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Richard Donner Cut |
Release: Feb 04, 2011 - Author: KoRn - Translator: Tony Montana
- external link: IMDB
Superman was the first comic adaptation to be shown in cinemas and people were amazed by its revolutionary special effects. In retrospect, those seem outdated, but the fascination of people for the series is undiminished. An exciting story, brilliant actors and a larger than life score make Superman II an unforgettable experience even today. This is also true for the Richard Donner Cut, which feels like an entirely new movie and not like the usual Director’s Cut. Having said that both versions are worth watching and each has its own place in movie history.
Background: Richard Donner already began shooting part of the screenplay for Superman II before the work on Superman I was finished. However, in order to make a timely release of Superman I possible, the shooting for the second part was postponed. In the turn of events Donner and the producers developed irreconcilable differences and so the producers signed Richard Lester to finish the project. Therefore, at the time Richard Lester took over, most of the material had already been shot. However, Lester refused to use most of the footage Donner had shot during the production of Superman I (Having said that, all scenes with Gene Hackman are from Donner). For financial reasons Marlon Brando, who had been given the role of Jor-El, was laid of and so Lester was asked to rewrite the scenes with Brando. In order to make the new version reality, the complete film material, which had a total weight of 6 tons, was flown in from the Technicolor Studios in London. The department responsible for the negatives had to separate everything, extract the music and prepare the film. This was done to find exactly the images that were shot by Donner. The work on the sound wasn’t easier. Most of the material had been shot on magnetic tape, which had to be restored. After all this was done, Richard Donner, his creative advisor Tom Mankiewicz and producer Michael Thau sat down, to cut the final version of Superman II. All were very happy with the result and would have preferred to see their version in cinemas. The ending of Superman II had always supposed to be the turning back of the world and thus time. However, during the shooting of Superman I it was decided to show the most spectacular part of both movies here. The question now was which ending to use. The normal ending, where Clark kisses Lois, and she subsequently forgets everything or the turning back of time scene. Donner opted for the turning back of time, because he disliked the idea of Clark kissing Lois, which in his opinion was a prerogative of Superman. The comparison between the theatrical version and the Richard Donner Cut is more than difficult, as both version are very different from each other. Not only the usual additional scenes were added, it is almost a completely new movie. Parts of the story are shown at completely different points in time, other sequences were completely removed and some new sequences were added. Therefore, it was impossible to write a chronological censorship-report like the ones our readers are used to. Here, the starting time references are mentioned first and only then follow the comparisons of the different sequencings of scenes. Otherwise it would be way too confusing. However, new scenes are mentioned separately as usual. Scenes which are identical in the theatrical version and the Donner cut are not shown with pictures. For those only starting time references are given. Richard Donner Cut: 111:04 min. including closing credits. Theatrcal Version: 122:13 min. including closing credits. Comparson between the DVD [Warner Home Video (German Edition)], which contains the theatrical version and the Richard Donner Cut from the German Warner 3-Disc Special Edition
Richard Donner Cut:
00.16 "The following film represents Superman II as it was originally conceived and intended to be filmed" 5 sec
Richard Donner Cut: 00.23 "Some footage was taken from screen tests of scenes we were unable to shoot" 5 sec
Richard Donner Cut: 00.42 Logo DC Comics 5 sec
Richard Donner Cut: 00.55 "This picture is dedicated in loving memory to Christopher Reeve" 5 sec
Richard Donner Cut: 01.01 "Without whom we would never have believed that a man could fly" 5 sec
