By: Elizabeth Moctezuma
Superman (1978) and Man of Steel (2013) are two of the most well-known Superman movies. Even though both tell the story of Superman, they do it in very different ways. In this side-by-side review, I will compare the two films by looking at their tone, how Superman is portrayed, plot and storytelling, visuals, supporting characters, and overall message. By the end, you will have a better idea of which version might be a better fit for you.
Tone and Style
The tone and style of Superman (1978) and Man of Steel (2013) are very different. The 1978 version starts off a little dark and serious, especially during the scenes on Krypton, however, once Clark arrives on earth, the mood becomes lighter. The film uses upbeat orchestra music, bright colors, and humor, especially in scenes where Clark awkwardly tries to act normally in front of others in Metropolis.
In contrast, Man of Steel has more of a serious tone throughout the movie. The colors are cold and dark even in daytime scenes. The music only adds to the seriousness; heavy drums are used to make the film feel more intense. There is less humor in the film, which makes it feel more serious. Overall, Superman (1978) has a more classic and lighter feel, while Man of Steel (2013) is more serious and intense.
Clark vs. Superman
In Superman (1978), Clark Kent and Superman feel like two completely different people. Clark is humble, clumsy, nervous, and awkward, especially around Lois Lane; however, when he becomes Superman, he is confident and fearless. He is even willing to break rules if it means saving the people he loves.
In Man of Steel (2013), Clark and Superman act like the same person. The movie does not show Clark living a normal adult life or hiding behind a disguise, so it’s hard to separate the two identities; instead, we mostly see him as quiet, serious, and mysterious, in both roles. In summary, the 1978 film shows a bigger difference in personality between Clark and Superman, while the 2013 version blends them into one person.
Personally, I prefer the 1978 version of Clark and Superman because there is a more noticeable difference between the two. That contrast makes the film more interesting to watch. Seeing Clark act awkward in public then switch into the confident Superman shows how much effort he puts into hiding his identity.
Plot and Storytelling
When it comes to plot and storytelling the two films take very different approaches. Superman (1978) moves at a steady pace, giving time to show Clark’s personality and small-town life before he becomes Superman. The main conflict with Lex Luthor shows up later in the film (01.50.00), but the story is clear and easy to follow. This slower buildup helps the viewers connect with Clark as a person before focusing on the conflict/action; this gives the film a more personal tone.
In contrast, Man of Steel (2013) introduces the problem much earlier (01.01.22); however, the way the story jumps between timelines can make some viewers murmur to themselves “what is going on?” The faster pace and time jumps make the movie feel more mysterious and intense. Even though both films are about the journey of becoming Superman, they take different routes. Superman (1978) balances its focus between Clark Kent and his superhero identity, while Man of Steel goes deeper into Clark’s personal struggles, showing what it takes for him to accept who he is. Man of steel (2013) might even feel more focused on the journey, just in a more emotional way.
For me, it is hard to choose which approach I like better. I enjoy how Superman (1978) takes time to explore Clark’s personality and show how different he is from Superman, something Man of Steel does not focus on as much; however, at the same time, I like how the time jumps and fast pacing in Man of Steel keep the story moving and makes me curious about what happens next. In the end, they both tell the story in their own way.
Origin and Romance
The way each movie shows Superman’s origin is also very different. The 1978 version shows Clark’s past and transformation in the Fortress of Solitude but does not go too deep. The 2013 film shows more of Clark growing up, questioning and learning who he is and why he is so different than every other kid. This makes his journey feel more personal.
Another major change is how Clark and Lois’s love story is told. In the 1978 version their love story is a slow burn (love develops over time), starting at the Daily Planet and growing while Clark is Superman. In Man of steel, they fall in love much faster. They meet each other for the first time at the Kryptonian ship in the Artic, and their love develops almost instantly; it felt rushed, almost like the writers were just trying to make it happen for the sake of the original story.
