(a.k.a. "Superman: The Movie")
UK (1978): Sci-Fi/Family/Adventure
Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Jor-El, Superman's father), the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family (Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter). In no time, the movie has run through his teenage years, and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet, where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action, special effects and a surprising amount of humor. (Salkind, Dovemead, Film Export A.G., Int'l Film Prod. / Warner Bros.) (Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide)
The cast also features Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Trevor Howard, Valerie Perrine, Terence Stamp and Susannah York. Mario Puzo wrote the story and collaborated on the screenplay with David Newman, Leslie Newman and Robert Benton... although many involved with the production, including director Donner, credit Tom Mankewicz with writing much of the final shooting script. Made on a budget of $55 million, the film has grossed over $300 million worldwide. The film spawned two sequels, released in 1980 and 1983.
Use this link to view the original theatrical trailer for Superman on TCM.com.
· Special Achievement Award 1978: For Visual Effects - Les Bowie, Colin Chilvers, Denys Coop, Roy Field, Derek Meddings & Zoran Perisic
· Film Editing 1978: Stuart Baird
· Music Scoring Awards (Best Original Score) 1978: John Williams
· Sound 1978: Gordon K. McCallum, Graham V. Hartstone, Nicolas Le Messurier & Roy Charman
3 nominations, 1 Special Achievement Award