress of Solitude, where Jor-El drums into him the whole “You cannot interfere with human history” lesson – which will have no repercussions when he ignores them – he finally dons the red and blue costume of Superman (Christopher Reeve) and he takes off for Metropolis where he adopts the dual role of bumbling reporter Clark Kent and his cape-wearing alter-ego Superman. It’s here that he meets up with tough but fair Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White (Jackie Cooper), hard-nosed reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and young photographer Jimmy Olsen (Marc McClure), all who play major roles in his life, and by that I mean he spends a lot of time rescuing them.

That Lois Lane lived long enough to meet Superman is the bigger mystery here.

One of the film’s greatest moments is his first night out on the town as Superman, where he saves Lois from a crashing helicopter, nabs a jewel thief off the side of a building, thwarts a group of robbers attempting escape via boat, saves Air Force One after a lightning strike takes out one of its engines, and he even has time to rescue a little girl’s cat from a tree. It’s these fun side missions that are missing from most of the later Superman movie and without those moments something is lost and his character becomes just a deus ex machina with no heart or soul, making him a shallow character only driven by the main plot. That’s not to say Superman: The Movie doesn’t have a doozy of a main plot, with criminal genius Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) buying up hundreds of acres of useless desert land and then reprogramming two 500-megaton missiles to detonate in the San Andreas Fault that would then drop California into the sea, thus make his once shitty property now valuable beachfront property.  But this plot isn’t really central to this movie, it’s just a bit of ridiculous fun to hang all the big action set-pieces on, stuff we need for that incredible final act.

Damn!

The Problems with Luthor’s Plan:

• A “500 Megaton” bomb would do far more than cause California massive damage as the largest nuclear weapon ever detonated was only 57 MT and that caused damage up to 170 miles away. A 500 MT bomb would be more than twice the power of the eruption of Krakatoa, the largest explosion in recorded history.
• Such a detonation would also not cause California to slip into the sea as the San Andreas is a strike-slip transform fault, with each plate sliding along the other. The amount of energy required to slide the entire western part of California away from the rest of North America would be far greater than any natural or man-made source could generate.
• Lex Luthor is a known criminal who is forced to live in a lair underneath Metropolis so even if this plan worked, and he finds himself to be the proud owner of all this new beachfront property, how is he going to profit from it?

“I’m sure I’ll be able to get a great lawyer.”

Superman: The Movie is an epic visual spectacle, especially considering the technology available during its time of production. The flying sequences were accomplished with a combination of practical effects and innovative methods, and they are a visual treat that remains impressive even by today’s standards. But even beyond the impressive visual effects, this film stands out for its genuine heart with its underlying themes of hope, heroism and the belief in the inherent goodness of humanity which resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impact on viewers of all ages. The film’s ability to evoke a sense of wonder is nothing short of magical.

You will believe a man can fly.

Stray Observations:

• I love John Barry’s production designs for this movie but are we to believe that the Kryptonian people evolved beyond the need for furniture? There is not a single table or chair to be seen on this entire planet.
• During teen Clark Kent’s race against a train we see a young Lois sitting with her parents, played by Noel Neill and Kirk Alyn who played Lois Lane and Superman in the original Superman serials.
• Superman has Super-Hearing but it’s finding Lois’s dropped hat on the sidewalk that clues him into her being in trouble up above and not the sound of the helicopter crashing, her screaming or the sirens from the oncoming emergency vehicles.
• The scene where Superman thwarts the burglar, who was scaling the walls of an office building, was shot horizontally then the footage was turned to make it look as though they were actually on the side of the building. A technique greatly utilized in the Adam West Batman series.
• This version of Lex Luthor has a strange kind of vanity as not only does he have a variety of wigs to hide is baldness but he even wears a wig under his bathing cap when he’s swimming.
• I don’t know what kind of money a Daily Planet reporter makes but it must be a lot,Lois Lane’s penthouse apartment with its massive terrace must cost a fortune.
• From Lois Lane’s interview with Superman, where he tells Lois where he’s from, Luthor he is able to not only deduce where Krypton was located but he then somehow concludes that debris from his home world would kill him, “The level of specific radioactivity is so high to anyone from the planet Krypton, this substance is lethal.” How exactly did he come to this conclusion?

“Lex, did you just pull that out of your ass?”

Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman is nothing short of remarkable. His charismatic performance not only allows us to believe that a man can fly but his ability to transform from his bumbling, mild-mannered reporter persona to his unyielding determination as Superman is an incredible acting feat and it is his ability to embody the duality of the iconic character flawlessly makes this performance so unforgettable. With a simple shift of posture, Reeve was able to achieve a transformation that no special effects budget could equal. He not only fills the red-and-blue suit perfectly he also brought the human side of the hero to the forefront, connecting with viewers on an emotional level.

Lois and Clark are a timeless duo.

Needless to say, one of the most memorable and important aspects of Superman: The Movie is the iconic score from legendary composer John Williams, its triumphant and uplifting themes that are now synonymous with the character of Superman. This majestic score resonates with us long after the credits roll, perfectly encapsulating the essence of Superman’s heroism and it has remained etched in the minds of both casual moviegoers and die-hard fans alike. But what sets this entry apart from other superhero flicks is its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and hope, creating a beacon of optimism even in the face of adversity. It’s a story that inspires and reminds us that, despite our limitations, we can strive to be better and make a difference in the world. In retrospect, Superman: The Movie serves as the gold standard for superhero films, setting a precedent for many of the comic book adaptations that followed. Richard Donner’s masterful direction, Christopher Reeve’s definitive portrayal of Superman, and the film’s timeless message of hope have solidified its place as an enduring piece of cinematic history.

Note: John Barry’s Fortress of Solitude looks fantastic and is but one of many iconic sets in this film.  I also love that Kryptonians have a “Just add ice water” based technology.

Of course, the supporting cast in this superhero flick is pretty impressive and even Marlon Brando’s notable if phoned-in performance as Jor-El, Superman’s Kryptonian father adds a certain gravitas to the story, providing valuable insights into the hero’s upbringing and noble values. Margot Kidder’s Lois Lane is equally captivating as a feisty and determined reporter and the chemistry between her and Reeve is palpable, lending depth to the romantic subplot without overshadowing the main story. And then there is Gene Hackman’s portrayal of Lex Luthor, the villainous mastermind and Superman’s archenemy, Hackman adds a layer of intrigue and cunning to the character as well as a dark sense of humour to the part, giving Superman a formidable well-rounded adversary to face.  We also shouldn’t fail to mention Ned Beatty as his bumbling henchman Otis and Valerie Perrine as long-suffering girlfriend Eve Teschmacher, who both kick up the comedy level a notch or two.

An evil genius but a terrible judge of character.

In conclusion, Superman: The Movie is a cinematic masterpiece that remains an influential force in the realm of superhero films. Christopher Reeve’s performance as the Man of Steel still remains one if not the best take on the character, and coupled with a captivating story and breathtaking visuals it’s no surprise that this movie’s place in cinema history is secure. Whether you’re a longtime Superman fan or a newcomer to the superhero genre, this film is a must-watch, reminding us all of the true potential that lies within each of us.