
The vibrant and cherished camaraderie between Daniel Radcliffe and his trusted Harry Potter stunt double, David Holmes, takes a new and moving turn in a touching documentary, ‘The Boy Who Lived’. Radcliffe, the face of Harry Potter, steps into the shoes of a producer, gripping audiences with the story of Holmes, who was tragically paralysed during a stunt for the hit film ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1’.
Brought together during the production of the first film, ‘Harry Potter and Philosophers stone’, when Radcliffe was but eleven and Holmes was a budding teenage gymnast from Essex, the connections they formed were profound. Holmes, dubbed to parallel Harry in action feats, always seen but never replacing the face, found an irreplaceable joy in his role. “Being a stuntman was my calling in life, and doubling Harry was the best job in the world,” Holmes penned down a sentiment filled note on Instagram.
However, fate dealt a cruel hand in January 2009, when a stunt rehearsal led to a life-altering spinal injury for Holmes. The incident sent ripples through the global Harry Potter fandom, a shock that still resonates. The documentary is, by all means, a testament to Holmes’s resilience and spirit in the face of adversity. “This film tells the story of not just my achievements in front of camera, but also the challenges I face every day, and my overall attitude to life after suffering a broken neck,” Holmes voiced.
Laced with previously unseen footage of Holmes’s stunts and in-depth interviews featuring Radcliffe and Holmes, this documentary piece, four years in the making, promises an intimate exploration of camaraderie and bravery. It harnesses the indomitable spirit of Holmes and greets audiences with the stirring echo of Harry’s words, “We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”
In addition to acknowledging the unwavering support of JK Rowling and the medical staff, Holmes expressed gratitude towards Radcliffe. They collectively cherishing their shared experiences and their contribution to the magical wonder of the Harry Potter series.
The duo, however, is not new to collaborations. They had previously worked together on Holmes’s podcast Cunning Stunts, which invites stunt doubles from various productions. The podcast debuted in 2020, with Radcliffe assisting in the launch.
Ready to enchant and resonate with audiences, David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, premiers 18th November, available for streaming on Sky Documentaries and NOW. This poignant narrative is a much-awaited depiction of the man behind the stunts and his invincible spirit.