SuperFanCuts & Bootlegs…

To honour of the passion and efforts of SuperFans to bring you material otherwise unseen, shown above are what I consider to be the most defining works –

‘Fan edits’ are a relatively new concept where software exists to simply re-edit a favourite movie to your taste & specifications. Due to their personal vision they are at best hit & miss and found more often than not clogging up torrent sites. Very occasionally, however, some projects not only revolutionise and rejuvenate certain properties but can generate such enthusiasm and buzz that major studios themselves respond and capitalise on them. The best example of this is the Superman II: Restored International Cut (RIC) that I credit with no less than being the catalyst for WB to invest in the abandoned Richard Donner Cut Of Superman II.

From the top; selection of unofficial DVD’s starting with the longest existing cut (often referred to as the KCOP cut) of Superman; The Movie, Superman II, The RIC and fan edit Superman Redeemed – a bizarre fusion of Superman III and IV in an experiment to make one cohesive picture…

 

The Ultimate…

Now that the Superman Motion Picture Anthology On Blu-Ray details have been released it seems more than appropriate to revisit the hitherto definitive version on DVD –

Elegantly presented in its unique ‘Steel’ tin, The Limited Ultimate Collectors Edition was an impressive 14 disc set that for once, really lived up to its name. Region 2 was offered similarly, although spared the comic-book and (mercifully) the 14th disc of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns journals.

Enclosed in a fantastic lenticular slipcase (with art by Jim Bowers and Ramon Casares) the remaining packaging nonetheless exhibited a higher percentage of stills & art from Superman Returns than was really warranted. Content-wise was nothing short of a dream come true for SuperFans with the inclusion of the never-before-seen reworking of Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, brand-new documentary You Will Believe, The Cinematic Saga Of Superman, all the extras from the previous release and notably, finally, the presentation of the deleted scenes from Superman IV; The Quest For Peace. While the excitement of seeing the supposedly ‘lost footage’ was paralleled only by its awfulness, The Donner Cut was sprinkled with moments of pure magic and inspiration not felt since 1978.

Not only was it a great time to be a Superman fan but for SUPERMANIA, it represented the end of a very long journey peppered with campaigns and the ceaseless badgering of Warner Bros. by fellow SuperFans to get these Movies the love and attention they truly deserved. Will there ever be an official 100% complete set of all Superman material in the future? Who knows?  All I do know is while its out there, you’ll believe the dedication of the SuperFan will endeavour to bring it to you.

From the top; Original stills of the set and Bottom; Promo from Capedwonder.com…