This was, hands down, one of the most unique and indescribably special viewing experiences I ever had in my life. I was familiar with the fact that Turkish directors/producers bluntly imitated the biggest blockbusters during the 70's and 80's, but I've never actually seen one. I laughed quite hard over the sight of such titles like "Seytan: Turkish Exorcist" and "Last House in Istanbul", so I was very enthusiast when a buddy of mine told me he got hold of the one and only "Turkish Superman". You can tell right away from the opening sequences that this will become a non-stop spitfire of hysterical laughter and stomach aches, and you don't even have to be drunk or intoxicated! It begins with an allegedly mysterious voice-over whilst the camera atmospherically browses through space. The galaxy, however, exists of second-hand Christmas decoration. When we witness Superman flying for the first time, he looks like a Ken Barbie doll hanging by a thread in front drawn clouds and people waving at him from the deck of a ship. It's brilliant, truly brilliant! Clark Kent, named Tyfun in Turkish, is a tremendous dork with a spectacular pair of glasses and he walks around like there's a cloth hanger stuck in his suit. His nemesis isn't bald like Lex Luthor is, but actually looks a lot like the Turkish version of Lee Van Cleef. The most striking thing about "Turkish Superman" is how very anti- spectacular it is! Our hero hides behind trees, doesn't bother much to hide his double identity and conducts the lamest rescue operations ever. Superman stops an out-of-control truck descending a mountain road, NOT by jumping in front of it, NOT by pushing it back up a cliff and NOT by pulling the rear end like he's an anchor
Superman stops the truck by taking place behind the wheel and using the brakes. Oh, how heroic! I guess the budget didn't allow them to wreck the truck. That's also the same reason why the lead actress drives a Lada instead of a real car. The fight sequences are hilarious as well, since they look like a bunch of heavily mustached men group-hugging each other. The creators of "Turkish Superman" didn't just steal the plot of "Superman" but also the soundtrack of James Bond. The scene where Superman single-handedly prevents a train collision from happening is perhaps even the ultimate highlight of the film. According to the most rudimentary rules of physics his rescue act is just impossible, I don't care if you're a superhero or not.
11 Reviews
Superbad
ville-51 July 2007
Yes, this film is so bad in so many ways it's hilarious.
I don't want to delve to the already mentioned special effect or the craptastic actors / editing / everything. Suffice it to say that this film excels in absolutely nothing and looks more of a home video filmed probably in the film makers' homes and offices with zero budget.
What interests me more was the blatant disregard for copyrights: Not just the use of Superman character, but also the soundtrack which consisted of the original Superman theme with a couple themes ripped from James Bond films. The best part (for me) was the use of Giorgio Moroder's Oscar-winning theme from "Midnight Express", a film which portrayed Turks in a bad light. Were the film makers unaware of that and they just liked the song? Funny, whatever the answer is! If copyrights were not a problem, why didn't they just show a bootleg and dub it in Turkish? Of course the original didn't have actors with Turkish amounts of mustache, but I can't really come up with other reasons.
This film also raises the questions whether it had wide release in Turkey, what did Turks think of it (then and now), and whether it was aimed for children - little kids' films can be flimsy efforts and some of the criticism would thus be moot.
I don't want to delve to the already mentioned special effect or the craptastic actors / editing / everything. Suffice it to say that this film excels in absolutely nothing and looks more of a home video filmed probably in the film makers' homes and offices with zero budget.
What interests me more was the blatant disregard for copyrights: Not just the use of Superman character, but also the soundtrack which consisted of the original Superman theme with a couple themes ripped from James Bond films. The best part (for me) was the use of Giorgio Moroder's Oscar-winning theme from "Midnight Express", a film which portrayed Turks in a bad light. Were the film makers unaware of that and they just liked the song? Funny, whatever the answer is! If copyrights were not a problem, why didn't they just show a bootleg and dub it in Turkish? Of course the original didn't have actors with Turkish amounts of mustache, but I can't really come up with other reasons.
This film also raises the questions whether it had wide release in Turkey, what did Turks think of it (then and now), and whether it was aimed for children - little kids' films can be flimsy efforts and some of the criticism would thus be moot.
