Tears, truth and 'Super/Man': how Christopher Reeve’s story hit me harder than kryptonite

As a TV critic, I have watched my fair share of documentaries, but none has left as indelible an impression as “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” on Showmax. 

To date, it’s won a plethora of accolades, including Best Documentary honours at the British Academy Film Awards and the Producers Guild of America, and several more at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards (including Best Documentary Feature).

Currently, it’s in the running for Outstanding Directing For A Documentary/Nonfiction Program, Outstanding Writing For A Nonfiction, Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special and Outstanding Picture Editing For A Nonfiction Program at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.

These accolades are a testament to the creatives behind the feature, which is co-directed and co-written by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, who share the writing credit with Otto Burnham.

Unlike most documentaries that take you through what is easily Googleable, this one adopts a more heartfelt approach by interviewing family, close industry friends and associates.

In doing so, it offers viewers an intimate look at his legacy, juxtaposed by the setbacks born from a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995, which left him paralysed from the neck down. 

In a recent interview with Robert Ford, a South African producer based in the UK, sharing the credits with Lizzie Gillett and Bonhôte, he provided insight into the making of this feature.

Ford shared, “I was always very familiar with Chris's story. Even as a child and a teenager in South Africa, I knew that he was this iconic movie star who then had this very unexpected accident and completely transformed his life. 

“So it's a fascinating story. And when I got the opportunity to make the film, it was a no-brainer to do it because not only is it this great story, but we had access to huge amounts of archive footage and to the family, so you know, his children are interviewed and they're brilliant in the film.

“What you realise watching the film is that it's a story about family. It's about his wife, Dana, and their relationship and then the children and his legacy living on in the children. So I think people watching it would take away that it's about family and legacy.”

The feature includes heart-warming recollections by his children, Matthew Reeve and Alexandra Reeve Givens, from a previous relationship with Gae Exton, as well as Will Reeve, whom he had with Dana.

It is bolstered by actors Jeff Daniels, Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg, politician John Kerry, activist Brooke Ellison, “Superman” producer Pierre Spengler, former Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Senior Vice President of Government Relations Michael Manganiello, Kessler Institute chief medical officer Dr Steven Kirshblum and Christopher's assistant Laurie Hawkins.

What also stands out is Christopher’s close-knit friendship with Robin Williams and how it endured over the years. It is captured so poetically through archived material. That Christopher’s actual voice, taken from his audiobooks, “Still Me” and “Nothing is Impossible”, is used in the narration, is such a goosebump moment. 

It is this attention to detail that speaks to the prowess of the storytelling in this feature, which introduces Christopher as an outgoing, determined actor who became an overnight star after being cast as Superman. 

He used both his strength and smarts to build his career, choosing unexpected roles and championing environmental causes along the way.

While the tragic accident had a ripple effect on those around him, it also changed his perception of the struggles of people with disabilities, leading him to become their unofficial spokesperson.

Ford added, “So we strived to make a film that's personal and intimate. We had a lot of footage from Chris's son, Matthew, who's a film-maker and who filmed everything. So a lot of the film takes place in the family home, which people have never seen before.

“And then all the people we interviewed were people who were very close to Chris. They were not just commentators; they were his friends and family who knew him extremely well. We have interviews with Susan Sarandon, Glenn Close and Whoopi Goldberg in the film.

“Because they were close friends of Chris,  they could comment on what he was like as a person. What we learned through the film is that he was a really actually a kind, empathetic person who really cared about others and strived to make the lives of others better. And we saw that before and after his accident.”

He continued: “But after the accident, his purpose changed, because then he was part of the disabled community and he put his energy into improving their lives.”

Christopher was not someone who gave up easily. A stoic person, he was hellbent on defying the odds and getting better. His strong-willed nature saw him pivot into directing. He attended prestigious events, raising awareness for his cause, especially in securing government funding. 

The bittersweet ending will leave viewers in their feels. It's heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

As for the Emmy nomination, Ford revealed: “We never expected it, and it's not the reason we made the film. It's kind of come as a surprise and but you know, it's very exciting, you know, going up on the Bafta stage, and it's wonderful for a film-maker. 

“But the reason we made the film is actually to tell a great story, to give an audience an insight into something they haven't seen before. And really, to just serve the audience.”

A hero both on and off screen, this documentary delivers an emotionally charged portrayal of a cinematic legend who balanced vulnerability and strength with quiet, unwavering courage.

Rating: ***** reserved for cinematic masterpieces that excel on every level.