The 7 Words Christopher Reeve’s Wife Said After He Was Paralyzed That ‘Saved’ His Life
The powerful life story of Christopher Reeve is told in the new documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.”
The film, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, follows Keanu Reeve’s career as Superman in the late 1970s and 1980s, before a terrible horse-riding accident in 1995 left him paralyzed from the neck down.
The indomitable actor, who died in October 2004 at the age of 52, spent the rest of his life working as a disability rights activist to help find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
On August 26, DC Studios released a trailer for the documentary, which features candid interviews with Reeve’s children, Matthew, Alexandra, and Will, as well as footage of the actor with his late wife, Dana, who died in 2006 from lung cancer.
In a touching moment from the trailer, Reeve, seen in the footage, recalls how Dana’s love helped him regain his will to live after his injury.
“I’ve ruined my life and everyone’s life. I won’t be able to ski, sail, throw a ball to Will. I won’t be able to make love to Dana. Maybe we should let me go,” Reeve recalls.
“And then she said the words that saved my life: ‘You’re still you. And I love you.’”
Elsewhere in the trailer, Reeve’s children share memories of their father’s athleticism before the accident while footage shows the actor playing tennis, swimming and riding horses.
“Doing things with my dad was all about activity and action,” Christopher recalls.
“Cycling, playing football, skiing,” Matthew adds.
“My father was very competitive and he didn’t necessarily slow down,” Alexandria admits.
In a heartbreaking moment, Matthew recalls being with his father before the accident: “We said goodbye and he waved. That was the last time I saw him standing.”
The film also features interviews with some of Reeve’s Hollywood friends, including Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels and Glenn Close, while reflecting on the special bond Reeve shared with the late actor Robin Williams.
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” will be released in select theaters on September 21, and again on September 25, in honor of Reeve’s birthday.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
