- Internet Fanedit Database
- Fanedit Listings
- FanMix
- Superman: The Richard Donner Vision
Superman: The Richard Donner Vision
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1978
Original Running Time:
259 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
277 minutes
Time Cut:
2 minutes
Time Added:
18 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
I have tried to recreate the Superman Epic as it was originally conceived by Richard Donner, following the shooting script whenever possible and before the movie was cut in half. This is Superman I and II as a complete motion picture.
Intention:
I always had an idea on what if Richard Donner was allowed to complete his version of the Superman Story, and when I watched an interview with Richard Donner saying that the end of "Superman I" was changed with the end of "Superman II", then I had an idea, to create a fan edit with both Superman Movies together as a single motion picture with the original end.
Other Sources:
Superman The Movie Score, Superman II - La-La Land Score, Interstellar.
Special Thanks:
Dwight Fry
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
I tried to follow the Superman I & II scripts whenever possible.
Cuts and Additions:
-New beginning with Zod, Ursa and Non at Krypton breaking the red crystal. Superman II -RL.
-Added Security Guard scenes and death.
-Krypton destruction reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non watching the destruction of Krypton. Superman II - RD.
-"Praxis" effect added to the explosion of Krypton.
-New effects of Kal-El traveling through space.
-Added extended scene of Clark and Lara in Smallville. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Feed the babies scenes added. Superman I - Extended Edition..
-Added Otis saying "I'm a myth" in Lex Luthor's Lair. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added Jimmy treating his people as bad as he is being treated by his boss Perry White. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added a few reaction shots before the rocket is being launched. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added "Get me the Pentagon" scene. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Nuclear misiles scenes reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non heading to earth. Superman II -RD.
-Lois is not dying and Superman is able to save her.
-Lois realising that Clark and Superman are the same person removed. Removed reference to Clark.
-Added the deleted scene when Lex tries to kill Miss Teschmacher. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Intermission added.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike. Superman II - RD.
-Jor-El scene with Lex Luthor recolored, added some extras. Superman II - RD.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike when Lex realizes that the three supervillains are on earth. Superman II - RD.
-Zod saying "What a strange surface" removed.
-Added the Pisa scene from Superman III to this edit according the Superman II script.
-Non failing with his heat vision first try removed.
-Added Superman cooking the soufflé with Lois in the Fortress of Solitude according the Superman II script.
-Zod, Ursa and Non are no longer using the fingers with powers. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Bullet hits added on the attack of the White House. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude scene darkened and altered. Superman II- RD.
-Added a scene when the three supervillains and Lex Luthor try to enter the Fortress of Solitude.
-Again the bad guys are not using their fingers. Superman II - RL.
-Added a scene with the bad guys and Lex being arrested. Superman II- RD.
-Complete new "Turning Back Time" ending.
-Jimmy Olsen brand new camera scene added. Superman II - RD.
-Superman restoring the Pisa Tower scene added.
-Color grading for some scenes.
-Added new Special Effects to some scenes.
-Improved fx of the ray vision.
-Added Security Guard scenes and death.
-Krypton destruction reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non watching the destruction of Krypton. Superman II - RD.
-"Praxis" effect added to the explosion of Krypton.
-New effects of Kal-El traveling through space.
-Added extended scene of Clark and Lara in Smallville. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Feed the babies scenes added. Superman I - Extended Edition..
-Added Otis saying "I'm a myth" in Lex Luthor's Lair. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added Jimmy treating his people as bad as he is being treated by his boss Perry White. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added a few reaction shots before the rocket is being launched. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added "Get me the Pentagon" scene. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Nuclear misiles scenes reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non heading to earth. Superman II -RD.
-Lois is not dying and Superman is able to save her.
-Lois realising that Clark and Superman are the same person removed. Removed reference to Clark.
-Added the deleted scene when Lex tries to kill Miss Teschmacher. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Intermission added.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike. Superman II - RD.
-Jor-El scene with Lex Luthor recolored, added some extras. Superman II - RD.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike when Lex realizes that the three supervillains are on earth. Superman II - RD.
-Zod saying "What a strange surface" removed.
-Added the Pisa scene from Superman III to this edit according the Superman II script.
-Non failing with his heat vision first try removed.
