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Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty ... see more see more... , Jackie Cooper , Terence Stamp , Sarah Douglas , Jack O'Halloran , Valerie Perrine , Clifton James , Marc McClure , E.G. Marshall

Reconstructed using archival film and sound elements long thought to be extinct, this special cut of Superman II pieces together unseen footage shot by Richard Donner in order to present the most comp... read more read more...rehensive version of what was to be the original cut of the blockbuster sequel. As initially planned, the first two films were to be filmed back-to-back using the same sets and actors to save on production costs. However, with a budget escalating out of control and Warner Bros. breathing down the producers' necks, the decision was made to drop any further filming on the sequel in order to finish the first movie and usher it into theaters. Of course, the first Superman was a wild success, so then it was just a matter of ramping up production again, though this time, Donner was not asked back. Instead, producers went with Richard Lester, who had served them well with his Three Musketeers films. Decisions were made to drop most of the key scenes that were already in the can, including all of the footage featuring Marlon Brando as Jor-El, the Man of Steel's father. After completion, the sequel found much success in theatrical and home-video box-office returns, though that didn't stop die-hard fans from speculating what Donner's cut would have looked like. Once the Internet was spawned, Warner Bros. saw interest grow more and more for this alternate version, even prompting the company to send cease and desist letters to individuals who had posted a re-edit of the film using deleted footage taken from an alternate TV version from the U.K. With the release of Superman Returns, the company saw this as a chance to finally deliver what people had wanted for years and enlisted Michael Thau to oversee the restoration process. Under the tutelage of Donner's notes, scripts, storyboards, and the director himself, the new version was delivered to home audiences in 2006, thereby not only giving people a look into what could have been, but giving a director an unprecedented chance to realize a vision long thought lost in the annals of movie history. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

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75% liked it

32,916 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

7 critics

PG, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Richard Donner, Richard Lester

Release Date: November 2, 2006

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DVD Release Date: November 28, 2006

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Stats: 1,464 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,464)

  • CloudStrife84
    November 1, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    Just as good as the original, if not better yet. More action, more fun and more interesting villains. Special effects-wise, it's awfully dated, but I didn't really mind that much, as the entertainment level is kept at a constant high. The only part that bugs me a bit is the one w... read morehere the bad guys fly around in that flat square thingy in space. It just looks so tacky and ridiculous, that you might as well be watching an Ed Wood movie. Or the eye-roll-inducing fact that Lois Lane is the only one who notices the obvious resemblance between Clark Kent and Superman - and it took her a whole movie, plus who knows how many encounters with him, before it finally dawned upon her. Personally, I prefer more realistic superhero films like Christopher Nolan's two masterpieces, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, but this well-made sequel does have it charms as well. One thing that will never get old, is the beautifully orchestrated music by the one-and-only John Williams. Nor Christopher Reeve's iconic performance, which shall always be remembered. Although I doubt anyone will ever nail the role as perfectly as he did, I'm glad though that the saga lives on through other creative film-makers. Next up we have Zack Snyder's Man of Steel to look forward to, which has every potential to be a winner. That is, assuming he doesn't let us down again with another Sucker Punch to our faces. Either way, I'll definitely be getting my ticket.
  • deano
    October 26, 2010
    deano
    Director Richard Donner's version cut made me little confused, rough around a couple of edges and didn't make sense in the story as well as I really like the original theatrical version than this one. I see the battle scenes are a mess, with no geography between cuts. It's just r... read moreandom action. Aside from having a disjointed feel to it, the dialog was actually more campy in many places, sometimes bordering on silly. The evolution of the Lois Lane/Superman romance is less well-developed (one of the strengths of the original Superman II) and the ending was particularly unsatisfying.
    I found out why Donner was bringing scenes re-filmed because of Marlon Brando as Jol-El, Superman's father, was deleted in the theatrical version, I was surprised.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 2, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    I believe this is the best of the Superman movies, but that may only be because of his chemistry with Margot Kidder.
  • RCCLBC
    March 29, 2010
    RCCLBC
    A slightly less homogonized version of the film.
    A little grittier, a little more violent, a lot less of the cheesy sight gags and silly sound effects that (in my opinion) cheapened the original release.
    An interesting and enjoyable revisting of my favorite of the Superman films.
  • SirPant
    September 3, 2009
    SirPant
    ...Its interesting, obviously unfinished in places but would love it if it was made properly. Is it better than what was brought out? I don't think so but hey, its Superman! Better than Superman Returns any day! Best line: 'I'm not a coward Zod'! (Watch it to understand why)
  • sononothing
    November 30, 2008
    sononothing
    A much better film than the original release, The Donner Cut is all we have of the original vision of Richard Donner's Superman II. The main difference between the two are the respect to the mythology of Superman: the theatrical film threw in garbage such as teleportation whereas... read more Donner kept the film within Superman's powers and weaknesses. It is the superior version, although I still have to give the original props for being able to put together a solid film after the mess that the Salkinds created.

