Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
VERISIMILITUDE: THE ORIGINAL VISION
DVD Release
Nov 28, 2006
🍅 81%
Audience Score
🍿 87%
Official Synopsis
After being fired from the production of the 1980 sequel, Richard Donner's footage was largely shelved. In 2006, this material was restored, including pivotal scenes with Marlon Brando as Jor-El. This version offers a more serious, mythic continuation of the 1978 original, following Superman as he gives up his powers for Lois Lane just as three Kryptonian criminals, led by General Zod, arrive to conquer Earth.
Production Dossier
Restoration
Donner Footage: ~75%
Restoration Cost: ~$1-2 Million
Studio: Warner Home Video
Technical Specs
Director: Richard Donner
Editor: Michael Thau
Runtime: 116 Minutes
Cast & Crew
- Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder, Terence Stamp
- Writers: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Tom Mankiewicz
Fun Facts
- Screen Test Scene: Since Donner never filmed the pivotal "reveal" scene in the hotel, the movie uses Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder's original screen test footage.
- Brando's Return: Marlon Brando’s estate originally blocked his footage from the 1980 release. His "return" in 2006 was only possible after a deal was struck for *Superman Returns*.
- The Time Warp Ending: Donner’s intended ending for II involved Superman turning back time—an idea that was moved to the end of the first film during production.
Major Changes: Donner vs. Lester
Theatrical (1980)
- Lara as Mentor: Clark consults his mother in the Fortress.
- The Reveal: Clark trips into a fireplace, revealing his invulnerability.
- Slapstick Tone: Heavy focus on puns and sight gags during fights.
- The Resolution: Superman uses a "Magic Kiss" to make Lois forget.
Donner Cut (2006)
- Jor-El Returns: Brando's restored footage provides mythic weight.
- The Pistol Trick: Lois shoots Clark with blanks to force the truth.
- Epic Tone: Reinstates Donner's "Verisimilitude" philosophy.
- The Time Warp: Superman reverses time to fix the global crisis.
*Note: The Donner Cut removes roughly 25% of Lester's footage to reclaim the original narrative arc.*
Original Review (November 26, 2006)
A rather unusual, and dare I say historic event occurs on Tuesday when Richard Donner's cut of Superman 2 arrives on DVD.
Richard Donner, the director of the first Superman starring Christopher Reeve, was fired half way through the filming of the second Superman.
The reason was cited as creative differences.
He was replaced by Richard Lester who delivered an outstanding sequel.
I'll even go as far as saying that it's a superior film than the first Superman.
I'm sure I share that opinion with many others.
But for whatever reason there's been a demand to see the footage that Donner shot, some even claiming that his version was even better than Lester's.
Throughout the years a cult following developed.
It became a full fledge phenomenon when Bryan Singer, in preparation for his film Superman Returns, viewed footage from the Donner cut, and came away singing it's praises.
So Warner Brothers did the unprecedented, and decided to release a version of Superman 2 using the previously unseen footage shot by Donner, and filling in the holes with the footage shot by Lester.
Not only that, but paid for restoration, and according to the special features on the DVD, the creation of some 250 new special effects shots.
Some of the highlights of the new version is a new beginning, ending, and the presence of Marlon Brando.
But is it better than Lester's version?
Spoilers now follow.
First off the film has never looked better.
It's obvious the powers that be has put some money into this DVD.
This isn't some chessy director's cut that inserts storyboards, and cheap narration to fill in the holes.
The video, sound, and color have all been enhanced, and restored.
I threw on the special edition of Lester's version, which is being released at the same time, to compare the transfers, and the differences are obvious.
The Donner version looks, and sounds significantly better.
Which is disappointing for fans of the original version.
In terms of story, the Donner cut is shorter, tighter, and feels more like a sequel.
Events that transpired in the first film directly affect this version.
Specifically, the way General Zod and his crew escape from the phantom zone is from one of Lex Luthor's nuclear bombs in the first film that Superman intercepts on it's way to California.
Instead of the terrorist bomb from Lester's version, the bomb that releases Zod is a nuclear bomb that Superman throws into space.
The ending is also drastically different. Instead of the magic kiss to make Lois forget, Superman simply does what he did in the first film. Which is reverse time to the point where he throws the bomb into outer space.
Which means the whole movie never takes place.
Which makes no sense....whatsoever.
The best, and most refreshing change is having Marlon Brando in the film.
I'm not sure if it's nostalgia, or genuine enhancement of the story, but having Brando in the film seems to really elevate the film to another level
In terms of story, it definitely raises the stakes when Superman decides to become human.
Also seeing Brando pleading with his son to reconsider, enhances the themes of the Superman story. Issues of responsibilty, serving the greater good, and self sacrifice are addressed.
