Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

2006 Directed by Richard Donner, Richard Lester

The Version You Have Never Seen

Kryptonian villain General Zod (Terence Stamp) and his henchmen are accidentally freed from their outer-space imprisonment and threaten Earth with destruction, just as Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to renounce his superpowers for his new love, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). This alternate version of the film is based on footage shot by director Richard Donner before being replaced on the project, and it includes material not seen in the film's original 1980 release.

Christopher Reeve Gene Hackman Marlon Brando Margot Kidder Ned Beatty Jackie Cooper Sarah Douglas Jack O'Halloran Valerie Perrine Clifton James Marc McClure E.G. Marshall Terence Stamp John Ratzenberger Angus MacInnes Eugene Lipinski

Directors

Richard Donner Richard Lester

Producers

Ilya Salkind Pierre Spengler Michael Thau

Writers

Mario Puzo David Newman Leslie Newman Tom Mankiewicz

Editors

Stuart Baird John Victor-Smith Michael Thau

Studios

Warner Bros. Pictures Warner Home Video

Countries

Language

romance action adventure science fiction fantasy

116 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

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Review by Gabe☆Danvers ★★★★½ 1

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

83/100

So Superman straight up MURDERS Zod and his goons after taking away their powers - meaning they weren't a threat to anyone anymore and he could've easily just imprisoned them, but he still kills them -, but HEY he Deus Ex Machinas back in time by spinning the Earth backwards so they're not dead anymore so that's totally okay.

BUT WHEN SNYDER'S SUPERMAN KILLS ZOD AS HIS VERY LAST EFFORT TO SAVE AN INNOCENT FAMILY FROM BEING MURDERED BY HIM EVERYONE LOSES THEIR MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!
Review by James ★★★½

A great follow up to the original game changing superhero smash hit. I debated whether to watch the original theatrical cut or this restored vision supervised by original director Richard Donner that utilises test footage and unused scenes to recreate a film closer to what was intended. Having not seen the original version I can't compare them yet but if this had made its into cinemas in 1980 I'd have been very happy.

It was shot back to back with Superman so very much picks up where the last one left off, with a similar lighthearted tone, great cast of characters and entertaining action sequences. It's a pleasure to have Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty return for some comedic bad…
Review by Swartacus ★★★★★

There is no greater cinematic superhero foil than Terrance Stamp's Zod. He toys with cosmonauts on the moon, he walks on water, he maniacally fires machine guns like Tony Montana in Scarface...

Most importantly, he owns the film using only one line of dialogue.

Sample dialogue from film...
To Marlon Brando: "Your heirs will KNEEL BEFORE ZOD"
To East Houston, Idaho: "You will all KNEEL BEFORE ZOD."
To TV reporter: "You will KNEEL BEFORE ZO- wait please keep rolling so you can tell ALL of planet Houston to KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!"
To President of USA: "KNEEL BEFORE ZOD...wait what...who is this super MAN and why isn't he KNEELING!
To LEX LUTHOR: LEX LUTHOR you...will...FLY UPON MY BACK to the fortress…
Review by Donovan ★★★

Honestly I don't really see why people think this is better than the original cut, some scenes in this film are better than the original, but some scenes in the original are better. Really, they're the same thing just presented differently. The movie itself is ok, not as charming or well made as the first one. It's just your average Superman movie.
Review by Chance ★★★½

As Originally Conceived and Intended

The travesty that marred Zack Snyder's Justice League wasn't the first time a director's vision for Superman was completely chopped to bits. Back in 1978, Richard Donner conceived an idea for two Superman films, both of which were filmed consecutively. Donner already had over 70 percent of Superman II filmed when he got canned by the producers, and in the end, most of that percentage was completely re-tooled and re-shot by Richard Lester. Such a familiar blunder, right? Well, nearly thirty years later, Warner Brothers was able to find the footage Donner had completed and allowed him to reconstruct Superman II to match his original vision. Now, this isn't some minor change to Superman II,…
Review by Christopher Lutz ★★★★ 1

Watched this back to back with the first film and what a great experience it was. My only complaint (and it's a minor one) is the choppy editing towards the middle of the film. The addition of alternate footage is obvious in places, but it doesn't matter because of the vast improvements to the story. I particularly enjoy the new way Lois proves Clark is Superman despite the fact it's a screen test. Several moments played just for laughs (that don't work) are removed, the story is streamlined, and it's made more believable and powerful. Better than the theatrical cut in every way.

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Review by kelly ★★★½

I did a side by side viewing of this and the theatrical version of the film and oH BOY this is a way better movie. Sure it still has some issues but compared to the main version this is infinitely better. Especially in regards to how they handled Lois realizing that Clark is Superman. Watching the two movies side by side really accentuates just how bad those scenes with Lois are in the theatrical release.
Review by Donovan ★★★

Honestly I don't really see why people think this is better than the original cut, some scenes in this film are better than the original, but some scenes in the original are better. Really, they're the same thing just presented differently. The movie itself is ok, not as charming or well made as the first one. It's just your average Superman movie.
Review by Liam_Martin ★★★★

B+
Review by rbevanx ★★★★

Much better than what they released
Review by Alves98 ★★★★

This cut is far better than the lester cut, i hate lex luthor a bit less in this one , the story is far better and emocional , but the end...i dont liked it seems the same from the last one and in my mind dont make alot of sense
Review by Jensithari ★★★★½

Once again, the original director's vision knows best. While not perfect, this cut of Superman II is far more fantastic than the original theatrical version.
Review by Lee ★★★

It was great to see the long awaited Richard Donner Cut, but in all honesty I prefer the theatrical version.

The different scenes in this one come off as kind of cheesy. Maybe they would have done more takes on those particular scenes. I am not sure.

At least the moment where Superman turns back time is now given it's original context and is much more understandable. But I loved the Niagara Falls Superman rescue scene as well as the Eiffel Tower terrorist sequences.

To each their own.
Review by Paul Senior ★★★½

A different beast than the theatrical release.
Review by Jithin K Mohan ★★★★

Definitely better than the theatrical version by Lester. I can't believe how almost all the similar scenes are slightly changed by Lester but look much better here. The new footage makes a lot more sense and the tone change is also not a problem here. Still being unfinished the footages used to fill in doesn't completely do well all the time.

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