    So why didn't I give it five stars? Because it's still not done and will never be done. If it had been completed to the original specifications it would have easily been better than the original film. The Donner Cut is an artifact of what might have been and how producers sometimes don't know what's best for their project (yes, they produced Superman III and Supergirl).
  • middleeasternfilms
    August 9, 2008
    middleeasternfilms
    Every bit as good as the original, though because Donner directed both the first and second ones it's intended as one movie. Watching both, you can really tell the difference in quality. Apparently Richard Lester was just a pawn to finish the film the producers' way and it's noti... read moreceable. Donner wants nothing less than the best - his way - and he gets it done here. One of the best superhero movies made, but let's forget about 3 and 4, shall we?
  • DrZeek
    May 8, 2008
    DrZeek
    President: Oh God
    General Zod: That's Zod

    Originally, when Superman was being made, Richard Donner was directing the first 2 movies back to back. Sometime along the way of putting number two together, the studios fired Donner, despite having already shot 80% of the film, and put... read more in director Richard Lester in his place. Having said that, what were they thinking,

    I like the theatrical cut of Superman II, but having seen this version its strange that producers opted not to stick with the vision Donner had in mind.

    This version is very different from the theatrical cut and almost a different movie all together. Culled from nearly lost footage deep within the archives, this is Donner's true vision of Superman 2 and it is equal to the first and in some ways better.

    The story continues right from where the original leaves off with changes that make more sense. General Zod (Terrence Stamp) and his lackies who imprisoned in space are released prompting there trip to earth to cause some harm.

    Meanwhile, Clark and Lois continue there daily lives at the Daily Planet, with Lois growing suspicious of the similarities between Clark and Superman. This eventually leads to a tough choice needed to be made by Superman.

    You also have Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) still up to his zany schemes as well.

    Gone are the campy jokes and scenes, no random powers (memory kisses, silifane Ss) no goofy scenes for the sake of being goofy. This movie is darker in essential spots, giving more context to the problems Superman faces and makes more of a menace of uber powerful General Zod and his cronies.

    Christopher Reeve shows how good of an actor he can be dealing with his struggle between being a super man and being human.

    A new introduction and a new ending, mixed with new scenes throughout, including more Marlon Brando as Jor-El, make this is the superior version of Superman 2 that deserves to be seen.

    Note: Due to the fact that this cut is made from the old footage found and the fact that Donner didn't get to really complete his full vision back in the day, there are some minor ways in which it doesn't work completely out of context, but suffice it to say, if Donner had his way, these first two Superman movies would basically work as one great epic five hour movie.

    Clark Kent: [after having been shot by Lois] You realize that if you had been wrong, Clark Kent would be dead.
    Lois Lane: Right. With a blank?
  • shiftyeyeddog
    April 8, 2008
    shiftyeyeddog
    Superman 2 is one of the best superhero films of all time. That being said, this Donner Cut is interesting to see as a curiosity, but the theatrical version is still far superior. Not worth a purchase on its own, as this alternate version should have just been an extra i... read moren a 2-disc edition of the film.
  • magnum32004
    January 22, 2008
    magnum32004
    A tried & true original cut of an already classic superhero movie sequel.

View All Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut Reviews

Critic Reviews

Brian Orndorf
December 7, 2006
Brian Orndorf, OhmyNews.com

This version of Superman II is a triumph of intention, sending the imagination soaring again over this new angle on a very old question mark. Full Review

David Cornelius
December 4, 2006
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com

It's pretty darn nice - provided you can keep it in your head that this is a rough sketch of a movie and not a final, perfect version. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
November 30, 2006
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Is it a better film? Not particularly -- it's a different film, and an interesting film. Full Review

Rob Vaux
November 26, 2006
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

Like so many other director's cuts, it is finally more of an appendix than a complete work: they really did just fine the first time around. Full Review

Bill Chambers
November 26, 2006
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

A would-be victim of its own London After Midnight-esque mystique Full Review

John J. Puccio
November 20, 2006
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

The new Director's Cut does improve upon the general blood-and-mayhem approach of the theatrical version, making the story more serious and more dramatic. (SD-DVD Edition) Full Review

Jeff Otto
February 9, 2011
Jeff Otto, ReelzChannel.com

Click to read the article Full Review

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