Supergirl (1984)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

Jeannot Szwarc

Writer:

David Odell (screenplay)

Release Date:

21 November 1984 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Her first great adventure.

Plot:

After losing a powerful orb, Kara, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch.

Plot Keywords:

Power | Encounter | Monster | Phantom Zone | Beautiful Woman

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Faye Dunaway	...	Selena
Helen Slater	...	Kara / Supergirl / Linda Lee
Peter O'Toole	...	Zaltar
Mia Farrow	...	Alura
Brenda Vaccaro	...	Bianca
Peter Cook	...	Nigel
Simon Ward	...	Zor-El
Marc McClure	...	Jimmy Olsen
Hart Bochner	...	Ethan
Maureen Teefy	...	Lucy Lane
David Healy	...	Mr. Danvers
Sandra Dickinson	...	Pretty Young Lady
Robyn Mandell	...	Myra
Jenifer Landor	...	Muffy
Diana Ricardo	...	Mrs. Murray

Also Known As:

Supergirl: The Movie

Runtime:

124 min (international version) | USA:105 min (theatrical version) | USA:138 min (director's cut) | USA:150 min (original cut) | Germany:89 min (Video Version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Certification:

Germany:6 (re-rating) (2006) | Argentina:Atp | Iceland:LH | South Korea:12 (2006) | Australia:PG | Denmark:A | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Norway:12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Black Park Country Park, Wexham, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Artistry Limited

Trivia:

The original movie poster incorrectly shows the Statue of Liberty holding the torch in her left hand, instead of the right.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): In the bulldozer scene, Supergirl puts water from the water tower on a gasoline fire. Putting water on a gasoline fire is a no-no!

Quotes:

Supergirl: The Omegahedron, Selena. I want it.
Selena: Well, then, Supergirl, you shall have it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Killer Drag Queens on Dope (2003)

Soundtrack:

WHAT IS LOVE

The TRUE heart of a beautiful hero.

In the depths of inner-space, we find a city called Argo City. The inhabitants are not unknown, for they come from Krypton, a world which has never been forgotten. These Argonians have barely escaped the dangers that ruined the Kryptonian existence, and now they have created Argo City as a new home. We all know Krypton is where Superman is from. Argo City is the home of his surviving family, including his cousin, Kara. Kara is Supergirl, and portrayed in the most wondrous, fabulous, ultimately fantastic performance by the beautiful Helen Slater, who put so much into the part, she deserved more than America gave her. Kara creates a problem, as she looses a power source by accident. This power source is part of what makes the glorious city operate. Thusly, she takes responsibility for her own actions and goes after it...and onto the best adventure in superhero history! The film focuses on Supergirls adventures when she arrives on earth, from her FANTASTIC ariel ballet entrance, to her final battle with the witch Selena, portrayed by a darn-good-fun-loving Faye Dunaway. Supergirl must retrieve the power source, and return it home, where her city shall live again. This film is simply, the best super-action film in the whole genre. We were given the ultimate superhero film six years earlier in Christopher Reeve, whom also portrayed a fantastic superhero. Helen Slater was the only actress to actually become the girl she displays for us. Faye Dunaway was extremely fun to watch, as she is in an on-going battle with another kind of superhero. Being a spin-off of the highly acclaimed '78 masterpiece, this film is gracefully linked with numerous references and a cameo by Marc McClure. What WB allowed Ilia Salkind and the director Jeannot Szwarc to do was awful, it was awful! But I feel we were still given a wonderful movie 20 years ago! What difference does it make if we cannot answer all the questions, so what if it wasn't the film this country wanted...it was NOT supposed to be an identical superhero movie with flying missiles and plots to destroy the world! SO WHAT? This is a fantasy, and more so as a superhero film would be like. Monsters and supernatural wonders beyond belief! Something tells me that if this film were NOT a film about Supermans' cousin, people would have accepted it better. It was written on a fantasy journey of familiarity just as "Dark Crystal", "Labyrinth" and "NeverEnding Story" Could it be that people are not accepting of the female species? Just look at the awful ways that other female hero films are written! This film is far better and much more intelligent than that! The film Supergirl surpasses all that and goes even further than it seems. The title character is smart, strong, and constantly determined. The villain is witty, desperate, and viciously determined. In this, we have a dichotomous image of two sides in one world. What else do you need? We have a great film that has never been given the proper chance it deserves. Supergirl is so much more than one sees it to be. People who do see it for wonderful movie it is, are the real ones who know the true heart of a beautiful superhero, and will not cease to be satisfied by what a film of its kind has to offer. The acting is exquisite, and the direction is perfect. Slater and Dunaway draw a sensational picture of mental, and physical power, and Jerry Goldsmiths' score will send a vibrant thrill of emotion through your very heart. Bottum Line: This film was great 20 years ago at 105 min., and it is great now at 140 min. I LOVE this movie, and I know it flies higher than most people know. Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Brenda Vaccaro, Hart Bochner, and every one else on the film have every right to be proud of this masterpiece! Supergirl is a true Superhero.