Superman Domestic LD LaserDisc On the planet Krypton, far away in the galaxy, the star is nearing its end due to an abnormal approach to the sun. A scientist, realizing the situation, sends his beloved only son away. Eventually, a star capsule carrying the infant arrives on Earth, where he is rescued and raised by a couple who happen to pass by. Growing up, he displays superhuman strength from a young age, and eventually learns the truth about his origins from his real father. "Superman" is a 1978 American-British superhero film. Directed by Richard Donner, it stars Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and others. It is based on the American comic book "Superman" by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. Directed by: Richard Donner Screenplay by: Mario Puzo David Newman Leslie Newman Robert Benton Tom Mankiewicz (uncredited) Original Story by: Mario Puzo Based on: Characters created by Jerry Siegel Joe Shuster Produced by: Pierre Spengler Executive Produced by: Ilya Salkind Starring: Marlon Brando Gene Hackman Christopher Reeve Music by: John Williams Cinematography by: Geoffrey Unsworth Edited by: Stuart Baird Michael Ellis Distributed by: Warner Bros. Release Date: United States: December 15, 1978 Japan: June 30, 1979 Running Time: 144 minutes (theatrical version) 152 minutes (director's cut)