October 29th 2024.
Christopher Reeve, the beloved actor known for his iconic role as Superman, had his life changed in an instant on May 27, 1995. While participating in a horse-riding competition in Culpeper, Virginia, he suffered a devastating accident that left him with a broken neck and paralyzed from the neck down. In his memoirs, Christopher revealed that as he lay in intensive care, he thought to himself, "I've ruined my life and everybody else's."
The accident occurred as Christopher approached a jump with his horse, Buck. Suddenly, Buck came to a stop, causing Christopher to be thrown off and land on his head. Doctors later revealed that if he had fallen just one centimeter further to the left, he would have died on the spot. Instead, he suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck and a severe spinal cord injury that left him unable to move or feel his body.
The news of Christopher's accident made headlines, with many proclaiming "broken dreams" for the star. However, Christopher refused to give up. Despite being told he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, he continued to live and work as an actor and advocate for nearly a decade. Now, 20 years later, his incredible story is being told in the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.
In the film, we see the aftermath of the accident and the immediate thoughts that ran through Christopher's mind as he lay paralyzed in the ICU. Letters of support poured in from fans and famous faces like Katherine Hepburn, Robert De Niro, and even President Bill Clinton. Yet, Christopher still had doubts about what the future held for him. He even considered ending his life, but his wife's words changed everything.
Sitting by his hospital bed, Christopher's second wife, Dana Morosini, told him, "You're still you, and I love you." Those seven words convinced Christopher that living was still possible, and he made a vow to carry on. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Christopher persevered, returning to film and even directing three features and starring in a TV remake of Rear Window.
Christopher's accident also sparked a newfound passion for finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Together with Dana, he formed the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which has raised over £106,000,000 for research and treatment. The couple became a powerful force in the disabled community, advocating for better support for individuals, families, and caregivers impacted by paralysis.
Tragically, Christopher passed away in 2004 at the age of 52 from heart failure. At the 2005 Golden Globes, his close friend and former roommate, Robin Williams, dedicated the Cecil B DeMille Award to him, saying, "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, sweet prince." Dana took over as the chair of the board of directors for the Christopher Reeve Foundation and continued to make a difference in the lives of those affected by paralysis.
In the documentary, we see how Dana became a superhero in her own right, taking on the role of caregiver and advocate for her husband and the disabled community. She even went as far as to amend her marriage vows from "love you til death do us part" to "I will love you forever." Their son, Will, also shares a touching poem written by his mother, describing the pain and strength she experienced since the accident.
Despite the tragic outcome, Christopher's legacy lives on through the foundation and the impact he made during his lifetime. He may have been confined to a wheelchair, but he continued to inspire and fight for a better future until the very end. As his friend Robin Williams said, "Superman is still flying."
The life of Christopher Reeve, best known for his iconic role as Superman, took a dramatic turn on May 27, 1995. While participating in an equestrian competition in Virginia, Reeve's horse suddenly stopped, throwing him to the ground and leaving him with serious injuries. As he lay in intensive care, he couldn't help but think that he had ruined his own life and the lives of those around him.
In the years that followed, Reeve opened up about the thoughts that were running through his mind during that fateful moment. Doctors informed him that he had broken two vertebrae in his neck and suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. It was a devastating blow for the actor, who had become a global sensation through his portrayal of the all-powerful superhero.
But Reeve refused to give up. Despite the initial headlines declaring his "broken dreams," he continued to live, work, and advocate for others for nearly a decade. And now, 20 years later, his remarkable story is being shared in the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.
In an interview at the Rosewood Hotel in London, Bonhôte reflects on Reeve's journey from Superman to a man confined to a wheelchair. He notes that while the world saw Reeve as invincible, his paralysis was his own personal kryptonite. The documentary delves into the aftermath of his accident, including the flood of support from fans and celebrities like Katherine Hepburn, Robert De Niro, and Bill Clinton. But despite the outpouring of love, Reeve still had doubts about his future.
In a recording from his memoirs, Reeve can be heard saying that he wouldn't be able to do the things he loved anymore, like skiing, sailing, and making love to his wife Dana. It was at this low point that Dana, who had been by his side since their marriage in 1992, uttered seven simple words that changed everything. "You're still you and I love you," she told him. Those words gave Reeve the strength to keep fighting and he vowed to carry on.
Reeve's journey after the accident was not an easy one. He initially retreated from the public eye, but eventually returned to the film industry, directing three features and starring in a TV remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. In 1996, he gave a powerful speech in Washington, discussing his initial feelings of guilt and his determination to see this as a new chapter in his life rather than the end.
Reeve and Dana also worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others affected by paralysis. They formed the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which has raised over £106,000,000 for research and treatment. But unfortunately, Reeve's life was cut short in 2004 when he passed away unexpectedly from heart failure at the age of 52. Actor Robin Williams, a close friend and former roommate, paid tribute to Reeve at the 2005 Golden Globes, saying "May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, sweet prince."
After Reeve's passing, Dana became the chair of the board for the Christopher Reeve Foundation, carrying on her husband's legacy and becoming a superhero in her own right. The documentary explores her role in the foundation and her unwavering love and support for Reeve, even after their marriage vows had to be amended to "I will love you forever."
Reeve's ex-wife, Gae Exton, also reflects on the impact Dana had on her and Reeve's children from his first marriage. In a letter, Dana expressed her desire to be a friend rather than a stepmother to Matthew and Alexandra. And at Reeve's memorial service, his son Will reads a touching poem from his mother, revealing the strength and bravery she had to maintain in the face of such a tragic loss.
Through Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, viewers are able to see the incredible journey of a man who went from being a beloved superhero to a real-life hero, inspiring countless others along the way.
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