The opening credits: Time Zeitindex SE: 01.11 Time dex Theatrical Version: 00.29 The Richard Donner Cut summarizes the story from the first one via flashbacks. Richard Donner Cut: The movie starts with flight over the ice deserts of Krypton. Then we're located in a huge hall where General Zod, Non and Ursa have been put on trial. The prosecutor is Jor-El (played by Marlon Brando). The Great Sanhedrin finds them guilty. General Zod vows vengeance before the three of them get trapped in the crystal and fly across the universe. Subsequently, Krypton explodes. As a result of that, the three captives in the crystal are being slung away. Then a shot of Kal-El as a baby flying across the universe until he finally reaches earth and gets founds by the Kents on a field. Cut to the future. Nuclear missiles are being launched, Lex Luthor immobilizes Superman with kryptonite at the same time. Fortunetaly, he can be saved by Luthor's girlfriend. Superman starts immediately to stop the nuclear rockets. He intercepts them in the atmosphere and tosses them in space, where they finally explode. Coincidentally, the three bad guys in the crystal were close and the crystal was destroyed by the explosion. Now they're free again and start flying to the moon. 429 sec
Theatrical Version: Shot of an explosion in space, then a flight over the ice desert of Krypton. Shot of a soldier. Non sneaks up from the back and breaks his neck. General Zod grabs a red crystal and breaks it. As a result of that, it's getting dark and the three are trapped in a force field. They're being accused of treason by a voice from the darkness. The Great Sanhedrin finds them guilty. Straightforwardly, they get caught in the crystal and tossed in the universe. 165 sec
Credits at the beginning: Time index SE: 08.20 Time index Theatrical Version: 03.14 Richard Donner Cut: The written form of the opening credits is different that it is in the Theatrical Version. 191 sec
Theatrical Version: Alternate written form of the opening credits with flashbacks of the back story from Superman I. One can see Kal-El's mother, who puts him into the space ship as a baby and sends him into the direction of the earth. Then the explosion of Krypton, the arrival on earth and the Kents picking him up, young Clark finding the crystal, the origin of the fortress of solitude, Clark and Lois at the Daily Planet, Lois' rescue from the chopper, Lex Luthor's attack and finally Superman's saving the world. The entire footage is accompanied by the Superman theme. 310 sec
The beginning: Time index SE: 11.34 Time index Theatrical Version: 08.23 Richard Donner Cut: Shot of the earth, then New York. Perry White walks across the Daily planet and reads a headline out loud. Superman saves the nation and gets Lex Luthor busted. He congrats Lois for that story. Jimmy and Lois also talk about it for a second. Clark comes in and talks to Jimmy. Lois looks at the picture of Superman in the newspaper and Clark near the door. She starts drawing glasses and a had on the picture of Superman and determines an astonishing similarity to Clark. Perry calls Lois and Clark in his office. Perry sends them to the Niagara Falls, disguised as a wedding couple. Lois confronts Clark with his similarity to Superman. Clark pretends to be flattered, but he plays down the issue. Suddenly Lois leaps out of the window wo make her point: she attempts to prove that Clark is Superman. Clark runs down, stops her fall by blowing and prepares a sunblind with the laser rays from his eyes. Lois hits the sunblind and lands in a fruit stand without any wounds. Lois looks up irritatedly where Clark is still standing at the window. Then she faints. 191 sec
Theatrical Version: Clark arrives at the Daily Planet, all his associates ignore him. He goes into the office of Perry White. Clark is supposed to come with a story about a terrorist attack of the Eifel tower. The terrorists threaten to fire a hydrogen bomb. Lois is already there. Clark changes into Superman and flies to Paris. Lois arrives at the foot of the Eifel tower and sneaks in. The terrorists put the hostages in the elevator. At the same time, Lois climbs under the elevator and goes up with it. The terrorists activate the bomb. Lois falls into the deep with the elevator. Superman arrives and saves her. Then he flies into space woth the elevator and the bomb and tosses it away. He gets hit by the blast and the three captives are being freed from the crystal. Superman doesn't notice and returns to the earth. Zod, Ursa and Non are on their way to the moon. Shot of Lois and Clark in New York. Clark crosses a street and gets hit by a cab but he doesn't really care. Both enter the building of the Daily Planet. Lois tells about her new plan of never getting sick if she just takes enough vitamin C every day. While saying that, she squeezes some oranges. Lois also tells Clark what a good he was. After that, they toast to their friendship with the fresh orange juice. 310 sec
Otis and Luthor in Prison: Time Index SE: 16.48 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 21.50 At the end of Superman I he gets them into jail. They are still there but are already planning their escape. Richard Donner Cut: 18.20 Lex Luthor and Otis talk about Superman’s possible weakness. 62 sec.
