The performances of Brando and Stamp were spectacular!!! The looks in the eyes of the villains. The stern pronouncement from the council, the ominous score, it's an absolute classic!!!!!! Never gets old!!!!!!

That mocking expression when Jor-El said “with himself as absolute ruler”. Marlon Brando was a brilliant actor.

R.I.P Richard Donner. The man who paved the way for how all modern superhero movies are made 😔

Out of so many villains in films, General Zod hits the hardest. He has the charisma of a Messiah, and the ruthlessness of a Khan. His speech in this scene is sheer domination.

Terrence Stamp’s acting here is pure brilliance - “YOU WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!”

I don't know about you, but this phantom zone flying thing scared the shit out of me when I was a kid. It looks like a hellish punishment or so.

Stamp's performance goes from menacing to absolute horror as the phantom zone approaches. Still one of greatest comic book movie villains of all time.

The look on Stamp's face as the Phantom Zone approaches!!!!!! Incredible actor!!!

1:12 General Zod and his companions will now perform Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

I saw this in the movie theater when this came out, and as a child, this first scene when they float away in that diamond shaped prison, scared the living daylights out of me.

The fact that Jor-El did not hesitate makes this scene great.

Brando is so good here. Very honest and believable in his delivery. He comes across as very powerful with such simplicity in his performance. Great acting for a comic book movie.

John Williams score is INCREDIBLE

What chilled me as a kid watching this in the cinema was hearing adults crying out, "Forgive me, forgive me..."

To me, THIS Will always be the best Superman movie,,, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp,, and when Christopher Reeve said in an interview “ I just let the suit do the work” you can’t get any more brilliant than that, he was absolutely born for the role as Superman, humble, subtle, but so full of energy, and then to play a clumsy Clark Kent, it’s literally 2 characters in 1 film

You know you're in trouble, when your on trial on the stand inside the Kryptonian hula hoops....

When zod told jor el "you will bow down before me jor el, I swear it". He had enough conviction in his voice to actually make me believe it.

This is such an intense scene, Shakespearian in its high drama. The production design is brilliant, with its minimalist dark and stern aesthetics (the enormous scowling projections of the council members, meant to intimidate). Brando and especially Stamp are effing flawless here. I went to see Superman way back in '79. I lived in a small south Texas town where the latest releases took over a year to make it to the local movie house. I was ten years old. I remember being completely terrified when Gen. Zod and company got eaten up by the Phantom Zone. I was filled with horror. I was a nerdy boy with too much imagination for my own good lol. But in short, this cinematic adaptation of Superman remains the best, in my opinion.

The greatest superhero movie ever made. It’s really hard to explain the impact this film had when it was released. The tag line was ‘You’ll believe a man can fly’ … and at the time, it was absolutely revolutionary. To this day, I’ve never seen a cinema crowd react to a scene like they did when Superman first rescues Lois from the helicopter/skyscraper situation. It was just triumphant and sort of….. joyful. It was also a very big deal to have so many huge names included in the cast. The likes of Hackman, Trevor Howard, Glen Ford, Ned Beatty, Suzanna York, Terence Stamp we’re all big names , but the real coup was Brando. I remember his fee was around six million and that was stratospheric at the time (still pretty big these days!)..but to get him to do a ‘comic book’ movie…? That was a huge deal. It’s also worth pointing out that the score by John Williams is arguably one of, if not the, best he ever composed. The theme is so iconic it is just one of those that’s instantly recognised the moment it starts. Above all though, is a staggering performance from the late great Christopher Reeve. Possibly the most perfectly cast role in movie history, he is just the embodiment of the Superman character and equally and perhaps even more impressively, Clark Kent. Such a great film and to me, it’s the closest to perfection a comic book movie has ever got. 9/10.

The irony is that by banishing them he saved them from destruction for Jorel was the only one who knew Krypton was about to be destroyed even though no one else believed him. By convicting these three he was showing mercy.

I really love how this scene was constructed. So majestic, and so sinister at the same time

Stuck on the front of a late 70s LP front cover for ETERNITY!!!

I like how Ursa at 1:30 steps toward Jor El as to challenge him😊

Terrance Stamp using fear and desperation disguised as anger at it's finest!

