Product 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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39993 in DVD
• Brand: QUESTAR INC
• Released on: 2002-05-28
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 72 minutes

Features

• DISCOVERING THE REAL WORLD OF HARRY POTTER (DVD MOVIE)

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

Customer Reviews

Discovering The Real World Of Harry Potter
Saw it on PBS. Great program! Lots of information on what was the inspiration of the author. Visits "real world" locations in England that inspired author. Especially liked the real-life boarding school like Hogwart's.

Disappointing
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.

Nice Informative DVD on Harry Potter Background
This DVD contained a lot of interesting information on real background events contained in the Harry Potter series. The author's childhood home with the cupboard under the stairs. A childhood playmate named Potter. The real N. Flamel. Also includes fun extras.