Theatrical Version: 23.21 Different shot. 34 sec.
On the Moon: Time Index SE: 19.22 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 23.56 Theatrical Version: 26.08 An additional shot of Ursa flying towards the astronaut. 1,5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 26.44 The astronaut sliding over the moon surface can be seen longer. 3 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 23.15 A monitor showing static can be seen. 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 27.56 The radio operator calls the astronaut longer. 4 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 23.27 The monitor again. A radio operator comments that they are probably using the fan right now. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 28.11 The radio operators talk about one of the astronauts saying that he had seen a woman. 15 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 24.11 When the tree are flying away from the moon, the camera is turning clockwise. 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 29.04 The camera is not turning. 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 29.11 A short tracking shot over Manhattan. 7 sec.
Escape from Prison: Time Index SE: 24.18 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 29.18 Luthor and Otis escape from the prison. Theatrical Version: 29.23 The camera pans down to the guard. 8 sec.
Theatrical Version: 30.12 The guard steps in font of the projection of Luthor and Otis again. 3 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 25.18 The escape is shown longer, Luthor and Otis have a discussion. 53 sec.
Theatrical Version: 31.43 Different shot of Otis trying to climb up the balcony, further away. 3 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 27.23 Different shot, closer to the action. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 31.59 Lex Luthor and Miss Teschmacher wave at Otis from the balloon. 4 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 27.39 The two can be seen from behind, in the background the captured Otis is visible. They talk, Luthor says he had developed a device with which they could fly to Superman’s fortress of solitude. They fly north. 70 sec.
Theatrical Version: 35.24 Luthor and Miss Teschmacher are sitting in the balloon, the chat is different but has the same meaning. In the background, mountains can be seen. The camera angles are different as well. 48 sec.
The Honeymoon Suite: Time Index SE: 29.13 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 32.27 The Donner Cut only shows the beginning of the scene, Lois and Clark arrive in the hotel. When Clark wants to carry her over the doorstep, she denies and enters on her own. This is the end of the scene. Theatrical Version: The scene continues. After they entered the suite, the bell boy shows them the room and the features it has. Lois thinks the travel is a waste of their talents, Clark thinks it’s romantic. 32.47 157 sec.
Luthor in the Fortress of Solitude: Time Index SE: 29.54 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 40.38 Richard Donner Cut: Luthor and Miss Teschmache follow the device until they find the Fortress of Solitude. They find the crystals and activate the stored messages which were meant for Superman. One sees Jor-El, first he talks about tress and then about the three criminals who were judged on Krypton. They were supposed to be in the Phantom Zone. However, a nuclear explosion could free them and they would have the same powers on Earth as Superman. Luthor thinks about the possibilities these three would offer him. 405 sec.
Theatrical Version: The two arrive at the fortress and activate the crystals as well. The first message is being delivered by a bald Kryptonian, then Kal-El’s mother appears, talking about the criminals. Luthor’s monolog about the possibilities can be heard from the off when they are already on the way back with the snow mobile. 240 sec.
The Niagara Falls: Time Index SE: 28.49 Time Index THEATRICAL VERSION: 32.03 Lois and Clark arrive, disguised as a married couple, at the Niagara Falls. Theatrical Version: 35.54 A boy is playing at the railings and falls down. 18 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 38.55 He can be seen catchin the boy, then cut to Lois, then he is flying upwards with the boy. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 38.31 Lois can be seen first, then the two other shots follow. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 39.15 Lois is gazing after Superman longer. Lois notices that Clark is never around when Superman appears. 59 sec.
Theatrical Version: 44.38 Lois thinks that Clark is Superman because he never is around when Superman appears. In order to prove it, she hurls herself into the water. Clark is walking along the river while Lois is calling for help. Using his laser stare, he lets a branch fall down into the water to which Lois clings. She is floating towards the bank. Clark wants to help her and is falling into the river himself, now Lois has to help him. Now, Lois asks herself how she could have believed that he is Superman. Clark says that he was sorry. 196 sec.
