CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF WARNER BROS. WITH ONE OF FILM’S MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS - The SUPERMAN 1978-1987 5-Film Collection Arrives on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack on May 9th (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the folks at Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. ALl views shared are mine and mine alone.

CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF WARNER BROS. WITH ONE OF FILM’S MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS - SUPERMAN

SUPERMAN 1978 – 1987 5-FILM COLLECTION FEATURING 

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, SUPERMAN II, SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT, SUPERMAN III, AND SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME AS A REMASTERED COLLECTION IN 4K RESOLUTION WITH HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR)

Pre-Order on 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack Now From Amazon for Only $94.99

PURCHASE THE COLLECTION ON 4K ULTRA HD COMBO PACK  MAY 9 AND DIGITALLY ON APRIL 18

Over the years I have found myself downsizing my DVD and Blu-Ray movies collection, and donating movies to senior centers and nursing homes, as so many of the movies now come with digital copies, so I don't need the physical copy along with the digital copy. But, this isn't the case for all my movies, as it is still hard to get rid of classics and childhood favorites.  After all the years of trying to record the movies on VHS as a kid, and then able to upgrade to a DVD for Blu-ray, it is hard to part  with these favorite.  One collection that stands out is my Superman movies. Even though a couple of the movies have scratches and skip from watching hem too many times over the years, I just couldn't part with them -- that was until the other day when I received the new Superman 1978-1987 5-Film Collection from Warner Bros.. This new collection comes with all 5 movies on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and Digital, in a nice box set.  Growing up, this was the fist movie I was in theaters. And, over the years, I will stop and watch any and all Superman movies when I flip through channels and see it on.  These movies never get old, and Christopher Reeves is still one of my all-time favorite actors.

I was so excited when I found out a few months ago that the folks at Warner Bros. were releasing this 5-Film Collection both on 4K Ultra Disc and Digital.  My plan was to buy the box set and finally update my Superman film collection with all working discs and in a better high quality viewing experience.The kind folks at Warner Bros. sent me the 5-Film Collection on 4K Ultra HD, and I have been having a blast introducing my two girls to all the Superman movies.  They have seen bits and pieces over the years when I stop and watch the movies on television, but have never sat for the entirety of each movie.  We started with the first film and just wrapped up the fourth film this evening.  So far, my girls are loving the first movie.  We are saving the fifth movie for our family movie night tomorrow..  And, once we are done watching it, we will go back and watch all the great bonus content that comes with each of these discs including commentary, theatrical trailers, vintage featurettes, and even deleted scenes.  I am so happy Warner Bros. released this 5-film collection, and will be donating my old Superman films to the senior center so they can be enjoyed by fans of Superman time and time again.

If you are a huge Superman fan like I am, and now my girls are, then you will definitely want to get your hands on this new 5-Film Collection which arrives on 4K Ultra HD Disc on May 9th.  It is currently available on Digital as of April 18th -- but, if you are like me, this is one collection you will want to have a physical copy of to display on the TV Shelf.  Plus, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray Combo Packs also comes with a digital copy of each film, too! So, make sure you pre-order this amazing Superman collection today, and then sit back and get ready to enjoy your favorite moments for these 5 Superman movies.

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More About this New 5-Film Collection Release from Warner Bros.:

"As part of the year-long centennial celebration for the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studio, 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 - will be available for purchase in a five-film collection on 4K Ultra HD Disc May 9 and on Digital April 18. 

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

On May 9, the Superman 1978 – 1987 5-Film Collection will be available to purchase on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Disc from online and in-store at major retailers and available for purchase on April 18th Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.

The Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Packs will include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc with the feature films in 4K with HDR, a Blu-ray disc with the feature films and special features in HD, and a Digital version of each film

Ultra HD Blu-ray showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.   

For the complete 4K Ultra HD experience with HDR, a 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR, an Ultra HD Blu-ray player and a high-speed HDMI (category 2) cable are required.

