Do you remember the tag line, "You'll Believe a Man Can Fly"? It was on December 10, 1978, exactly 35 years ago from today, when Superman: The Movie premiered and forever changed the superhero movie genre, making cinematic history and perhaps more.

Many great things happened as a consequence of this film. The late Christopher Reeve was introduced to a world audience, and a 9-year-old boy watched, mesmerized and captivated, as 143 minutes of a spectacle as epic and biblical as anything an impressionable child could imagine, came to life on the silver screen. Superman: The Movie remains my absolute favorite motion picture from the 70's for the nostalgia it represents, and for the joy, wonder and excitement, and above-all, for its pure storytelling magic! And I'm sure I wasn't the only child or movie-goer swept away and left utterly speechless, as a larger-than-life hero captured my heart, my mind, and my imagination. Up to that point, I had never truly experienced "movie escapism" until I saw Richard Donner's masterpiece. Time had stood still when I entered the world of Superman. And yes, on a cold winter's day, as I languidly exited the movie theatre, I looked up to the sky, awe-struck, and I did believe, "A Man Can Fly!" It was truly a miracle!

The comic book Superman, like many of our four-color heroes, is a Judeo-leaning concept. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the sons of Jewish immigrants, Superman it can be argued, has Jewish roots. However, the concept of Superman may have been spawned irrespective of religion, from a real-life tragic event when Jerry Siegel's father, Mitchell Siegel, was gunned down in a robbery a year before the creation of Superman. This is a theory attributed to both Brad Meltzer and Gerard Jones:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman

But as we draw closer to Christmas, Richard Donner's Superman and the Christ parallels it draws, seem to emerge from the darkness of our blighted times with a powerful light, like a beacon of hope to those willing to embrace its message. You are probably thinking, "What the heck are you talking about? Superman and Christ? I don't see the connection!" Well, a number of Christ and Biblical references were purposely incorporated in the blueprint of the movie by Director Richard Donner and Screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz, giving Superman: The Movie, "The Greatest Story Ever Told" treatment. But don't take my word for it, read it for yourself in the Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(1978_film)

And three-and-a-half decades later, it is undeniable in my mind, this grand vision of Superman, a Christ-like Superman, a "Cinematic Messiah" if you will, is the Superman in the minds of many fans that trumps all the other versions of Superman... from the comic books, radio, television, or the recent darker-toned incarnation presented in Zack Snyder's brooding and self-indulgent Man of Steel franchise. Why? Let's look at it this way, Richard Donner's Superman was the complete package, and is, and will forever remain: A Superman of Light! A Superman of Hope! A Superman of Glory! A Superman of Lofty Ideals! A Superman of Tomorrow! Donner's vision is readily identifiable as the definitive image of Superman. It's what the people want Superman to be.

So when all is said and done, who is Richard Donner's Superman? What does Superman: The Movie, really represent? In my opinion, Superman: The Movie, is an allegory for a common Man, a non super-powered man, who, after much "trail by fire", recognizes his "soul-given" responsibilities and purpose, and emerges from behind the glasses, emerges from behind the shallow facade of social convention and social conviction, who sheds the "S" and "Red Cape" and "Red Trunks" or any other costume and uniform and symbol he may don, and comes forth the man who courageously bears his naked soul to the World and to the Universe, and speaks righteously with his Heroism, with his Conviction, with his Compassion, with his Sacrifice, with his Acts of Kindness, with his Love of Humanity and Love of all God's Creatures, and ultimately, with his absolute Goodness. This Man is a Superman... and his Spirit can truly fly!

SW3D

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