"Snake-scene": Time index SE: 44.52 Time index THEATRICAL VERSION: 48.50 Ursa picks up a snake which results in getting bitten by the animal. She throws the snake on the ground and kills it with laser from her eyes. The three of them become aware of their superpowers. Richard Donner Cut: 45.29 Different take of General Zod. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 49.28 Non pretty unsuccesfully gives his powers a try. 19 sec.
Clark's Secret: Time index SE: 40.33 Time index THEATRICAL VERSION: 49.47 Richard Donner Cut: Clark enters Lois' apartment. She just comes out of the bathroom and makes herself up. Clark gives her some flowers for the dinner in the evening. He assumes that she's not happy about being at the Niagara Falls with him. Lois gives him some tips for improving his self esteem. Shortly afterwards, lois asks him how it is possible that Superman of all things saved that kid - after all, there are so many accidents happening all over the world every day. She also wonders why Superman always appears when Clakr disappears and that Clark only reappears when Superman is already gone. This could only be the case if Clark actually is Superman. Clark tells her that it is impossible that he is Superman. However, Lois pulls out a Revolver and shoots it at Clark. Now it's too late for any excuses, so Clark admits that he in fact is Superman. Lois grins and tells him that the gun was loaded with blanks - Clark stands convicted. 259 sec.
Theatrical Version: Lois inside her apartment - she still fumes at the fact that she thought Clark was Superman. She asks him to bring her her brush from the opposite side of the room. When Clark comes back, he trips over the bear skin and falls to the ground - with his hand in the chimney fire. Lois wants to see his hand - reluctantly, he shows it to her. There are no burns. Clark reveals himself to her. Lois then tells him that she loves him. Clark wants to go to a place where they can talk. 187 sec.
Cops in the Desert: Time index SE: 46.36 Time index THEATRICAL VERSION: 52.53 Two cops patrol through the desert. All of a sudden they run into General Zod, Ursa and Non. One of the cops says that they should go out of the way but they refuse to do it. The older cop sends the younger one to them to scare them away with the shotgun. However, they still not go away. Theatrical Version: 53.04 The flight sequence is slightly longer. 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 53.16 The two cops talk a little longer. 24 sec.
Theatrical Version: 53.39 The scene of the cops inside the car is longer and was arranged in a different way. 13 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 46.52 The whole sequence is a little longer and ends after the deputy was disarmed. 9 sec.
Theatrical Version: 54.15 The scene goes on a little longer. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 54.24 The cop goes away from the car a little longer. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 54.44 Zod's face is shown for an additional second. 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 55.05 Non lifts the police car up in the air and then drops it to the floor. Then he rips the lamp off the roof of the car. 41 sec.
Superman and Lois fly to the Fortress of Solitude: Time Index SE: 45.31 Time Index Theatrical Version: 55.46 Superman and Lois are flying to the fortress. Lois asks whether that was his home, which he neglects. He says that this was just a special place for him. The scene is identical in both versions. 65 sec. The Fight in the Suburb (part 1): Time Index SE: not in the Richard Donner Cut Time Index Theatrical Version: 56.51 Theatrical Version: A boy crosses the street, walking into Non trying his laser stare on a pickup truck. General Zod and Ursa enter a bar. Two guys are armwrestling there. One of them talks to Ursa and challenges her to armwrestle with him. She then beats him through the table. The two cops enter the city. The guy's buddie wants to attack Ursa but is being through the wall by Zod. The three go outside, Zod lifts a man up in the air and lets him fall down. 152 sec.
Theatrical Version: 59.23 Antarctica: Superman explains Lois the meaning of the crystals he got from his father and which were responsible for the creation of the fortress. Then he gets her an exotic flower from some tropical island. When he gets back, Lois accidentally leaves the crystal in the snow. 115 sec.
