What bugged me as a kid of either version, was his treck as a regular human to the Arctic. No gloves, no nothing and a fall jacket. And hes fine, no frostbite, no nothing.

Kneel before ZOD, best movie line ever

I love both versions of the movie. Even though the Donner Cut has a great epic feel, I still have an attachment to the theatrical version

With very few exceptions, studio/producer interference is the #1 cause for a movie's problems. The Salkinds are the main villains in the first four Superhero films.

Stamp was some hella gifted casting. He scared the crap out me as a kid.

I loved the fact Superman's mom was in the film. It made sense. Of course, he would want a connection to his mom.

Christopher Reeve: "This whole project is feeling really dysfunctional." The Cannon Group: "Hold our beers."

No disrespect to any other actors intended, but Christopher Reeve was, is, and will always be THE DEFINITIVE SUPERMAN.

RIP Richard Donner, you deserved better..One of the greatest filmakers ever..

The Donner cut is interesting to see once but it will never replace my love for the original Superman II

Oh yes, I so remember how excited I was to see the Donner Cut. Was it worth the wait? Yes and no. I loved the more serious tone of the film and thought Donner's versions of scenes that were reshot by Lester looked like more time was spent on them, ringing of the production values of the original film rather the more slackened approach by the theatrical cut. The nos are longer though. I didn't like the far too swift Lois throwing herself out the window scene to prove Clark Kent was Superman. I agree entirely that it made her look insane, she doesn't even hesitate. In the Niagara Falls scene, when she takes Clark's glasses off and catches a glimpse of him without them, she shrugs it off at first like she imagined it. It took the supporting incident of Superman saving someone while Clark was nowhere to be seen to truly convince her. I preferred the more drawn out scene of Lois being carried away on a torrent and Clark/Superman having to think fast how he can help her subtly without changing. I perhaps could have done without the cartoonishly stupid music while Clark was pushing up his glasses and saying, 'Sorry,' at the end of that scene. I didn't like her shooting him with a gun, even if they were blanks, while the distracting glasses swap continuity error (which they did warn us about to their credit with a title card) keeps occurring and distracting me. The idea that a bumbling Clark Kent could accidentally trip over the pink bear and lose his glasses in the fire, then have to quickly recover them, was very fitting for the character of Clark Kent, at least how Reeve portrayed him. Something I don't think was mentioned in the video was that Donner always said that no-one spoke to him about the budget, he took as much time as he thought he needed to get it right. The Salkinds though didn't like how much time he took. Richard Lester was reknowned for being able to shoot quickly and on the fly. He would set up multiple cameras to get two or three shots at once (which of course would limit your range with lighting, and essentially defocus the whole effort). If there was a bit of camera shake so what? That's Hollywood, let's move on. In truth I think they didn't like the fact that Donner essentially insisted on final cut, that every decision made would go through him. I think they were expecting to have creative input themselves - you know, like the studio executive who once suggested that Back to the Future be retitled to 'Spaceman from Pluto'. Someone who thinks they're creative but actually doesn't have a clue. Lifelong Reeve Superman film fan here, in case you didn't notice. Do a video like this for Superman III and I'll write a longer essay on why I even love that film. I don't love IV though, but Street Smart (1987) is really good, a young(ish) Morgan Freeman is in it. Give it a watch, it was the reason Reeve did IV.

After seeing the Donner cut years ago I realized Lois shooting Clark contradicts the seen in Superman 1 where Lois and Clark are mugged in the alley and Superman seeing and catching the bullet shot by the mugger ,Superman should have seen Lois shooting a blank.

I like parts of both versions of Superman 2, but I have to admit both versions are very flawed and neither movie works as a complete whole like the first movie. If Donner had been able to complete his original vision, Superman 2 could have been just as great as The Godfather Part 2. As it is parts of both versions end being very uneven.

Everyone complains about Superman killing Zod in Man of Steel yet he killed Zod in Superman II and Zod was a HUMAN with NO POWERS.

I saw this in the theatre at seven years old and I can tell you five out of five stars and I love Christopher Reeve forever!

Good info, dude. Comprehensive coverage. Nice work!

The real reason why Superman 2 is a good film is because of Richard Donner. Richard Lester was a terrible choice for this movie. Darn you Salkinds! 😤😡

I am a fan of both the Donner and Lester cuts . They both have a unique feel . Still have sentimental connection to the theatrical cut . Will never forget seeing in for the first time in June 1981 .

If I had Thanos’s gauntlet, I would snap the Lester Cut out of existence and bring a fully completed Donner Cut that would have a much better opening and ending shot by Donner, as well as an OFFICIAL Superman II score composed by John Williams, Also I’d bring into existence the intended Richard Donner Superman III movie that would’ve included Brainiac ! Also composed by Jedi Master Williams ! 😂

If anyone wants the clue whether a moment is a Donner scene or a Lester reshoot or scene in general, Zod is the key. If Zod in a scene has short hair, it's a Donner scene; a little bit longer hair on Zod, that's a Lester scene.

