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Superman - The Movie Soundtrack

Imported ed.

Reissued, Remastered

John Williams (Composer) Format: Audio CD
4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings
Price
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Audio CD, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, December 15, 1978
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— $110.00

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1 Prelude and Main Title March
2 Planet Krypton, The
3 Destruction of Krypton
4 Star Ship Escapes
5 Trip to Earth, The
6 Growing Up
7 Death of Jonathan Kent
8 Leaving Home
9 Fortress of Solitude, The
10 Welcome to Metropolis
11 Lex Luthor's Lair
12 Big Rescue, The
13 Super Crime Fighter
14 Super Rescues
15 Luther's Luau
16 Planet Krypton (Alternate), The
17 Main Title March (Alternate)

Disc: 2

1 Superman March (Alternate)
2 March of the Villains, The
3 Terrace, The
4 Flying Sequence, The
5 Lois and Clark
6 Crime of the Century
7 Sonic Greeting
8 Misguided Missiles and Kryptonite
9 Chasing Rockets
10 Supefeates
11 Super Dam and Finding Lois
12 Turning Back the World
13 Finale and End Title March
14 Love Theme from Superman
15 Can You Read My MInd (Alternate performed by Margot Kidder)
16 Flying Sequence/Can You Read My Mind, The
17 Can You Read My Mind (Alternate Instrumental)
18 Theme from Superman (Concert Version)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This release features 25 tracks on 2 CD's packed with almost 2 1/2 hours of score! Plus, includes 112 previously unreleased tracks, and 13 more contain previously unreleased material.

Amazon.com

Released during the era of leisure suits and pet rocks, the film Superman: The Movie has aged about as well. But the often-clumsy charms of Richard Donner's cartoonish, hit-and-miss take on the Man of Steel was blessed with at least one superlative artistic effort: John Williams's epic score. The composer's Oscar-nominated music (coming on the heels of Star Wars and Close Encounters) was a wall-to-wall heroic symphony, rife with memorable melodies and ominous arrangements. Almost every original cut on this soundtrack appears in an expanded version, supplemented by nearly a dozen previously unreleased cues and alternate takes. Featuring a deluxe slipcase and extensive, new liner notes, this is the definitive release of one of Maestro Williams's greatest scores. --Jerry McCulley

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.51 x 4.96 x 0.55 inches; 5.22 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Rhino/Wea Uk
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ 75874
  • Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 1978
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 2 hours and 23 minutes
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ December 7, 2006
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Rhino/Wea Uk
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000046PVN
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 2
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 299 ratings

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
299 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the soundtrack's poignant melodies and consider it the ultimate "Superman" movie soundtrack, with one noting it's John Williams' best work. The score receives positive feedback, with one describing it as an absolute classic work of orchestral genius. Customers find the music wonderfully exciting and worth the purchase, with one highlighting the comprehensive track list that includes several previously unreleased pieces. They appreciate the sleeve, with one mentioning the cool booklet enclosed.

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Sound qualityScore qualityMusic qualityValue for moneyExcitementSleeveTrack list
31 customers mention "Sound quality"28 positive3 negative

Customers praise the sound quality of this soundtrack, particularly noting the original score by John Williams and its poignant melodies. One customer mentions that the music is great for long trips, while another appreciates its bass punch.

"After over a year of trying to find a seller of this fine soundtrack, I finally found it!..." Read more

"...All the wonderfully exciting and poignant melodies are here, including the vocals of "Lois" herself, Margot Kidder...." Read more

"...The music is great to listen to on long trips also. I would advise anyone who loves the movies to purchase the soundtrack...." Read more

"...It's a great thing to have heroes to look up to, and this music helps you believe." Read more

11 customers mention "Score quality"11 positive0 negative

Customers praise the soundtrack, with one describing it as the best score John Williams has ever written, while another notes that the full score was released on CD.

"...It is high time that the full score was released on CD...." Read more

"...Rhino went all the way to produce an item that is super-complete, well anotated and truly beautiful...." Read more

"...I am overjoyed that this CD at last brings out the true genius of pieces that were previously unavailable...." Read more

"...Simply amazing music. I especially love the score from where you first see the planet Krypton...." Read more

9 customers mention "Music quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers praise the soundtrack's music quality, describing it as awesome, with one customer noting its excellent production.

"...I have always felt that Superman or Schindler's list were his greatest works and perhaps the greatest soundtracks ever composed...." Read more

"This 2-disc set is absolutely brilliant; John Williams has earned his "movie music maestro" nickname many times over...." Read more

"One of the Maestro's greatest works, right up there with Star Wars and Indiana Jones!!!" Read more

"It's great. Lifelong Superman fan!. Chris was the best. Thank you." Read more

5 customers mention "Value for money"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the soundtrack worth the purchase.