The Fight in the Suburb (part 2): Time Index SE: 00:49.00 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:01:18 Zod, Ursa and Non are being attacked by the military in the suburb. They destroy half of the city and win defeat the military. After the fight Zod offers to be their new master, in return for their loyalty he would let the people live. A general tells him that the president was the boss of the USA, which he does not like at all. Richard Donner Cut: The reporter can be seen earlier.
Theatrical Version: The scene starts with a camera pan from the loudspeaker to the reporter. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:02.46 In the Theatrical Version the Jeep is being hit by Non's laser stare a second time, causing it to crahs through a building and into a few parking cars. 10 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:02.54 The soldier stumbling out of the jeep can be seen longer. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:03.07 The soldiers are running away after the flame thrower attack on General Zod failed. Three other soldiers sneakily approach him while a civilian is escaping the burning bar. General Zod and Ursa look at each other in a content way. The burning bar in a close-up again. 28 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:03.47 Longer and altered fight scene, not included in the Richard Donner Cut. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:04.02 The shot of the helicopter before the attack is longer. 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:04.20 A slightly longer attack scene of the helicopter. 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:04.47 The helicopter is whirling round longer. The house which will be hit in a moment can already be seen. 4 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 00:51.33 The bad girl can be seen blowing the helicopter away again. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:05.02 Ursa and General Zod are happy. The remains of the burning house can be see. 6 sec.
The candlelight dinner: Time Index SE: 00:48.05 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:07.00 After Lois and Superman flew to the Fortress of Solitude, a candlelight dinner follows. They talk about Clark playing hide and seek in order not to be spotted out as Superman. Richard Donner Cut: The two are sitting at the table.
Theatrical Version: An additional shot from further away. Then the two are sitting at the table. 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:06.14 An additional shot of Superman. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:06.20 Cut to Lois, then Superman. They look at each other. 7 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:06.30 After they established hand contact, they look at each other for a longer time. Lois then gets up and leaves. 30 sec.
Bed Scene: Time Index SE: 00:51.56 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:12.13 The Fortress of Solitude, Lois and Clark are lying in bed together and cuddle. Theatrical Version: A bit longer than the Richard Donner Cut. 6 sec.
The Destruction of the Washington Monument: Time Index SE: 00:53.03 Time Index Theatrical Version: not included The three bad guys fly to Washington, destroying the Washington Monument on the way. Then the president and his advisors can be seen. 13 sec.
The Destruction of Mount Rushmore: Time Index SE: not included Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:11.50 The three fly over Mount Rushmore and change the faces of Washington, Jefferson and Roosevelt into their own while destroying Lincoln's. 14 sec.
Superman's Humanization: Time Index SE: 00:53.16 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:07.49 After Lois and Clark spent the night together he decides to become human. He is standing between the crystals and talks to Jor-El. Lois, wearing his blue Superman shit, is standing on a ledge and watches the scene. Richard Donner Cut: Jor-El tells him how he can become human. He tries to convince him that he has a responsibility for mankind. Clark says that he has already done enough good. He goes into a crystal chamber, in which his powers are sucked from him. Everything turns into red and the crystals explode. 287 sec.
Theatrical Version: Kal-Els mother can be seen. She is the one telling him how he can become a human. She tells him not to do it because the transformation is irreversible. Superman answers that he loves Lois and can therefore live without his powers. He also goes into the crystal chamber and loses his powers (shown by rather bad special effects). The crystals explode. Clark is now human and hugs Lois. They go towards their bed. 239 sec.
Attack on the White House Time Index SE: 00:58.03 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:12.37 The three fly to the roof of the White House and break through the ceiling windows. They fight with the soldiers and the Secret Service, both stand no chance against their superpowers. Richard Donner Cut: A lot of new fighting scenes were introduced, alternative shots were used as well. 154 sec.
Theatrical Version: The fight is shorter and is shown in less scenes. 48 sec.
In the Oval Office: Time Index SE: 00:59.25 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:13.25 after the three baddies have defeated the soldiers in the White House, they kick the door to the Oval Office in. The president and his generals are there. Zod tells the president to kneel down, which he does in order to save his people's lifes.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:00.37 There is an additional scene in which Ursa approaches an officer and tears his badges off. 13 sec.