Rest in peace Richard Donner. You made my childhood with this movie.

Marlon Brando, Terrence Stamp, Harry Andrew, Sarah Douglas, Jack O Hallaran, Trevor Howard, John Williams and of course Richard Donner's directing made the scene epic. No other comic film comes this close.

I love the cinematography of this scene. The lighting and angles that Richard Donner and Geoffrey Unsworth chose for this scene are wonderful.

It sounded like Zod said "You will bow down before me!! Both You and one day your ASS!!!" But he said heirs 😳

District attorney in the morning, scientist in the afternoon. What a guy!

"WOW" this is World class acting from the late great Marlon Brando & the Legend that is Terence Stamp!!

So simple. But timeless

"The vote must be unanimous, Jor-El. It has therefore now become your decision. You alone will condemn us if you wish. And you alone will be held responsible by me." Jor-El then gives Zod a cold look and activates the communication crystal to summon a Phantom Zone portal to the judgment chamber. Basically, at this moment, Jor-El is asking himself, "Where does this guy get balls big enough to talk to me like that? Does he not see where he is? Does he not understand the severity of the situation? Oh, well. Not my problem anymore. Phantom Zone, they're all yours."

Best Superman movie! Zod still popping shit even at his sentencing! Shows how insane he is. Great acting by Terrance Stamp

Amazing how good Brando was here. His word pronunciation is flawless

3:20 As a kid, I always thought he said "Your ass" haha

Best thing by far about Superman, these three characters. Sarah Douglas and Terrence Stamp, perfect casting

I need further evidence of Ursas perversions to make an accurate judgment.

“YOU WILL BOW DOWN TO ME JOR-EL! BOTH YOU.....AND THEN ONE DAY, YOUR ASS!!!”

Amazing scene. As a child I enjoyed this movie but as I grew up I realized just how brilliant it was.

I like Michael Shannon's Zod, but Terance Stamp's Zod opting to threaten Jor-El in the face of impending doom is one of several reasons why he's the GOAT.

The language of this dialogue is brilliant. Non is a "mindless aberration" of a brute. Ursula is a "sociopath" who threatens children and Zod is the treasonous leader of the "nefarious plot".

One of the reasons critics maintain Brando was the best....calm and relaxed to the most basic level in front of the camera,with an air of authority to boot. As donner once said...’ even though he was expensive,he wasn’t paid enough’

Brando had such a great voice. A jarring change from his interview/regular voice though.

When Jor El is by Marlon Brando...you know you're in trouble.

The tension though when Brando activitated the light on the tip of that wand.

Still the best Superman movie ever! R.I.P Mr Reeves, Mr Brando ect.

This movie is so MAGICAL.

I was hoping for the trio's defense attorney to yell, "Objection, your honor! This is pure hearsay....."

My hats off to Terrence Stamp....An unknown actor at that time going head to head with the Great Brando...WOW....

RIP and long live Marlon Brando (April 3, 1924 - July 1, 2004), aged 80 You will always be remembered as a legend.

*THIS IS ABSOLUTE THE BEST. Totally met my expectations for what great science fiction should be when I was a child!*

Fun fact. The actor playing general zod, Terrance stamp, ended up playing Jor el several decades later in smallville.

I was always amazed by how they filmed that spinning tile effect with them in it in 1977-78

The john williams music is beyond amazing.

This scene is basically God passing judgement on Satan, and casting him out of Heaven for his attempt to set himself up as the new sovereign of Heaven. And Satan's response is to swear revenge on God and Gods Son, Epic stuff! I guess Ursa and Non basically represent the Fallen angels Satan won to his side who fell with him.

That opening track still gets me. Every time.

And this was Brandos first and only take doing this scene. The man was a gifted genius at acting even though he felt it was easy and anyone could do it. He moved and spoke flawlessly in this scene.

2:51 ok right there Marlon Brando looked just like Christopher Reeve! What a perfect casting he was!

"You and for one day.... Your asssss!" surely I'm not only in one who thought that?

Terence Stamps's performance here is superb, his pleas to Jor-El went unheard. Such conviction.

Does anyone else get the chills from those LSO trombones blowing the hell out of their 88Hs in the fist 24 seconds of this? Denis Wick was a badass, plain and simple.