I appreciate how Man of Steel gives more time to show Clark’s background. It helped me understand where he comes from and why he struggles so much with who he is; however, when it comes to the love story, I prefer Superman. There is more chemistry between Lois and Clark, and the pacing feels much more natural. Their connection does not feel rushed like it does in Man of Steel.
Visual Effects
Considering these films were made 35 years apart, the difference in visual effects is obvious. Superman (1978) relied heavily on practical effects and camera tricks. Scenes like the explosion of Krypton and the creation of the Fortress of Solitude used lighting and fireworks to build drama. When Superman flies over Metropolis, it does not look very realistic for today’s standards, but it was incredible for its time.
Man of Steel (2013) on the other hand, uses much more CGI. This is especially noticeable when showing Krypton, which looks very futuristic. When it comes to action, Man of Steel has many more intense and physical fights, especially in the final battle with Zod; of course, with this, large-scale destruction is accompanied which makes for more visual effects. The 1978 film has far less action, focusing more on what kind of hero Superman is. Because of this, Man of Steel uses more visual effects overall. This is especially clear when comparing flying scenes.
Visually, Man of Steel is much more appealing to me. The flying scenes in particular stand out, they are faster and look far more realistic than those in Superman. I think the camera work plays a big role in this, especially in the way it captures Superman’s quick turns and sudden movements, which makes the flight scenes seem more intense and realistic. Given the time Superman was made, it is understandable that those same techniques and technology were not available yet; with this in mind, it makes sense why Man of steel is much more visually appealing.
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| Image: "Henry Cavill – Man of Steel" by WorldBreakerHulk, CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 |
Supporting Characters and Villains
There are some clear differences in
how the supporting cast and villains are portrayed in both films. In Superman
(1978), Lois Lane comes across as confident and sure of herself, but her
character is not really shown outside of a few scenes which makes it hard to see
her true personality. In contrast, Man of Steel (2013) shows much more
of Lois. She is strong, curious, and willing to put herself in danger to help
others, which gives her a bigger role in the story overall.
When it comes to supporting
characters, the character of Otis in the 1978 version added a funny and
lighthearted touch. Overall, Man of Steel gives more screen time and
importance to Clark's parents, both earthly and Kryptonian. This made their
roles feel more meaningful and emotional.
The villains are also handled very
differently. Lex Luthor in the 1978 version does not come off as very
threatening. Zod on the other hand, is much more dangerous and serious.
Compared to Lex Luthor, Zod is “scarier.”
Themes and Messages
Both films explore different themes, but Superman (1978) does not make its message about heroism or hope obvious; it is mostly left up to how the viewer interprets it. One quote that stands out is when Lois Lane asks Superman, “why are you here?” and he answers, “I’m here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way” (01.30.27-01.30.34). That moment sums up who Superman is and what he stands for in this version. It is simple and direct, and probably one of the most memorable lines in the whole movie.
Man of Steel (2013) focuses
more on identity and power. Multiple characters like Clark’s biological father
and his childhood bully’s mom, refer to him as a “god,” which makes the theme
responsibility and how people see Superman a lot stronger. In time
01.11.16-01.11.23, we learn that the “S” on his chest means “hope” in
Kryptonian, which ties directly to one of the movies bigger messages.
Conclusion
Overall, Superman (1978) and Man
of Steel (2013) offer very different versions of the same character. The
1978 film is lighter, more hopeful, filled with romance, and focuses on classic
heroism, while the 2013 film is darker, intense, and explores deeper questions
about identity and power. The tone, pacing, visuals, characters, and themes,
all reflect how each film speaks to a different audience. If someone prefers a
more traditional, feel-good superhero story with charm and simplicity, the 1978
version might be a better choice; but if they enjoy action-heavy films with
emotional depth and a modern style, Man of Steel would be a better fit.
In the end, both versions are valuable in their own way, it just depends on
what kind of Superman story you are looking for.
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