The car drive: Time Index SE: 01:01.25 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:15.13 Richard Donner Cut: They drive through the mountains. It seems to be winter with lots of snow everywhere. 19 sec.
Theatrical Version: They drive through the mountains as well. However, it seems to be summer. 19 sec.
Clark is being Beat Up: Time Index SE: 01:01.45 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:15.32 The scene of Lois and Clark entering a restaurant and Clark being beat up by a bad guy is identical in the two versions. 281 sec. Clark's Retransformation: Time Index SE: 01:09.34 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:20.17 Richard Donner Cut: Clark is walking through the ice desert. He is completely exhausted when he reaches the Fortress of Solitude. He is standing in the burned out remains of the crystals and is calling for his father. He says he would regret that he has become a human because he now lacks the powers to be able to help mankind. Nobody answers. Disappointed, he turns and wants to leave when he sees an undestroyed crystal in the ashes. He activates it and Jor-El appears. He gives him his remaining energy to turn Clark into Superman again. 341 sec.
Theatrical Version: He has to cross the ice desert here as well, however, the composition of the scenes is different. He reaches the fortress and calls out for his father and mother. He says that he has failed, but no one answers. He now sees the crystal Lois had forgotten earlier glow green in the snow. 155 sec.
Lex Luthor im Oval Office: Time Index SE: 01:06.30 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:22.52 Luthor enters the Oval Office and talks to the three bad guys. He promises to show them how they can destroy the son of Jor-El if they make him master of Australia. Richard Donner Cut: 01:07.56 A short talk about Jor-El. 15 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:23.02 Ursa tilts her head to the side. 1 sec.
Perry, Jimmy and Lois in the Office: Time Index SE: 01:15.15 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:25.45 Richard Donner Cut: 01:15.15 Perry asks for a coffee. They talk about why Superman has not intervened yet and where he could be. 40 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:25.45 The same scene in a different shot and without Perry's coffee. 46 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:16.06 Non breaks through a wall of the Daily Planet. 2 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:16.11 Shot of Perry White. 1 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:16.33 An additional shot of the filing cabinet being thrown through the window. 0,5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:27.15 A shot of the scared Lois and Jimmy. 0,5 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:16.33 The shot is closer at the happenings. 1,5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:27.17 The camera is further away. 2,5 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:17.07 Jimmy photographs Non, who does not like that at all. He destroys the camera. 9 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:27.53 An additional shot of Luthor entering the office. 4 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:17.27 Jimmy is being grabbed by Non. 8 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:18.00 Lois is holding the unconscious Perry. The Camera is further away. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:28.31 The camera is closer to the action here. 2 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:18.07 General Zod orders Non to catch Luthor. 16 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:28.37 Different shot of the scene in which Non attacks Luthor. 10 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:18.32 Superman is hovering in front of the window of the Daily Planet. He challenges the three for a fight. 21 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:28.48 The same scene, but with mirrored/alternative shots. 30 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:19.07 Lois and her colleagues watch the action from the building. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:29.52 An additional flight scene. 2 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:19.28 Zod tells Superman that he was an idiot just like his father. 6 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:30.17 The camera zooms towards the hook of the crane. 0,5 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:20.01 Lois looks out of the broken window. 1,5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:30.50 General Zod waves his friends to him. 3 sec.
The Hunt Through Manhattan: Time Index SE: 01:20.16 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:30.56 Richard Donner Cut: An additional shot of Ursa. The hunt takes place in the whole of New York up to the World Trade Center. Then the torch of the Statue of Liberty is destroyed. Ursa strangles Superman from behind. Non approaches, Superman turns around and hits him with an uppercut. He is being hurled against the Chrysler Building. 74 sec.