I cant believe this was in the beginning of the first movie. Then they escape in the second movie when everyone forgot about them. I thought it was one of the most brilliant storytelling at the time!!

Still stands up today as one of the best movies of all time. Today's filmmakers couldn't come up with something that looks this good.

Marlon brando made a wonderful Jorel, perfect casting for this movie!

Always felt that Terrence Stamp's portrayal of Zod was truly chilling in this scene ('You alone will be held responsible by me'), but that he was too camp in Superman II

Trapped in an enclosed space with Sarah Douglas sounds perfect! 😍

I remember seeing this as a kid and I confused it with the theatre version, and always believed this scene was in the theatre version. When I first saw this scene as a kid I loved it, and never understood how it wasn't in the original, because I didn't understand that they didn't make 3 hour films back then. Great scene. The glass prison frightened the shit out of me.

I really did forget how much zod was losing his composure. As soon as his offer wasnt taken he jsut starts roaring to everyone. The zod in man of steel shouting about finding Jorels son was pretty on point.

Such a wonderful movie. Christopher Reeve will always be the real Man of Steel to me.

I love the score in the beginning, it's so epic!

And Terence Stamp's comeback was complete. Great actor.

4:44 Lois Griffin: "I don't understand this reference!"

"I WILL MAKE YOU AN OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE." - Jor-El 😊

I do love this scene, despite the confusing editing mistake ... Of course, in the theater back in 1978, this was an absolutely intense and thrilling introduction to Kryptonian civilization...

1:39. "Cut! Cut! Marlon, it's Krypt-ON".

Jor-El may disagree with the Council of Elders like Qui-Gon did with Jedi Order but he too had his principles!!

2:32 , this face expression was channeled perfectly by Reeve several times during the movie(s). Along with the hair twist, they truly seem father and son. They made this movie with a lot of care.

"YOU WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME!!!!!" Still remaining as a strong line

This original Superman is so good.

I always liked those automatic hula hoops around Zod and his cohorts!

What really impresses me is that here's Marlon Brando, who early in his career plays a down and out prizefighter in "On The Waterfront," then years later plays a commanding, authoritative figure here. Quite a journey for his career. Few could have pulled it off as well as he did.

Krypton is very Dark in this 1978 movie. The best portrayal of a doomed planet before its destruction And in this movie it is located in another galaxy billion of light years away from Earth. Makes greater sense

I love the "I will get you for this" look Ursa gives at 1:34

2:11 Was playing this part of the scene while waiting for the Chauvin verdict.

Their uniforms were kind of like "Fleetwood Mac in Space"

I’ve seen zone scarier than that in real life. We call it the Friendzone

3:30 🎶Is this the real life?🎶 🎶Is this just fantasy?🎶 🎶Caught in a landslide,🎶 🎶No escape from reality🎶

Imagine being convicted of a crime and then being told to go live in a giant floating space rectangle.

What a series of movies. These movies were incredible Brando and Stamp were amazing in this movie. And Christopher Reeve was and is always the perfect Superman, no offense to Brandon Routh and Henry Cavil.

Leave it to Brando to be different and call the his home world “kriptin” instead of “Krypton”. Lol

This scared the crap out of me as a kid!

I loved how they showed fear once they realized what the punishment was.

If I was their defense lawyer I'd run out the door shrieking after hearing Jorel's prosecution statements.

John Williams theme is really miraculous, even these days

Eternity in the Phantom Zone with Sarah Douglas! Yes please! 😍😍😍

There have been better made movies in modern days but no one here can deny that this film is what set the entire concept of live action comic book films into motion We wouldn’t have the Nolan trilogy, the MCU, or any of the other stand alone movies that did very well like Joker and The Batman if it wasn’t for this film For a movie made before 1980 this is phenomenal work by the actors and crew It’s alright if you don’t like the movie cause some things are outdated (like seriously) but you can’t deny the significance this film had on the movie industry

Beautiful!

As a kid I always thought Zod was saying "your ass" not "your heirs". I was like... ok .

Non. This, this MINDLESS aberration...

1:27 as a kid I always thought his beard went over his nose lol