American Art.

Purists and aesthetes would have you believe that Motherwell, Rothko and Pollock are what passes for American Art in the twentieth century.

Utter rot.

Where America’s genius lies in the world of art is in the movies.

And while you could argue that a British cameraman making American movies flouts that rule, the reality is that Geoffrey Unsworth, British cinematographer extraordinaire, could only have worked his magic in the United States, the land of infinite opportunity and imagination. And the land of abundant risk capital.

2001: A Space Odyssey remains Unsworth’s masterpiece, but if you seek a perfect evocation of America between the wars, one of infinite hope and generosity, then Superman is just the ticket.

Just take a look at these images, then watch the original in Blu Ray set to John Williams’s music:

When Superman – the fabulous Christopher Reeve – takes Lois for the flight around Manhattan, the myth is complete:

Technicolor? But of course. British genius? Of course. American capital? Natch. Made in Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire.

Watch Superman.