It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman! It’s been 45 years since the powerful son of Krypton traveled from the comics to cinemas with 1978’s Superman starring Christopher Reeve as the titular hero. But even all these years later, it’s this version that remains perhaps the most enduring – and the most influential, not just in the immediate aftermath of the film’s release but into the turn of the 21st century heralded by a treasured execution of the superhero genre.
Directed by Richard Donner, this triumph was fueled by two key aids: Warner Bros. gave Superman the funds it needed to succeed and the entire team treated the subject matter with respect. With this approach, Superman confirmed that superhero movies could be incredibly compelling stories and it was this that opened the floodgates for an unending list of films, shows, games, and so much more. So, what went so right for Superman to fly so others could soar with him?
‘Superman’ was released 45 years ago and its influences are still felt to this day
Hitting U.S. theaters on December 15, 1978, Superman was the perfect storm of remarkable accomplishments and impeccable timing. Something very impactful happened just three years prior to its release: the coinage of the term “blockbuster” film, first sparked by Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. From then on, moviegoers had a film with a fast-paced, action, and scenes that kept audiences chattering far after the credits finished rolling.
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So, Superman arrived, armed to the cape with earnest effort, solid effects, a dreamy hero, and a devious villain you love to hate, checking off many and more boxes of the “blockbuster” rubric.
Adding to its historic qualities was the fact that 1978’s Superman was the first big superhero film, the first time comic book fans would see a beloved character brought so faithfully to the big screen. While that makes it uniquely well-equipped to be an action-packed blockbuster, the film actually dared to start off by taking a step back and letting the characters breathe. In this way, Superman, the first big-scale superhero film, was also the first to give viewers chance to get to know their hero, to care for him, and to feel related to. Dropping right into the action is a popular strategy and has its merits. But Superman 1978 had the benefit of crafting not just a physical journey but a purely emotional one too.
‘Superman’ 1978 spared no expense in all the areas that mattered
For such an unprecedented time as Kal-El’s arrival on Earth and in theaters, Warner Bros. spent an equally unmatched budget of $55 million – all those funds invested into what was essentially completely uncharted territory. For further reference, Movie Web notes, The Empire Strikes Back had a budget of $18 million. Before Superman, 1963’s Cleopatra held the record for the most expensive film at $20 million. That record would stay put for exactly ten years.
Fortunately, that gamble paid off with earnings of $300 million at the global box office. But it wasn’t just the money that Warner Bros. remarkably handed over – though such a choice today feels all the more noteworthy as studios totally abandon even completed projects for tax purposes.
But genuine heart went into every element of production, from the acting to the special effects to the music. The legendary John Williams composed the score, which endures to this day as the very sound of heroism. Spielberg himself would credit the composer for a significant portion of any movie’s magic, saying, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.”
Director Richard Donner allowed for no skimping on any area of production. That also included adapting comic book material, even the larger-scale details like Krypton’s destruction. So, the special effects team was as big as it needed to be and they would see the movie awarded with the Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects. This award doesn’t just give a nod to people who make some pretty lights; it celebrates those who actually make a contribution to the field as a whole, and Superman, the film where “You’ll believe a man can fly” certainly did just that.
Rounding off the recipe for success was the star himself Christopher Reeve. Although not a comic book reader in earnest, he was drawn to the role of Superman for reasons Clark Kent could understand. The idea of taking up a dual role – and the challenges it entailed – intrigued Reeve, who understood, “there must be some difference stylistically between Clark and Superman.” This philosophy saw Reeve manage the task beautifully, so that to this day, when we think of the superb, we see him.
It’s been 45 years since Superman hit theaters and ushered in a new era of filmmaking. But it’s still the lighthouse all look for when they venture out into a new super production. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and the primary producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has admitted that each Marvel creative team will watch Superman 1978 before starting any new project. There resides the groundwork for a tale as old as time and exactly the one that can make you believe anyone can fly.
