Superman is a 1978 fantasy action movie based on the popular DC Comics character of the same name.
Christopher Reeve starred in the title role, while top-billed Marlon Brando played his father, Jor-El, for a fee, notorious at the time, of almost $4,000,000 for eight minutes of screen time; other prominent cast members were Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Valerine Perrine and Ned Beatty. It was directed by Richard Donner and executive produced by Alexander Salkind, with music by John Williams.
Critical reaction
The critical reaction was largely enthusiastic with Christopher Reeve singled out for particular praise for his sincere performance. The visual effects were also praised for their believable visuals in contrast to the typically low budget live action productions of this kind in the past, while John Williams added to his glowing string of kudos for his film score which critics noted helped give the essential mythic grandeur to the character. While the critics were divided over their preference for the reverent origin sequence in the first part, or the more lively later sequence of Superman beginning his career, it has been considered one of the best superhero movies ever made.
The movie was awarded a Special Achievement Academy Award for its visual effects, and led to four theatrical sequels, Superman II, Superman III, Supergirl and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.
The movie's legacy includes numerous television series', notably Superboy (produced, like the movie, by Alexander Salkind), Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Superman: The Animated Series, and the current prequel series, Smallville, which have all been influenced by the movie to some extent. A particular example of this influence is John Williams' Superman March, which is often played and parodied in movies with superheroes.
Synopsis
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The movie begins with a short introductory sequence that shows the Daily Planet during the midst of the Depression. Afterwards, the title sequence begins, which is shown as flying through space to the Kryton star system. After the planet Krypton is seen, the capital city is shown, with the high dome of that city.
The viewer is taken inside the dome, where the trial of three criminals is underway. Jor-El, the father of Superman and a member of the council is giving the closing arguments. The criminals are Non, a mute and incredibly violent man. Then there was the woman Ursa, whose hatred of all had endangered many inncoent people. Finally, there was the leader, General Zod.
The opening line of the movie has Jor-El say, "This is no fantasy. No careless product of wild imagination. No, my good friends, these indictments I have brought you today, the specific charges listed herein against the individuals, their acts of treason, their ultimate aim of sedition. (Lifts up his crystal staff.) These are matters of undeniable fact. I ask you now to pronounce judgment on those accused. On this, this mindless aberration, whose only means of expression are wanton violence and destruction. On the woman Ursa, whose perversions and unreasoning hatred of all mankind have threatened even the children of the planet Krypton. Finally, General Zod. Once trusted by this Council, charged with maintaining the defense of the planet Krypton itself. Chief architect of this revolution, and author of this insidious plot, to establish a "New Order" amongst us. With himself as absolute ruler. You have heard the evidence. The decision of the Council will now be heard." (Jorel turns and looks at a member of the council.)
One council member says, "Guilty." This is followed by a chorus of council members, they all say, "Guilty." Because the vote has to be unaminous, the final decision falls to Jor-El. He also casts his vote: "Guilty."
At this, Zod swears revenge upon Jor-El and his family. After Jor-El leaves, the dome opens and the criminals are swept away into the Phantom Zone, which quickly leaves the planet.
As in the comic series, Superman is the last survivor of the planet Kyrpton. As an infant, he was sent to Earth by his parents, Jor-El and Lara. Jor-El sent his son away because the council would not listen to his arguments that the planet would explode. Not only that, but he was also threatened with imprisonment inside the Phantom Zone himself if he did not stop his arguments. In order to avoid imprisonment, Jor-El promised that he would remain silent, and that neither him or his wife would leave. However, he said nothing about his newborn son.
The boy is raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, who give him the name Clark, but is called to trek to the Arctic region by a green crystal. Upon arrival, he is compelled to throw it into the ice where it creates his Fortress of Solitude. Inside, Clark is instructed about his origins and his intended role as his new home's champion by way of extensive recordings made by his biological father.
Upon reaching adulthood, Clark Kent takes a job as a reporter for the Daily Planet newspaper in Metropolis. It is in Metropolis that he first appears publicly as Superman when the helicopter of co-worker and reporter Lois Lane crashes on the edge of the Planet building and threatens to fall. After rescuing Lois, who he is smitten with, Superman has a busy first night where he stops crime all over the city and performs spectacular rescues, including the crashing Air Force One. He gives an interview to Lois and gives her a romantic demonstration of his flight power by taking her on an aerial trip above the city. Superman also comes to the attention of Lex Luthor, a criminal mastermind who has a secret headquarters in Metropolis' subway system.
Luthor has reprogrammed two ICBMs with nuclear warheads to hit the San Andreas Fault and Hackensack, New Jersey; his objective is to cause a major earthquake in California that will cause most of the state to slide into the ocean, thus making the vast tracks of worthless desert land he purchased skyrocket in value when it becomes the new west coast of the United States. Determined not to have the superhero interfere, Luthor lures Superman to his hideout and attacks him with Kryptonite that Luthor discovered in Addis Ababa, but he escapes with the help of Luthor's girlfriend, who makes him promise to first stop the missile headed for Hackensack. He fulfills his promise, steering the Hackensack missile off course into the sky, but then sees the nuclear explosion from the California missile. This explosion causes an earthquake in which Lois Lane, who's out there for the Daily Planet, is killed while Superman is too occupied stopping the cataclysm and its collatoral damage.
Fraught with grief, Superman flies at super-speed, travelling back in time and rescuing Lois from the earthquake. Superman flies Luthor and his henchman Otis (played by Beatty) to jail, and the movie ends as the hero flies "up, up and away".