Warner Archive to release 188 min TV cut of Superman (1978).
Fans of Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman (and that includes everyone at Film ’89 Towers) will no doubt celebrate the news that Warner Archive are releasing the much desired but never-before-released 188 min TV cut of the beloved Christopher Reeve film on Blu Ray this October along with the previously released 151 min Special Edition of the film.
The TV Cut, now dubbed the Extended Cut will be a brand new 1080p HD master in the original theatrical version’s aspect ratio of 2.40:1. This is great news as most extended (or shortened) TV cuts of films are only ever released in the 4:3 television ratio.
The specs and press release for the double disc set are as follows:
Subtitles: – Spanish, French, English SDH
Audio: – DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 – English (EXTENDED CUT) DTS HD-Master Audio 5.1 – English, DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND 5.1 – French, DOLBY DIGITAL SURROUND 5.1 – Spanish
Video: – 2.40:1, 16 X 9 LETTERBOX, 1080p, COLOR, 2-BD 50
Special Features: – Superman The Special Edition Disc:
Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz;
3 Documentaries – Taking Flight: The Development of Superman, Making Superman: Filming the Legend and The Magic Behind the Cape;
Screen Tests;
Restored Scenes;
Additional Scenes;
Additional Music Cues;
Music-Only Track
“Decades before blockbuster Extended Cuts were common, Superman proved a true “Man of Tomorrow.” Superman: The Movie received an ahead-of-its-time makeover for its television premiere – nearly 40 more minutes of story, creating a two-night television event. Audiences had already been swept off their feet by Christopher Reeve’s Last Son of Krypton, and now there was more to enjoy. Unseen in decades, this version is paired here with Richard Donner’s definitive vision of his film, the Special Edition Director’s Cut (2000), to create a supersized celebration of Metropolis’ favorite son that preserves the director’s intent while feeding superfan demands.”
Superman The Movie: Extended Cut will be released on Blu Ray this October, exact date to be announced.