Damn! He did everything! Aviation, sking, pianist, sailor, actor, tennis player, and he is so educational and a well fit body. All are just such attractive qualities, Chris is such a fox!
Another commenter said Christopher Reeve was not "playing" Clark Kent/Superman, he WAS Superman. I completely agree. I went to the recent Henry Cavill version of Superman and it was depressing. I did not relate to even one character, even when portrayed by favorite actors of mine. Superman with Christopher Reeve is the real deal. Kind, gentle, loving, compassionate, a true Superhero.
Christopher Reeve was and still is (I have plenty good reasoning to support my views) the PERFECT PICK for Superman. He is THE BEST Actor of ALL TIME for the roll of Superman. But WHY?? Or what exactly made him so totolly perfect for it??? To me its simply Chriistopher Reeve's genuine SPIRIT that really matches superman's "purity" a lot.... along with a genuine heroic nature about him too. Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that I grew up watching Christopher Reeve....... like nothing at all.... hehe.
2:56 - 3:18 Christopher really gets Superman. The innocence and "...but he's not kidding." This was long before the story "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice And The American Way?"
I'd imagine Christopher was a very intelligent, accomplished person. What torture it must have been for him in his late years to not even even be able to enjoy simple pursuits such as playing the piano. Yet he embraced his fate, continued acting, raised millions for spinal research and inspired millions of people too! He really was the epitome and embodiment of Superman! I wouldn't wish his fate on my worst enemy.
Amazing dedication by Reeve! Many actors would've just stuck with the padded suit! He dedicated himself to getting a big bigger so he can naturally look the part!
Always makes me happy knowing Christopher Reeve had a lot of really good years prior to the accident that put him in a wheelchair :( But he was instrumental in numerous avenues in the pursuit of aiding those with similar conditions. He did a lot more good for humankind than most people know :) He was truly a great man.
There were, at the time, a number of men with bigger muscles who might have auditioned for the part; however, Christopher Reeve brought both intelligence and athleticism to the role.
Sad that young generation of Superman fans have been given a perverse and dark version of this great decent fantasy character by Snyder, Nolan and WB. They made money but they desecrated the wonderful and inspiring myth the original has created. MOS is forgettable rubbish and looking forward to the next filmmakers who will do it right. :)
Thank you for posting this, I haven't seen this documentary since I was 9 years old, and I thought about it a lot over the years, now I'm 38 and I'm seeing 30 years later! Long live the memory and art of Christopher Reeve!!!
The producers of the movie really got it right by going for an unknown actor to play Superman and they hit a home run when they chose Christopher Reeve.
we all need an hero in our life well christopher was mine to see him day after day fighthing with his desabilities show me that he was realy superman and when every time one of my patient get a down i always refer to him strangly enough my patient start to fight for themself and say if he can do it i can, and i always get a good respond from my patient so he his a real hero in the dark because it helps them ,you should see what it does to them i am so proad of my patient
The narrator in here just sent me back to the 80's!!! Didn't he narrate just about every thing in the 80's? Including T.V. Specials and stuff like that?
It's really weird how Zod from Superman II became the voice of Jor El in the series with Tom Welling...... Of course it is silly to compare Cristopher Reeves with Tom Welling....Tom is a good actor but let's face it, technology has helped a lot to place him and Smallville in our hearts. Christopher didn't even have half of what the new generation has, still he was unique and i really doubt there can be anyone better than him.
I thought Brando was off his head and lazy to want to use the cue cards until he explained it. People don't know what they are going to say all the time. Often the words just come to them, the only thing they know is the emotion motivating them. I really like Brandon's way now. Seems to make so much sense.
A little bit of trivia, the person doing the narrative (Danny Dark), provided the voice of Superman in the Superfriends cartoons from the 70's and 80's.
@musicalsgal2007 You have to understand at this point in his career Brando could care less about being an actor. All he cared about was being in the business of being Marlon Brando. He was strictly in it for the money at this point in his career that's why he didn't bother to memorize his lines. He figured the fact that I'm even here is enough.
