Superman: The Movie | The Magic Behind The Cape | Warner Bros. Entertainment

[@jaichhangani007]

Christopher Reeve was amazing, and is still missed to this day. He is The Only Man Of Steel..and always be Remembered as SUPERMAN

[@shah1783]

Very true indeed !

[@alphamale7631]

I was 10 years old when this movie came to my country Fiji...Being a very very big fan of Superman comics, hearing from my stepfather that he was going to take me to watch the movie at the Anupum theater was like telling a very poor man that he had just won ten million dollars...I was so excited that ran all the away theater to watch the movie forgetting that it was 12km away from home. RIP Christopher Reeves you will always be Superman to me. Thank you for bringing my childhood hero to life.

[@dam1371]

My dad took me to see it in the theater. When Clark pulls his shirt open to see the Superman S under the suit, I stood up in the theater and shouted "Look dad it's superman!!!!" The crowd laughed and cheered. Great memory.

[@fjimenezbotello]

And the magic of Christopher Reeve making The Best Superman of All Times.

[@lukegreen5341]

0:59 It's The 007 Stage At Pinewood Studios In London In England In The United Kingdom. This Is Were The Spy Who Loved Me The 10th James Bond Movie Was Filmed At The Studio. Thanks Mate. X

[@JAZZYLGPRODUCTIONSLLC]

One of the best superhero films of all time!

[@nathancruz9172]

JAZZYLG PRODUCTIONS my favorite first Superman from my childhood.

[@knownpleasures]

And the best special effect they had available was Christopher Reeve himself ☝️⭐️

[@sha11235]

Amazing to look at. That's why this film is a masterpiece.

[@deesparks1061]

Thank you!!!!!! Thank you!!!! This movie was in my 51 years the best one i was 9 when it came out a broken arm being Superman and now i own a Comic store And everything is Superman Rip George R And Christopher R

[@LATINCLASSICSByMiguelito]

Craftsmenship , just amazing work, and love into this project. Magnificent professionals at work, that even a 6 year old was able to feel next to his mom at a New York theather. I named my kid Christopher cause of the energy, kindness, and humanity of our real super man, Mr. Christopher Reeve. May you and your wife rest in peace. #Superman #Unforgetable #RIP #GreatTimesOfChildhoodMemories

[@mervyn.j.boliver7251]

This is the greatest Superman film of all time

[@dam1371]

"You've got me?! Who's got you?!?!" Still one of my all time favorite movies. I get nostalgic watching every time.

[@martinmoore1861]

thank you we loved this movie..and still miss superman.!

[@thomasfleig1184]

I was lucky to be able to see this movie, as well as Star Wars a year earlier, when I was a kid. Nobody had ever made special effects like that before. We are spoiled today with modern movie making, and kids grow up expecting great special effects. However, back then it was magical.

[@leoleoleo688]

It was magical

[@Bwfc-s7n]

Christopher reeve simply brilliant

[@Spike-Prime]

I don't dis people who can make good CGI (though I rarely see CGI as convincing as half the effects in this movie), but man, they had to get damn creative in the 70's to make this, and I really admire them for that. Still, the movie Inception proves that some people are still putting in the effort to create films without getting lazy. Just... so many films are just slapping CGI everywhere and it often times looks shitty and is not as admirable as these guys.

[@we5xz-gt1]

Agreed. Star Wars 4-6 vs. 1-3

[@Delilah.Elizabeth]

Well said.

[@ExpensiveHobbyFilms]

I'm in 100% agreement with you on this

[@Syklonus]

Personally, I think the FX in this movie have dated quite a bit. I still respect them for their innovation, but you can clearly tell it's projection and bluescreen with blurry background plates and some jerky movement here and there. The issue with CGI today is that a lot of directors just don't know when to hold back, and so everything just becomes a mess of speed and unrealistic physics. Flying effects today tend to have no grace, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible with CGI or that it will ALWAYS look bad JUST becasue it's CGI. That's gatekeeping talk. The best flying I've ever seen that is wirework was the Supergirl movie from 1984. So beautiful and choreographed, and that's what the modern films lack. The projection FX were just as ropy though. CGI could be used to great effect for flying sequences, but ONLY if the physics are natural and kept graceful. Wires for near the ground, CGi for high flight. A perfect combination.

[@mistermastermind528]

@@Syklonus yep. CGI is meant to assist, not replace. And that's what many VFX artist appreciate-when filmmakers put out the effort first in creating the physical things as much as possible and they simply add the effects needed.

