Customer Reviews

Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition (Superman - The Movie/ Superman II/ Superman II - The Richard Donner Cut/ Superman III/ Superman IV - The Quest for Peace/ Superman Returns)

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Warner Brothers promised that 2006 would be the year of Superman and they delivered in a big way. In addition to the plethora of seemingly endless new Superman merchandise, nearly every conceivable screen incarnation of Superman to date has been released on DVD! The pinnacle of these releases being the Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD set. Here is exactly what's included;

DISC 1- Superman The Movie
* 1978 theatrical version with commentary by producers Pierre Spengler & Ilya Salkind
* Theatrical trailers, TV Spots
* Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1 (original 1978 audio mix in Dolby Digital 2.0)

DISC 2- Superman The Movie
* 2001 expanded movie with commentary by director Richard Donner & creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
* Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1
* Music-only audio track

DISC 3- Superman The Movie
* Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
* Making Superman: Filming the Legend
* The Magic Behind the Cape
* Additional scenes
* Screen tests
* Audio-only bonus: additional music cues

DISC 4- Superman The Movie
* The Making of Superman the Movie vintage TV special
* 1951 Superman and the Mole-Men movie starring George Reeves
* 9 Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons mastered from superior vault elements

DISC 5- Superman II
* Movie with commentary by producers Pierre Spengler & Ilya Salkind
* Additional scenes (over 8 minutes worth)
* Soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1

DISC 6- Superman II
* The Making of Superman II & Superman's 50th Anniversary TV specials
* First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series featurette
* The Remaining 8 Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons

DISC 7- Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
* All new introduction by director Richard Donner
* Commentary by director Richard Donner & creative consultant Tom Mankiewicz
* Superman II: Restoring the Vision featurette
* Additional scenes
* Dolby Digital 5.1

DISC 8- Superman III
* Movie with commentary by producers Pierre Spengler & Ilya Salkind
* The Making of Superman III vintage TV special
* Additional scenes (over 19 minutes worth)
* Theatrical trailer

DISC 9- Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
* Movie with commentary by screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
* Additional scenes (over 30 minutes worth!)
* Theatrical trailer

DISC 10- Superman Returns
* Theatrical cut
* Dolby Digital 5.1

DISC 11- Superman Returns
* Requiem for Krypton: Making Superman Returns 3hr multi-part documentary
* Additional scenes (without Return to Krypton sequence)
* Theatrical trailers

DISC 12- You'll Believe: The Making of A Saga- 5 part documentary
* Origin- Superman in the media & the challenges the Salkinds faced
* Vision- Choosing the right script, director & actors
* Ascent- Production of a new kind of fantasy film
* Crisis- Conflicts behind Superman II
* Redemption- Criticisms & burnout of Superman III & IV
* Bonus new documentaries- Mythology of Superman, Remembering Christopher Reeve, vintage Superman parodies

DISC 13- Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman
* Kevin Burns 2006 documentary on Superman's history

DISC 14- Bryan Singer's blogs
* All the web blogs plus two never-before-seen

The Ultimate box is encased in a keepsake tin and also includes a reprint of the Superman comic book issue #7, a Superman overview booklet and a mail-in offer for 5 reproduction Superman theatrical movie posters. The original 2006 release of the set had the bonus content for Superman the Movie and Superman III erroneously omitted. Fans could order replacement DVDs of those movies by calling the WB customer service number. In 2007, the Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition was re-released with the corrected DVDs already included. Perhaps the best part of this collection is the unbelievably reasonable retail price, with many retailers selling it for significantly less. Like many fans who have grown up on the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, I've patiently waited for a collection worthy of its legacy. Finally, WB has compiled a set that not only honors the character but all of the fans that still believe in truth, justice, and the American way!