Theatrical Version: The hunt is cut differently. They hunt Superman over the Hudson River, passing the Brooklyn Bridge. The Statue of Liberty is not being destroyed. Superman is being held from behind by Non, Ursa takes a flag pole and flies towards him. Superman is able to escape from Non's arms in the last second and Ursa hits her own friend, who is being hurled against the Chrysler Building. 80 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:32.29 Policemen on the street bring the people there to safety. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:32.50 The people on the street cheer for Superman, he is flying upwards again. 6 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:22.28 Lois and hear colleagues are watching the fight. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:33.39 The explosion can be seen longer. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:34.05 General Zod can be seen using his his laser sight on the gas tank of the truck again. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:34.45 An ambulance arrives, the fire brigade is extinguishing a burning car. 13 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:23.37 Jimmy looks out of the window. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:35.10 People are being shaken by the earthquake in front of a store window, the scene starts a bit earlier. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:35.14 Some more civilians on the street. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:35.21 A gully cover is being pushed up. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:35.28 Some more scenes of passers-by being shaken up on the street. 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:35.43 A few more passers-by. An injured woman receives some help. 7 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:24.46 Lois and her colleagues in the smashed window. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:36.45 Some passers-by and Lois in a close-up. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:36.53 Ursa approaches the bus in an additional shot. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:37.21 Eine Totale, wie Non und Ursa den Bus hochheben. 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:37.36 Lois closes her eyes and desperately hits her forehead with her hand. 3 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:25.28 Lois does not look that desperate, an additional shot of the bus lying on its side. 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:37.43 The bus passengers climb outof the wreckage. 2 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:25.50 Lois desperately hangs her head. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:38.01 Alternative scene of Lois and her colleague. 1 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:38.35 A man's ice cream ball is being blown away, it lands into another man's face. The two guys coming out of the store can be seen from the front. 4 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:38.43 The guy at the telephone and the saleswoman are being blown away. 8 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:26.34 Lois makes a desperate gesture again. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:38.58 Alternative shot, Lois is looking out of the window. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:39.05 The man's wig is being blown away. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:39.14 A few more passengers are being blown away, a telephone booth, man inclusive, is being pushed over. 15 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:39.33 General Zod can be seen blowing in a close-up. The burning car can be seen again. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:39.48 The car slides up to the camera. Two men clinge to a car. 5 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:39.58 The rollerblader can be seen struggling with the wind in another scene. 5 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:27.08 Superman's logo can be seen first. 4 sek.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:27.12 The street lamp crashes onto the cab, then Superman gets on top of the bus. Lois can be seen. A car is being hurled against a truck. Zod and Ursa can be seen blowing, another car is flying through the air. 30 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:40.08 The scene composition is different. Superman gets on top of the bus first, alternative shot of Lois. Then Zod and Ursa can be seen blowing and the car scene follows in one continous sequence. 30 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:27.51 Lois can be seen. 2 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:40.49 Ditto. 2 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:28.07 Alternative shot of Lois and Perry. 3 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:40.04 Lois and her colleague again. 5 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:28.23 The three are flying along the wall of the Daily Planet building, the fleeing journalists can be seen. 6 sec.
Journalists in Danger: Time Index SE: 01:28.34 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:41.27 After the battle, Superman leaves the place in order not to inflict more damage or endanger innocent bystanders. Richard Donner Cut: The three baddies are flying back to the Daily Planet. They believe they have defeated Superman, but Luthor tells them that he will return. Luthor wants Cuba for showing them the Fortress of Solitutde. The scene is cut differently, featuring some alternative shots. 81 sec.
Theatrical Version: The scene has the same meaning, but the cutting has been done differently. 61 sec.
Abducted Journalists: Time Index SE: 01:29.55 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:42.29 They all fly to the Fortress of Solitude, Lois and Luthor on Non’s and Ursa’s backs. Richard Donner Cut: Longer start of the scene. Zod says that he hopes Luthor is not wasting his time. 15 sec.
Theatrical Version: Different shot and the scene is shorter, lacking Zod’s sentence. 8 sec.
