Superman: The Epic Cut

I saw Superman (1978) as a young man and I loved it. Superman II (1980) was a worthy sequel. It wasn't perfect but through a 3rd grader's eyes it hit all the bases. As I grew older I heard about a version that was never released, the Donner cut. I eventually was able to view this version and I questioned why the studio didn't use this version theatrically. A few days ago while browsing this site my eyes fell on Superman: The Epic Cut. I love fanedits, I really do, but you can't watch them all. You browse through the ratings, the editor's description, and the reviews (careful to avoid spoilers) to try to determine where I am going to spend my time. When I read the tagline "The nearest thing to the intended single movie epic per the shooting script." I was so intrigued, in all honestly, my decision had already made.

For a shade under 4 hours I couldn't look away. I was constantly making mental notes of what was removed, what scenes were from which movie, what scenes I didn't recall seeing before, and how much more sense some scenes made when being integrated in to a single sprawling epic. Before I ever pressed play I questioned how the editor was going to weave together Luthor's grand scheme and the arrival of the newly freed Kryptonian criminals. Mind you both original movies started with flashbacks to Krypton prior to its destruction and I was wondering how those scenes were going to be sequenced in to the edit. In a word, he did it perfectly.

I am amazed how he wove the two (2) movies in to one narrative, and how, in hind site, it is so obvious that this is how they were meant to be viewed. The editing is flawless both visually and auditorily. Not to quote Todd Howard but, "It just works." Considering the movies are 40 years old it is incredible the level of fidelity in the final product. As I said, I saw the original movies as a young man, but even if I didn't, I can undoubtedly say that I still would have absolutely loved this movie. It is a great Superman movie.

In the future this will be the only way I will watch the original Superman movies. If you like any of the Superman movies (70's, 80's, 00's, 10's or 20's) you need to see this movie. If you enjoy superhero movies (Marvel or DC) you need to watch this. Finally, if you appreciate what editors technically do and want to watch the resurrection of a movie as it should have been released in 1978, then you need to watch this movie. Thank you Wraith for the time and effort you took to create this version and thank you for sharing it with me.

One perfect edit. The cuts are unnoticeable and despite 4 hours length, the pacing is great. Well done.

Made two of my favorite movies into the epic I always wanted.

One of the best edits I've seen! Very good pacing and good edits made in this film! Overall an A plus!!! I highly recommend this!!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved these movies. Such wonderment and curiosity came along with the first time I watched, and every time I think of Superman I think of Christopher Reeve. Well, this edit might be the first time in a long time I've felt the story in a new and exciting way since I first saw them as a child. Wraith's editing here is revelatory, uncovering a long-hidden gem from the existing material (with new material to supplement that, masterfully integrated.)

Never have four hours gone by quicker, and every change is practically invisible. Editing decisions were made so precisely, that even when I did think about something from the original version it was hard to recall what precisely had been changed. There is a certain feeling of two halves that is inevitable with the material, but the divide between the two films seems less like stitching two together and more like an act break in an epic tale - precisely as we can only assume Donner intended.

For any fans of Superman, this is essential viewing. For me, this is the definitive version of Donner's Superman, for others it will be more academic, but everyone should set some time aside to watch this edit.