This is the box set that all superman fans have been waiting for. All four Christopher Reeve films (including a dramatically different version of 'Superman II' directed by Richard Donner) are included in this set as well as the recent Bryan Singer film. The breakdown of the set follows:

Superman (1978) - 4 Discs
- 1978 Theatrical & 2000 Expanded Cuts of the Film
- Commentary with producer Pierre Sprengler & Executive Producer Ilya Salkind
- Commentary with Director Richard Donner & Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
- Trailer / TV Spots
- Music Only Audio Tracks
- Three Documentaries: Taking Flight: The Development of Superman, Making Superman: Filming the Legend, & The Magic Behind the Cape
- Restored Scenes
- SCreen tests
- Vintage TV Special - The Making of Superman The Movie
- 1951 George Reeve Film 'Superman and the Mole-Male'
- 9 Fleischer Studio Superman Cartoons

Superman II - 2-Disc Set
- Commentary with Executive Producer Ilya Salkind & Producer Pierre Spengler
- Trailer
- Vinatage TV Speicals 'The Making of Superman II' & 'Superman 50th Anniv'
- 'First Flight' Featurette
- 8 additional Fleischer Studio Superman Cartoons

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
- Commentary with Director Richard Donner & Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
- 'Superman II: Resorting The Vision' Featurette
- Additional Scenes

Superman III
- Commentary with Producer Ilya Salkind and producer Pierre Spengler
- Vintage TV Special - The Making of Superman III
- Additional Scenes
- Trailer

Superman IV
- Commentary with screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
- Additional Scenes
- Trailer

Superman Returns (2006) - 2 Disc
- Deleted Scenes
- 3 Hours of Documentaries including: 'Making SUperman Returns: From script to Screen,' 'Designing Superman,' 'The Joy of Lex: Behind the Scenes with Kevin Spacey,' & "How Filmmakers Recreated Jor-El'
- Trailer

Additional Discs
- 'You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman'
- 'Look up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman'
- Bryan Singer's Video Journal for 'Superman Returns'

Additional Goodies
- Reproduction of Superman Comic # 7
- Superman Overview booklet
- Mail-in offer for 5 Superman Movie Posters

Although this is a Great collection, Warner did mess it up and didn't warn in advance (they had to have known, but probably wanted to get this out for the Christmas season). Basically, the Superman III disk does not have any of the promised special features, as noted by some reviewers. In addition, disk one of the four disk Superman I part does not contain the 1978 Dolby 2.0 version, as promised. If you bought the standalone sets of four disk Superman I set or standalone Superman III that also came out on the 28th, this problem doesn't exist; only with the Ultimate or Christopher Reeve collections. As to whose fault it is, could be the company that printed the disk, could be that Warner supplied the wrong master, who knows? There was definitely a QA problem at both companies, though for this to happen. What's done is done.

Warner promises to fix it through an exchange, but it's not particularly "elegant". First, you must call 800-553-6937. After waiting your turn to get through, they ask for your information, including where you bought it. Then they will ask you for the "catalog code" (it's actually the proof of purchase code), which is near the UPC bar code. The UPC is on the sleeve the box came in. If you've already gotten rid of that, it is also on the bottom of the tin in very small numbers. This requirement is reasonable, in order to prove you really bought it. Then it gets interesting. In one or two weeks you are supposed to get, not the replacement disks, but some prepaid envelopes from Warner. You take the two "problem disks" and mail them back to Warner. When your disks arrive back there, they go into the queue for processing. Once they've verified they have your disks, and once they've remastered sufficient disks, they're supposed to mail the replacement disks you need. The estimate as of Dec. 1 was that the whole process would take four-five weeks from the time you first contact them (this is assuming that they print the corrected Superman I disk 1 on shcedule, providing you send back the disks as soon as you get the envelopes). They acknowledge that during this period you will not have any form of those two disks. This also renders the set unreturnable to where you bought it, by the way. When asked what happens if the disks you send back or the disks they send you get lost in the mail (a lot of stuff gets lost around big volume mail periods like Christmas), since you won't have any proof, they don't yet have a plan.

It seems that this is a cumbersome way to do this, and will cost Warner more what with having to pay double postage, extra processing and all, so one wonders why they did it this way (why not just send replacement disks to those who have proof of purchase?. Here's a Possible explanation: It's well known that most people don't return defectives if they can't take it back to the store where they got it (Amazon is unusual in tha they're taking care of people here). Maybe Warner made a business decision that it would be less exepnsive overall to set up a cumbersome mitigation process. By insuring a very small percentage of actual exchanges, their overall costs are much less. Then they could truthfully say that they have a process to take care of people, knowing full well that the process is sufficiently troublesome that the vast majority won't bother.