"...It is well worth it!" Read more

"Totally worth the purchase...." Read more

"...If you can find it, it's worth every penny!" Read more

"John Williams is an absolute genius. This is well worth the money." Read more

4 customers mention "Excitement"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the soundtrack wonderfully exciting, with one describing it as an absolute joy to experience.

"...All the wonderfully exciting and poignant melodies are here, including the vocals of "Lois" herself, Margot Kidder...." Read more

"...I'm listening to it right now as I write this and it is an absolute joy to experience...." Read more

"...Heroic, inspiring, filled with melody and romance and adventure and excitement: an absolute classic work of orchestral genius." Read more

"Fun, Inspiring, and Beautiful..." Read more

4 customers mention "Sleeve"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the sleeve of the soundtrack, with one mentioning the cool booklet enclosed and another noting it's a nice accompaniment to the CDs.

"...The original soundtrack release from 1978, while still an excellent collection, was sadly lacking in several of the best cues from the film...." Read more

"...There is also a cool booklet enclosed that tells about Superman." Read more

"...The liner notes are very good and are a nice accompaniment to the CDs ." Read more

"Sounds good and great to have all of the pieces (except Margot Kidder)." Read more

4 customers mention "Track list"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the soundtrack's extensive track list, with one customer noting it includes several previously unreleased songs.

"...Plus the chronological listing of tracks and bonus material are an added treat for completists...." Read more

"...Featuring a whopping thirty-five tracks, this CD has several previously unreleased tracks (i.e. "Lois & Clark"), an alternate main title, and some..." Read more

"...This double disc set even has some cool bonus tracks with alternate versions of the Main Theme. If you can find it, it's worth every penny!" Read more

"The music sounds great and the 2 disks are a very comprehensive collection from the soundtrack." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Cary L. Brown
    5.0 out of 5 stars Not the same as the original LP, but instead the same as the original MOVIE.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I've owned the original LP release of the "Superman" soundtrack, ever since the movie was in theaters way back when. In fact, it's one of the first two records I ever bought (and since I wasn't very wealthy at the time, I babied the thing... so it's literally still in "like new" condition!)

    When DVDs first came out, and I picked up the Superman DVD, I suddenly realized that what I'd been listening to over the years (on my metal-tape dub of the LP) wasn't exactly what was on-screen. It sort of made me go "Hmmmmm...."

    I love the original LP, but it's not the original movie soundtrack. That's all I could conclude. Presumably, Williams re-recorded it specifically for the LP.

    SO... now, I own the actual movie soundtrack. Yep, this is what I hear on the DVD. And pretty much EVERYTHING I hear on the DVD (though I'm sure a cue here or there is left out, I haven't noticed any).

    Of course, the sound quality isn't EXACTLY like being in the studio. There are some background noise and recording noise elements that can be picked up... BARELY... if you're really, really immersed and have one heck of a sound system (which, now that I'm a lot more well-off than I was growing up, I can happily say I've got!). The thing is... anyone who expects a pure digital recording on something which was recorded in the 1970s is a loon. OF COURSE there are some minimal noise elements... but they are, quite literally, as "minimal" as they possibly could be.

    I'm thrilled by this. I still have the original (now dubbed to a high-quality rip on my HTPC) alongside this one. Both are wonderful... but this one is the DEFINITIVE version.

    It's like listing to a studio recording, and a "live concert" recording, of the same album. Different experiences which, together, make up the "total experience."
    7 people found this helpful
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  • langleybcguy
    5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME! John Williams shows again why he's the master of movie scores
    Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2006
    Verified Purchase
    After over a year of trying to find a seller of this fine soundtrack, I finally found it! It is high time that the full score was released on CD.