It's a shame that the modern movies are so bad. They have the technology to show Superman in a realistic way, but the stories and ideals are counter to the spirit of Superman. This was the best superhero movie of all time.

Having Jack O'Halloran, Gene Hackman, Sarah Douglas and Terence Stamp as the villains in "Superman 2" is nothing short of fantastic : not many "first sequels" are liked, this one is brilliant. Conflicts aside, this one shows that Kent/Superman at his most vulnerable and ready to leave that life behind (think of No Time To Die and you get the picture) and a dire threat to the world emerges, with him being the only one to stop it. I'm guessing the $190,000,000 box office sales in 1980/1981, is over a billion dollars - adjusted for inflation today, the 1983 movie steered away from those events in the first couple of features. Too bad "Quest For Peace" was manhandled by a near bankrupt Cannon Pictures - reducing that $36m budget to $17m with Superman is pure sacrilege - nowadays it's a different way of life altogether. Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve: thank you for dedication to a timeless classic, may you rest in peace.

This one is my favorite of the original Superman movies.

ever see T. Stamp in THE LIMEY

Superman's mother is not called Lara El. Her name is Lara Lor Vann. Kryptonian women have their father's name as their surname. Even when married.

I always thought that was JW Pepper as the deputy in the town that Zod took over. There by putting James Bond in the Superman universe.

I was scrolling through tv channels with my mom recently and we saw "Superman II: Richard Donner Cut" and we were like.. what does that mean?? We decided to watch it, and it was so interesting for both of us trying to figure out everything that was different, since neither of us had seen the theatrical version in a long time. We were like halfway into the movie we realized "Hey, she never went to the Eiffel Tower!" I did like the scene with her shooting the gun at him more than her throwing herself into the river though. I'm not sure which one I prefer. I'd like a little of each to make my own movie.

As a kid the actual live action super human fights were so thrilling! And the murder of the astronauts always freaked me out lol.

Love Christopher Reeve may he rip 🤟🤟

Superman 2 is also another good example of comic bleedback. Zod in the comics didn't look anything like Terence Stamp, but his portrayal was so iconic that it became the go to look, much like how elements of Frank Gorshin's Riddler from the Adam West Batman were adapted into the comics.

I preferred the theatrical version as it seemed more epic in scope. Like superman scene in Paris. I think superman getting advice from his mother was better than the Joe el scene. Why? Because discussing marital issues to a human being I thought was better between a mother and a son. Also when Clark returns to the fortress to get his powers back and when he see just ruins and all hope lost we see the green crystal light up again and he picks it up. The audience not knowing did he or not get his powers back until we see him next saying care to step out side is better. Leave it to the audience imagination rather than watching a scene with Joe el beaming his powers back which I thought was kinda corny

Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, and Jack O’Halloran are MVP’s. They bring so much as General Zod, Ursa, and Non.

Donner’s version is far superior, everyone knows the rules.

Christopher Reeve we love you man.

Best contribution: not only was General Zod changed to be more like Terrance Stamp, but Ursa and Non were eventually retconned into canon as well

The S throw I saw as a enhancement made because he is in the Fortress. Maybe the Fortress increases his power. Then again the amnesia kiss I grew to hate.

13:20 "Thankfully Williams' score was reused for the Donner Cut" That's not necessarily a good thing. The music was hacked to pieces, often with awkward edits, and they kept using one music cue over and over and over. Even with a reduced orchestra, Thorne's music was a better adaptation on a scene for scene basis.

POTUS, kneeling: "Oh god" Gen. Zod, standing: "That's Zod" Total Chad

The ONE thing that confuses me is. Why does Clark give up his powers to be with Lois? What's going to happen if he keeps them and stays with Lois? "He can't be Superman and spend time with lois" What about the time he has as Clark Kent? Why not use THAT time to spend with her? And if he has to leave her to save people, she understands, she's a big girl. Plus if Superman were to die of old age (keep in mind, to my knowledge, it hasn't been istablished in this movie that superman is immortal) then the Kryptonian race would cease to exist. That's a big burden for Superman to bare, being the last of his kind. This one moment in the movie is a whole level of dumb.

I like the theatrical version more and it will always be my prefered way to watch. It just works better as a movie

Thanks again JoBlo for another fact filled and entertaining video.

If Donner was a sith he would have killed off the producers at Warner's in the 80s lucky for them he's a peaceful kind man, and not Darth Donner!!!

