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Info & Idea: Superman Original 1978 Soundtrack Preservation?

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So it looks like the upcoming release of Superman: The Movie, which features the original theatrical cut of the film, won’t be including the film’s original soundtrack from 1978. Instead, the DVD apparently features the 2001 remixed 5.1 soundtrack with re-recorded sound effects, etc. and a 2.0 soundtrack which is simply downconverted from that.

The exclusion of Superman’s original soundtrack has been the issue of some serious groaning since the film’s first release on DVD in 2001 and fans are rightfully outraged that the upcoming sets won’t feature the film’s original audio, as it was originally announced in the press release.

For more details, read here.

What are the chances of preserving the film’s original soundtrack from laserdisc?

Hopefully, these early reports turn out to be wrong and the original soundtrack is really on there. Or hopefully Warners will take measures to recftify this problem.

But if not, isn’t this what we do here at OT.com?

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It has the original sound here in R1 land, from what I understand sooo.....
Cuz I lerk supercinema's forum and one of the people said that it had the original mix??
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Unfortunately, it's been confirmed by people with the DVDs that next week's releases will NOT include the original 1978 mix. Not in R1, not anywhere.
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I recommend sticking close to the Superman Cinema forum. This will be sorted out, and they are to Superman like we are to the OT. And Warner Bros. actually pays attention to that site and listens.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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Just a heads up from those looking to buy the 14-disc Ultimate Superman Collection: it looks like Warners messed up and Superman III in the new set may be the older release from 2001, without the new commentary, deleted scenes, and other extras.

In my opinion, Warners is the best DVD studio out there. But this release sure sounds like a mess. Hopefully they offer disc replacements for the theatrical cut of STM and Superman III.
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I own the Christopher Reeve Superman 9 disc set and my version of Superman The Movie only has the 5.1 soundtrack on it I dont know if it supposed to different for the 14 disc set and my copy of Superman 3 in the set is the new edition with the deleted scenes etc on it that shouldnt be different for the 14 disc set.
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Apparently, they only fouled up with the 14-disc set in regards to the Superman III thing. The Chris Reeve collection includes the correct disc. The 14-disc set does not.

Here's the news from capedwonder.com:

"22 November 2006 -- Contrary to what I was told earlier this year and indicated in yellow in WHV's official press release, the new Superman-The Movie theatrical cut DVD (Region 1) does NOT have the original 1978 sound mix, only the 2001 restoration ("Thau") mix that many of you are very familiar with. I checked both the "English 5.1" selection and the "English" (2.0) selection in the Language menu, and each has the same newer mix. Bill Hunt of DigitalBits.com has confirmed that there's no original mix on his disc. Some WB folks I know are checking into this matter for all regions...I'll hopefully be able to update you soon....."

And:

"The Region 1 Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD box set was shipped with the old 2001 Superman III DVD (old menu without all of the new extras), while the Region 1 Christopher Reeve Superman Collection DVD box set contains the new version of Superman III with the deleted scenes, trailer, making of, etc. Bill Hunt of DigitalBits.com found the same error in his Ultimate box.

I also checked the Superman-The Movie theatrical Cut DVD in both the Ultimate and CRSC boxes, and only the French language has the 1978 original sound mix. So you French speaking fans are in luck! As for the rest of us, well...we'll have to wait and see what Warner Bros. decides to do about it."
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It looks like it might be time for one of us to dig out that old Superman The Movie laserdisc and capture the original sound mix. I think I still have a copy of it somewhere in storage.
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Any updates? I've been waiting for this box set since it was first announced so this is a real disappointment

EDIT: Found this:

http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/daily_planet/news/index.shtml

I REALLY hope we don't need this preservation.
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Originally posted by: chuck88
It looks like it might be time for one of us to dig out that old Superman The Movie laserdisc and capture the original sound mix. I think I still have a copy of it somewhere in storage.

You might be right there, but fingers crossed this technical error is fixed.

That said I've heard the Japanese laserdisc for Superman the Movie has superior sound quality to the US release. So possibly someone with this version could capture the audio and place it over the new theatrical DVD.

Forever a Christopher Reeve Superman Movie Fan.
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From the Digital Bits:

Here's the deal - we've just spoken with Warner Home Video. They ARE going to be issuing corrected discs for both Disc One of the Superman: The Movie - Four-Disc Special Edition (also Disc One of the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition 14-disc set) AND Disc Eight of the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition. Disc One will feature the CORRECT original 2.0 audio track for Superman: The Movie and Disc Eight will feature the new Superman III: Deluxe Edition. ALL of the other discs streeting tomorrow are correct. The mistakes in the Superman: The Movie - Four-Disc Special Edition and the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition were apparently just honest authoring/replication errors - not deliberate decisions - and Warner is already in the process of correcting them. NO recall of existing sets is planned at the moment, but we'll have an 800 number shortly that you can call and arrange to have the corrected discs sent to you via mail. The official statement from Warner will follow shortly, so be sure to check back in a little while.


Good to hear.
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I'm excited that WB did this. See my post in General Discussion for more.

Meanwhile, I still see a LOT of value in preserving a PCM capture of the Japanese LD. Having uncompressed PCM would be great for the purpose of synching to the official DVD. I might even revisit the notion of the Feed the Babies edit using the Theatrical Mix everywhere possible.
I am fluent in over six million forms of procrastination.
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Originally posted by: ShiftyEyes
From the Digital Bits:

Here's the deal - we've just spoken with Warner Home Video. They ARE going to be issuing corrected discs for both Disc One of the Superman: The Movie - Four-Disc Special Edition (also Disc One of the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition 14-disc set) AND Disc Eight of the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition. Disc One will feature the CORRECT original 2.0 audio track for Superman: The Movie and Disc Eight will feature the new Superman III: Deluxe Edition. ALL of the other discs streeting tomorrow are correct. The mistakes in the Superman: The Movie - Four-Disc Special Edition and the Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition were apparently just honest authoring/replication errors - not deliberate decisions - and Warner is already in the process of correcting them. NO recall of existing sets is planned at the moment, but we'll have an 800 number shortly that you can call and arrange to have the corrected discs sent to you via mail. The official statement from Warner will follow shortly, so be sure to check back in a little while.


Good to hear.


This is great news. What about the "color correction" to Superman III that makes the wires visible?