They acknowledged they're going to correct the problem in production and sets manufactured later will deliver what's advertised. The company that Warner has outsourced the replacement exercise to is saying the information that they have is that correct sets of the collections will not get to stores for two to three months. We'll see. Keep this and the exchange process in mind when making the decision when to buy.

To those chastising others for being petty complaining about this: Yes, it's a great collection. Yes, it's true that Superman III special features may not be that big a deal, and that the problem with Superman I's Dolby mix is not the end of the world (although the promised Dolby 2.0 mix is actually better) and that Warner promises to exchange (at least for domestic US sets). That's all true, but why should customers who have already paid for the product have to go through all these hoops just to get what they were promised?

UPDATE: I bought this set on Nov 28th and contacted Warner the same day. You'll note that in the above timeline I gave based on Warner's information, I should have gotten the prepaid envelope 7-10 days from then. As of today (Dec 24) there's no sign of the return envelope, so don't take the timeline I gave above as gospel. BTW, the phone number now shuts down at 7 PM PST M-F. I find it interesting that Amazon no longer sells the Ultimate Edition (maybe they're waiting for the corrected sets to avoid eating the cost of returns that aren't their fault) itself. Even more interesting, the Ultimate Edition is no longer listed on Warner Home Video's web site. Hmmmm....

From DVDActive:
Those of you who have pre-ordered copies of Warner Home Video's forthcoming Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition might want to think twice. Due to a massive technical blunder, the Superman III: Deluxe Edition discs contain the original 2001 release of the film, rather than the advertised disc with commentary, additional scenes and a vintage featurette.

Reports indicate that The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection and the individual release of Superman III: Deluxe Edition are unaffected. At this time there has been no word on whether or not Warner intend to issue replacement discs. Even if replacement discs are made available, non-US residents who purchased the set will most likely be left out in the cold.

The "Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition" is a treasure chest for all fans of the Man of Steel. Among the fourteen discs is all four of Christopher Reeve's films from 1978 to 1987, presented with outstanding picture and sound! Also found within the set is "Superman Returns," the latest film in the franchise that stands with "Batman Begins" as the best superhero film made in the last decade! The set also comes with a ton of extra materials, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, featurettes, and the 17 animated shorts from the Fleisher cartoon series. The best extra is "Superman and the Mole-Men," the 1951 short film that featured George Reeves in his debut as the Man of Steel! If you're a fan of Superman, then this collection is definitely for you!
Grade: A+

As some may know, the initial shipments of this set went out with defective disks of Superman the Movie (wrong audio), and Superman III (film used old print and lacks special features). I just received my set today (Feb 23, 2007 - on the second attempt, actually; my initial order got lost in the mail) from Amazon (sent on Feb. 7, 2007) and it contained the defective disks.
I am going to contact Warner Bros. to obtain replacement disks, but I thought people should just be warned that the defective sets are still being shipped out by Amazon.

Where do I begin as this set has it all. It has the four disc edition of Superman the Movie which includes the orriginal theatrical edition plus the 2001 directors cut and two discs of behind the scenes. It has Richard Lesters Superman 2 and Richard Donners never before seen version of Superman 2 which for those who don't know Superman 1 and 2 were made concurently and 70% through Superman 2 "creative" differences forced Donner to leave. This version is Superman 2 as it was meant to be seen and don't beleive the very little negative hype as this will be a great movie and an excellent lead in to Superman returns. This set also has Deluxe editions of Superman III which I happen to like and thin it is a nice humorous and dark edition to the Superman Franchise, and this is a 2 disc set and includes never before scene fotage and behind the scenes. It has Superman IV the Quest for Peace Deluxe editon which also has behind the scenes and additional scenes. In my opinion a pinacle to this set is the new Bryan Singer's Superman Returns and is the 2 disc edition packed with special features. This new movie has recieved some bad hype but a majority of good critical reviews and fan reviews. Don't believe any bad hype as it is an excellent movie and a great sequal to Superman 2 and I should not Singer created this movie with Donners vision in min d so the sequal is created through the Donner cut of Superman 2. In my humble opinion Superman Returns has succesfully recreated the Franchise. Now if all this is not enough there is also 16 I think of Max Fletchers Superman cartoons and Bryan Singers video diaries including 2 never before seen. This is a great set and an awesome buy. DO NOT MISS OUT IF YOU ARE A SUPERMAN FAN!

