Warner Bros and Max prepare to unveil the documentary
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
in theaters this October 9, the opportunity to take an interest in the extraordinary destiny of the actor. The man who played one of the most famous Supermans in the history of cinema did not think, when starting his acting career alongside Robin Williams, that he was going to have an extraordinary life. But if Christopher Reeve is known, it is not only for the four Superman films in which he starred, but also because of
its tragic story.
While he was at the height of his career, father of three children and madly in love with his second wife Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve was the victim of an accident that changed his destiny. A great sportsman, the father of the family had taken the taste of horse riding when he had to learn this new discipline for the needs of a role in Anna Karenina. Allergic to horses, he filled himself with antihistamines until he could tolerate animals. He then continued to ride horses and discovered a true passion which he maintained with his wife.
Christopher Reeve falls from his horse on May 27, 1995
However, it is this passion which, in 1995, was at the origin of a serious accident which left him quadriplegic. But what exactly happened? It all started with the purchase of his horse Buck on the set of a film. After training this horse for several competitions, Christopher Reeve took part in a competition on May 27, 1995. Only his mount refused in front of an obstacle and caused his rider to fall, being thrown forward. Christopher Reeve takes an impressive fall and lands on his head, he breaks two cervical vertebrae and severs his spinal cord.
The actor is immediately taken to the hospital where he sways
between life and death for several days and even suffered cardiac arrests before being revived. He learns, after regaining consciousness, that he has become quadriplegic. Unable to move his body below his neck, Christopher Reeve questions his life and his future as well as the impact that this tragedy may have on his family.
Christopher Reeve died on October 10, 2004
The man who made himself known throughout the world by playing the role of Clark Kent then considered suicide. It was the words of his wife, Dana Reeve, that kept him going. As shown in the documentary about the actor’s life, Dana simply told him that she would support him no matter what, because it was his decision above all. But she also has made it clear that she would always be by his sideand that he was still him. Words that convinced Christopher Reeve to undergo a necessary operation and begin a long convalescence which would last until his death on October 10, 2004.
