A great injustice in cinema happened in 1978 when Richard Donner was replaced as director for Superman II with Richard Lester. The controversy over it was that both Donner’s Superman and the sequel were being filmed by Donner at the same time. The choice was made to focus on the first film and come back to the second later. The producers didn’t like Donner’s handling of the character and his filming methods, in spite of the fact Superman : The Movie turned out to be a hit. The majority of Donner’s footage for Superman II was either re-shot or scrapped. Now, thanks to internet campaigns, fan curiousity and hard work, Donner’s footage has been edited into a new version of Superman II.

As mentioned by Donner in his DVD introduction, it isn’t an egotistical ‘director’s cut’. In fact, the “new” film isn’t that long of a film. But what is clear is that Donner was close to finishing the film. While there are some new CGI effects, it is noteworthy that when putting the cut together, most effects were left the way they were: via 1978. I’m sort of glad Donner isn’t George Lucas who takes trips to the editing room every other year, although I’m sure if Warner’s wanted to, the studio could have them if they wanted them. In fact, some scenes don’t always match others, because in a sense, this is a rough cut. One pivotal scene was never filmed; the screen test for Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder was used because it was the closest they could get to that unfilmed scene.

The revelations of what was are amazing; most of the flaws of Lester’s version are removed. General Zod (Terence Stamp) is seen as more of a bad guy and a threat. Marlon Brando’s scenes are restored (and cover a plot hole in the Lester version), and the goofy moments during the main showdown , as well as Zod and company’s antics in a hick town near Houston are taken out. While not everything Donner wanted to do could be done, there are a few things in the story of his cut that Lester actually did better. One of which is with the “new” ending, Superman/Clark Kent’s revisit to a diner is out of place. In Lester’s version, it was also not needed. But there is a line which is better in Lester’s version than Donner’s. Superman, in the Lester version, disses Zod, with “General, would you care to step outside?” it has more impact due to the diner scene- Superman is now fighting the real bully of the picture, as well as Ursla and Non. In the Donner version, “Don’t you believe in the power of the press?” doesn’t cut it.

There is one other bit I loved in the Lester version: The three villians attacking Superman in the fortress of solitude. One of the best action scenes in the film is when Supey tears off his chest emblem and Saran Wraps Non. Yet, in a way, the omission of the Lester scenes also work here, since the battle in Metropolis is hard to top. The end threat of ending Lois’ life with a simple neck snap has just as much impact. Besides, Superman outwits the villains in the same way. But I’m happy to see that Donner had little to do with the comedy beats during the action in Metropolis. There’s also a neater, character driven opening to the film. The terrorists in Paris are erased in favor of Lois’ trying to prove Clark is Superman.

It’s tough to say if Donner had completed the film intended what it would have looked like. What is in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut” is what it could have looked like. What I also like about this is the chance to view the versions side by side; one director has a love for the character. His future replacement didn’t.

Note: I put the year of when Donner filmed his footage and this year, when the majority of the footage was finally shown to the public.

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Superman II :The Richard Donner Cut

Directed by : Richard Donner; Richard Lester (uncredited)

Starring: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando. Margot Kidder, Sarah Douglas, and Terence Stamp.

related: Superman Returns