Table of Contents
- Film Details
- Music Credits
- Essential Discography
- Awards and Nominations
- Quotes
- Photos
- Videos
- Bibliography and References
Film Details
Year: 1978
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: Richard Donner
Producers: Alexander and Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler
Writers: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton, Tom Mankiewicz (based upon the Superman comic-book characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster published by DC Comics)
Main Cast: Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York
Genre: Action – Adventure – Science Fiction
For synopsis and full cast and crew credits, visit the IMDb page
Music Credits
Music Composed and Conducted by John Williams
Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra
“Can You Read My Mind”
Music by John Williams
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Performed by Margot Kidder
Music Editor: Bob Hathaway
Assistant Music Editor: Ken Ross
Scoring Mixer: Eric Tomlinson
Assistant Engineer: Alan Snelling
Orchestrators: Herbert W. Spencer, Arthur Morton, Angela Morley
Recording Studio: Anvil Film and Recording Group, Inc., Denham, Middlesex, UK
Recording Dates: July 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, September 9-11, October 6, 15, 24, 31, November 4, 1978
Essential Discography
Original Soundtrack Album and Expanded Reissues
Original Sound Track 2-LP set (1978)
Warner Bros. Records 2BSK 3257
Reissued on Compact Disc in 1987 (3257-2, without tracks “Growing Up” and “Lex Luthor’s Lair”) and in 1990 (WPCP-3859, Japan-only pressing)
Expanded and Remastered Reissue 2-CD set (2000)
Rhino Records/Warner Archives 8122-75874-2
Assembled by Mike Matessino
Produced by Nick Redman
Also available on music streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify
Superman: The Music (1978-1987) boxset (2008)
Film Score Monthly FSM Box #02
Assembled and mixed by Mike Matessino
Produced by Mike Matessino and Lukas Kendall
Also includes expanded soundtracks of “Superman II” and “Superman III” (Ken Thorne), and “Superman IV” (Alexander Courage)
40th Anniversary Remastered Edition 3-CD set (2019)
La-La Land Records LLCD 1478
Assembled, mastered and produced by Mike Matessino
Full film score presentation and alternate cues on Disc 1 and 2; remastered 1978 original soundtrack album on Disc 3
Selected Re-recordings
“March” and “Love Theme” from Superman (concert suite)
Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by John Williams
Pops In Space (1980)
Philips Records 9500 921
Produced by George Korngold
“Superman March”
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Williams
John Williams – The Berlin Concert (2022)
Deutsche Grammophon 486 1713
Produced by Christoph Franke/Berlin Phil Media
Superman: The Movie – Selections from the original score (2-CD set, 1998)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra; John Debney, conductor
Varèse Sarabande VSD2-5981
Produced by Robert Townson
Awards and Nominations
Academy Awards
Nomination: Best Original Score
Golden Globe Awards
Nomination: Best Original Score
Grammy Awards
Winner: Best Instrumental Composition (“Superman – Main Title Theme”)
Winner: Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special
Nomination: Best Pop Instrumental Performance (“Superman – Main Title”)
Saturn Awards
Winner: Best Music
Quotes
Growing up in my generation meant that you avidly followed the exploits of Superman in the syndicated comic strips that regularly appeared in newspapers across the country. It was a time when Superman fired the imaginations of all of our youngsters, and I was no exception.
Many years later, when director Richard Donner asked me to compose the score for his feature-length film of Superman, I was thrilled. I truly felt that I was revisiting a formative part of my childhood.
I remember how excited I was when Mr. Donner showed me his wonderful film with actors Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder flying high above the Statue of Liberty in one of the movie’s many memorable moments. I began by writing this piece, which formed the basics of the musical score for the film.
The movie’s great success wouldn’t have been possible without Christopher Reeve who embodied every characteristic of what we imagined Superman to be. I would like to dedicate this concert edition to my friend Christopher, without whom this music would never have seen the light of day.
John Williams
Photos
Videos
“Making The Score” DVD featurette
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, 2001
Produced by Michael Thau
“Superman March” – Live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo (2023)
Saito Kinen Orchestra conducted by John Williams
Bibliography and References
. Bond, Jeff – “Tale of the Cape,” Film Score Monthly Vol.5 N.1, January 2000
. Lichtenfield, Eric – “Super Rescues,” Film Score Monthly Vol.5 N.1, January 2000
. Matessino, Mike / Kendall, Lukas / Eldridge, Jeff – “A Score Takes Flight,” liner notes for Superman: The Movie – 40th Anniversary Remastered Edition, La-La Land Records, 2019
Additional Resources
. Soundtrack Spotlight podcast on the 40th Anniversary Soundtrack Edition: Part 1 – Part 2
. Live To Picture Concert Podcast Special: Part 1 with Anthony Gabriele – Part 2 with Mike Matessino
. Live To Picture Concert Premiere In Lucerne (2022): Article
The Legacy of John Williams 