The ORIGINAL Superman Returns! (that's what the title means)
crooow15 February 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Anyone familiar with Turkish cinema(at least the ones that have made it over here) know that Turkish remakes of popular American films are made with an extremely low budget and are filled with footage and music stolen shamelessly from the source material. "Turkish Superman" is no exception.
The plot generally follows the greatly superior 1978 version, but with numerous corners cut that are just plain laughable. For instance, the film opens in outer space. It's clearly Christmas ornaments hanging from strings in front of a black screen covered in glitter. The most-used and funniest example is watching Superman fly. A doll is held in front of the camera while stock footage is used over and over again in the background.
As for the acting, I really can't fully comment, since I don't know Turkish. But the actor who plays Superman appears to be competent, and pulls off dual personas of Superman and Clark Kent. Superman in this film is quite mean. He is indirectly responsible for the deaths of three villains(for example, he throws a henchman into a wall, where he is impaled by an extended pipe).
The only disappointing aspect of this film that renders it a cut below its fellow Turkish remakes is a bland, generic super villain that bears no resemblance to Lex Luthor. Still, for the no-budget visuals and eye-popping incompetence, "Turkish Superman" is worth a look for Superman fans or fans of bad cinema.
The plot generally follows the greatly superior 1978 version, but with numerous corners cut that are just plain laughable. For instance, the film opens in outer space. It's clearly Christmas ornaments hanging from strings in front of a black screen covered in glitter. The most-used and funniest example is watching Superman fly. A doll is held in front of the camera while stock footage is used over and over again in the background.
As for the acting, I really can't fully comment, since I don't know Turkish. But the actor who plays Superman appears to be competent, and pulls off dual personas of Superman and Clark Kent. Superman in this film is quite mean. He is indirectly responsible for the deaths of three villains(for example, he throws a henchman into a wall, where he is impaled by an extended pipe).
The only disappointing aspect of this film that renders it a cut below its fellow Turkish remakes is a bland, generic super villain that bears no resemblance to Lex Luthor. Still, for the no-budget visuals and eye-popping incompetence, "Turkish Superman" is worth a look for Superman fans or fans of bad cinema.
Fans of bad movies take note; everyone else avoid
jrd_7310 January 2019
Several years ago there was a news story about a group of children who made a re-enactment of The Raiders of the Lost Ark. Turkey's The Return of Superman is a spiritual cousin to the "film" those kids made. This is adults playacting in front of a camera.
There is so much wrong with the Return of Superman that one feels overwhelmed. Let us start with the special effects, which could have been in a film from the nineteen tens! The flying scenes consist of a toy on strings with bad rear projection behind it. Need more? The audience is treated to the sight of an attempt to kill Superman via a cardboard guillotine. We get fight scenes where the punches clearly fall several inches from the victim's face. Finally, in the film's most mouth dropping scene, the villains get the female journalist to pull over by shooting out one of her tires. However, this is accomplished by some poor schmuck hiding in the trunk of her car who leans far enough out of the trunk to do the dastardly deed. The mind boggles at the film's sub-Ed Wood ineptitude.
The film is not helped by either the script or the cast. The plot mostly consists of people running here and there, the Lois Lane stand in getting kidnapped, and Superman rescuing her. There are no super villains for Superman to fight, so the threat is minor. What happens if the villains get a machine that turns things into gold? Who cares!
Finally, one must address the casting of an actor even worse than Henry Cavill for the role of the caped crusader. The inexpressive Tayfun Demir plays Superman as if he was just some guy in a cape. Demir's one asset is apparently that he is tall enough to fit into the suit.
If all of this sounds amusing to a reader, then he or she might get some laughs out of the film, but I didn't. Even at sixty-eight minutes The Return of Superman feels tedious. This is Manos, the Hands of Fate territory. The 1994 Fantastic Four film is better! If you groove on this type of anti-cinema, knock yourself out, but you have been warned.
