Welcome to the Superman Blu-ray/DVD page, where you will not only enjoy some interesting artwork and information about the 2006 'Year of Superman' DVDs, Blu-rays and HD-DVDs, but also exclusive photos and coverage of the premiere events of both Superman-The Movie on DVD on May 1, 2001, and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut on DVD/Blu-ray on November 2, 2006.
Click here for information about Christopher Reeve DVDs and publications.
SUPERMAN ULTIMATE COLLECTOR'S EDITION
When Warner Home Video’s (WHV) The Superman Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Superman UCE) was first released in November 2006, consumer receptivity was completely unprecedented, resulting in WHV selling its total supply of collections in one month. The Superman UCE was lauded by the nation’s critics and made many top ten lists, year-end round-ups and magazine gift guide suggestions. The title also won top honors as Catalog DVD of the Year at the Digital Entertainment Group’s Creative Excellence Awards.
On 29 May 2007, The Superman Ultimate Collector’s Edition was made available again by popular demand, in a limited edition, at $99.92 SRP.
The re-released Superman UCE includes the corrected discs for Superman III and Superman: The Movie, which were missing bonus content upon their release in November 2006. When the inadvertent omission was discovered, replacement discs were made available to initial UCE buyers. Replacement discs from the first release of the UCE can still be obtained, at no cost to the consumer, by calling 800-553-6937 (I called the number on 31 July 2007 and verified that the replacement disc offer is still good until further notice).
The Superman Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes all six films in the Superman theatrical franchise – SUPERMAN RETURNS Special Edition, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, Superman: The Movie Four Disc Special Edition, Superman II Two Disc Special Edition, Superman III & IV Deluxe Editions -- and is loaded with more than 20 hours of bonus features. Three bonus discs include Look Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman and exclusive to the collection, You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman, a feature length documentary, plus Bryan Singer’s video journals chronicling the making of Superman Returns.
The 14-disc set is packaged in a collectible keepsake tin and holds the set within lenticular packaging, along with a reproduction of the comic book Superman issue #7 and a Superman overview booklet. Consumers can also send in a mail-in offer for five limited edition Superman theatrical movie posters through March 2008.
Here is artwork from the 2006 'Year of Superman' DVD releases. Superman Returns artwork is not included here. The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection cover and Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition lenticular sleeve feature exclusive CapedWonder™ imagery. Thank you Warner Bros. for your interest.
More 'Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition' images are here, here, here and here. Check out the CapedWonder™ lenticular Superman image busting through the silver 'S' shield.
The December 2006 issue of Robb Report's Home Entertainment magazine features their top 50 Christmas gift ideas. The HD-DVD of Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is listed as number 38. Click here to see a scan of the DVD cover shown in the article...note that it's the early version with Chris Reeve wearing a Superman Returns shield on his chest.
Click here to see the 'Superman-The Movie' 3-disc DVD set from Brazil.
Click here to see the 'Superman Film Collection' box set from Brazil.
Click here to see the 'Christopher Reeve Superman Collection' box set from Mexico.
Click here to see the four Superman movie DVD front covers from France.
Click here to see the 'Superman Ultimate Collector's edition' 11-disc DVD set from France. The 'Superman Returns' feature film is not in this set.
WORLD PREMIERE OF SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT
My wife and I were fortunate enough to be invited by Warner Home Video to the world premiere of Richard Donner's Superman II at the Director's Guild of America in Hollywood on November 2, 2006. The evening was nothing short of spectacular, and one we shall never forget.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Donner and Warner Bros. for releasing the Donner Cut. Seeing all of the new scenes with Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando and the other players, as well as new camera angles and takes of familiar sequences, was the best reason to see the film. We were VERY pleased to see that the film was dedicated to Christopher Reeve, THE person most missed by everyone at the premiere. Chris' acting is splendid in this new version. The father/son relationship makes the Donner Cut a much more impactful drama.
