Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition

In most cases, the word “ultimate” used in a DVD title is little more than rank hyperbole, but in the case of the 14-disc Superman: Ultimate Collector's Edition, the term is absolutely accurate. This stunning boxed set contains all four original Superman epics—Superman, Superman II, Superman III, and Superman IV—starring Christopher Reeve, with each film accompanied by bonus discs sporting a dazzling array of supplemental features (Reeve's 1978 series opener, for example, includes three discs' worth of extras). The real “newsmaker” of this collection, however, is Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut. Those who saw the Superman movies on their initial theatrical go-rounds might recall that director Richard Donner shot the first two films back to back. Donner had completed roughly 80 percent of Superman II when producer Ilya Salkind replaced him with British filmmaker Richard Lester, who not only finished the film but also re-shot much of Donner's material—which has now been restored and reedited, so that Superman aficionados can see the second Reeve film (which is widely believed to be the best of the four) as its original director intended. Among the surprises in Donner's cut is a big chunk of footage featuring Marlon Brando, who played Superman's father Jor-El (his scenes for Superman II were jettisoned following a financial dispute with Salkind). The set also includes the two-disc “special edition” of Superman Returns, the feature-length documentaries You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman and Look, Up in the Sky!: The Amazing Story of Superman, as well as Bryan Singer's Journals: Extended Edition, a video diary chronicling the making of Superman Returns. Most of the titles included here are also available separately, with all four theatrical Superman films bundled as well in The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection, an eight-disc set priced at $68.98. Highly recommended. (E. Hulse)