Superman (1978 film)
Updated: 12/10/2025, 9:12:06 PM Wikipedia source
Superman (also marketed as Superman: The Movie) is a 1978 superhero film based on the DC Comics character, portrayed by Christopher Reeve. It is the first of four installments in the Superman film series starring Reeve as Superman. The film was directed by Richard Donner and written by Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, and Robert Benton. The film features an ensemble cast including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Margot Kidder, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter and Susannah York. It depicts the origin of Superman, including his infancy as Kal-El of Krypton, son of Jor-El (Brando), and his youthful years in the rural town of Smallville. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered disposition in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane (Kidder) while battling the villainous Lex Luthor (Hackman). Ilya Salkind had the idea of a Superman film in 1973 and, after a difficult process with DC Comics, the Salkinds bought the rights to the character the following year. Several directors, most notably Guy Hamilton, and screenwriters were associated with the project before Donner was hired to direct. Tom Mankiewicz was drafted in to rewrite the script and was given a creative consultant credit. It was decided to film both Superman and its sequel Superman II (1980) simultaneously, with principal photography beginning in March 1977 and ending in October 1978. Tensions arose between Donner and the producers, and a decision was made to stop filming the sequel, of which 75 percent had already been completed, and finish the first film. The most expensive film made up to that point, with a budget of $55 million, Superman premiered at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on December 10, 1978, and was released in the United Kingdom on December 14, and in the United States on December 15. The film was a critical and financial success; its worldwide box office earnings of $300 million made it the second-highest-grossing release of the year. It received praise for Reeve's performance and John Williams's musical score. The film was nominated for Best Film Editing, Best Music (Original Score) and Best Sound at the 51st Academy Awards and received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. Groundbreaking in its use of special effects and science fiction/fantasy storytelling, the film's legacy presaged the mainstream popularity of Hollywood's superhero film franchises. In 2017, Superman was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress's National Film Registry.
Infobox
Directed by
Richard Donner
Screenplay by
mw- Mario Puzo David Newman Leslie Newman Robert Benton
Story by
Mario Puzo
Based on
Supermanby Jerry SiegelJoe Shuster
Produced by
Pierre Spengler
Starring
Marlon Brando Gene Hackman Christopher Reeve Ned Beatty Jackie Cooper Glenn Ford Trevor Howard Margot Kidder Valerie Perrine Maria Schell Terence Stamp Phyllis Thaxter Susannah York
Cinematography
Geoffrey Unsworth
Edited by
Stuart Baird
Music by
John Williams
Productioncompanies
Dovemead Ltd. International Film Production
Distributed by
Columbia–EMI–Warner Distributors (United Kingdom) Warner Bros. (United States)
Release dates
December 10, 1978 (1978-12-10) (The Kennedy Center) December 14, 1978 (1978-12-14) (United Kingdom) December 15, 1978 (1978-12-15) (United States)
Running time
143 minutes
Countries
United Kingdom United States Panama Switzerland
Language
English
Budget
$55 million
Box office
$300 million
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
Academy Awards
Academy Awards
Organization
Academy Awards
Category
Best Film Editing
Result
Nominated
Best Original Score
Best Original Score
Organization
Best Original Score
Category
Nominated
Best Sound
Best Sound
Organization
Best Sound
Category
Nominated
Best Visual Effects (Special Achievement)
Best Visual Effects (Special Achievement)
Organization
Best Visual Effects (Special Achievement)
Category
Won
British Academy Film Awards
British Academy Film Awards
Organization
British Academy Film Awards
Category
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Result
Nominated
Best Cinematography
Best Cinematography
Organization
Best Cinematography
Category
Nominated
Best Production Design
Best Production Design
Organization
Best Production Design
Category
Nominated
Best Sound
Best Sound
Organization
Best Sound
Category
Nominated
Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles
Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles
Organization
Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles
Category
Won
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award
Organization
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award
Category
Won
Golden Globe Awards
Golden Globe Awards
Organization
Golden Globe Awards
Category
Best Original Score
Result
Nominated
Saturn Awards
Saturn Awards
Organization
Saturn Awards
Category
Best Science Fiction Film
Result
Won
Best Director
Best Director
Organization
Best Director
Category
Nominated
Best Actor
Best Actor
Organization
Best Actor
Category
Nominated
Best Actress
Best Actress
Organization
Best Actress
Category
Won
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Organization
Best Supporting Actress
Category
Nominated
Best Costume Design
Best Costume Design
Organization
Best Costume Design
Category
Nominated
Best Music
Best Music
Organization
Best Music
Category
Won
Best Special Effects
Best Special Effects
Organization
Best Special Effects
Category
Won
| Organization | Category | Result | Ref. |
| Academy Awards | Best Film Editing | Nominated | |
| Best Original Score | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound | Nominated | ||
| Best Visual Effects (Special Achievement) | Won | ||
| British Academy Film Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Nominated | |
| Best Cinematography | Nominated | ||
| Best Production Design | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound | Nominated | ||
| Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles | Won | ||
| Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award | Won | ||
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Score | Nominated | |
| Saturn Awards | Best Science Fiction Film | Won | |
| Best Director | Nominated | ||
| Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Nominated | ||
| Best Music | Won | ||
| Best Special Effects | Won |
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