Truth. Justice. And the American Way. This was a catch phrase that eventually became the symbolic characteristics of the alien Kal-El, whose small-town roots would eventually form the basis of Superman back in 1938. The all-American character (from another planet) with old-fashioned values, Clark Kent/Superman (as he was also known) was a comic book creation that symbolized something so pure, it resonated with audiences everywhere, becoming a powerful pop-culture icon. And by the time Richard Donner adapted the character’s story to the big screen for the very first time back in 1978, a star was born.

Christopher Reeve symbolized all that was good for the character in what was the very beginning of the superhero genre. His larger-than-life portrayal fascinated me during my formative years, and the actor quickly became a favorite of mine. Over time, I attempted to follow his Hollywood career, which was unfortunately cut short by a terrible horse-riding accident. While the actor would eventually resurface here and there, his story was mostly untold.

Thank goodness for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story!

Currently planned to have a limited release in theaters with an extended stay on streaming service Max (and a possible wide release, depending on its box office), this film was brought to life by the combined powers of Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios, HBO Documentary and CNN Films. Depicted during a time before social media existed (which feels so strange and somewhat better, these days), this documentary exists primarily from archive footage, interviews with family members over time and what seems to be well-timed home videos.

Writers-Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui tell Reeve’s story, which was incredibly emotional for me, as I relived his career. Plucked from an off-Broadway production, this little-known actor had no idea how much his world would change by donning the red and blue tights. Just about everyone who knew Christopher expected big things from the actor, but no one could have predicted what kind of an impact Superman had in store for him.

Well-known actors glowingly describe his early years — Donner only makes a brief appearance — but it’s Reeve’s latter contributions, post-accident, that fascinated me more. While I wasn’t aware of everything shown on the screen, I did vaguely remember bits of it, here and there, from broadcast news and random Entertainment Tonight snippets. While his accident doesn’t receive the majority of the attention here, his rehab, brief return to Hollywood as a director and much of his fundraising work do receive well-earned kudos.

Without Superman, there’d be no Marvel movies today, no Batman and no Joker films, a lot fewer billion-dollar franchises and no superhero genre, period. You can thank Christopher Reeve, in part, for helping build all of that. His appearance on the Mt. Rushmore of big-screen comic book characters cannot be overstated. I only wish this release could have premiered a year or two earlier, as the superhero genre was dominating movie theaters around the world. It could have definitely gotten a wider audience back then. Now that the genre’s sort of faded, it feels a little like overdue fan service, but it’s still an important story to tell, regardless.

People are always looking for a hero, but it’s uncommon for a person to actually don a cape. As a Child of the ’80s, Christopher Reeve will always be my Superman, since the filmmaker actually helped millions of people around the world deal with life-altering paralysis, in hopes of finding a way to reverse their negative symptoms. Even though this story ends with a political bend, Reeve championed both ends of the aisle for support. Now that feels super rare during this age of fractured politics.

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story features high production values paired with a great real-life storyline and even though it didn’t receive a $100 million budget, DC Studios really should consider a little more publicity for it and a wide release to honor the man, the myth and the legend who helped build a franchise (along with a production company and really, an industry). It really is that good, just like the actor (as well as the character he portrays) and deserves to be seen by the many people he touched throughout the years, as well as those who he’s influenced after his death.