Alright, I know all around there's the HUGE buzz on the faulty discs, and I got on of those sets, so I'm feeling it like everyone else. I did call the 1-800 number, and all I had to leave was my name and phone number; was told it would be 24-48 hours for them to call back. Well, been well over 48 hours, so I'm wondering should I call the number back and follow up, or continue waiting? I did get some details on how the replacement discs would be handled - from receiving the fixed, to sending the bad back. But I've been seeing reviews how there were some that already are expecting the envelopes, and how they had to indicate the barcode info, etc., if anyone could give me some helpful tidbits on how things are going, I would GREATLY appreciate it. On with my review.

Man, I grew up with Superman my whole life. I'd say he's my favorite superhero (tied with Batman though). I also must say that Superman Returns really thrilled me to the point where I was nearly shedding tears - I liked it that much. So this was a true follow-up to the previous set (well, with the afforementioned exception of course, for now). Furthermore, the Donner Cut of Superman II is totally worth the price tag along with the main attractions. Quite frankly, it's an attraction of its own!

The documentary exclusive to this set, "You Will Believe" is magnificant!!! It covers many many more details that you couldn't fathom (I still have yet to check out "Look in the Sky!," but I'm betting it's just as thrilling).

It's just nice to have this to look back at. I can't help but looking back at the original groundbreaking epic, how it wondered us, then in the end made us gag and cringe thanks to III and IV. ***On the side, I find a twisted pleasure looking at IV just to marvel at its pathetic quality against the other four. And I will say that the movie DOES have SOME good things about it, but doesn't help the movie at all obviously.**** Then of course there's the sweetness of Singer's rebooting of the franchise with "Returns." What can I say, it's that good.

There are good box sets, ranging from the Star Wars trilogy, The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions, the Alien movies, and the Indiana Jones flicks. This box set I can tell everyone is worth every Washington bill. Superhero geeks everywhere will get a kick out of this. Also, the offer for the free posters is SWEET, and I'll be getting that (of course, as soon as I get the disc replacement issue resolved).

There's my review. Now if only my discs can get here soon, I'll be totally thrilled. It may be Superman III which is admittably rather inferior, I still like the Superman VS Clark "tango" a WHOLE LOT!!! However, the original audio I'm eager to hear again in its dated glory.

To whoever reads this review, has the bad set and is waiting patiently like I am, share your thoughts on how you like the set, and how you're doing with getting them replaced and all.

The reviews of this set here almost convinced me not to buy it. I'm glad I didn't pay attention. The set is awesome and absolutely packed with Superman stuff. It's a great value for the price even with the issues on Superman III and on Superman: The Movies - and both those issues were solved by WB before the box even hit. If you want the Superman III extras and the stereo track of the first film then give WB a call and you'll get it.

My tin case was not dented or scratched. All of the discs were in great shape and easy to get to. One reviewer's complaints about the packaging are completely unfounded.

This set has extras littered all throughout. You will need the guide that is in the package. You get all of the Fleischer cartoons, Superman and the Mole-men, some Looney Tunes cartoons that made a bit of fun of Superman, several documentaries, the Donner cut, and all the theatrical releases. There's also the extended Superman from 2000. The price is great for all the goodies - the Ultimate Superman box set. If you are a fan of Superman then this set is a must-have.

Don't listen to the naysayers, the set is great!

What a great collection this is, especially with Richard Donner's version of Superman II. However, my Superman III disc is the bog standard one as previously released, not the deluxe version (with commentary and deleted scenes) despite what the packaging and the label on the disc itself says. I've contact warner brothers and am awaiting their response. Has anyone else noticed this, or is it just my box set? But aside from that, this collection is awesome.