Posted By Dan Greenfield on Dec 10, 2023 | 8 comments

None flew higher than Christopher Reeve…

By SCOTT TIPTON

December 10 marks the 45th anniversary of the Washington, D.C., world premiere of Superman: The Movie. When it comes to portrayals of Superman on the silver screen, there’s just one that is the absolute best, the personification of what Superman should be, and still stands as the benchmark to measure all Superman performances by, either before or since. Of course, I’m talking about Christopher Reeve.

The Julliard-trained Reeve landed the part in Richard Donner’s epic 1978 blockbuster after the director and the producers came to the realization that the superstars of the day like James Caan and Robert Redford (both of whom were considered for the role) simply wouldn’t be believable in the part, not because they weren’t good enough actors, but because the audience wouldn’t be able to make the necessary disconnect and “buy” them as a guy flying around in a cape and tights.

The decision to go with an unknown (and more significantly, with Reeve) was the single biggest component in the success of the movie, as Reeve’s sincere, grounded and heartfelt performance served as an anchor for both the fantastic feats of super-powered derring-do and the lighter, more comedic moments courtesy of Gene Hackman and Ned Beatty. Reeve plays a slightly restrained Superman — polite, courteous, friendly, yet always reserved, as if he’s all too aware of the power at his disposal, and his responsibility to use it wisely. And yet, when pushed to the brink, Reeve’s Superman is steely and intimidating, as seen in his exchanges with Gene Hackman’s Luthor in Superman, which opened wide in the U.S. on Dec. 15, and Terence Stamp’s General Zod in Superman II.

Some have criticized Reeve’s Clark Kent as being too nerdy and clumsy, but for me, his performance as the powerless, mortal Superman in the second movie validates his Kent, highlighting the lengths to which Superman is going to protect his identity, sublimating his true self to a ludicrous and embarrassing degree, all for the greater good.

And for sheer dramatic gravitas, the moment in Superman when a heartbroken Kal-El cradles the lifeless body of Lois Lane in his arms — show me better acting than that in a more “serious” movie, ’cause I’d like to see it.

The other strength of Reeve’s performance, like George Reeves’ (no relation), is in his physicality in the role. Not only is Reeve in good enough condition to always look great in the none-too-forgiving costume, but his willingness to commit completely to the part, particularly in the films’ breakthrough flying scenes, cement his place as the most convincing screen Superman.

When Reeve angles his body to bank during flight or extends a foot for a gentle landing, it’s nearly impossible not to be convinced. To borrow a catchphrase, if you believe a man can fly, it’s only because Christopher Reeve makes you believe.

The rest of Reeve’s story is known to everyone: Two more, substandard Superman films as part of a respectable, if never again quite so spectacular, career (with the classic Somewhere in Time standing as another highlight), followed by an equestrian accident that robbed him of his mobility, but never his dignity.

The final phase of his life — he died in 2004 — stands as a lesson in courage, never giving up in the face of terrible, debilitating circumstance, and championing the cause of research into paralysis treatment, with notable success. Thanks to Christopher Reeve’s endless supply of bravery and resolve, what could have been nothing more than the cheapest sort of bitter irony instead became a testament to the best potential within all of us.

It’s undoubtedly been said before, but Reeve was more of a superman in his last days than he ever was on the silver screen.

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MORE

— 13 QUICK THOUGHTS: Why CHRISTOPHER REEVE Was the Greatest SUPERMAN Ever. Click here.

— SOMEWHERE IN TIME: Christopher Reeve’s Greatest Role Beyond SUPERMAN. Click here.

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Scott Tipton is 13th Dimension’s longest-tenured contributor-at-large. He’s best known as the writer of scores of Star Trek comics published by IDW.