The Donner Cut is a cool novelty, but I'm not sure I can say it's better the theatrical cut. Wouldn't say it's worse, though, either. Both films have their flaws for sure, but the Donner cut just has too much missing and is too cobbled together for it to exceed the theatrical version. What an absolute shame Donner did not stick around for for not only Superman II, but any other sequels that would have come. The quality of the series no doubt would have been much better then what we got.

I would of had Lex Luthor killing General Zod in the oval office by shooting the three super villains with Kryptonite bullets then Luthor put Kryptonite bling on the three of them like he did to Superman. Lex Luthor becomes a national hero even getting a presidential pardon for his crimes and everyone in Metropolis turns on Superman along with the rest of the world

So basically Superman II is the BvS of the classic super hero movies: A project made by director that got screw over by the producers

excellent breakdown of the huge superman 2 kerfuffle, I liked both versions but I preferred the Donner cut, the slap stick parts in the theatrical cut were just too much at times. great video

Bottom line is...Lester killed the Superman franchise for almost 20 years. Way to go the Salkinds!

I prefer the Theatrical Cut it has a more finished feel I do like the Jor-el stuff in Superman 2 Donner cut what idont like is box sets replaced the Theatrical cut with Donner cut and it's like you have to have the Theatrical cut and put the the Donner cut as a Bonus Disc

Brilliant video! Thanks for this beautiful narrative!

Always had the hots for the zod lady sidekick.

Kneel before Zod!

In Latin America during the 80's when school was not in session, the Superman movies were a staple of TV..... They would play them constantly as they knew kids were not in school...... Same with The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka and Tron.....

Well, he IS Superman. Maybe a super-human tolerance to extreme temperatures is just an undiscovered power?

Superman 2 the film that messed with brain. Superman has powers! Zod is a warrior with powers! Superman loses his powers and gets beat up by a truck driver! Superman gets powers back and fights three warriors with same powers as him. Same with man of steel. Zod is an expert in fighting. Yet can't beat superman who has no fighting skill just power. So as equals zod is more capable.

One of the best movies ever made. Outstanding. ❤️ This movie forever.🎃🍕🇺🇲

I like both versions.

Need to see the Donner Cut.

I remember Superman discovering he could walk through walls (without destroying them) in the TV show. I don't know if it was in the comics or not.

I love both versions, even that very different. None is perfect though, for the perfect version of this film I would pick some things of Donner Cut and some of the theatrical cut to create the perfect Superman II. What worked better for me in Donner's Cut : This cut features several more compelling choices than the theatrical, among them are the way Lois finds out that Clark is Superman, Lex learning about the Kryptonians, the fight in Metropolis and how Superman defeats Zod at the end. But this version has a huge problem that is the ending. It ends almost identical as in the first film, Superman turning the Earth backwards to go back in time. And this is absolutely LAME ! This makes ZERO sense, cause basically everything that happened during these two hours never happened, the relation that Clark had with Lois, how they learned about each other, how they felt in love and the progression of this relationship basically never existed. It makes me really disappointed... I know, in the theatrical cut Lois forget about almost everything as well, but it's not as bad than saying everything we saw during these two hours didn't really mattered. But anyway, this is a great Superman film (even with the stupid ending) and it's an absolutely classic no matter what and I'm extremely happy that Donner got his cut released, cause It's his film, his vision and every director should see his vision on screen, not what the studio thinks it's better.

Lois using Blanks is WAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY better than Lester's garbage version where Clark trips into the fire... The blanks actually make Lois look intelligent, that she did figure it out... not by accident from Clark tripping.

I like both versions of Superman II. Neither sequel is perfect, but there's plenty to enjoy. Would the movie have been better if Donner and Mankiewicz completed their vision, 100%. But its trouble production is now part of film history. I think the film would have been more satisfying if it was ahead of its time and pulled a Spider-Man 2. Have Lois and Clark be a couple and not negate their established relationship. Just let them be a couple and have them deal with the relationship challenges in further sequels. It would have given Reeve and Kidder some great dramatic and comedic material to work as the series progressed.

I only watched the donner cut recently. Loved it.

One big change not mentioned was the Donner cut doesn't show Clark and Lois bedding down together.

KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!! Rembering this movie previews on TV and was mindblown, saw it in the theater as a 8 year old and didnt understoot the half of it, but there was Superman fighting the bad guys.

JoBlo, what is with your sudden decision to interrupt your videos two minutes in to beg for subscriptions? Please don't turn into WhatCulture. I like JoBlo because it's usually intelligent and straightforward without a lot of Zoomer ADHD fooferaw.

The Donner Cut improves almost everything... Except for the ending. He reverses time AGAIN??? And erases the entire movie from existence?

Christopher Reeves on "Monsignor" was awesome. LOL

This narrator sounds like Pee-Wee's voice dub in Big Adventure "paging Mr. Herman, you have a telephone call at the front desk"

I disagree with the end scene and the bully trucker. That guy was not a sweet fellow before he met Clark and going back in time wouldn't change that. True he didn't know who Clark was but to me it serves as putting the guy in his place.