[@HobbsBhipp]

Thank you very, very much for this timeless unforgetable classic!

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

That fast-running effect was genius, absolute genius. It looks very real

[@edmar720]

I was 7 years old when this Movie Superman came into Philippines back 1979. I remember the very moment still very fresh to my memory that now i am near 50 years old. I beg my aunts, uncles, my parents to go into the movies almost everyday to watch it over and over again. now that I'm here residing in U.S.A. I only wish even just once to meet Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder but they're both passed away.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

I just watched this movie again with my friend a couple of weeks ago. Its really beautiful and I love it. Richard Donner plus Christopher Reeves plus John Williams = Superman.

[@leomelo6172]

Was fantastic make this movie in 1978!

[@da5idnz]

So much work put into it and it really paid off. These Donner movies ARE Superman. Much better than the computer generated CGI stuff in Batman Vs Superman and the like.

[@Alexander-ix2jp]

this.

[@flashy5150]

I agree. The computer stuff is horribly fake looking. I'm proud to have seen the 1978 film when it was released in the theaters. It was an amazing work of art.

[@priteshpatel1312]

da5idnz exactly it requieres a lot more thought

[@Green2Beret]

Superman (Catches Lois falling) - OK 'I've got you - Lois You've got me !! WHO's got YOU !!!! Priceless

[@barryjamesmusicPH]

the time and effort to do these are really unimaginable considering the limitations of technology back then. my hats to all of you who made it possible and timeless! #supermanforever

[@danielyoung6630]

yes they real good job on 78 SUPERMAN THE MOVIE and really good cast and director!

[@louisphng1]

superman, it is a real magic and legend.

[@davidmiranda3788]

No CGI was used in Superman 1 or 2..............the wonder it was so Good!

[@nebularain3338]

You do realise that you see CGI all the time and don't realise it?

[@jonathanhartz4777]

Can I say I have seen Superman over 500 times?!

[@VijayKrishnan]

Christopher Reeve is Superman.

[@annnee6818]

Thanks for sharing this, it's really great to see how much creativity went into this.

[@22medicos]

So much love. Everybody who made ths movie really loved it. Thanks, now I like Superman even more.

[@jeffersonnery4475]

This is by far the best Superman's movie ever. None of the others match.

[@dinomate01]

This was truly awesome seeing how the "Studio Magic" & Talented people in front of & behind the camera made it work so well :) Thank you Warner Bros Entertainment for allowing us to see this !

[@kascnef]

Remember kids, this was back when the only thing computers did was to manage the wires for Superman and anything that can fly. 40 years ago it changed the face of superhero cinema forever.

[@christophergarcia3695]

One thing I wonder about is where do they get the moving background images when superman is flying, such as when he's chasing the rockets or flying around metropolis before seeing the gunmen on the boat.

[@D0S81]

that train perspective thing, wow, painting on glass, i thought it was a big wall painting, but on the glass in front is so clever. imagine what practical special effects would be like now?

[@RowanJColeman]

I am sick and tired of people misunderstanding computer effects. Making FX shots in a computer is f***ing difficult! You have to be extremely artistic as well as technically skilled. You don't just press cntrl+m and get a monster. And just so you know I'm not some guy raised on Transformers movies, I grew up watching things like Superman The Movie.

[@kentuky1233]

I come 10 years from the future to inform you that cgi still looks absolutely horrible.

[@nathancruz9172]

I remember watching this documentary on 📀, when I was a kid.

[@27bankman]

amazing

[@noypijr.1028]

simply amazes me..

[@bluethunder7391]

13:14 still amaze me, looks so natural and real, better than MoS flight scenes.

[@veeseee128]

Terrance stamp would have made a good magneto.

[@carledwardvincent7131]

Terence Stamp would have made a good ANY'thing. Superb actor.

[@fortimeless3299]

Terence Stamp Was Magnificent In Zod Role.The Sommum Of His Art. All The Actors Was Perfect Whitout Exception. Superman 👊

[@nathancruz9172]

WHAT UP? Also, Ian McKellen did a great job as magneto and Gandalf from lord of the rings.

[@TheCarnivalguy]

He made a good drag queen too. 😉

[@carlosa.470]

Saben que ,debieran seguir usando estos efectos para las películas,les quedan mucho mejor que los actuales jaja.Y esos set son puro arte,extraordinarios.

[@josephmackela8466]

I was looking for something like this a few years ago. Thank you.

