Summary
- Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Superman defined the character for the big screen with memorable moments that still hold up after 35 years.
- The Fortress of Solitude, revealed with impressive special effects and a physical set, defined Superman's extraterrestrial origins and remains iconic.
- The lighter tone of Reeve's Superman, showcased through humor and one-liners, demonstrates Superman's virtue and adds to the character's charm.
It has been over 35 years since Christopher Reeve last donned the iconic red and blue getup of Superman, and despite being one of the first iterations of Superman in film, way before the DCU, there are still plenty of moments that hold up to this day. Christopher Reeve is lauded as a legend in the industry primarily for his tenure as Superman, with a career that, through no fault of his own, was slightly marred by the final two movies he appeared in. Even then, his entire Superman filmography boasts scenes aplenty that are still as memorable today as they were 35 years ago.
With a legacy that is sure to live on through James Gunn's new Superman: Legacy, Reeves' tenure helped define Superman to a modern film-viewing audience - though that wasn't solely due to the lead actor. Memorable moments from the movies that spanned 1978 to 1987 were the work of multiple actors and cinematic moments that will live on in homages and Easter eggs for years to come. Here are the ten most memorable scenes of Reeves' tenure that will always stand the test of time.
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10 The Fortress of Solitude Revealed
While it is unfair to measure up the special effects of decades ago to modern standards, the Fortress of Solitude across Reeves' Superman filmography is still an impressive sight to this day. The moment of its reveal was enhanced by the appearance of Jor-El's hologram, expertly depicted in an ethereal silvery gray that even outshines the CGI in more modern movies. Meanwhile, the practical effects of a physical set made it all the more tactile to the viewer. The discovery of the Fortress was truly a turning point for Reeves' Superman as the moment that would inexorably define his extraterrestrial origins.
9 Lex Luthor Outsmarts Superman
Lex Luthor's intelligence is one of his main powers, while he represents the proof that a mortal man can feasibly stand up to the Man of Steel and his godlike powers. Though he is played off as more of a trickster in Reeves' Superman movies, Luthor demonstrates his mental prowess with aplomb after tricking Superman to open a box containing Kryptonite before then being able to overpower him physically. The moment helped to show that Lex was not an adversary to be trifled with, even though his threat levels had significantly diminished by his fourth Reeves-led Superman outing.
8 Superman Outsmarts Lex
There is little more rewarding than watching the hero pull off a win in a battle of wits at a crucial moment. In a fine display of his superintelligence, Superman finally gains the upper hand on Zod before crushing his in a handshake, by predicting Luthor's double-cross and ensuring that the Molecule Chamber in his Fortress of Solitude, which saps Kryptonians of their power, had been reversed. It's a payoff that feels satisfying to this day, with Lex Luthor's apparent iration for Superman's wit being the icing on the cake - establishing them as worthy rivals.
7 Superman's Peace Speech In Superman IV
The much-maligned fourth outing of Reeves in the cape was not without its moments, with the most prominent taking the form of Superman's address to the people of Earth following the threat of nuclear annihilation. The tragic reality that war will likely plague humanity for years to come makes Superman's assertion that "there will be peace – there will be peace when the people of this world want it so badly that their governments will have no choice but to give it to them," a poignant line today. It also punctuates the series of Superman movies with a touching reflection of where the world was during that era.
6 Superman's Flight With Lois In Superman IV
Superman IV was the final time that Christopher Reeves would share the screen with Margot Kidder, lending an air of nostalgia to their final scenes together. Their on-screen chemistry is as prevalent as ever as they take to the skies once more, and Lois seems to rediscover who Superman is in one of the movie's rare emotional moments. While not notable for its special effects, the scene stands as a testament to the magic of Superman and Lois' relationship, not to mention the magic inherent in the flying itself.
5 Superman Catches A Helicopter
The scene that sees Superman grab a helicopter with one hand while holding Lois in the other is remarkable enough, but significantly bolstered by the swelling of John Williams' famous score for Superman's Theme at the same time. In one fell swoop it establishes one of the most memorable moments in cinema history, punctuated by Lois' famous line "You've got me? Who's got you?!" The demonstration of a hero's power paired with their musical theme in the background is incredibly prolific in the modern superhero genre, yet no less impactful. Just take the "Avengers, assemble," line uttered by Captain America in Avengers: Endgame as proof.
4 "No Thanks, I Never Drink When I Fly"
The DCEU's infamous reliance on darker tones was far from the norm when depicting its most famous characters on screen. In fact, Chris Reeves' Superman was more akin to the lighthearted MCU, with quips and one-liners aplenty that worked well with the outlandish nature of the movie's premise. The scene in which Lois interviews Superman and offers him a glass of wine, to which he responds "No thanks, I never drink when I fly," is one of the standout moments that not only conveys the lighter tone of this Superman, but also demonstrates Superman's virtue (and, perhaps, naïveté) all at once.
3 Vera Turns Into A Robot
There is something about horror moments of the 80s that often stand the test of time. While none of Christopher Reeves' Superman movies are horror movies, there was one horrific moment towards the climax of Superman 3 that saw one of its villains, Vera, turned into an evil cyborg by a supercomputer. The gruesome situation is compounded by Vera's helpless screams and the disturbing depiction of her being encased in metal during her transformation - something that evokes body horror tropes of the era. It was a shocking scene to punctuate a largely unserious movie that was lambasted for its over-reliance on comedy.
2 Revealing The "S"
Clark Kent pulling his shirt open to reveal the "Superman shield" underneath has been immortalized in the superhero zeitgeist since Superman's earliest comic book outings. To see the opening of the shirt depicted in cinema was a truly satisfying moment and one that has and will be replicated in Superman movies for years to come. It's hard to imagine one superhero trope that is more iconic than this, with the shirt-tearing motion pervading far more than just the superhero genre.
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1 John & Clark's Father/Son Moment
One of the most poignant moments in Superman: The Movie occurs in the moments leading up to John Kent's sudden death, in which he fully embraces the role of father figure by imparting wisdom on Clark. It is a tried-and-tested trope that can still be seen in modern superhero movies (the iconic "with great power comes great responsibility" line springs to mind) that works to ensure the super-powered protagonist is as grounded as any mortal thanks to a few choice words from their parental figure. This is something which is especially important for Superman, who as a result is a paragon of comion and heroism.
