Mike Flanagan Names One Film That Influenced Him the Most, and It's a Superman Movie
Mike Flanagan admitted that Superman fascinated him as a child, but the tragic fate of Christopher Reeve caused him to see the story differently. Here's what the director had to say about his favorite childhood film.
What movie did you love as a child? Cinema seemed like a real miracle back then, a portal that opened for an hour and a half, allowing us to travel without leaving home.
Those films that made a special impression stay with us forever and follow us into adulthood.
Mike Flanagan Has Nothing But Praise for 1978's 'Superman'
For Mike Flanagan, that film was Superman released in 1978, starring Christopher Reeve. On his Letterboxd account, the director revealed that the movie influenced him so much that he wore a Superman outfit under his clothes:
“If you dig all the way down through the decades and thousands of movies, you'll find the base layer is comprised of Margot Kidder's smoky voice, Gene Hackman's charming smirk, John Williams' perfect score, and Christopher Reeve draped in red, blue and gold.”
However, Flanagan admits that it was Christopher Reeve's story that made him confront the idea that "Superman might die."
What Happened to Christopher Reeve?
In 1995, Christopher Reeve was involved in a tragic accident. The actor fell from a horse during a race in Virginia, breaking his cervical vertebrae. He was paralyzed for the rest of his life. Although doctors were unable to help him regain his mobility, they saved his life by performing a complex operation.
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After six months of rehabilitation, Reeve returned to work at the Creative Coalition public foundation. He took part in the 1997 Oscars ceremony and debuted as a director with the drama In the Gloaming.
In 1998, Reeve published his autobiography Still Me, in which he talked about his life, destiny, and the misfortune that befell him. He dreamed of getting the chance to fully recover, but nine years after the accident, he died of a heart attack.
Reeve and his wife dedicated the last years of their lives to a center that taught paralyzed people the skills of independent living. Reeve shared his experiences and encouraged others who had also lost the ability to walk.
Mike Flanagan Recommends Watching 'Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story'
Mike Flanagan also advises all fans of the actor to watch the documentary film Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story:
“It left me with tears running down my face. A poignant and earnest look at his life and death, it is devastating and uplifting in equal measure. [...] Highly recommended... but bring tissues.”
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story chronicles the making of the Superman films and features personal archival footage of Reeve, his children, and his wife, Dana. It also includes interviews with the actor's friends, including Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Jeff Daniels, and Glenn Close.
The film received positive reviews from critics and viewers alike – 98% from critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as an 8.0/10 score on IMDb.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is available to watch on HBO Max.