[@Musiconejo]

The challenges you faced so that we could really believe a man could fly were enormous... But you made it! Thank you Roy Field. And thank Crhistopher Reeve, of course... the man that could fly... I miss him... ='(

[@kevindouglas6120]

What's funny is that I still prefer the movie here over the ones being made now.

[@stewsretroreviews]

Amazing how they did all these brilliant effects back in the 70s.

[@MrEdongzki]

how time changed and technology made the life of everyone easier..i can do this in my laptop using adobe,on my own..back then they are using big machine,like that optical printer...:)

[@RogerMitchell-ef8wb]

Absolutely astounding work.

[@dinomate01]

Thanks for posting this :) It really showcases the pioneers went to through to make us believe a Man could Fly :)

[@damienthorne861]

Incredible genius all around

[@chipmcshoulder3798]

My Great Uncle Roy. Thanks for the upload, haven't heard his voice for years.

[@juhahmuh]

Do you know if he kept any memorabilia from the set?

[@blausmedia53]

I don't think so. Nothing in his house I can remember. He mainly dealt with film and miniatures.

[@xtraflo]

This Superman was 'Brave'

[@will4ward]

This movie had real heart, even though some of effects look crude today , the helicopter crash is a marvel of VFX sleight of hand. I wish they had fixed some of the crappier fx shots for a directors cut! Apparently,extra shots were made last minute by lees talented folks,

[@robertoneill1979]

10 years old, witnessing Superman rescue Lois Lane then catch the plummeting helicopter. My heart❤️😍

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

I have no idea what I'm looking at @0:32 (???)

[@PrimitiveBaroque]

This stuff inspires me.

[@Moledmc]

This was great!

[@ryan8211982]

at 14:51, late oscar winning Visual Effects Front Man Roy Field showed us the front projection technique for Superman's flight. that led to a camera system invented and designed by Zoran Perisic called The Zoptic Camera System.

[@027220]

3:22 - :30 Kinda like the crystal skulls. That's 'amazing.'

[@d-rzarkocubrinoski]

They could only make the young Clark running scene better, the rest of it is impeccable.

[@027220]

Look. Don't get me wrong. The old effects are great. But you can't blame them for trying, which they've done very well from time to time.

[@radioflyer68911]

But how did they do that spinning ring thing that they (Zod and his goons)stood in inside of?

[@barfman7767]

I always wondered the same thing bud. Here is my best guess.... they welded the two rings together. For the spinning effect, they used either a turn table (but the actors inside the ring had to remain stationary)or they used a motor with gears (the lower ring that is touching the floor) below the floor to make it spin.

[@DebjyotiZ]

barfman7767 Hey I was wondering the same thing too

[@thomasfleig1184]

Seriously? I could make that effect in my garage with 2 hula hoops.

[@JustinLodes]

2 hula hoops conned on one side ande spinning on a rotational ring around them at the base?

[@lancer525]

Easy. It's two aluminum rings, welded together at a 45 degree angle. Opposite that weld, the lower ring is welded to another ring embedded in a turntable ring in the floor. Inside the turntable ring is the stationary circular base where the actors stand, and outside the turntable ring is regular floor. It's a very interesting effect, and the most difficult part is aligning the rings so they don't wobble. Watch it in slow-mo at .25% and you'll see.

[@vassa1972]

Totally awesome

[@we5xz-gt1]

Awesome!

[@ryan8211982]

At 14:51, Late oscar winning VFX Supervisor Roy Field showed us the Front Projection technique used for Superman The Movie which led to the Zoptic Systems invented by Zoran Perish.

[@paulbadoo9326]

The visual effects were amazing for its day, but the one who actually made them work was Reeve. IMHO, his was actually an academy award nomination worthy performance. Two completely opposite characters, one of them could fly, and both were totally believable. No Reeve, no movie.

[@HarveyBacktheBeatles]

I honeslty didn't even know that hand rotoscoping even existed for wires back then. I mean I was blown away by the flying footage because I had always wondered how wires were removed before cgi removal.

[@DelightLovesMovies]

Warner Bros please pay attention. The wire flying looks so much more natural than the CGI flying.

[@buhe1]

These guys make this generation of special effects makers with their computers seem super-lazy.

[@vidimur1977]

Well said. Very much test and experimentation.

