Daniel Radcliffe Honors 'Harry Potter' Stunt Double in Exclusive 'David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived' Sneak Peek
A compelling documentary, David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, sheds light on the unfortunate accident that left Harry Potter's stunt double paralyzed Delve into the inspiring story this November
The Daniel Radcliffe-produced documentary, David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, released its first trailer. The documentary tells the inspiring story of a former Harry Potter stuntperson who became paralyzed after an accident on set. Radcliffe collaborated with HBO and director Dan Hartley to bring Holmes' story to life. Described as a "coming-of-age story," the film follows David Holmes, a talented teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who was chosen to be Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film.
The trailer highlights the close bond between Radcliffe and Holmes as they worked together on the Harry Potter movies. Radcliffe admires Holmes as an older brother figure, considering his ability to perform dangerous magical stunts quite impressive. However, following the accident that left Holmes paralyzed, Radcliffe encourages viewers not to view his life as a tragedy. Instead, the documentary focuses on celebrating the positive impact Holmes has had on those around him.
How Did David Holmes Become Paralyzed?
The trailer showcases the stuntman reminiscing about his exhilarating experience of soaring through the enchanting realm. His ultimate act took place in The Deathly Hallows, the concluding chapter of the series which was divided into two films. Part 1 garnered a commendable score of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, while Part 2 achieved an impressive 96% rating.
Image via HBO
In a 2014 interview with the Mirror, Holmes provided a detailed account of the accident that befell him. The incident occurred during a perilous flying scene in Death Hallows Part 1, where Holmes was forcefully propelled backwards with such tremendous velocity that he was abruptly propelled into a wall. Consequently, this resulted in his neck fracturing. Reflecting on the incident, Holmes recollects that his initial concern was not for himself or the excruciating pain he endured, but rather for his parents and how he would break the news to them.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived marks another collaboration between Radcliffe and Holmes after his accident. In fact, the duo joined forces in 2020 to launch the Holmes’ Cunning Stunts podcast, aiming to shed light on the thrilling (and sometimes perilous) world of stunt performers in Hollywood. Mark your calendars for the premiere of David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived on HBO in the United States on November 15. For viewers in the UK, catch it on Sky Documentaries and streaming service from November 18. Be sure to check out the trailer below:
Editor's P/S
As a fan of the Harry Potter series, I am excited to see the release of the documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived. This documentary tells the story of David Holmes, a stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films, who was paralyzed after an accident on set. The trailer for the documentary is very moving, and it is clear that Radcliffe has a lot of respect and admiration for Holmes.
I am also impressed by Holmes' resilience and determination. Despite his accident, he has continued to live his life to the fullest. He has become a motivational speaker and has even started a podcast about stunt work. I am sure that this documentary will be an inspiration to many people.
