Superman: The Movie is arguably one of the greatest comic book adventure movies of all-time. The film – directed by Richard Donner – stars Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, and Marlon Brando, and tells the origin of the iconic hero, with Reeve in the role of Clark Kent/Superman.
Packed with fantastic special effects, a superb cast, and a great story, Superman: The Movie is well-regarded by fans for its believable take on the Superman mythology. Those same fans also commend the script, which is loaded with excellent dialogue.
In this post I am taking a look at the best pieces of dialogue from the film. Below is a run-through of the best quotes from Superman: The Movie, including many zingers that every fan should be familiar with.
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The best Superman: The Movie quotes
Superman – “Easy, miss. I’ve got you.”
Lois Lane – “You – you’ve got me? Who’s got you?”
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Lex Luthor – “Some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it’s a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.”
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Perry White – “Lois, Clark Kent may seem like just a mild-mannered reporter, but listen, not only does he know how to treat his editor-in-chief with the proper respect, not only does he have a snappy, punchy prose style, but he is, in my forty years in this business, the fastest typist I’ve ever seen.”
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Jor-El – “You will travel far, my little Kal-El. But we will never leave you… even in the face of our death. The richness of our lives shall be yours. All that I have, all that I’ve learned, everything I feel… all this, and more, I… I bequeath you, my son. You will carry me inside you, all the days of your life. You will make my strength your own, and see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father, and the father the son. This is all I… all I can send you, Kal-El.”
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Lois Lane – “Um, um, would you like a glass of wine?”
Superman – “Uh, no, no thanks. I never drink when I fly.”
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Perry White – “Now listen to me, I tell you boys and girls – whichever one of you gets it out… is going to wind up with the single most important interview since… God talked to Moses!”
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Clark Kent – “All those things I can do. All those powers. And I couldn’t even save him.”
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Co Pilot – “What the hell happened; we got our engine back? What the hell is going on out there?”
Air Force One Pilot – “Fly. Don’t look, just fly. We got… something. I ain’t saying what it is. Just… trust me.”
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Lex Luthor – “Do you know why the number two hundred is so vitally descriptive to both you and me? It’s your weight and my I.Q.”
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Jor-El – “Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. But always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason, above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you… my only son.”
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Miss Teschmacher – “Tell me something, Lex, why do so many people have to die for the crime of the century?”
Lex Luthor – “Why? You ask why? Why does the phone always ring when you’re in the bathtub?”
Lex Luthor – “*Why* is the most diabolical leader of our time surrounding himself with total nincompoops?”
Otis – “I’m back, Mr. Luthor!”
Lex Luthor – “Yes, I was just talking about you.”
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Lois Lane – “Can you read my mind? Do you know what it is that you do to me?”
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Lex Luthor – “This is Lex Luthor. Only one thing alive with less than four legs can hear this frequency, Superman, and that’s you. In approximately five minutes a poisoned gas pellet containing a propane lithium compound will be released through thousands of air ducts in this city. Effectively annihilating half the population of Metropolis. I know it all seems a bit much, but how else was I going to get to meet you, Superman? I… knew you’d never accept an invitation to tea. But a disaster – with people in danger – people who need help… well, I just knew you couldn’t resist the… chance to sort of… pitch in. Know what I mean?”
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Superman – “I’m here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way.”
Lois Lane – “You’re gonna end up fighting every elected official in this country!”
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Lois Lane – “What a super man… “Superman”!”
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The Pimp – “Say, Jim, whoo!”
Superman – “Excuse me.”
The Pimp – “That’s a bad outfit! Whoo!”
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General Zod – “You *will* bow down before me, Jor-El! I swear it! No matter if it takes an eternity, you *will* bow down before me! Both you, and one day, your heirs!”
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Superman – “Is that how a warped brain like yours gets its kicks? By planning the death of innocent people?”
Lex Luthor – “No, by causing the death of innocent people.”
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Clark Kent – “Excuse me, Mr. White. I was wondering if, if, uh, perhaps you could arrange for half my salary to be sent to this address on a weekly basis.”
Lois Lane – “Your bookie, right?”
Clark Kent – “My what?”
Lois Lane – “Don’t tell me: he sends a check every week to his sweet, grey-haired old mother.”
Clark Kent – “Actually, she’s silver-haired.”
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Lex Luthor – “It’s kryptonite, Superman. A little piece of the rock you were born on. I’ve spared no expense to make you feel right at home.”
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Superman – “I never lie.”
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Lex Luthor – “Miss Teschmacher, when I was six years old my father said to me…”
Miss Teschmacher – “”Get out!””
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Jimmy Olsen – “What are you writing, Miss Lane?”
Lois Lane – “An ode to spring. How do you spell massacre?”
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Superman – “Good evening, Warden. I think these 2 men should be safe here with you now till they can get a fair trial.”
Warden – “Who is it, Superman?”
Lex Luthor – “Lex Luthor! The greatest criminal mind of our time!”
Otis – “… Of our time!”
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Perry White – “Now look. The Post: “It Flies.” The News: “Look, Ma, No Wires.” The Times: “Blue Bomb Buzzes Metropolis.” The Planet. “Caped Wonder Stuns City.” We’re sitting on top of the story of the century here! I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs, franks and beans, death and taxes, politics and corruption.”
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Clark Kent – (In Superman’s voice) “Lois, there’s something I have to tell you. I’m really…”
Clark Kent – (In Clark’s voice) “I-I mean I was, at first, really nervous about tonight, uh… but then I decided, darn it! I’m gonna show you the time of your life.”
Lois Lane – “That’s Clark, nice.”
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Lex Luthor – “There’s a strong streak of good in you, Superman. But then nobody’s perfect… almost nobody.”
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Lex Luthor – “You were great in your day, Superman. But it just stands to reason, when it came time to cash in your chips, this old… diseased… maniac would be your banker.”
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And finally…
Lois Lane – “Who… are you?”
Superman – “A friend.”
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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about the best Superman: The Movie quotes. For more Superman-related posts, be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
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