Nineteen of our friends and family members joined us, making the evening that much more special. We sat next to Noel Neill and her book's author, Larry Ward, during the screening. Brandon Routh, Tom Mankiewicz, Margot Kidder and Sarah Douglas sat at the opposite end of our row. From time to time I glanced over at them. Tom, Margot and Sarah smiled and reacted to the screen constantly. Brandon seemed glued to the screen, soaking up every moment.
Thank you Tom Mankiewicz for creating some of the most clever and magical film writing in the history of motion pictures.
Thank you friends Marc McClure, Noel Neill and Sarah Douglas for being at the premiere. It was so wonderful to see you again. You have always been so kind and gracious to my family and me.
Ilya Salkind...it was super to finally meet you! We enjoyed drinking Kryptontinis with you and Marc. Thank you for coming up with the idea of bringing Superman to the silver screen. Your thoughts about Superman, and all that he stands for, will always stay with me.
Brandon...it was a pleasure to finally meet you. As I said at the cocktail reception...have fun with YOUR Superman 2! Convince Bryan Singer to allow you to fully realize your own potential as an actor in order to bring back magic to the screen that will inspire a whole new generation of optimistic, hopeful Superman fans around the world.
Thank you Warner Home Video for organizing and executing this once-in-a-lifetime event. We are so grateful and appreciative to have had the opportunity to see the Donner Cut on the silver screen in the presence of many of its creators and stars.
(SPECIAL NOTE: WHV informed me that they are in touch with the Reeve children, and will be sending copies of the Donner Cut DVD to them as soon as possible.)
Michael Thau...thanks for your hard work finding and editing all of the Donner footage. Nice job prepping the HD video projection and sound in the DGA Theater. It was a stunning presentation.
Please enjoy this one hour audio file recorded inside the DGA's Theater One. It includes an introduction of Richard Donner and cast members, a speech by Richard Donner, the opening and closing segments of the film, and, finally, the panel with Michael Thau, Sarah Douglas, Jack O'Halloran, Marc McClure, Richard Donner, Margot Kidder, Tom Mankiewicz, and the host, Pete Hammond. The occasional strange, high-pitched sound while the Donner Cut is playing is from the recording device due to the incredible bass inside the theater.
A fan by the name of Charlie McGrath responded to the premiere report:
"Dear Jim...I have been a Superman fan ever since I can remember, and I have Christopher Reeve to thank for that. He and Richard Donner brought the character to life. It is so exciting to have the release of the Richard Donner Cut approach in the upcoming weeks. I can't imagine what it must have been like to be at the premiere amongst people like Richard Donner, Tom Mankiewicz and Margot Kidder who have kept the spirit of Superman, and more importantly, Christopher Reeve, alive for so many years. However, they, too, should be honored to be in your presence, as you have kept that same spirit alive. Christopher Reeve was "the light to show the way". We can only hope that his memory will live on and inspire generation after generation to live by example as he did. Thank you for all of your hard work and continue to keep the spirit of the man who made us believe a man could fly alive."
Below are a few photos taken at the premiere.
WARNER BROS. MUSEUM CAST REUNION PARTY
I attended the reunion party at the Warner Bros. Museum in Hollywood, California, to celebrate the release of the Superman-The Movie Special Edition DVD on 1 May 2001. The attendees were Richard Donner, Tom Mankiewicz, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, Jeff East, Marc McClure, Sarah Douglas, Noel Neill and representatives from Warner Bros. Home Video. Meeting all of these fine folks was truly spectacular and fun. It was wonderful seeing this family together again for the first time since filming the first and second Superman films. Christopher Reeve sent a message to the group via videotape. It was unfortunate that he could not attend, but he appreciated the photo album I made especially for him from the event. Following the party was an autograph signing at Dave's Video in Los Angeles with Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz. The surprise guest was Aaron Smolinski, baby Kal-el who emerges from the starship in Smallville in Superman-The Movie. I was research consultant on the DVD's three documentaries.
The Superman WebRing
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