Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, the award-winning documentary chronicling the inspiring life of celebrated actor, will have its streaming debut on HBO and Max.
The documentary world premiered earlier this year at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, and went on to screen at numerous other film festivals including the DC/DOX Documentary Film Festival as the opening film, and the 68th BFI London Film Festival. It recently won big at the 9th Critics Choice Documentary Awards, winning all six of its nominated categories, including a tie with Will & Harper for Best Documentary Feature.
Directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (“McQueen”), Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story debuts December 7, 2024 (8:00-9:45 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
The synopsis of the documentary reads: Following a life-altering accident, Christopher Reeve persevered, by using his fame to speak of hope and to change our perception of paralysis, all while remaining a dedicated activist, actor and filmmaker, devoted dad, and loving husband to Dana Reeve, the beating heart of the family.
Chronicling his personal and professional life before and after the near-fatal horseback riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story uses Reeve’s own words, as well as intimate input from his closest family members and friends, to paint a rich, nuanced portrait of a man who refused to be defined by his physicality and who proved that you don’t need tights and a cape to be a hero.
After becoming a quadriplegic, Reeve harnessed his reputation as Superman to help fund medical research through his foundation, creating initiatives to improve the lives of disabled people all over the world, becoming a charismatic leader and tireless advocate, all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera, and dedicating himself to his beloved wife Dana and his three children. Dana cared for Reeve heroically and after his death at the age of 52, she remained committed to his advocacy work only to tragically succumb to lung cancer just 17 months later. The foundation was renamed the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation on the first anniversary of her death.
Illustrated with a multitude of film clips of Reeve as Superman, as well as his other roles and the films he directed, and including never-before-seen, intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, the film also features the first-ever extended interviews filmed with Reeve’s children, as well as insight from Reeve’s brother, his first wife Gae Exton, and Hollywood colleagues and friends such as Susan Sarandon and Glenn Close. The film also features extensive archival footage of Reeve with his best friend and Juilliard classmate Robin Williams, who, with his wife Marsha, was a constant source of support for Reeve and his family.
A moving and cinematic story of bravery and perseverance, triumph and tragedy, love and devotion, this documentary tells the remarkable story of a man who not only embodied a supernatural hero on screen, but also through his dedication and endurance, became a real life hero and symbol of hope to his wife, his family and the millions of people he touched throughout his life.
Watch the official trailer for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.