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 Pott... more »er. 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.« less
Genres:Documentary Sub-Genres:Documentary Studio:Questar Format:DVD - Color DVD Release Date: 05/28/2002 Original Release Date: 01/01/2001 Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/2001 Release Year: 2002 Run Time: 1hr 12min Screens: Color Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 0 MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Languages:English
"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."
Nice Informative DVD on Harry Potter Background
Robert D. Emerson | Springfield, IL USA | 03/24/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Maybe not the best
thedistaff | Worcester, MA United States | 02/08/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I got this DVD for myself and my 4 obsessed children, hoping to see more of the real places mentioned in the books - like a little travelogue perhaps, as well as more about the author, and some discussion of the myriad references to mythology in the books. There was some of that, but there was also a great deal of a fellow in robes calling himself "The White Witch" talking about wicca and how his wand works, etc., which was not at all what I was looking for. I wound up not letting the children watch it at all, as the good did not balance out the bad."
Disappointing
JMHPTRCN | Maryland, USA | 11/27/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Deadly Dullness in the Real World of Harry Potter
Amaranth | Northern California | 01/12/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Hugh Laurie,currently famous as the cynical doctor on "House" and Stephen Fry's comical foil on "Jeeves and Wooster",provides narration for this "special" about the "real" world of Harry Potter. As a narrator, Laurie is wonderful. He has an expressive voice,and is clearly having fun, despite the boring script.
There are tours of Oxford, Cambridge, English boarding schools, even an interview with a so-called "white witch" who claims broom-riding powers(???) It sounds more exciting than it is.
Seeing this on PBS,I found it terribly boring. JK Rowling's sources of inspiration are pretty clear,and this travelogue is a waste of time."