Customer Reviews

Superman - The Movie: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

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From the original 2 LP vinyl recording to the "special price" one-disc CD release, I've owned every available version of John Williams' 1978 score for Richard Donner's Superman: The Movie. And even though I enjoyed all of those versions, there always seemed to be something missing from the various tracks.

Okay, so the London Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of the composer) still had that powerful timbre and the music was thrilling, but wasn't the main title music in the movie, well, a bit longer? And wasn't there a heckuva lot more music in the nearly three-hour movie than in any of the LPs, cassettes, or the first CD version? (At least in the first CD version the label warns consumers that two tracks had been removed!)

Finally, more than 20 years after the premiere of Superman: The Movie, Warner Bros. and ace producer Nick Redman teamed up to present the complete score to this awesome comic book epic. At last, Williams'legions of fans can now hear the Prologue and Main Title as they were presented in the film, and several other previously unreleased tracks -- some never used in the final cut of the movie -- are heard for the first time. Also, as in other Redman-produced re-issues, the cues appear in chronological order, following the plot of Superman from beginning to end. In addition, alternative versions of the Superman March and the "Can You Read My Mind" vocal have been included.

The Superman: The Movie 2-disc set comes in a jacketed slimline jewel case and includes an illustrated booklet of liner notes and commentary by Christopher Reeve and others.

For Williams fans and lovers of film music, this version of the Superman score is indeed Super, man.

Nearly 22 years ago I sat in a packed theatre (that doesn't exist anymore) with my father and two childhood chums and had an experience that was to forever change my destiny. We were seeing "Superman the Movie" for the first time. Listening to portions of this new release, many cuts of which have never been available before, moved me to tears because, for a time, I was that small boy again seeing his, and the world's, favorite Superhero really soar on the big screen. This recording is everything any fan of Superman, the Superman film, and/or John Williams could hope for. All the cues are here, even some I thought definetly wouldn't be as they are only heard in the "TV versions" of the film. It is most definetly worth the price and the long wait. Many fans may feel that since they have the original Williams CD (perhaps even the original record which had two extra cuts) and the John Debny recording, so why bother? Believe me, bother! You'll never regret it. This is the release for all fans who've always felt that this score was Williams' best alongside the Star Wars trilogy. Of special note are the "Misguided missles and Kryptonite" and "Star Ship Escapes" cues. Also the "Chasing rockets", "Superfeats", and "Super Dam and Finding Lois" cues that are FINALLY complete and in the proper sequence! Rhino has thrown in plenty of extras as well, from added "bonus" tracks to an actual book about the film and music filled with fascinating information and pictures. Finally, masterpiece treatment for a masterpiece!

Hollywood's big secret about why you probably like a lot of films and television shows is in the MUSIC, and how the music fits into the story. Here, you have a fantastic example with the score prepared by the now legendary John Williams.

Granted, music can take a bad movie and make it better, but in this case, it takes a brilliant movie and makes it phenomenal!

Originally, the soundtrack recording offered for this classic film (on vinyl) was adequate... then a later CD version actually edited out some tracks to fit it all on one disc! What were they thinking?

Finally, Rhino gives the music from this film the treatment it so richly deserves. This is a must for collectors of Williams's work, as it includes nearly every music cue from the film, and some bonus alternate recordings, all on two compact discs.

The tracks are positioned well, and the included booklet has a lot more! The liner notes really help to paint the picture of what the music is doing in each scene. Chock full of photos from the film, and lots of behind the scene notes, and with a foreword written by the Man Of Steel himself, Christopher Reeve, It's like a visit to Metropolis!

Where "Star Wars - Episode IV" started the Williams era, "Superman: The Movie" solidified it. Highly recommended.

Finally, someone's seen fit to release such long-overdue tracks as "The Big Rescue," "Lois and Clark," and the actual film version of the "End Title" sequence--music that's eluded frustrated orchestral-soundtrack lovers for decades.

I can't say more than what's already been said here many times over about the timelessness and bravura tour-de-force of what's widely considered the best example of John Williams'--and the London Symphony Orchestra's!--vast collection of work. "The Big Rescue," for instance, is an absolute flawless piece of composition and orchestration inextricably entwined with Richard Donner's reverent and awe-filled lensing of Superman's spectacular maiden appearance, aided immensely by Christopher Reeve's dead-on rendition of the Man of Steel.

Producers Nick Redmond and Michael Matessino are to be roundly applauded for their painstaking research and restoration efforts in the face of neglected, deteriorating source tapes and--shockingly-- disposed-of original orchestrations. (This is apparently why even John Williams currently conducts a reconstructed version that's somewhat unfaithful to the original, and a major reason John Debney's commendable re-recording with the Royal Scottish Orchestra sounds just plain different.)

However, here's the most minor of quibbles: Whatever happened to the violins? The high string section is distressingly absent or muted from the entire soundtrack. The original LP/CD release had muted strings as well, but not to the extent as on the "restored" versions. Proof of their existence rests in the original film tracks (on VHS or cable), which feature bold violin glissandos somehow lost in the transition to CD; ironically, Ken Thorne's adaptations for Superman II and III, as well as several re-recordings, likewise highlight (to a fault) the high strings. Their disappointing exclusion (in addition to several disappearances of oboe and English horn passages) spots a small blemish on an otherwise excellent and highly commendable restoration.

