Original artwork, not a still
I'm here to fight for truth and justice and the American way.
— Superman
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Said with a perfectly straight face to a sceptical reporter, it casts Superman as a boy-scout idealist, and Lois's reply makes the joke that he means every word. It has become shorthand for earnest, old-fashioned heroism, quoted both in praise of Superman and to tease him whenever a darker era of comics and films tries to complicate it.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for SupermanShow the scene
In Superman (1978), after his night of public rescues, Lois Lane gets the interview with the new caped hero that Clark Kent has arranged for her. She asks where he is from and he explains it is another galaxy, a planet called Krypton, which she mis-spells aloud before he corrects her. When she asks why he is here, he says he is here to fight for truth and justice and the American way. Lois warns he will end up fighting every elected official in the country, and he answers that he never lies.
Sources (3)
- Wikiquote: Superman: The MovieLois Lane and Superman interview dialogueReference checked
- Springfield! Springfield! transcript: Superman (1978)Lois interview sceneReference checked
- Wikipedia: Superman (1978 film)PlotReference checked
Context reviewed