    The original soundtrack release from 1978, while still an excellent collection, was sadly lacking in several of the best cues from the film. Most important of these was Track 12 (Disc 1) in which the helicopter crashes on the Daily Planet's roof and dangles precariously above the street. Williams builds on it, introducing Superman's theme into it as Clark Kent runs across the street, then rips open his shirt to reveal the 'S' - the symbol of the House of El - then enters the revolving door & exits as Superman. At the end of this is one of my favorite cues; the Superman theme is played as the Man of Steel appears above Metropolis, flying over the city on the hunt for criminals. 'Crime of the Century' (Track 6, Disc 2) was one of my favorite cues; this one portrayed the missile convoy as it made its way along the freeway, where Luthor staged the accident to get his cronies close enough to sabotage the missiles. There are too many new tracks to list here that should have been included the first time around, just a lack of space precluded this from happening.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reginald D. Garrard
    5.0 out of 5 stars As Big as The Universe!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2000
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know why it is, but Rhino packages and reissues soundtracks better than anyone else. Being the owner of the Rhino soundtracks to "Ben-Hur," "Night of Dark Shadows," "Poltergeist," and "North by Northwest," respectively, I could not wait to purchase the full score to John Williams' superb "Superman - the Movie." I am not disappointed. All the wonderfully exciting and poignant melodies are here, including the vocals of "Lois" herself, Margot Kidder. With the addition of cuts not featured in the original release - which I also own - this disc is a true film buff's delight. The release is a feast for the ears as well as the eyes. A plethora of "tidbits" and photos adorn the accompanying booklet which adds to one's appreciation of the labor devoted to this mammoth undertaking. The London Symphony has never sounded better! Twenty years ago I could not decide which was the better of the two, Williams' score to this film or "Star Wars." Now that a full rendition is available to "Superman," my mind is made up. "Superman" SOARS higher!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Oliver Van Buren
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The music was fantastic, I grew up watching all the Superman movies and have every movie made. I like Henry Cavil, but Christopher Reeve was the best Superman. John Williams did an excellent job with the music. The music is great to listen to on long trips also. I would advise anyone who loves the movies to purchase the soundtrack. There is also a cool booklet enclosed that tells about Superman.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Steve
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Inspiring, and Beautiful
    Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Early John Williams, and some of his best. My family and I all sing along, and I can picture the entire movie in my head as I hear the soundtrack. Brings cheers, smiles, and tears. It's a great thing to have heroes to look up to, and this music helps you believe.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • claude niel
    5.0 out of 5 stars un des meilleurs John Williams
    Reviewed in France on May 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    John Williams nous gratifie là, d'une de ses meilleures œuvres, à l'époque où il était à l'apogée de son art.
    Par rapport à l'ancien coffret mono-disque qui ne semble plus qu'un "résumé", ce double album se révèle bien plus varié et riche. A écouter sans modération.... Un régal !
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  • S. Alessandro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cd colonna sonora originale Superman 1978
    Reviewed in Italy on October 4, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Il pacchetto è arrivato puntualmente. Confezione speciale, doppio disco. Suona molto bene, ottima incisione, nessun fruscio di fondo. Sono molto soddisfatto dell'acquisto.
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  • ezra
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantástica banda sonora, en calidad del material y del audio que es excepcional
    Reviewed in Spain on April 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Me ha encantado la presentación de los dos CD's, el booklet extra contando cosas de la película y fotos geniales.

    Pero no solo eso, la calidad del audio y/o del remasterizado, sin yo ser un experto del tema, es sobervia y excepcional. Escuchar este CD es como tener a la orquesta a pocos metros.

    Una edición cuidada, a muy buen precio que en mi opinión, cualquier amante de la película y de la banda sonora debería tener.

    Recomendación 10/10.

    Si todos los CD's tuvieran esta calidad, el mundo sería distinto.. :)
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars 映画をほうふつとさせる
    Reviewed in Japan on February 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    中学のころ見たこちらの映画、あまりに好きで当時のサントラを買いました。
    そのあと、再上映、VHS、DVD、オンデマンドで何度も見て、
    このCDの存在を知りました。当時買ったサントラはジョンウィリアムス監修の
    音楽集ですが、このCDは映画で使用した音楽そのまま、
    オープニングからぜんぶそう、40年前にあったかな。。　いままで知らなかったのが悔しいくらい良いものです。
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  • Spassprediger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Diese Ausgabe ersetzt alle vorherigen
    Reviewed in Germany on April 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Ich gehöre zu denen, die Williams' Musik für "Superman - The Movie" für eine der gelungensten Arbeiten des Komponisten halten.

    Im Laufe langer Jahre habe ich verschiedene Fassungen des Scores gekauft; zunächst als LP, später dann als CD. Nach einigem Zaudern habe ich mich dann entschlossen, auch einem Exemplar der jüngsten Neuveröffentlichung der Musik einen Platz in der Sammlung einzuräumen - zum Glück, denn die Version von Rhino Records überzeugt in allen Disziplinen; angafangen bei der gefälligen Aufmachung über das informative Booklet bis hin zum Inhalt der beiden CDs, die selbst für langjährige Sammler und Kenner mit einigen Überraschungen aufwarten.

    Keine Frage: Ich mochte die 1998 unter der Leitung von John Debney besorgte Neueinspielung - die Doppel-CD von Varèse war für mich mit Blick auf Laufzeit und Tonqualität unter den verschiedenen im Laufe der Jahre veröffentlichten Versionen zur quasi-amtlichen Fassung avanciert. Die jüngste Fassung aus dem Hause Rhino Records jedoch in meinen Augen sowohl die Debney-Neueinspielung als auch sämtliche vorherigen Veröffentlichungen ab.

    Wer sich für die Filmmusik von John Williams interessiert, dem kann ich die Veröffentlichung von Rhino Records wirklich nur wärmstens zum Kauf empfehlen - wenn je eine Veröffentlichung der Filmmusik von "Superman - The Movie" die Höchstwertung verdient hat, dann ist es diese hier.
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