-Added Superman cooking the soufflé with Lois in the Fortress of Solitude according the Superman II script.
-Zod, Ursa and Non are no longer using the fingers with powers. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Bullet hits added on the attack of the White House. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude scene darkened and altered. Superman II- RD.
-Added a scene when the three supervillains and Lex Luthor try to enter the Fortress of Solitude.
-Again the bad guys are not using their fingers. Superman II - RL.
-Added a scene with the bad guys and Lex being arrested. Superman II- RD.
-Complete new "Turning Back Time" ending.
-Jimmy Olsen brand new camera scene added. Superman II - RD.
-Superman restoring the Pisa Tower scene added.
-Color grading for some scenes.
-Added new Special Effects to some scenes.
-Improved fx of the ray vision.
Trailer
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie/Show Title:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1978
Original Running Time:
259 minutes
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
277 minutes
Time Cut:
2 minutes
Time Added:
18 minutes
Subtitles Available:
Available in HD:
Additional Links:
Synopsis:
I have tried to recreate the Superman Epic as it was originally conceived by Richard Donner, following the shooting script whenever possible and before the movie was cut in half. This is Superman I and II as a complete motion picture.
Intention:
I always had an idea on what if Richard Donner was allowed to complete his version of the Superman Story, and when I watched an interview with Richard Donner saying that the end of "Superman I" was changed with the end of "Superman II", then I had an idea, to create a fan edit with both Superman Movies together as a single motion picture with the original end.
Other Sources:
Superman The Movie Score, Superman II - La-La Land Score, Interstellar.
Special Thanks:
Dwight Fry
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
I tried to follow the Superman I & II scripts whenever possible.
Cuts and Additions:
-New beginning with Zod, Ursa and Non at Krypton breaking the red crystal. Superman II -RL.
-Added Security Guard scenes and death.
-Krypton destruction reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non watching the destruction of Krypton. Superman II - RD.
-"Praxis" effect added to the explosion of Krypton.
-New effects of Kal-El traveling through space.
-Added extended scene of Clark and Lara in Smallville. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Feed the babies scenes added. Superman I - Extended Edition..
-Added Otis saying "I'm a myth" in Lex Luthor's Lair. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added Jimmy treating his people as bad as he is being treated by his boss Perry White. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added a few reaction shots before the rocket is being launched. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added "Get me the Pentagon" scene. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Nuclear misiles scenes reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non heading to earth. Superman II -RD.
-Lois is not dying and Superman is able to save her.
-Lois realising that Clark and Superman are the same person removed. Removed reference to Clark.
-Added the deleted scene when Lex tries to kill Miss Teschmacher. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Intermission added.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike. Superman II - RD.
-Jor-El scene with Lex Luthor recolored, added some extras. Superman II - RD.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike when Lex realizes that the three supervillains are on earth. Superman II - RD.
-Zod saying "What a strange surface" removed.
-Added the Pisa scene from Superman III to this edit according the Superman II script.
-Non failing with his heat vision first try removed.
-Added Superman cooking the soufflé with Lois in the Fortress of Solitude according the Superman II script.
-Zod, Ursa and Non are no longer using the fingers with powers. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Bullet hits added on the attack of the White House. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude scene darkened and altered. Superman II- RD.
-Added a scene when the three supervillains and Lex Luthor try to enter the Fortress of Solitude.
-Again the bad guys are not using their fingers. Superman II - RL.
-Added a scene with the bad guys and Lex being arrested. Superman II- RD.
-Complete new "Turning Back Time" ending.
-Jimmy Olsen brand new camera scene added. Superman II - RD.
-Superman restoring the Pisa Tower scene added.
-Color grading for some scenes.
-Added new Special Effects to some scenes.
-Improved fx of the ray vision.
-Added Security Guard scenes and death.
-Krypton destruction reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non watching the destruction of Krypton. Superman II - RD.
-"Praxis" effect added to the explosion of Krypton.
-New effects of Kal-El traveling through space.
-Added extended scene of Clark and Lara in Smallville. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Feed the babies scenes added. Superman I - Extended Edition..