The Fight in the Fortress.: Time Index SE: 01:30.34 Time Index Theatrical Version: 01:43.02 Richard Donner Cut: The three bad guys, Lex Luthor and Lois arrive at the fortress. They are calling Superman. They threaten to kill Lois if Superman was showing any sign of resistance. Zod says that they should destroy that place and kill Luthor when Superman was dealt with. Superman tricks Luthor by telling him the exact opposite of what he is supposed to do. The plan is a success, Superman gets back into the crystal chamber and Luthor activates the mechanism with the crystal. Superman seems to lose his powers, but that is only a trick. He comes out again and is supposed to kneel before Zod. He does it, but grabs him by the hand and squeezes it. Zod, Ursa and Non realize that they lost their powers, but it is too late. Lois hits Ursa and she falls into the void as well. Superman and Lois fly out of the fortress, which he destroys with his laser. Superman and Lois love each other, but decide not to be together because it would be too dangerous. 537 sec.
Theatrical Version: When they arrive, Ursa drops Luthor earlier. Superman is already expecting them. Non wants to get Superman but he is defending himself with his Superman logo which he does again when they unite their powers. Zod is very angry, they disappear and reappear next to Superman, who then disappears himself in order to come back in many mirror images. They fall for it and Superman gets Zod into a stranglehold. However, Ursa and Non grab Lois and threaten to tear her apart in case he does not let Zod go. Luthor is crawling closer to the group and Zod orders him to be killed. From here on the two versions are identical, but the ending is different again. The destruction of the fortress and the talk between the two is missing. 436 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:50.18 Superman and Lois are flying back through New York at night. 21 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:39.31 Dissolve from the roof-top garden to Lois' apartment. Lois promises not tell anyone. 53 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:40.33 Shot of Lois with tear-stained eyes when she's watching him leave. 10 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:40.57 Superman rewinds the time by flying against the earth's rotation with maximum speed. As a result of that, the statue of liberty gets repaired, people are walking backwards. Zod, Ursa and Non are back in the crystal and being tossed into space again. 93 sec.
Theatrical Version: 01:51.05 As usual, Clark arrives at the Daily Planet. Lois is sitting at her desk with her hands in front of her face. When Clark comes in, they have a chat about their feelings and that it's better if they're not a couple. Clark kisses her once again. Lois faints, an associate comes in. Clark gives her some water to drink. Subsequently, due to the kiss, Lois forgot that Clark is Superman because she deals with him like she did before. She wants him to get her a hamburger. Clark leaves the office. 295 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: 01:42.29 No one can remember anything. Clark arrives at the Daily Planet, as usual. He's goofy as always and drops his coat several times. Lois is working on her article but she can't come up with any ideas. Clark could help her by organizing a pizza. Lois also says to Clark he was a good guy. 142 sec.
Clark's revenge: Zeitindex SE: 01:30.34 Zeitindex Theatrical Version: 01:44.51 Clark enters the restaurtant once again. The schmuck, who bullied him before, is also there. Clark challenges him. He tries to punch Clark in the stomach but he just strains his wrist. Clark puts him on the counter and pushes him to the pinball machine. Then he tells the other guests a joke by saying he had trained a lot recently. That scene is identical in either of the versions. 60 sec. Theatrical Version: 01:57.43 Superman puts the roof and the US flag back on the White House. 35 sec.
Final scene: Zeitindex SE: 01:46.33 Zeitindex Theatrical Version: 01:58.08 Richard Donner Cut: Extended shot of the rising sun. But then again Superman's turnaround directed to the sun is shorter. 19 sec.
Theatrical Version: Superman flies into space, makes a circle and heads to the sun smilingly. 19 sec.
Final credits: Zeitindex SE: 01:46.53 Zeitindex Theatrical Version: 01:58.27 Richard Donner Cut:
Theatrical Version:
Theatrical Version: 02:02.35 After the final credits: the Superman logo pops up, then some scenes from the movie. For some reason, footage from the Richard Donner Cut has been used as well. 125 sec.
Richard Donner Cut: The following text box pops up after the final credits: "Since the making of this film in the late 1970s, a greater awareness has developed regarding the cruelty to animals in connection with the fur business, and the health risks associated with smoking and second hand smoke. Therefore I do not condone the use of tobacco and fur products as depicted in this film. - Richard Donner"
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