OVERALL: R1

The US 14 disc release for the most extras, though note the exclusive 14th disc includes extras solely for "Superman Returns".

General notes about the film:

Richard Donner was shooting Superman: The Movie and Superman II simultaneously in 1977. A decision was made to put off all remaining filming for Superman II until all the footage for the first film was complete.

However, upon completion of the first Superman movie, Richard Donner was fired by the film’s producers. Director Richard Lester took over as director. Lester not only filmed scenes that Donner was unable to complete (the Metropolis battle for instance), but he also re-shot many scenes that Donner had already filmed. This was mostly done on the producer’s part to prevent Donner from getting a Director credit on the film. Many key elements and scenes were changed and re-written needlessly. Perhaps the most famous of all changes, was the removal of all key scenes involving Marlon Brando. Brando would not allow his footage to be shown in Superman II due to legal issues which have since been settled. The entire opening for Superman II was also re-done.

Gene Hackman also did not return after learning of Donner’s firing. Despite the fact that his scenes were complete for Superman II, he was asked back for needless re-shoots. Hackman refused, and instead they used a body double and hired a Hackman impersonator for voice over work.

It has been determined that approximately 70% of Superman II was shot by Richard Donner. However, only 30% of Donner’s footage appeared in the theatrical version of the film because of the various changes and re-shoots.

(Source: Tom Brennan)

More info: http://supermancinema.co.uk/superman2/general/extended_versions/index.htm

Information on differences between the theatrical version and the Richard Donner cut can be found at Movie-Censorship.

CUTS:

• R1 14-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition America- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version and The Richard Donner Cut.
• R1 2-Disc Special Edition America- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Theatrical version (127:20 NTSC).
• R1 Richard Donner Cut America- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Richard Donner Cut (115:42 NTSC).
• R1 Single Disc America- Warner Home Video - No cuts - Theatrical version (127:22 NTSC).
• R2 Germany- Warner Home Video - No cuts (122:21 PAL)
• R2 13-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Germany- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R2 3-Disc Special Edition Germany- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R2 13-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Holland- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version and The Richard Donner Cut.
• R2 3-Disc Special Edition Holland- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version and The Richard Donner Cut.
• R2 Single Disc Holland- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Theatrical version.
• R2 13-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Portugal- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version and The Richard Donner Cut.
• R2 Single Disc Scandinavia- SME/Atlantic Films - No Cuts. Theatrical version (127:12 NTSC->PAL).
• R2 Spain- Warner Home Video - No cuts (122:21 PAL)
• R2 13-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Spain- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R2 3-Disc Special Edition United Kingdom- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R2 Single Disc United Kingdom- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Theatrical version.
• R4 13-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition Australia- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R4 3-Disc Special Edition Australia- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Includes both Theatrical Version (122:15 PAL) and The Richard Donner Cut (111:06 PAL).
• R4 Single Disc Australia- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Theatrical Cut (122:15 PAL).
• R4 Single Disc Brazil- Warner Home Video - No Cuts. Theatrical version.

Do you own a release not listed? Then please visit our forums and let us know!

Comparison added by Adrian_Busby on 13/10/01
Comparison last updated by James-Masaki_Ryan on 09/06/21

UPDATE LOG:

02/04/11: Addition of UCEs and The R2 Holland Christopher Reeve collection and major clean-up.
18/01/14: Addition of the Australian UCE.
09/06/21: Added Germany x3, Spain x2.