-Added Otis saying "I'm a myth" in Lex Luthor's Lair. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added Jimmy treating his people as bad as he is being treated by his boss Perry White. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added a few reaction shots before the rocket is being launched. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Added "Get me the Pentagon" scene. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Nuclear misiles scenes reconstructed showing Zod, Ursa and Non heading to earth. Superman II -RD.
-Lois is not dying and Superman is able to save her.
-Lois realising that Clark and Superman are the same person removed. Removed reference to Clark.
-Added the deleted scene when Lex tries to kill Miss Teschmacher. Superman I - Extended Edition.
-Intermission added.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike. Superman II - RD.
-Jor-El scene with Lex Luthor recolored, added some extras. Superman II - RD.
-Added a deleted scene with Lex and Miss Teschmacher on the snow bike when Lex realizes that the three supervillains are on earth. Superman II - RD.
-Zod saying "What a strange surface" removed.
-Added the Pisa scene from Superman III to this edit according the Superman II script.
-Non failing with his heat vision first try removed.
-Added Superman cooking the soufflé with Lois in the Fortress of Solitude according the Superman II script.
-Zod, Ursa and Non are no longer using the fingers with powers. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Bullet hits added on the attack of the White House. Superman II - RL and RD.
-Clark returns to the Fortress of Solitude scene darkened and altered. Superman II- RD.
-Added a scene when the three supervillains and Lex Luthor try to enter the Fortress of Solitude.
-Again the bad guys are not using their fingers. Superman II - RL.
-Added a scene with the bad guys and Lex being arrested. Superman II- RD.
-Complete new "Turning Back Time" ending.
-Jimmy Olsen brand new camera scene added. Superman II - RD.
-Superman restoring the Pisa Tower scene added.
-Color grading for some scenes.
-Added new Special Effects to some scenes.
-Improved fx of the ray vision.
Trailer
Trusted Reviewer review
1 review
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
9.0
Enjoyment
9.0
Just like the previous review indicates, this is hardly an edit for casual viewers. The pacing inevitably suffers, and it's very unlikely that if Donner had gone ahead and told the story of Superman I and II in one single movie, the result would be over four and a half hours long (in comparison, Ben-Hur is 3 hours and 32 minutes long, Lawrence of Arabia is 3 hours and 38 minutes long, Gone with the Wind is 3 hours and 58 minutes long...). It would most probably end up being more like Jelio & L8wrtr's "Superman: Son of Jor-El" than like this. So, for this edit it definitely helps if you are a huge fan of the source material (I am definitely one) and want to experiment it in a way that feels more like a binging marathon. And from that point of view, it works fine.
Flaws in logic have been pointed out, but it's something that the editor itself does acknowledge, and are retained because they were in the Tom Mankiewicz shooting script(s). Now, as much as I love these movies, I won't pretend they are perfect (particularly II) nor that the Mankiewicz drafts are the Holy Grail of Superman film writing. There are parts I dislike in the script and movie, parts that I think Richard Lester actually did better (most notably "General, would you care to step outside?"), and parts of the script I am VERY glad were never filmed (Lois: "Superman... ooohhhhh, Superman...!!!" - if you've read the script, you know). But this edit does fulfill its intentions admirably.
Technically, it's a tremendous job. How much so? The editor even typed the WHOLE end credits scroll from scratch. Yes. Word by word. If that is not a labor of love, I don't know what it is. Throughout, new FX shots have been implemented. Necessary? No. Well done? Definitely. I particularly enjoyed the new heat vision effect, and the clever way the Lois car rescue from the earthquake was solved. I had the opportunity to see the final draft of the edit blossom in front of my eyes, and the quirks from the first version I watched were masterfully fixed.
Does it become my preferred version of the movies? Not really. But it's a very enjoyable alternate, and I for one am awaiting the upcoming Superman III/IV sequel edit. Much to recommend here if you're a fan of the Donnerverse.
Flaws in logic have been pointed out, but it's something that the editor itself does acknowledge, and are retained because they were in the Tom Mankiewicz shooting script(s). Now, as much as I love these movies, I won't pretend they are perfect (particularly II) nor that the Mankiewicz drafts are the Holy Grail of Superman film writing. There are parts I dislike in the script and movie, parts that I think Richard Lester actually did better (most notably "General, would you care to step outside?"), and parts of the script I am VERY glad were never filmed (Lois: "Superman... ooohhhhh, Superman...!!!" - if you've read the script, you know). But this edit does fulfill its intentions admirably.
