Super/Man - What Did The Christopher Reeve Documentary Reveal?

Key Takeaways

Reeve’s accident was severe, but his resilience and determination inspired many.
Close friendship with Robin Williams and his family’s continued advocacy are highlighted in the documentary.
The legacy of Christopher Reeve lives on through his children’s work supporting disabled individuals.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story had a limited run in theaters ahead of its release on digital platforms on November 5, 2024. The HBO documentary has become one of the best and most inspiring hits of 2024. Superhero movies own the big screen these days, but that wasn’t always the case. Christopher Reeve’s iteration of Superman back in 1978 was the start of the superhero craze, and his performance set the bar high. Unfortunately, Reeve would go through some personal struggles after he finished donning the famous cape, and these are explored in this new documentary.

On May 27, 1995, Reeve was paralyzed by a freak accident while horse riding. However, his response to this devastating injury demonstrated that he was just as heroic as the superhero he portrayed in the movies. He was supported by his family and close friends, including the legendary comedian, Robin Williams. There were a lot of things that came out in the documentary that weren’t previously known and some fascinating personal insights that add to the tragic tale of one of Hollywood’s most talented actors.

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Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Contributors/Archive footage	Christopher Reeve, Dana Reeve, Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg and John Kerry
Written By	Ian Bonhôte, Otto Burnham and Peter Ettedgui
Directed By	Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui

It was common knowledge that Christopher Reeve’s accident was very bad, but the documentary reveals the full extent of his injuries and how close he came to actually dying. After the horse stalled, Reeve went flying over and landed on his head, which subsequently broke his neck. He was paralyzed for life, and survived on a ventilator to assist his breathing. His devoted wife Dana assured him that she would be there every step of the way to assist with the adjustments to their life. This was a big part of his determination to live and possibly thrive as a newly disabled person. In the documentary, a recording of Reeve after the accident reveals the support he received:

I ruined my life and everybody else’s. I won’t be able to ski, sail, throw a ball to Will. Won’t be able to make love to Dana. Maybe we should let me go. And then (Dana) said the words that saved my life: ‘You’re still you. And I love you.’

After the accident, the documentary charts Reeve going into surgery, and reveals that the Superman (1978) actor’s head had to literally be re-attached to his body, and it was touch and go whether he would survive. Reeve dedicated the last few years of his life to raising awareness of the struggles that face disabled people. Not all heroes wear capes. Some do.

Reeve Was Very Close Friends With Robin WIlliams, And He Helped Him Immensely After The Accident

One of the best aspects of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is the portrayal of the beautiful friendship between Reeve and Robin WIlliams. The actors first met each other while studying at Julliard in the early 1970s. They were roommates in their freshman year, but they became friends for life. After Reeve had his tragic accident, Williams did what only he could do, and tried to provide comic relief upon his first visit to see Reeve in hospital. The legendary comic dressed up as a Russian proctologist, and tried to convince Reeve that he would need a rather invasive examination to check if everything was still working correctly. Williams revealed his true identity, and Reeve was amused by the whole thing. It was a bittersweet moment in the documentary, and it summed up the genius and warmth of Robin WIlliams. During an interview in the documentary, actress, Glenn Close says:

I’m convinced that Robin Williams would still be alive if Christopher Reeve were, too.

Christopher Reeve’s Three Children Have Continued Their Father’s Great Work To Help Disabled People

Christopher Reeve died on October 10, 2004, and his three children were devastated by the loss. Reeve’s two oldest children, Alexandra and Matthew, from his first marriage to Gae Exton, joined his youngest son, Will, in the documentary, and they spoke about their father’s legacy and the work they continue to do for the Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve Foundation. Sadly, Dana (Will’s mother) died of cancer in March 2006, and this second Reeve family tragedy was covered in depth in the documentary. Will described the loneliness he felt after losing both his parents in the space of a couple of years, but he explained how he was helped by his two older half siblings. Will was three when his father had the accident, 12 when he died, and a teenager when his mother passed away, but despite these struggles, he comes across as a wonderfully well-rounded young man in the documentary. In addition to his work with the foundation, he is a broadcast journalist for ABC News.