There is so much wrong with the Return of Superman that one feels overwhelmed. Let us start with the special effects, which could have been in a film from the nineteen tens! The flying scenes consist of a toy on strings with bad rear projection behind it. Need more? The audience is treated to the sight of an attempt to kill Superman via a cardboard guillotine. We get fight scenes where the punches clearly fall several inches from the victim's face. Finally, in the film's most mouth dropping scene, the villains get the female journalist to pull over by shooting out one of her tires. However, this is accomplished by some poor schmuck hiding in the trunk of her car who leans far enough out of the trunk to do the dastardly deed. The mind boggles at the film's sub-Ed Wood ineptitude.
The film is not helped by either the script or the cast. The plot mostly consists of people running here and there, the Lois Lane stand in getting kidnapped, and Superman rescuing her. There are no super villains for Superman to fight, so the threat is minor. What happens if the villains get a machine that turns things into gold? Who cares!
Finally, one must address the casting of an actor even worse than Henry Cavill for the role of the caped crusader. The inexpressive Tayfun Demir plays Superman as if he was just some guy in a cape. Demir's one asset is apparently that he is tall enough to fit into the suit.
If all of this sounds amusing to a reader, then he or she might get some laughs out of the film, but I didn't. Even at sixty-eight minutes The Return of Superman feels tedious. This is Manos, the Hands of Fate territory. The 1994 Fantastic Four film is better! If you groove on this type of anti-cinema, knock yourself out, but you have been warned.
Another turkey from Turkey
terri-15619 August 2008
Turkish filmmakers, it seems, have little respect for copyright laws. They tend to rip off Hollywood blockbusters with no compunction, yet what results is reminiscent of what Jack Black and pals threw together in "Be Kind, Rewind."
"Supermen donuyor" (Superman Returns), filmed not long after the first Christopher Reeve epic, retells the familiar story of the Man of Steel, here played by an actor who looks like Charlie Sheen with acromegaly. Krypton, and its place in space, is represented by undisguised Christmas-tree ornaments. Clark Kent, here called Tayfun (pronounced Typhoon), tearfully parts with his adoptive parents after he finds a sea-green paperweight and, in a cave, discovers the spirit of his dad Jor-el (played by an actor dressed like Marlon Brando in "Superman: The Movie"), who informs Tayfun he is ready to fulfill his destiny as Superman, complete with the wisdom of Solomon, strength of Hercules... wait a minute, folks, you've got your Shazam in my Superman! Tayfun suddenly finds himself in the familiar Super-uniform (looking spectacularly un-buff) and takes for the sky. Oh boy, does he! I can't contain my laughter as his flight is represented by a Superman doll dangling in front of a rear projection screen.
Mild mannered Clark, er, Tayfun finds employment at what is apparently the Istanbul Daily Planet, attempting to get to first base with Lois, er, Alev, while using his X-ray vision to check out the underwear of random ladies in the hall. The while, a downright colorless villain plots to steal the "Krypton stone" (what they call Kryptonite) and use it in a machine that transforms objects into gold. Said stone, in possession of a scientist (who happens to be Lois/Alev's father), is identical to the paperweight Tayfun has.
I won't spoil it for you - this must be seen to be disbelieved.
Forget about "Sweded" films - I love 'em "Turked"!
"Supermen donuyor" (Superman Returns), filmed not long after the first Christopher Reeve epic, retells the familiar story of the Man of Steel, here played by an actor who looks like Charlie Sheen with acromegaly. Krypton, and its place in space, is represented by undisguised Christmas-tree ornaments. Clark Kent, here called Tayfun (pronounced Typhoon), tearfully parts with his adoptive parents after he finds a sea-green paperweight and, in a cave, discovers the spirit of his dad Jor-el (played by an actor dressed like Marlon Brando in "Superman: The Movie"), who informs Tayfun he is ready to fulfill his destiny as Superman, complete with the wisdom of Solomon, strength of Hercules... wait a minute, folks, you've got your Shazam in my Superman! Tayfun suddenly finds himself in the familiar Super-uniform (looking spectacularly un-buff) and takes for the sky. Oh boy, does he! I can't contain my laughter as his flight is represented by a Superman doll dangling in front of a rear projection screen.
