In early viewings of Superman: The Movie, released in 1978, audiences truly believed a man could fly. This eventually became its tagline – “You’ll believe a man can fly.” Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a chance to tell his life from archival footage through the eyes of the man known to the world as ‘Superman.’
A tragic accident in 1995 during an Equestrian competition left Reeve paralysed. This marked the beginning of a long road to recovery. And this is his story. With tough hardships and setbacks along the way. Known as Superman to the world but ‘dad’ to his children. For fans, Christopher Reeve is known as the ultimate Superman. One which he not only portrayed onscreen but as a real-life hero too.
Super/Man – The Hero Behind The Cape
The Documentary cuts between different types of footage. Home footage from over the years compiles most of the film, opening us up to what life was like in the Reeve household. Providing us with an intimate look into the man behind the red cape. This is interspersed with archival footage spanning Reeve’s films, from Superman to Comedy-Thriller Death Trap (1982) and romance classic, Somewhere In Time (1980).
Early photographs depict Reeve’s childhood upbringing to his early days at Juilliard and performing on stage in theatre productions. It’s here where Reeve met and became lifelong friends with fellow acting legend, Robin Williams, with their loyal friendship proving irreplaceable.
But fans of the popular comic book Superhero will also appreciate the snapshots of behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the Superman franchise. There’s snippets from across all four Christopher Reeve Superman films.
Visual Effects show a stone statue carved of Christopher Reeve. Throughout the documentary the statue becomes more consumed in kryptonite – Superman’s ultimate Achilles heel. This shows how Christopher Reeve’s troubles were gradually consuming him, but throughout this time Reeve became more determined to power through. Proving his not just a comic book hero but a real-life hero too.
Super Research
Directors, Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedgui went ‘up, up and away’ with their research for this documentary. Interviews with family members including the Reeve children and Hollywood friends, including Glenn Close and Jeff Daniels, explored what Reeve was like behind the cameras.
Everything in this documentary is done to perfection, from the Cinematography to Directing and the Score. A special mention goes to the editing, which covers and tracks Christopher Reeve’s story from his childhood to his family life to his accident and recovery. And of course, the tragic passing of his wife, Dana Reeve soon after. Since their passing, Christopher Reeve’s children Matthew, Alexandra and William Reeve have been extremely brave to tell their stories, continue their father’s legacy and raise awareness for spinal injuries under the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Once You Choose Hope, Anything Is Possible.’
Super/Man recently swept the floor at the 9th Critics Choice Documentary Awards. Achieving the awards of Best Director, Best Editing, Best Score, Best Biographical Documentary and Best Archival Documentary. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is set to be released on HBO and Max. Streaming on 7th December 2024.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story shows an intimate portrayal behind the ultimate hero in the red cape. Walking out of the cinema was heartbreaking, poignant and inspiring. This Documentary is truly one not to miss.
Learn more about The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation here.
Want to read more about Hollywood? Check out this blog post analysing Hollywood’s ‘Makeover Scenes’ in Romantic Comedies here.
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