Yeah when I was in Film school they told us that Marlon Brando, though a legend, refused to memorize his lines, how they used to have to right his lines on walls and how cause of his name he always told the director how to do things when it's suppose to be the directors call. We were told on one set he didn't want to be shot from the waste down and how he came to set dressed from the waist up so they couldn't shoot him any other way.
The young producer wanted Spielberg to direct this movie, but his father balked and said he hadn't done a big movie before. After Jaws came out, the father wanted Spielberg badly but he turned him down, LMAO
@AngelDrumStar no joke man, christopher nolan has an extemely tall order in making his upcoming film, to even try to garner the rep the classic 78 film has. reeve portrayed him flawlessly.
Henry Cavill is not "mediterranianly white" - how in the world does being born between the UK and France to British parents = Mediterranean? If anything, the UK and France, if you know your history, make an even stronger case for Anglo Saxon origins. By your argument, Reeve is less legitimate - he was American, and generations-removed from the geographic origins of the "Anglo Saxon." You can say Reeve is the best Superman (he originated it onscreen and embodied him) without being a twit.
@glenh75 Do a UA-cam search for Ernie Anderson ABC. There's some video of him actually making some promos. I remember him as a kid "Sunday on an all new Six Million Dollar Man" lol!!! You don't here voices like that anymore.
why Tom welling not watching any director to do Superman , i think welling is ready to do superman. the self Christopher reeve works whit Welling in a chapter small ville..
as a piece of trivia Christopher Reeve was trained for much of the production by Dave prowse the physical performer who played DARTH VADER [ he was voiced by JAMES EARL JONES!!] and as a well known fitness trainer and stunt performer!! as well!! but what an amazing performance by REEVE who will be SUPERMAN for our generation!!
there will never be another actor again that will bring the man of steel to life like Christopher Reeve did he will always be superman to me.
Damn! He did everything! Aviation, sking, pianist, sailor, actor, tennis player, and he is so educational and a well fit body. All are just such attractive qualities, Chris is such a fox!
Another commenter said Christopher Reeve was not "playing" Clark Kent/Superman, he WAS Superman. I completely agree. I went to the recent Henry Cavill version of Superman and it was depressing. I did not relate to even one character, even when portrayed by favorite actors of mine. Superman with Christopher Reeve is the real deal. Kind, gentle, loving, compassionate, a true Superhero.
Christopher Reeve was and still is (I have plenty good reasoning to support my views) the PERFECT PICK for Superman. He is THE BEST Actor of ALL TIME for the roll of Superman.
But WHY?? Or what exactly made him so totolly perfect for it??? To me its simply Chriistopher Reeve's genuine SPIRIT that really matches superman's "purity" a lot.... along with a genuine heroic nature about him too.
Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that I grew up watching Christopher Reeve....... like nothing at all.... hehe.
There will never be another Superman film like this...
2:56 - 3:18 Christopher really gets Superman. The innocence and "...but he's not kidding." This was long before the story "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice And The American Way?"
I'd imagine Christopher was a very intelligent, accomplished person. What torture it must have been for him in his late years to not even even be able to enjoy simple pursuits such as playing the piano. Yet he embraced his fate, continued acting, raised millions for spinal research and inspired millions of people too! He really was the epitome and embodiment of Superman! I wouldn't wish his fate on my worst enemy.
Reeves was very charming and intelligent. This is still the best super hero movie ever. Dark knight can be second.
Amazing dedication by Reeve! Many actors would've just stuck with the padded suit! He dedicated himself to getting a big bigger so he can naturally look the part!
My goodness. Chris's looks incredibly handsome. Even when he was getting in shape for Superman. :-)
Reeve and Brando are on another level.
Always makes me happy knowing Christopher Reeve had a lot of really good years prior to the accident that put him in a wheelchair :(
But he was instrumental in numerous avenues in the pursuit of aiding those with similar conditions. He did a lot more good for humankind than most people know :)
He was truly a great man.
RIP Christopher Reeve. You were part of my childhood movie memories. Thank you!