[@nebularain3338]

So you've worked in digital effects then? I mean, you must have in order to make that statement. Who do you think creates the complex software? Not to mention that you still need the artistic flare to make the effect. Or do you seriously think it's all just done at the push of a single button? Undermining an entire industry just to make some boomer-level comment is real low hanging fruit.

[@TMGMedia73]

@@nebularain3338 I've worked in digital effects and in comparison to building detailed miniature models, it's definitely easier. Nothing worse than watching a movie shot on green screen with computer graphics added later on. It's very lazy and cost cutting to boot. Movies used to take years to produce, now only takes months, thanks to CGI.

[@toniodotcom]

Star Wars - Superman - Terminator 2 - Jurassic Park - Avatar

[@damienlong3009]

I love WB

[@sammylane21]

Zod from this version reminded of my old High School Drama Teacher.

[@damone70]

Nobody cares

[@hunkmarvel8925]

15:00 explains front projection very well.

[@koolaid28]

cool, I was born the year Superman hit the theatre

[@nurz33]

omg supermannnn!!!

[@ryan8211982]

at 12:16, another flying test footage shows a Dummy of Christopher Reeve in a Superman Costume against a blue screen.

[@billhoskoformayorofsaintpa1295]

Bravo

[@jamoss2007]

First Samsung Tablet design, 10:27 😉

[@027220]

If you remember it, it's never gone.

[@markleneker9923]

Shows how effective "hard negative" work (still) is.

[@xtraflo]

The only problem with effects are that these creators didn't count on future - digital technology that would expose the inconsistencies with the background screen. The days of VHS and Large Projection made this movie look much more convincing..

[@billgreen3138]

very cool

[@mr.adventure0142]

9:05/23:42 This was exactly the same effect with a big Hockeymask for the titlescene of "Friday the 13th Part V".

[@buka.a]

Bruh, even for 2020...these effects and techniques still stand on their own. Talk less even of the 70's. These people were far ahead of their time with these effects. That's why watching the movie is not as corny as watching the 90s Mortal Kombat movies. How does one even think of all these things! These things were really hard to do.

[@hugo864]

No hay alguna versión en Audio Latino? Es muy interesante este Reportaje de Superman de como se Filmo

[@Bill23799]

I imagine the biggest challenge was getting Marlon Brando's head and ego to fit inside the Fortress of Solitude.

[@raneceddecena6165]

yes, christopher reeve superman is the best all time for superman the movie.

[@rajithwarren529]

LOL at 'Another damn test' Hahaha!

[@rgerber]

just a small nitpick but whenever they show(ed) water running in miniatures the dimensions look wrong giving it away- why i wonder, didn't they use a different medium (maybe alcohol) that has a thinner fluid dynamic- so the droplets scale correctly

[@serwinzzalot9989]

Better than cgi or blue/green screen roto work

[@timm2020]

Artist today don't know the struggle for vfx. Even in my day they were hard to make.

[@HundleysOnABirdDiet]

800th like

[@alexadame436]

young clark running looks like shaggy

[@RowanJColeman]

Do you know how hard creating FX shots in a computer actually is? You take a stab at learning Maya 3D and see how far you get.

[@socksincrocks4421]

The special effects were nothing without the SoundTrack. HollyWood would be nothing without John Williams.

[@honeytgb]

It always felt like they drew the Superman comics in the likeness of Christopher Reeves.

[@D0S81]

i remember blue screen being in everything i watched years ago, but why use blue, why not green screen back then? the blue screen seems to give everything this weird outline, but the green doesnt seem to? are there no other colours you can use for super imposition that would work better?

[@mikesmovingimages]

Depending on the exact process, blue was used to produce a reverse matte by processing the shots into into high-contrast black and white (the blue screen area would be clear, most everything else would be black). This would be used in the optical printer as part of combining the various elements. The blue fringe would be caused by carelessness, inadequate stability in the optical printer or in the original photography, or increased graininess in the stock image due to multiple passes in the optical printer. Video processes color differently than film stock. The weird green is chosen because it is unlikely to appear in other parts of the set or in skin tones. The green is electronically removed, creating the equivalent of the transparent space that the blue screen would produce , which is then filled with the background image.

[@027220]

It works perfectly, too since anyone in her place would react the same way.

[@reddragonstudios1]

fun fact - The Optical Printer was considered the After Effects we have today

[@royjones8312]

Imagine if, instead of changing over to cgi for most effects shots in films, the vfx industry had continued to perfect the methods seen here and in other movies. I’m guessing it would have been better than the cgi fests we have now.