Synopsis:

This is a cut of Superman III modelled heavily on Father Merrins Smallville cut, but with all the focus being on Superman III material.

Intentions:

To put together a more serious version of Superman III but without compromising the fun factor.

Change List:

It must be said right from the outset that this cut is heavily inspired by Father Merrins Superman III: the Smallville Cut. However unlike FM’s release this edit focus only on S3 material (with the exception of the prologue), to present a more tight and less comical picture. I haven’t tried to turn this picture into something that it isn’t, I’ve just tried to highlight the good stuff. Richard Pryor wasn’t the real problem with S3 and it’s not his fault the movie was structured around him. I pin a lot of the blame of the three subordinates Ross, Vera and Lorelei who were poorly written and delivered some fairly uninspired performances. Their scenes have been cut down to a minium thus the dynamics between the characters change a little. The streets of Metropolis/Main title sequence is included which may bother most people. But whilst I have endeavoured to edit a more serious picture my main goal was to showcase the good parts of Superman III which includes the main titles. Though full of Richard Lester silliness and not really suitable for a Superman film, they’re masterfully directed by Lester and superbly scored by Ken Thorne. It also plays well against the prologue in terms of highlighting where Clark’s come from.

Additional Notes:

Here is the basic outline including changes made; - Black and Red WB logo (with a nice little music edit) - (prologue) Clark and Lana (from STM) up until Clark kicks football away then dissolve to Superman III titles (the streets of Metropolis). - Daily Planet/ Gus at work/Factory Fire/Smallville Reunion/Gus receives pay check/Clark and Lana tidy up/Bowling with Ricky - Gus meets Boss but I’ve cut out the revolving bar and trimmed some of Ross’s speech. - Gus hacks PC (edited FM style); this features no comedy and no Brad. Utilises FM audio track. - Columbia (edited FM style); Competition winners are gone, Superman saves Columbia without Gus narration. Tightly edited using FM audio track. - Clark and Lana picnic. - Ski slope (edited FM style); Very tightly edited cutting straight into Ross plotting Superman’s downfall. Gus is completely absent form the scene. Utilises FM audio track. - Satellite gets kryptonite - Clark at the Daily planet but with nothing from the angry holiday winners. - Gus gets kryptonite - Superman celebration however Gus’s speech has been cut down - Gus and Boss on Phone/Lana and Superman/Superman late - Gus and Boss revel in Superman’s downward spiral but ends with Vera saying “A normal person”. - Superman at Olympics - Gus and Boss plan oil scheme though I’ve cut Lorelei and her intellectual reading. From here onwards it’s the same old Superman 3 other then two minor trims. - I’ve cut Lorelei making faces at Vera during the balloon ride. - Cut out Lorelei and Vera bickering about where’s the light switch.

Other Sources:

Superman: The Movie

Special Thanks: