User Reviews

Documentaries detailing the histories of superheroes, particularly Superman or Batman pop up every few years examining the character, its impact on pop culture and the paths of comic books as a genre. This title doesn't really break a ton of new ground in that way but it does perform a well-crafted update of this chapter in Superman's story culminating with the 2006 release of Bryan Singer's excellent "Superman Returns".

Featuring interviews with the comic book's writers, artists and editors as well as some famous fans, we get some good insight into what makes Superman compelling. Lots of attention is given to the film productions featuring of course touching pieces on the late Christopher Reeve and his doomed 50's TV counterpart, George Reeves. Personal note: I thought it was especially nice that both Noel Neill and Jack Larson (Tv's Lois and Jimmy) were interviewed side by side as I have become accustomed to seeing them. (Singer also used both actors in "Superman Returns". Way to go, Bry.) Aside from the film productions, changes in the comic book and the attempts at radio and of course the classic TV versions including Smallville are covered featuring interviews with virtually every living contributor they could track down including the elusive Jackie Cooper, Ilya Salkind, Richard Donner, Margot Kidder and of course, Neill and Larson. Other perspectives are given by comic book smartypants Mark Waid, Tongue jockey Gene Simmons, Luke Skywalker, Sci-fi grandfather Forrest Ackerman and Superman's current golden girl Annette O'Toole. The entire thing is ably narrated by a virtual unknown named Kevin Spacey who gets to refer to himself in the third person right towards the end.

This is a lot of good stuff. It's a rather in-depth retrospective on the iconic superhero and for my money the producers did an excellent job.

This documentary is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about Earth's greatest hero. Whether they want to know more about the mythology behind the hero, the hero's creators, or his history in comics, movies, television or radio, "The Amazing Story of Superman" has it all.

Documentary master Ken Burns does a fantastic job exploring all of the aspects and mythos of Superman, beginning with the 1930s and going until the present day with the film release "Superman Returns." He explores who Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were, Superman in the proud Golden Age and the strange and not-so-proud Silver Age, and the current day. Burns does a superb job detailing the role that Superman has played in public over the years, and the different symbols he has stood for based on the current status of the country. He excels in making the audience realize that Superman in pop culture has had a very relevant place in society no matter if his popularity has wavered over the years.

The documentary is a high-quality work. Thanks to Burns, you will feel like you know everything about the hero once the film is finished.

I've never been a fan of Superman, but this enlightening documentary really allows you to respect what is, in my opinion, an out dated character. This film details the highs and lows of Superman in popular culture, and avoids being just an advertisement for his latest incarnation. There are interesting tidbits, such as many of the distinctive characters/traits coming from the early radio shows. We see Superman's effects on celebrities, writers, producers, a world at war, and much more. At times it places its feet where they're not wanted. Did we really need talk on September 11th? Probably more of a nice introduction to the character, or good for those looking to expand their knowledge. But most fans will be familiar with what's going on.

Originally broadcast on the A&E network, this excellent documentary covers the entire history of Superman. From the early 20th century comics to the modern-day television shows and movies, this Kevin Spacey-narrated piece covers much of the Superman mythos. Woven into this story was how all of this was affected by and reflected the culture around it, from World Wars to 9/11.

As a Superman fan, this is a must-see. The A&E (and later in2TV.com) program is 90 minutes. A full 2-hour DVD will be released on June 20, 2006. This viewer is looking forward to not only "Superman Returns", but also the release of A&E's documentary.

I found this to be an excellent documentary of the complete story from the beginning in the 1930's to the present. It covers the early comics, early cartoons, Superman, Superboy, Supergirl (although I wish she would have gotten more time...), Kirk Alyn, George Reeves, Gerard Christopher, and the whole gang. It had some great commentary from Noel Neil and Jack Larson. It also touched on the "mysterious" death of George Reeves. It, of course, had a good bit on Christopher Reeve with some of the auditions of other actors. It even had segments on The Return of Superman and an interview with Brandon Routh. I can't imagine any collection not having this DVD to go along with the other materials that are now available. For a novice as well as someone who has "flown" with a towel as well as in their dreams, this disc will be a treasure to view over and over!

And, just like actor Sean Connery (in the 1960s) playing the James Bond character - I personally think that actor George Reeves (in the 1950s) playing the Superman character was the absolute best of all when cast in his specific genre. To me - These 2 men epitomized their characters perfectly.

From comic books, to radio, to cartoons, to TV, and to movies - This entertaining, pop culture documentary covers the entire history of Superman who (back in 1932) suddenly became the world's very first comic-book superhero.

Superman (who was created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel) is definitely one all-American hero who has certainly had a pretty good track record with his many fans as his popularity has managed to endure, steadily, throughout these many decades.

So - If you are something of a Superman enthusiast - This 110-minute slice of total hero-worship is certainly worth a view.

I had just watched an episode of the 1950s Superman TV show and enjoyed it so much, I decided to learn more about this handsome, wholesome hero! Gosh, I think I have a little crush now, haha. Golly, gee, he sure is swell! A real gentleman and sweetheart.

I always thought I was not a superhero fan, because I'm not very big on action/adventure, which most movies and shows involving superheroes rely heavily on. Plus, I'm just not very fond of modern-day action and all that CGI and modern animation. But, I do like the old Superman cartoons of the 1940s and I especially like the old 1950s TV show, and special effects of the 1970s and 80s, I like too- so the Christopher Reeve movies are good to me. But, my distaste for modern-day superhero interpretations nearly killed my interest in the genre before I even realized my fondness for it! Fortunately though, I DID realize it, and now I know I am a superhero fan- just not a fan of every incarnation.

I realize now that superheroes are another sort of fairytale (and I adore fairytales!), like "The Little Mermaid" etc. And that's why I now know that I love them! And Superman is so worth loving- he's just such a good guy, and the 1950s-1980s version of him is tough and tender. There is a real coziness to those old incarnations of him on screen that is so great! This documentary really lets us know everything about the man of steel! After you watch it, you'll probably have a favorite incarnation too.

Side-note: It's amazing that George Reeves and Christopher Reeve shared the same surname minus a letter! Reminds me of the two actors who played Darin in "Bewitched": Dick York and Dick Sargent.

And on another note, I wish Stockard Channing had been cast as Lois Lane in the first Christopher Reeve movie, cause she's so good! Oh well. Nothing against the actress who was cast, but after seeing audition footage with Stockard in this doc, I just liked how she played Lois. I just like her. What a real treat to see her there!

Good for the fans. Definitely good for the fans.

But too much of an Americna style of documentary to be taken serious. Looking at the release date, one can not hesitate to consider this documentary as pure 'propaganda' for the 2006 Superman release.

Footage is superb though. Comments and narratives are awfully bad, just puppets on a string.

This one is only made for hardcore fans of the genre. It could have been done better if longer footage would have been shown from every movie, particularly the older ones, as it would remind us of previous generations.

Also the comparisons with American politics (and, subsequently, gains/failures) is of no issue here, but is deliberately used to support the commercialisation of a product. Peope did like Superman because of the comics and the movies, not because of politics!!!

Only for hardcore fans.