Despite this version being great, I prefer the Donner Cut. It feels like a continuation of the first film and the vibe is the same. And although there are fun parts, I prefer the campiness to be absent, like in Donner's version.

People hype of the Donner cut, but need to realize he didnt even finish the film how he wanted...

WB seems to have a history of this then... Wont they learn?

Ubvermensch's sigil isn't cellophane. It's Golden Smart DNA. The Donner cut is ridiculous.

WB will never learn. Now we're stuck with whatever shit that spews from the Flash when we could have Zack Snyder's Justice League 2 and 3.

The scene at the beginning when the villain kryptonians kill the astronauts on the moon gave me nightmares for YEARS when I was a kid. A pretty horrible way to go if you ask me.

You guys are completely off about the production of SUPERMAN II: THE DONNER CUT, and who helmed and produced it. It was Michael Thau, and NOT Bryan Singer who was the producer of S2:TDC, though Bryan took advantage of the unearthed footage. And it was not easy to put it together. I know because I'm friends with both Michael Thau (we produced a movie together) and Robert Meyer Burnett (the documentarian of SUPERMAN RETURNS), and I participated in both projects.

I grew up on Theatrical version, which is still my favorite cut of the film.

The Donner Cut never got enough money pumped into it. There are better fan edits online

I’ve just never been able to accept anyone other than Reeves as Superman. Try as I might.

I still hate that he kneeled to Zod

Wow Australia getting a film 6 months ahead of the US back in the 80s. Amazing.

Throwing the plastic "S" was so stupid

*_"MISS TESSMACHERRRRRRR!!!"_*

Zod is the single greatest acting performance ever. Even better than lex luthor

The only two things that bother me about The Donner Cut are: 1) that Superman and Lois get intimate before he loses his powers, and 2) that Superman once again resorts to turn time back by the end. Aside from those two things, it is the better film out of the two. Still, the Theatrical Cut isn't a bad film.

It never would have made sense for the spinning the world backwards in both films. If Donner had stayed on, I'm sure they would have come up with a different ending. They actually stole that idea to use it in the first movie. Can't remember what that ending was supposed to be instead, but I'm sure even the first film would have been better had the producers not decided to rush it out.

Michael Keaton is Beetlejuice. Everything else is an imitation.

I still haven't watch the Donner Cut, it is on my list. As a kid did loved the theatrical cut of course ;-)

I remember going to the movies to see this movie when I was a kid. Love the fight scene in New York City. Which of course was all practical effects using giant fans to throw cars. You already know if they did this scene nowadays it would be CGI.

With the hit Donner had helped the movie become, I'd have thought they'd have put up with him again long enough to get a second gem made. It probably would've led to a better 3rd movie too making an actually worthy 3rd. Though I do think I prefer the theatrical ending. I just wish Reeve had gotten to teamup with Keatens Batman. Hopefully the new comic, Superman '78 will cross with Batman '89, or at least not take the sad sequals' paths

This Joblo, narrator guy.... I heard he learned the English language under the tutelage of Microsoft Sam..... I believe it

Nice vid brother. Looks like super heroes can´t defeat the greatest vilain of all: The Super EGO of directors and executives.

The theatrical version is superior, and feels complete. Donner Cut, while interesting, is full of awkward editing and test footage. They somehow made the greatest comic book film of all time (even in 2021) into a mediocre movie. Editing can make or break a movie, and there's the proof. The theatrical version IS the REAL Superman II. Oh, and CW's Crisis crossover brought Superman III and IV back into canon. Returns is Superman V. I accept that 100%.

This narrator rules!

Man. This is like a semi Bizzaro world version of what happened with Justice League.

I love how the angrier General Zod gets, the more Terence Stamp's cockney accent comes out: "You will bow down before me! You CAAHHHNT!"

I definitely prefer how Lois finds out and uses blanks as opposed to Clark tripping and falling into a fire. That’s dumb. Why would Clark do this!?

Well... The Donner cut is kind of incomplete. Even though the theatrical cut has a lot of slapstick and isn't as grandiose as the first movie, I kind of prefer it. At least is a complete film with some good ideas - one or two of them better than Donner's, I'm afraid - and some bad ones. It's a mixed bag either way.

I´ve found the Donner Cut a botched job, released to milk the cash cow's last drops and the same goes for the snooze fest the was the forgettable Superman Returns. I understand the reasons why much of the crew and cast disliked the change, but it's not as if Richard Lester had no talent or the Salkind's were stupid: does anyone DISLIKE the theatrical version of Superman 2 ?

Some inaccuracies but overall an enjoyable vid.