Monday 1 July 2013

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

 
I quite like the occasional comic book and don't mind the odd superhero, however I just can't get on with Superman in any form.
With that said it may come as no surprise that I haven't seen this particular film or am I ever likely to so it's a big thanks to blog-follower Tim for pointing out this small scene of interest.
What makes it especially good is that I've a keen eye for a recycled prop and I think I've spotted a
couple here.
The backpack is an absolute definite reuse of the Outland backpacks, made for that film, as this behind the scenes image will reveal.
 
The second observation is that the helmet may be the same as featured in Unidentified Flying Oddball or whichever of its various titles you care to know it by.
 
It's hard to be certain and its a safe bet that that production had recycled it from somewhere else before but it does have quite a few distinctive features.  As ever with these things feel free to correct me if you know better.
 
Steve

12 comments:

  1. I had a feeling that it was the Outland backpack,sadly the whole tone of the film was cheap,but then it was being made by shoestring Cannon films rather than the big budget Salkinds so that was no surprise.
    Found another Skulls in space artwork
    http://acreativeuniverse.com/Christopher/skullspacesuitillustrationdigital-art/
    http://designinstruct.com/graphic-design/create-a-vibrant-space-themed-poster-in-photoshop/
    http://www.wallmay.net/Video_Games/Starcraft/skulls_video_games_starcraft_space_suit_warriors_starcraft_ii_game_pc_games_1200x1800_wallpaper_27604
    http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/s7/doctor-who/levelup/a293098/want-to-see-the-vashta-nerada-in-dw-tag.html
    http://www.wallpapername.com/Body_Parts/skulls/skulls_minimalistic_funny_ghosts_spaceman_space_suit_pills_fun_art_blue_background_1920x1080_wall_26593/download_1680x1050
    http://silent-musings.tumblr.com/post/28329442552
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/spacesuitskeleton/pool/
    http://www.skullspiration.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Robot-Cosmonaut-Space-Skull.jpg
    http://2.asset.soup.io/asset/2313/4114_3c3d_500.png
    http://skullappreciationsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/wight_skull.jpg
    http://tiredjadedsoul.deviantart.com/art/The-Astronaut-s-Tomb-193767385
    And look what you could buy
    http://thatsmyskull.blogspot.co.nz/2008/09/surplus-astronaut-space-helmet.html
    http://thatsmyskull.blogspot.co.nz/2008/09/surplus-astronaut-space-suit.html

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    1. Cheers Tim, I'll check them out and blog accordingly.

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  2. I have seen Superman iv (The Quest for Peace), it's the film that cured me of the uncritical eye towards anything with sf content. Till then I'd been a regular space cadet, eagerly consuming anything with a hint of sf appeal. Then I found myself in the a cinema in Reading, thinking --why I am sitting here eating this overpriced popcorn, drinking this watered down sprite from this cup? Honest -- I hate to throw around cheap criticism at people who take on the task of making entertainment but this film ranks as one of the worst ever. I felt like someone had picked my pocket and stolen the price of the ticket from wallet.

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    1. What a lovely little amusing musing, there DSE. I'm going to have to cast my mind back to search for which ever film it was that popped my own uncritical SF bubble. On TV it was Kinvig, sitting there, not laughing saying to myself; really, by the same bloke that wrote Quatermass? A liberating moment.

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    2. I had to look Kinvig up, I've tracked down the first episode on YT -- I've only watched the fist few minutes and er...

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  3. You knew would this happen? I'm halfway through the series, I just have to watch it -- despite the pain.

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  4. Indeed. It's utter rubbish and all kinds of bad but I watched every episode they made.

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  5. I have Say; Hello Spaceman! a shout-out on FWS. Thanks for the solid work here!

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    1. Cheers William. Appreciated. I have to say I do enjoy the little group chats we have going over here with yourself and the others in this comments thread. I love the education, the recommendations and the condemnations we all share and the fact that I wouldn't have found some of these things without help. Well done to you guys too.

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  6. Superman III was my epiphany film for realizing not everything sf was worth watching. I don't much like superhero films now, but I loved the first two Superman movies as a kid. When that third came out I felt like I'd just had all my candy stolen. At least they made an attempt, unsuccessful, naive and under-funded though it may have been, to make a decent movie with four. Three was just a cynical piece of garbage and single handedly made me the critic I am today! :)

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  7. Now I did see Superman III so I can agree to it being a big bag of poo. It would seem that the Superman Franchise is responsible for a quite a lot and little of it good.

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  8. Unidentified Flying oddball, is there a clearer view of the helmet and larger? I ask because it looks remarkably StarCops design ?

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