Ultra HD Blu-ray Elements:

Superman: The Movie Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

• Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spangler

• The Making of Superman – vintage featurette

• Superman and the Mole-Men – vintage featurette

• Super-Rabbit – 1943 WB cartoon

• Snafuperman – 1944 WB cartoon

• Stupor Duck – 1956 WB cartoon

• TV Spot

• Teaser Trailer

• Theatrical Trailer

Superman II Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

• 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

• Terror on the Midway

• Theatrical trailer

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

• Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz

• Introduction by Richard Donner – featurette

• Superman II: Restoring the Vision – featurette

• Deleted scenes

• Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head north

• Lex and Ms. Teschmacher head south

• The villains enter the fortress

• He’s all yours, boys

• Clarke and Jimmy

• Lex’s gateway

• Famous Studios vintage cartoons

• Japoteurs

• Showdown

• Eleventh Hour

• Destruction, Inc.

• The Mummy Strikes

• Jungle Drums

• The Underground World

• Secret Agent

Superman III Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

• Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler

• The Making of Superman III – 1983 TV special

• Deleted scenes

• Save my baby

• To the rescue

• Making up

• Going to see the boss

• Hatching the plan

• The con

• Rooftop ski

• Boss wants this to go

• Superman honored

• Gus’ speech

• Hanging up on Brad

• Theatrical trailer

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the

following previously released special features on Blu-ray Disc:

• Commentary by Mark Rosenthal

• Superman 50th anniversary special – 1988 TV special

• Deleted scenes

• Clark’s morning

• Jeremy’s letter

• Superman’s visit

• Nuclear Man’s prototype

• Metropolis after hours

• Lex ponders

• Flying sequence (extended scene)

• Battle in Smallville

• Battle in the U.S.S.R.

• Nuclear arms race

• Superman’s sickness

• Red alert

• By my side

• Lark and Lacy say goodbye

• No borders

• Theatrical trailer

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About the Films:

Superman: The Movie:

Academy Award winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the fantastic, 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.

An Alexander Salkind presentation and directed by Richard Donner (The Goonies, Lethal Weapon, The Lost Boys), the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront, The Godfather) as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman (The French Connection, Unforgiven) as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton.  Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Glen Ford as Jonathan Kent, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, and Terrance Stamp as General Zod.

Superman was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score) and Best Sound.  The film also received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects.  In 2017, Superman was inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.

SYNOPSIS:

Superman II (Theatrical Version):

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.

Directed by Richard Lester (A Hard Day’s Night, The Three Musketeers), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman.  Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut:

Director Richard Donner began shooting Superman II while concurrently filming Superman: The Movie, though the theatrical version of the film was ultimately directed by Richard Lester. In 2006, Donner’s original unique vision was released for the first time. Jor-El (Marlon Brando in footage cut from the theatrical version) appears in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the relationship between father and son. Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) plots more schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman (Christopher Reeve). With so many changes, large and small, including a different beginning and resolution, this version is an eye-opening alternate experience.

Directed by Richard Donner, the film stars Academy Award winner Marlon Brando as Jor-El, Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler and Michael Tau from a story by Mario Puzo and a screenplay by Puzo, David Newman, and Leslie Newman.  Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, and Terrence Stamp as General Zod.

Superman III:

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. 

Directed by Richard Lester, the film stars Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Pierre Spengler from a screenplay by David Newman and Leslie Newman.  Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind served as executive producer.  The film also features Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman, Jackie White as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Annette O’Toole as Lana Lang, and Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace:

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. 

Directed by Sydney J. Furie (The Ipcress File, Iron Eagle), the film stars Academy Award winner Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, and Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman.

Based on the DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the film was produced by Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan from a story by Christopher Reeve & Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal and a screenplay by Konner & Rosenthal.  The film also features Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Jon Cryer as Lenny, Sam Wanamaker as David Warfield, Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man, and Mariel Hemingway as Lacy Warfield."

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THE CREDITS

 

About Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment

Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE) distributes the award-winning movies, television, animation, and digital content produced by Warner Bros. Discovery to the homes and screens of millions through physical Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD retail sales and digital transactions on major streaming, video-on-demand cable, satellite, digital, and mobile channels.  WBDHE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales, one of the world’s largest distributors of entertainment programming.

 

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the folks at Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment in exchange for an honest review. ALl views shared are mine and mine alone.