Mild mannered Clark, er, Tayfun finds employment at what is apparently the Istanbul Daily Planet, attempting to get to first base with Lois, er, Alev, while using his X-ray vision to check out the underwear of random ladies in the hall. The while, a downright colorless villain plots to steal the "Krypton stone" (what they call Kryptonite) and use it in a machine that transforms objects into gold. Said stone, in possession of a scientist (who happens to be Lois/Alev's father), is identical to the paperweight Tayfun has.
I won't spoil it for you - this must be seen to be disbelieved.
Forget about "Sweded" films - I love 'em "Turked"!
Excellent movie
atarsatar10 August 2007
I have watched this movie twice and I can't believe my eyes yet! It is amazing , absolutely enjoyable from the beginning to the end , I think is the best blockbuster movie of the year.No doubt.
The visual effects. Perhaps the best special effects I've ever seen in a movie.The sound design. The sound effects complement the action perfectly making everything twice as exciting.
Spiderman 3 , Pirates 3 , Transformers or even Harry Potter 5 hasn't surprised me as "Supermen Donuyor" did. And the best is that I wasn't expecting something like that at all... funny , full of action and with great performances from the actors.
(Adi gibi super film)
The visual effects. Perhaps the best special effects I've ever seen in a movie.The sound design. The sound effects complement the action perfectly making everything twice as exciting.
Spiderman 3 , Pirates 3 , Transformers or even Harry Potter 5 hasn't surprised me as "Supermen Donuyor" did. And the best is that I wasn't expecting something like that at all... funny , full of action and with great performances from the actors.
(Adi gibi super film)
A magical reimagining
BandSAboutMovies17 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The makers of The Return of Superman didn't have money to create a field of stars. They did not feel like stealing the footage from another film. So instead, they laid several Christmas ornaments on a blanket and just let the camera roll. If seeing that makes you say, "How cheap!" then you aren't ready for the world of Turkish remixes.
This is 67 minutes of Superman's origin, except that it's really Captain Marvel - the Shazam! version - who has the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.
Tayfun Demir plays Tayfun, who is our Clark Kent here. Once he learns from his Earth parents that he came from space, he's given a green Plexiglass paperweight that leads him to the magical cave of Shazam. Or his father. Before you know it, he's trying to win over Lois Lane when he isn't using his X-ray vision to check out the other ladies at the Istanbul Planet.
According to director Kunt Tulgar, the budget was so small that Demir had to resew his shirt every time they shot a scene where he pops the buttons off his dress shirt to reveal his Superman shield. After the fourth time, Demir refused to sew any longer.
Richard Donner's Superman was sold with the idea that you would believe a man could fly. Here, that man is a Ken doll being held by a string in front of photos of Istanbul. The logo at the end of our hero's shield? A latch hook rug.
Some will be put off by this thrift store level effort. As for me, I found it charming, a film closer to the George Reeves-starring TV version than a big budget Hollywood blockbuster.
This is 67 minutes of Superman's origin, except that it's really Captain Marvel - the Shazam! version - who has the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.
Tayfun Demir plays Tayfun, who is our Clark Kent here. Once he learns from his Earth parents that he came from space, he's given a green Plexiglass paperweight that leads him to the magical cave of Shazam. Or his father. Before you know it, he's trying to win over Lois Lane when he isn't using his X-ray vision to check out the other ladies at the Istanbul Planet.
According to director Kunt Tulgar, the budget was so small that Demir had to resew his shirt every time they shot a scene where he pops the buttons off his dress shirt to reveal his Superman shield. After the fourth time, Demir refused to sew any longer.
Richard Donner's Superman was sold with the idea that you would believe a man could fly. Here, that man is a Ken doll being held by a string in front of photos of Istanbul. The logo at the end of our hero's shield? A latch hook rug.
Some will be put off by this thrift store level effort. As for me, I found it charming, a film closer to the George Reeves-starring TV version than a big budget Hollywood blockbuster.