I remember my dad taking me to see this movie at the theaters in 1978 I was 4 years old.
Christopher, love u forever...My superman
Chris Reeve forever in our hearts and minds!!
Alexandre Costa from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This makes me wanna watch the Superman movies again, then workout.
They can remake it as many times as they like.. The best Superman will always be Christopher Reeve... Sadly missed.....
There were, at the time, a number of men with bigger muscles who might have auditioned for the part; however, Christopher Reeve brought both intelligence and athleticism to the role.
He did not use steroids; let's make that perfectly clear.
His resemblance to Superman is uncanny.
THanks so much for posting! It's a rare gem!
Little known Fact, David Prowse (Darth Vader's Actor, not voice) Worked with Christopher to help him build his body for the part.
Miss you Christopher... Rest in Peace
i love the original making of's for the Superman and Star Wars movies
Sad that young generation of Superman fans have been given a perverse and dark version of this great decent fantasy character by Snyder, Nolan and WB. They made money but they desecrated the wonderful and inspiring myth the original has created. MOS is forgettable rubbish and looking forward to the next filmmakers who will do it right. :)
those where times when movies where so cool
they got lucky when they found reeve without a doubt.he just LOOKS like superman.it will take a long time to find hes equal.
There will never be a superman like him again. He had the looks, the heart and the soul. God bless him where he is. He will always be in my heart!
Thank you for posting this, I haven't seen this documentary since I was 9 years old, and I thought about it a lot over the years, now I'm 38 and I'm seeing 30 years later! Long live the memory and art of Christopher Reeve!!!
The producers of the movie really got it right by going for an unknown actor to play Superman and they hit a home run when they chose Christopher Reeve.
we all need an hero in our life well christopher was mine to see him day after day fighthing with his desabilities show me that he was realy superman and when every time one of my patient get a down i always refer to him strangly enough my patient start to fight for themself and say if he can do it i can, and i always get a good respond from my patient so he his a real hero in the dark because it helps them ,you should see what it does to them i am so proad of my patient
The narrator in here just sent me back to the 80's!!! Didn't he narrate just about every thing in the 80's? Including T.V. Specials and stuff like that?
The narrator is also someone who did a lot of voiceover promos of TV shows for ABC, at least in the 1970's. I'd recognize his voice anywhere.
I love seeing his determination.
Simply The Best...Christopher Reeve 4 ever;p
Christopher Reeve. The definitive Superman.
Forever Reeve! Forever Superman!!
@AngelDrumStar Christopher Reeve IS still Superman. The one and only.
Superman=Christopher Reeve!
The basis for actors for playing Superman, whether or not they resemble Christopher Reeve - the real life Superman.
RIP Chris :,-)
OMG! HE WAS JUST SOOO DREAMY!!! *.*
It's really weird how Zod from Superman II became the voice of Jor El in the series with Tom Welling......
Of course it is silly to compare Cristopher Reeves with Tom Welling....Tom is a good actor but let's face it, technology has helped a lot to place him and Smallville in our hearts. Christopher didn't even have half of what the new generation has, still he was unique and i really doubt there can be anyone better than him.
HOLY CRAP Check Christopher Go While He's Lifting Those Weights!!!
HE IS SUPERMAN!!!!
They had to get a guy that looks a tad like him for man of steel because they know Christopher can't be touched
He is definitly superman, nobody can
well.. I don't know but could be, because as far as I know, Christopher Reeve trained with Darth Vader to prepare for this role.
That's the late Ernie "Ghoulardi" Anderson narrating- you know, the longtime voice of ABC.
... the only superman ... :-)
Rip Chris.
I thought Brando was off his head and lazy to want to use the cue cards until he explained it. People don't know what they are going to say all the time. Often the words just come to them, the only thing they know is the emotion motivating them. I really like Brandon's way now. Seems to make so much sense.
Damn doomsday for killing reeve :( FYI chris didn't play superman, he was superman!!!
Marlon has a good point on cuecards.
A little bit of trivia, the person doing the narrative (Danny Dark), provided the voice of Superman in the Superfriends cartoons from the 70's and 80's.