It also brings out a more dynamic performance from Christopher Reeve.
We witness a great moment when we see the little boy in Kal-el come out as he defies his father, and decides to become human. Than another great moment when we see his remorse, and regret when he begs for forgiveness, and pleads for a way to become Superman again. It adds a vulnerability to the character of Superman that we've never seen on film.
It's also tragic when we see that the only way that he can become Superman again, is by the destruction of his father's hologram. Which means he will never be able to interact with the image of his father again.
It provides a rather touching goodbye scene between the two.
The moment is especially poignant when one steps out of the film, and considers that relatively recently both Marlon Brando, and Christopher Reeve have passed away.
But besides those changes the movie is basically the same. The same themes, and plot-line remain relatively intact.
I guess if I had to choose though, I prefer Lester's version.
In terms of story logic, and through-line Lester's version just plays better. There's also more action sequences in his film.
But I'm grateful for this new version. If only to see Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando's new footage.
After watching Superman Returns, one realizes how excellent Christopher Reeve's performance was, and it's always refreshing to see Brando perform, even in a performance that many consider stilted and distant.
The DVD is available on November 28th.
Richard Donner, the director of the first Superman starring Christopher Reeve, was fired half way through the filming of the second Superman.
The reason was cited as creative differences.
He was replaced by Richard Lester who delivered an outstanding sequel.
I'll even go as far as saying that it's a superior film than the first Superman.
I'm sure I share that opinion with many others.
But for whatever reason there's been a demand to see the footage that Donner shot, some even claiming that his version was even better than Lester's.
Throughout the years a cult following developed.
It became a full fledge phenomenon when Bryan Singer, in preparation for his film Superman Returns, viewed footage from the Donner cut, and came away singing it's praises.
So Warner Brothers did the unprecedented, and decided to release a version of Superman 2 using the previously unseen footage shot by Donner, and filling in the holes with the footage shot by Lester.
Not only that, but paid for restoration, and according to the special features on the DVD, the creation of some 250 new special effects shots.
Some of the highlights of the new version is a new beginning, ending, and the presence of Marlon Brando.
But is it better than Lester's version?
Spoilers now follow.
First off the film has never looked better.
It's obvious the powers that be has put some money into this DVD.
This isn't some chessy director's cut that inserts storyboards, and cheap narration to fill in the holes.
The video, sound, and color have all been enhanced, and restored.
I threw on the special edition of Lester's version, which is being released at the same time, to compare the transfers, and the differences are obvious.
The Donner version looks, and sounds significantly better.
Which is disappointing for fans of the original version.
In terms of story, the Donner cut is shorter, tighter, and feels more like a sequel.
Events that transpired in the first film directly affect this version.
Specifically, the way General Zod and his crew escape from the phantom zone is from one of Lex Luthor's nuclear bombs in the first film that Superman intercepts on it's way to California.
Instead of the terrorist bomb from Lester's version, the bomb that releases Zod is a nuclear bomb that Superman throws into space.
The ending is also drastically different. Instead of the magic kiss to make Lois forget, Superman simply does what he did in the first film. Which is reverse time to the point where he throws the bomb into outer space.
Which means the whole movie never takes place.
Which makes no sense....whatsoever.
The best, and most refreshing change is having Marlon Brando in the film.
I'm not sure if it's nostalgia, or genuine enhancement of the story, but having Brando in the film seems to really elevate the film to another level
In terms of story, it definitely raises the stakes when Superman decides to become human.
Also seeing Brando pleading with his son to reconsider, enhances the themes of the Superman story. Issues of responsibilty, serving the greater good, and self sacrifice are addressed.
It also brings out a more dynamic performance from Christopher Reeve.
We witness a great moment when we see the little boy in Kal-el come out as he defies his father, and decides to become human. Than another great moment when we see his remorse, and regret when he begs for forgiveness, and pleads for a way to become Superman again. It adds a vulnerability to the character of Superman that we've never seen on film.
It's also tragic when we see that the only way that he can become Superman again, is by the destruction of his father's hologram. Which means he will never be able to interact with the image of his father again.
It provides a rather touching goodbye scene between the two.
The moment is especially poignant when one steps out of the film, and considers that relatively recently both Marlon Brando, and Christopher Reeve have passed away.
But besides those changes the movie is basically the same. The same themes, and plot-line remain relatively intact.
I guess if I had to choose though, I prefer Lester's version.
In terms of story logic, and through-line Lester's version just plays better. There's also more action sequences in his film.
But I'm grateful for this new version. If only to see Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando's new footage.
After watching Superman Returns, one realizes how excellent Christopher Reeve's performance was, and it's always refreshing to see Brando perform, even in a performance that many consider stilted and distant.
The DVD is available on November 28th.
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