Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter

Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter


Starring:Hugh Laurie
Studio: Questar
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The bestselling stories of a boy wizard have left millions spellbound. Discovering the truth behind the fiction, British actor Hugh Laurie narrates this public television documentary (not authorized by J.K. Rowling) to provide historical and scientific context to the Harry Potter tales. Divided into six chapters, the 74-minute program offers footage of Rowling's childhood home and platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station in London; notable discussions with authors Lindsey Fraser (Conversations with J.K. Rowling) and David Colbert (The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter); and clips of television interviews with Rowling. One chapter unearths some probable legends that may have stirred Rowling's imagination. Another guesses on a Scottish school that may have provided the inspiration for Hogwarts. Especially fun for Potter fans is a description of the now-famous Hogwarts' sport, Quidditch. In true documentary form, style outperforms sizzle, which more likely will appeal to older Potter fans, ages 12 and up. Beautifully filmed and scripted, here is an intriguing complement to the Harry Potter books and motion pictures. --Lynn Gibson
Description
Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter picks up where the blockbuster film and bestselling books leave off. This critically-acclaimed documentary explores the myths and legends that inhabit the real world of Harry Potter. Follow award-winning documentary filmmakers as they offer insights to witches, wizards, Greek Gods, Ancient Celts, ghosts, magical creatures, alchemy, and ancient spells. Extra Features: The Ghostly Visitors of Harry Potter; Harry Potter's Alchemical and Herbal World; In the Footsteps of Harry Potter; Harry Potter and the Holy Grail.
Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great info
  • learn more about the world of harry potter
  • The Real World of Harry Potter
  • Interesting Companion Piece to Harry Potter Phenomenia
  • Disappointing
 Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter
Starring: Hugh Laurie
Manufacturer: Questar
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video
DVDs Under $14.99DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( D )( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
Similar Items:
  1. J.K. Rowling and The Birth of Harry Potter
  2. Girl From Rio
  3. The Hidden Myths in Harry Potter: Spellbinding Map and Book of Secrets
  4. Fact, Fiction, and Folklore in Harry Potter's World: An Unofficial Guide
  5. Maybe Baby

ASIN: B0000633SA
Release Date: 2002-05-28

Amazon.com

The bestselling stories of a boy wizard have left millions spellbound. Discovering the truth behind the fiction, British actor Hugh Laurie narrates this public television documentary (not authorized by J.K. Rowling) to provide historical and scientific context to the Harry Potter tales. Divided into six chapters, the 74-minute program offers footage of Rowling's childhood home and platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station in London; notable discussions with authors Lindsey Fraser (Conversations with J.K. Rowling) and David Colbert (The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter); and clips of television interviews with Rowling. One chapter unearths some probable legends that may have stirred Rowling's imagination. Another guesses on a Scottish school that may have provided the inspiration for Hogwarts. Especially fun for Potter fans is a description of the now-famous Hogwarts' sport, Quidditch. In true documentary form, style outperforms sizzle, which more likely will appeal to older Potter fans, ages 12 and up. Beautifully filmed and scripted, here is an intriguing complement to the Harry Potter books and motion pictures. --Lynn Gibson

Description

Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter picks up where the blockbuster film and bestselling books leave off. This critically-acclaimed documentary explores the myths and legends that inhabit the real world of Harry Potter. Follow award-winning documentary filmmakers as they offer insights to witches, wizards, Greek Gods, Ancient Celts, ghosts, magical creatures, alchemy, and ancient spells. Extra Features: The Ghostly Visitors of Harry Potter; Harry Potter's Alchemical and Herbal World; In the Footsteps of Harry Potter; Harry Potter and the Holy Grail.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great info.......2007-02-18

We liked the movie very well. It is always interesting to learn whats behind something that is popular.

5 out of 5 stars learn more about the world of harry potter.......2005-08-19

i loved it, it was very informing and entertaining

4 out of 5 stars The Real World of Harry Potter.......2005-07-07

I did like this DVD but do wish it had been close-captioned. Sometimes the Brits are hard to understand, especially when one has hearing problems, even with hearing aids!

4 out of 5 stars Interesting Companion Piece to Harry Potter Phenomenia.......2004-12-15

Most fans of Harry Potter (books or films) will enjoy this documentary. I believe I saw it either on PBS or on a discovery channel type TV channel. While it suggests that it will uncover how Harry Potter exists in the real world, it actually covers related topics quite well for children and family viewing. You learn more about related topics, but always from a springboard of discussing Harry Potter's settings, people, objects or practices.
As mentioned, the narration is very good and the program is quite entertaining. However, one should not be expecting to see any clips from the HP movies here, nor is this a Harry Potter tale. This is an exploration of the subject matter that Harry Potter's world is drawn from.
Still, it's great fun for HP fans and families, and I wouldn't hesitate to order one up. Just realize that it isn't one of the movies. (See other reviews above, as they are all quite accurate!) PS: I watched the whole thing LIVE on tv and tapped it on an old VHS...tried to get my two HP fan kids to watch it, but they didn't get into it as much as I thought they might. "It's OK Dad, but can we go out and play now?" "Why did you make us watch that DAD?" Guess it can't be all bad if they want to go play instead of sit glued to the TV all day, eh?

1 out of 5 stars Disappointing.......2004-11-28

This is, as advertized, a PBS special about the possible origins of some of the "Harry Potter" mythology. The production values are on a par with that kind of show - a bit interesting.
What I found so very disappointing was the fact that ALL of the "Special Features" were nothing more than the original show cut differently with an extra 30+ seconds of new material thrown in here and there (perhaps a whole 10 minutes more in total?) The extra material looked like deleted scenes from the original.
I would not have purchased this DVD had I known that.

DVD:

  1. Bobby Darin - Beyond the Song
  2. Daughters of Afghanistan
  3. Kinski: My Best Fiend
  4. National Geographic - Surviving West Point
  5. The History Channel's Great Blunders of WW II
  6. The Thin Blue Line
  7. Pimps Up, Ho's Down
  8. Inside Islam (History Channel)
  9. Speed (IMAX) (2-Disc WMVHD Edition)
  10. The Creation of the Universe

DVD

DVD

DVD

Basic Instinct (Collector's Edition - Unrated)

Homicide: Life on the Street - Seasons 1-5

The Manchurian Candidate [1962]

DVD: Pride and Prejudice (Special Edition)

Rendezvous mit Leiche