@musicalsgal2007 You have to understand at this point in his career Brando could care less about being an actor. All he cared about was being in the business of being Marlon Brando. He was strictly in it for the money at this point in his career that's why he didn't bother to memorize his lines. He figured the fact that I'm even here is enough.
I love it how, to appear more wise, Marlon Brando adopts a British accent. lol.
Christopher was Superman
Yeah when I was in Film school they told us that Marlon Brando, though a legend, refused to memorize his lines, how they used to have to right his lines on walls and how cause of his name he always told the director how to do things when it's suppose to be the directors call. We were told on one set he didn't want to be shot from the waste down and how he came to set dressed from the waist up so they couldn't shoot him any other way.
I remember reading that fact in a little booklet I had as a very young kid. Not little known.
Well said.
Christopher is immortal, no question about it, but, I must admit, the new movie is quite good. Very good choice of actors as well.
The young producer wanted Spielberg to direct this movie, but his father balked and said he hadn't done a big movie before. After Jaws came out, the father wanted Spielberg badly but he turned him down, LMAO
2:55 - 3:18 - is that David Prowse (aka Darth Vader) in the background?
reeve looks a bit like Rocky in the training montages.
@AngelDrumStar no joke man, christopher nolan has an extemely tall order in making his upcoming film, to even try to garner the rep the classic 78 film has. reeve portrayed him flawlessly.
i actually prefer set over cgi.sets are more cool
Enjoyed watching That!
@skinwalkerxxx SAME HERE I have the dvd special edition but this is not on it. I mean there is a doc on it but not this one in particular.
Henry Cavill is not "mediterranianly white" - how in the world does being born between the UK and France to British parents = Mediterranean? If anything, the UK and France, if you know your history, make an even stronger case for Anglo Saxon origins. By your argument, Reeve is less legitimate - he was American, and generations-removed from the geographic origins of the "Anglo Saxon." You can say Reeve is the best Superman (he originated it onscreen and embodied him) without being a twit.
@glenh75 Do a UA-cam search for Ernie Anderson ABC. There's some video of him actually making some promos. I remember him as a kid "Sunday on an all new Six Million Dollar Man" lol!!! You don't here voices like that anymore.
good documentary
I believe the narrator is Danny Dark who played Superman on Superfriends!!!
Strongly agree
Any one who plays superman has to be an unknown actor and not a high profile actor
I'm all for the reboot.
Marlon Brando was worth every penny!
In 1986, the Superman comic was retitled "The Adventures of Superman" from issue #424 until issue #649, was it not?
CR was no superman....SUPERMAN was Christhoper Reeve!
It's not that Marlon couldn't memorize his lines..He didn't like to and it wasn't his method!
Yes he did
Superman is only Christopher reeves
can somone please upload this movie on youtube??? please!
cool :)
Where is part 3? Is there a part 3?
oh my god...marlon didn't memorize his lines?? he used cue cards? that's not a real actor! real actors memorize! woww
A feeling that the person what?... the person what?!!
@allprog He did that in the 50's, too.LOL
Compare the cardboard "thing" with today's shooting, and even with today's actors opinion. It will be outrageous.
why Tom welling not watching any director to do Superman , i think welling is ready to do superman. the self Christopher reeve works whit Welling in a chapter small ville..
He could have been like Christian Bale and hit the roids.
@openmindedozzie nothing more, nothing less ;) nobody can step on his place
I LOVE HIM
Where's part 3?
do you see people? SUPERMAN HAVE TO WORKOUT TOO!
Can anyone tell me where i can see the full marlon brando interview from this clip ?
'78 and the Donner Cut.
Everything else as Superman-cinema failed!
as a piece of trivia Christopher Reeve was trained for much of the production by Dave prowse the physical performer who played DARTH VADER [ he was voiced by JAMES EARL JONES!!] and as a well known fitness trainer and stunt performer!! as well!! but what an amazing performance by REEVE who will be SUPERMAN for our generation!!
is this set in Eltree & Borehamwood?
@AngelDrumStar ...IS