Turkish Versions
olcaykakici26 February 2009
Really don't know why they are "trying to" copy the originals but it was very common in Turkish cinema.
I didn't have the opportunity to watch this "SUPERMEN" but frankly I have to see it. I know for sure that it will almost look, sound and feel like crap when I watch it.
Also there is another one. The copy of "The Woman In Red" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088414/) was shot by us (Turks). In fact, I have to tell the truth, I almost liked our version better. Again it was a copy but some of the scenes and especially the attitudes of people has been made compatible with our culture. This way, it feels closer if you are a cheater or have been cheated :) (I still know that it is disrespectful to the original)
Anyhow, the "SUPERMEN" is E.T. living in Metropolis and a comic hero which anyone even shouldn't try to apply for other locations or origins. I have seen many movies (but not this one) similar to this copy and they are mostly full of dirt.
I didn't have the opportunity to watch this "SUPERMEN" but frankly I have to see it. I know for sure that it will almost look, sound and feel like crap when I watch it.
Also there is another one. The copy of "The Woman In Red" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088414/) was shot by us (Turks). In fact, I have to tell the truth, I almost liked our version better. Again it was a copy but some of the scenes and especially the attitudes of people has been made compatible with our culture. This way, it feels closer if you are a cheater or have been cheated :) (I still know that it is disrespectful to the original)
Anyhow, the "SUPERMEN" is E.T. living in Metropolis and a comic hero which anyone even shouldn't try to apply for other locations or origins. I have seen many movies (but not this one) similar to this copy and they are mostly full of dirt.
Greatest film ever made
ellisnapier14 November 2013
Oh The Return of Superman, how can I express in words how truly wonderful and glorious thou art? This is less a film and more a glorious, timeless tale of humanity, weaving an intricate, twisting narrative with spectacular visuals. My theory is that Shakespeare has actually been reincarnated and he came down and wrote this. Many have said to me "But isn't it terrible?" I like to hit people that say this, as they don't understand the true artistry that is displayed through subtle nuances, such as the plagiarised music or it not making sense. To conclude, this is truly the greatest thing ever made by a human and it has changed my life forever.
Not to be confused with 1980 or 1987 *musical* Superman
Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki3 April 2016
Gang of thugs are after the mysterious piece of green, glowing rock known as "Krypton stone", which is the last remaining piece of Planet Krypton, and which this film tells us can turn any ordinary metal into gold when used in the correct formula. It's up to 1979 Turkish Superman (in a surprisingly well made costume) to foil their plans.
1979 Turkish Superman is technically inept, and obviously filmed on no budget, (the opening uses Christmas lights and decorations against black curtains to simulate planet Krypton and deep space, while an off-screen narrator tells us what we've missed: "gasses that mixed suddenly caused explosions and wiped it out of the Universe.") and that's a shame, because I think this film has the best story out of the trio of Superman ripoffs I've watched lately. It has a fun, Z- movie vibe to it, which elevates it, and at only 65 minutes, it's over and done with quickly, compared to the other films' 123, and 135 minutes run time. Toward the end, there is also a good showdown on a viaduct, a confrontation which results in one of the villains plunging to his death.
Tayfun Demir does fairly well as Turkish Superman, he has a good build, and handles himself well in the action scenes, intently staring at people with his cold, piercing blue/ grey eyes, before kicking massive amounts of ass. Seriously, this guy seems more like The Terminator, than Superman, and he looks a lot like B.J.Turner, from 1988's Scarecrows.
I genuinely enjoyed this one, and not in a "so bad it's good" way.
1979 Turkish Superman is technically inept, and obviously filmed on no budget, (the opening uses Christmas lights and decorations against black curtains to simulate planet Krypton and deep space, while an off-screen narrator tells us what we've missed: "gasses that mixed suddenly caused explosions and wiped it out of the Universe.") and that's a shame, because I think this film has the best story out of the trio of Superman ripoffs I've watched lately. It has a fun, Z- movie vibe to it, which elevates it, and at only 65 minutes, it's over and done with quickly, compared to the other films' 123, and 135 minutes run time. Toward the end, there is also a good showdown on a viaduct, a confrontation which results in one of the villains plunging to his death.