This is simply an unbeatable score; it amazes me again every time I hear it. In the late 70s, John Williams really proved himself a master of thematic material and dynamic orchestrations, and this effort is the shining example. There are as many themes woven into this one film as there are in the entire Star Wars trilogy. The main march is a certified classic, as is the sweeping love theme. However, all of the material underscoring the sequences involving Smallville, Lex Luthor, and the planet Krypton is equally great. (The opening fanfare for Krypton is especially stunning, and the alternate version provided on this album is a real treat.) As a whole, Williams' music is a joy from start to finish, and this expanded release is the first to really do it justice. The restored music really fleshes out the continuity of the score, and the audio quality is perfectly acceptable (frankly, I think it's a small miracle that all of the original materials still exist). Definately a must-own for soundtrack collectors, and I imagine non-soundtrack-fans will find this worthwhile as well. The march alone is worth the price of the album, and there are no less that five different versions of it on there!

The first release of WB's Superman: the movie soundtrack was a fine addition to any film score fan's collection but it wasn't complete. The CD was only about an hour or so in length while the movie spanned over two hours. Where's the missing music? With this brand new spankin' release, all the missing music from the first album is here, adding a second disc making this soundtrack over two hours long. This score is indeed a classic and should be in every John Williams fan's collection. Also included in this set is a small booklet with notes about the music by Michael Matessino.

John Williams crowning acheivement is finally available complete & remastered for the first time. The sound qaulity, well, it IS great. Considering this is a 20+ year old recording, Rhino, and esp. producers Nick Redman & Micheal Mattessino, have done a fantastic job. The sound is much more dynamic, and stellar than the previous Warner Bros. release

The 40+ minutes of additional music is great, there are some real treats, from the energetic "The Big Rescue", to the fast paced "Sonic Greeting". This album is a treat, an absolute must-have for everyone who loves great music!

As someone who grew up with this soundtrack, I can honestly say I've listened to the Warner release thousands of times. There was a point where I gave it a good listen at least once a day for several years, finally falling off to about 75 times/year(I'm 31). As a an adolescent my only source for the soundtrack was either the movie or the Warner LP. I actually made copies from a hi-fi stereo VCR in the early 80's just so I could have the film version of the score, but it was ruined by dialog. Then there was the warner release on vinyl. I had a few prints of the record set in perfect condition and used a very expensive phono along with a nakamichi deck and metal tapes. My teenage years were in pursuit of the best walkman and headphones so I could listen to it on the go. This is pretty sad. Perhaps I should keep my name anonymous just so my friends don't discover what a die hard I am for this soundtrack. Finally in '92, the Warner version was released on CD, but it was horribly degraded. Many more dropouts because they used the original master to print the CD and it had not been well preserved nor restored in any way. There was also more hiss and less dynamic range. It was inferior to the LP. It was very sad and my initial excitement about getting it on CD faded quickly, especially when I discovered it was missing tracks. So now it is today, 4 days after the Rhino release. I received my copy from Amazon 2 days ago(thank Amazon, it was shipped very quickly!). I am on at least my 30th listen through the entire soundtrack. What can I say? It was more than I could have possibly hoped for. The restoration is on par with the Star Wars Trilogy. There are no dropouts and very little hiss. It sounds like it was recorded yesterday. A previous reviewer thought it wasn't much better than the warner release. I suggest they go back and recheck their ears or equipment. As an expert on this soundtrack and a *neurotic* audiophile, I think I can say with much justification that this restoration is as good as technology today could have done. It is nearly perfect to my audiophile ears. Now on to the content. Not only is it restored to chronological order, it includes many bonus tracks of ORIGINAL NEVER BEFORE HEARD JOHN WILLIAMS!! This is enough in itself to buy the soundtrack even if nothing else had been done. The first few times listening to it I had goosbumps. The sound quality is so incredible. The remix brings out new symbols and strings never before heard with headphones. It is clean and dynamic. Flaws? There are some. A few tracks have a little hiss. There is a change in like they were piecing together two different sources for the same track and that was the transition point. It is fairly noticeable with good headphones(mdr-v6). There are a few other minor glitches, but not enough to even slightly color my enjoyment. I also wish the jewel case had been enlarged enough to fit the booklet *INSIDE*, but this is such a minor quibble, especially since I will be making a digital copy to mini disc in the next day or so and put the original back on the shelf so it is perfect for years to come(the packaging that is). In all, by far the best soundtrack restoration I've ever heard. I only wish I could give it 10 out of 5 stars. It is true a soundtrack can fly!

Along with Ben Hur and Empire Strikes Back, Superman must rank with the greatest Romantic soundtracks ever penned. John Williams is one of the finest film composers alive, and in the late 70's/early 80's we have him in his prime (in a 6 year span of 75' to 81' he wrote Jaws, The Fury, 1941, Jaws 2, Dracula, Close Encounters, Star Wars, Superman, The Empire Strikes Back, ET, and Indiana Jones...!). This Rhino release is especially noteworthy for the extra versions of the main love theme, in particular the instrumental version of the "Flying" sequence (sans Margot Kidder's voice over... thank goodness).

This is Williams' masterpiece.

John Williams is the man in Hollywood when it comes to composing movie scores. If you want some evidence to back that statement up then purchase this soundtrack.

The theme for Superman:The Movie could possibly be the greatest score ever for a film. It's an absolutely amazing song. The brass work in the song is incredible. The melody in the song is amazing. John Williams is known for his heavy brass parts and the trumpets are incredible in this song. When they hit that climax of that short run in the melody I smile everytime. It's such am amazing song and makes this soundtrack worth the price.

The rest of the cd isn't bad, but nothing can compare to the theme. A lot of the songs on the soundtrack contain parts from it. This really is an easy listening peace that you will listen to every song.

If you love John Williams then buy this. If you love Superman buy this. If you love classical music then buy this. You won't regret it.