Cast
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Christopher Reeve
as Clark Kent / Superman
Margot Kidder
as Lois Lane
Gene Hackman
as Lex Luthor
Mariel Hemingway
as Lacy Warfield
Jackie Cooper
as Perry White
Marc McClure
as Jimmy Olsen
Jon Cryer
as Lenny
Sam Wanamaker
as David Warfield
Mark Pillow
as Nuclear Man
Damian McLawhorn
as Jeremy
William Hootkins
as Harry Howler
Jim Broadbent
as Jean Pierre Dubois
Stanley Lebor
as General Romoff
Don Fellows
as Levon Hornsby
Robert Beatty
as U.S. President
Crew
Director
- Sidney J. Furie
Producer
- Yoram Globus
- Menahem Golan
Reviews
Ian Beale
**Better than the tedious Superman Returns/Man Of Steel**
Bad effects aside, this one is definitely more fun than the _tedious and dull_ Superman Returns and Man Of Steel stuff - an overload of special effects does not make an engaging film.
The performances here are all top notch as usual and the plot moved swiftly without taking itself too seriously. The franchise has always been silly - stupid even - especially when we remember that _Richard Donner's Superman had Ned Beatty as the moronic Otis._
The silliness has always been integral to the Superman series.
Feb 22, 2017
Monoval
Filled with cheap gags, really horrible visual effects, a lazy story, a very bad musical score by Alexander Courage, a terrible villain (Nuclear Man), and some tiresome performances by the cast (except for Christopher Reeve), Superman IV: The Quest For Peace is one of the worst films ever made, the one of the worst movie sequels of all time, and the worst Superman film of all time. It is the kryptonite nail in the coffin for the Superman films, and none of the films after this even tried to save the Man Of Steel from his own detriment.
Mar 18, 2018
Wuchak
_**The least of the tetralogy due to a slashed budget and the corresponding cheesy F/X**_
Superman (Christopher Reeve) destroys all nuclear warheads on Earth for the sake of world peace, but Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) has discovered a way to make a nuclear-powered thrall from Supes’ DNA and the energy of the Sun. Meanwhile a tycoon & his daughter take over The Daily Planet (Sam Wanamaker & and Mariel Hemingway).
“Superman IV: The Quest for Peace” (1987) is the weakest of the quadrilogy because the Salkind family sold the franchise to a Grade B production company, Cannon, and so instead of the healthy $39 million budget of “Superman III” (1983) it was slashed to $17 million (although it was originally supposed to be $36 million), which is apparent in the low-rent opening credits and the non-special effects throughout.
Other than that glaring flaw, the main cast returns and the story is decent, augmented by the kick-axx Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow) and the continuation of Clark’s relationship with Lois (Margot Kidder).
The first two movies are standout sci-fi motion pictures, despite hailing from the late ’70s, and the third one has worthy themes if you can adjust to the parody tone and cartoonish presence of Richard Pryor (at least his character has a worthy story arc). This one, by contrast, is disappointing due to the second rate vibe. While there are some entertaining elements, the drop in quality is just too noticeable.
The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot entirely in England with establishing shots of New York City, The Golden Gate Bridge, The Great Wall of China, etc.
GRADE: C
May 11, 2021
r96sk
<em>'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace'</em> isn't one I'll be filing anywhere near 'good', though it is at least a minimal improvement on III and <em>'Supergirl'</em>. It has a pleasantly short run time of just under 90 minutes and features a plot that I didn't find totally terrible.
Christopher Reeve stars as Superman for the final time, to as decent effect as you'd expect. Gene Hackman makes a return as Lex Luthor, to my support - I think he's the one I'll remember most from these films, aside from the main guy obviously. It's not Hackman on top form, but still solid enough.
Overall though, I didn't get the required entertainment. I do think it starts better than it finishes, the end noticeably drags. One big reason for that is the Nuclear Man character. Any time he appears, I was uninterested. The 'switching' in front of Lois Lane is also extremely repetitive by this point.
A blessing for all involved that this era of Superman concluded here. Now to see what they did for 2006's <em>'Superman Returns'</em>, a movie I'm a little surprised didn't cross my path as a kid to be honest; as the Spiderman flicks from those years did. Maybe I'll find out why!
Jan 8, 2025
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Adventure/Science Fiction film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Sidney J. Furie brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1987, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace took approximately 3 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $17.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 90 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 144 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The musical score contains over 56 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1987, when this film was released:
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Superman IV: The Quest for Peace shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Batman Beyond, which focuses more on action than character development, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Stars at Noon and BloodRayne: The Third Reich explore similar territory, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 24, 1987
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Revenue: $36,681,020
Where to Watch