Tayfun Demir does fairly well as Turkish Superman, he has a good build, and handles himself well in the action scenes, intently staring at people with his cold, piercing blue/ grey eyes, before kicking massive amounts of ass. Seriously, this guy seems more like The Terminator, than Superman, and he looks a lot like B.J.Turner, from 1988's Scarecrows.
I genuinely enjoyed this one, and not in a "so bad it's good" way.
Criticizing quickly: Süpermen Dönüyor
Bonnascope21 March 2023
THE BEST: How shabby it is. With an endless list of unforgettable notations: Soundtrack taken directly from the original "Superman", including the James Bond theme. Retro-projections made with the doll Ken (Barbie's boyfriend) replacing the actor; fights more false than Maya the Bee's memories, the new powers she has: Telekinesis, Zoom View, Ability to see girls in their underwear, See the past and Deconcentrate their enemies; and a long etcetera that I recommend to everyone.
THE WORST: That being a Z series movie, it is hated by many. Being so bad that it deserves its own thesis.
WHAT IS IT: Made exclusively for Turkish export because at that time in Turkey, American films were prohibited from being released; For which reason these "remakes" of budget 0 were made to be shown to the public. A real "suecada" as they already did in "Rewind please". This time the argument is as follows (extracted with the help of English subtitles): The only Survivor of a race of Supermen who live on the planet Krypton is sent to earth. There he is welcomed by an old couple who ends up calling him Tayfun. When he is an adult, his parents tell him where he really came from, and give him a green stone (a square) that leads him to a cave. The square shows... his father of him? And he tells him his real origin and what will be his destiny: to become the last of the Supermen. Curious fact, the stone that came with him is Kryptonite, and here it does not cause death, but having it next to him has no powers. After becoming Superman, a professor (it is not known how) has obtained the Kryptonite to study it. One of his group of colleagues is the Turkish Lex Luthor (who is called Ekrem here and is not bald) intends to get the stone because he has discovered that the Kryptonite material connected to a device of his invention could turn any material into gold. That's when this story begins in which our Turkish Clark Kent gets involved, and his companions; Alev (Turkish Lois Lane) and Nazi (Turkish Jimmy Olsen, and yes, he is called that in Turkish) and Ekrem's henchmen. Will they get the stone?
ONLY FOR: Those who dare to see it. Obviously not in Turkish, there are already subtitled versions. It has no waste (that's why I give it a 6/10). Plus it only lasts 67 minutes!
THE WORST: That being a Z series movie, it is hated by many. Being so bad that it deserves its own thesis.
WHAT IS IT: Made exclusively for Turkish export because at that time in Turkey, American films were prohibited from being released; For which reason these "remakes" of budget 0 were made to be shown to the public. A real "suecada" as they already did in "Rewind please". This time the argument is as follows (extracted with the help of English subtitles): The only Survivor of a race of Supermen who live on the planet Krypton is sent to earth. There he is welcomed by an old couple who ends up calling him Tayfun. When he is an adult, his parents tell him where he really came from, and give him a green stone (a square) that leads him to a cave. The square shows... his father of him? And he tells him his real origin and what will be his destiny: to become the last of the Supermen. Curious fact, the stone that came with him is Kryptonite, and here it does not cause death, but having it next to him has no powers. After becoming Superman, a professor (it is not known how) has obtained the Kryptonite to study it. One of his group of colleagues is the Turkish Lex Luthor (who is called Ekrem here and is not bald) intends to get the stone because he has discovered that the Kryptonite material connected to a device of his invention could turn any material into gold. That's when this story begins in which our Turkish Clark Kent gets involved, and his companions; Alev (Turkish Lois Lane) and Nazi (Turkish Jimmy Olsen, and yes, he is called that in Turkish) and Ekrem's henchmen. Will they get the stone?
ONLY FOR: Those who dare to see it. Obviously not in Turkish, there are already subtitled versions. It has no waste (that's why I give it a 6/10). Plus it only lasts 67 minutes!
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