Technically, it's a tremendous job. How much so? The editor even typed the WHOLE end credits scroll from scratch. Yes. Word by word. If that is not a labor of love, I don't know what it is. Throughout, new FX shots have been implemented. Necessary? No. Well done? Definitely. I particularly enjoyed the new heat vision effect, and the clever way the Lois car rescue from the earthquake was solved. I had the opportunity to see the final draft of the edit blossom in front of my eyes, and the quirks from the first version I watched were masterfully fixed.
Does it become my preferred version of the movies? Not really. But it's a very enjoyable alternate, and I for one am awaiting the upcoming Superman III/IV sequel edit. Much to recommend here if you're a fan of the Donnerverse.
User reviews
8 reviews
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
9.5(8)
Audio Editing
9.6(8)
Visual Editing
9.6(8)
Narrative
9.1(8)
Enjoyment
9.5(8)
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
One of the best editions I've seen here. Of course, the proposal is not to focus on the film's rhythm but rather on a version of what Donner's vision could be. You can genuinely feel that there is a fan's affection for this project.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
(Updated: February 24, 2023)
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Probably the most epic, complete, and outstanding edit I've seen of both Superman I & II. The Video/Audio quality is excellent, great remastering of the deleted scenes, I was amused to discover some new scenes (the Fortress of Solitude portal was nice). I loved the VFX, they looked extremely good and felt very professional, my personal favorite is spinning on the Pisa tower. Speaking of that scene, I didn't know it was originally in the script, I just love how it fits the context of that part of the movie, probably the best addition in my opinion.
Great cut, one of the very best Superman edits out there, if not the best, despite it being 4hrs, I just didn't feel the length, we can sense that the movie was originally conceived to be this long, so the pacing is just incredible. The Intermission title card was welcome, I wish more long modern films could start doing it, the last movie with an Intermission I've seen was Alexander (Final Cut).
Great cut, one of the very best Superman edits out there, if not the best, despite it being 4hrs, I just didn't feel the length, we can sense that the movie was originally conceived to be this long, so the pacing is just incredible. The Intermission title card was welcome, I wish more long modern films could start doing it, the last movie with an Intermission I've seen was Alexander (Final Cut).
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
Overall rating
9.3
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
7.0
Enjoyment
10.0
I've seen so many edits of Superman I and II, I really don't know how I can still be surprised at how unique and different each of them are, but here we have another one that fully realizes the potential of a complete cut of the original Donner vision. With new effects enhancing this experience, Fran's efforts give the production lasting re-watch value. About the only criticism I have is the 'Intermission' card doesn't feel all that necccersary.
A worthy viewing.
A worthy viewing.
(Updated: November 21, 2022)
Overall rating
9.0
Audio/Video Quality
9.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
9.0
Narrative
8.0
Enjoyment
9.0
A very enjoyable ride for someone who's revisiting these films for the first time in years. Despite the dated special effects and some random powers from Superman, the narrative of Donner's films was its strongest assets (though I still hate that flimsy time travel ending. If Superman can just turn back time, what are the consequences for anything if he has a fix-it button?)
The cast was great, Christopher Reeve's performance was legendary, and Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor was hilarious. John Williams's score was a masterpiece.
The editing of the two together into one was fantastic, but the difference in video quality of the re-inserted deleted scenes were very noticeable (though that's not the fault of the editor, you work with what you have to work with.)
A very solid effort, and highly recommended to anyone who still believes a man can fly.
The cast was great, Christopher Reeve's performance was legendary, and Gene Hackman's Lex Luthor was hilarious. John Williams's score was a masterpiece.
The editing of the two together into one was fantastic, but the difference in video quality of the re-inserted deleted scenes were very noticeable (though that's not the fault of the editor, you work with what you have to work with.)
A very solid effort, and highly recommended to anyone who still believes a man can fly.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
A really interesting and ambitious edit of the classic Superman Donner films into a more streamlined epic. Really liked the subtle changes and the unification of a lot of storylines to keep the plot flowing. Some classic deleted scenes are also most welcome.
Give it a try.
Give it a try.
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched
Digital
