“I thought I better tell my story, or it won’t be told.” These are words spoken by David Holmes, and the start of a gut-wrenching journey of the spirit to fight through the darkest of times. Despite its creator being a total garbage person, Harry Potter and the wizarding world have been a source of joy and hope for millions of people of all ages. Outside of the whimsy, adventure, and twists and turns, the high-flying stunts are a key element to why these films are so easy to get completely swept up in. This means that stunt people put their lives at risk to bring to life these fantastical action sequences.
Enter David Holmes. Holmes comes from a family of stunt people, and he got his first job on the big-budget film Lost in Space. His life would take a huge shift when he was tasked with being Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double for Harry Pottery and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001). The then twelve-year-old Radcliffe instantly bonded with Holmes and thus began a lifelong friendship. Sadly, Holmes became paralyzed after a stunt in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part II (2011) went wrong. Now, a man in his prime who had the athletic ability to do amazing feats with his body had to adjust to a new normal of limited mobility.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived directed by Dan Hartley does a great job of telling Holmes’s story with the respect and sensitivity that it demands. Much like Potter himself, it’s the friends who show up for you and fight for you that matter the most. To that end, Hartley wisely understands that the foundation of this story is just as much about Holmes’s amazing family, both real and chosen. We get a very up close and personal look at Holmes and Radcliffe through interviews but also rare home movies. You get a real sense of how both men shaped each other from young kids, all the way throughout their adulthood.
Adding to this conversation is Greg Powell, a friend of Holmes who was the stunt coordinator on the Potter series. Powell oversaw the stunt that went wrong, and though it was an accident, it weighed on the man for a long time. Like the other people featured, the unfiltered interview is harrowing yet necessary to get the full picture. Also included is Marc Mailey, a young man who trained under Holmes as a stunt performer and who had to don the famous Potter glasses after Holmes was in the hospital. Mailey is an equally charming person, and it’s not hard to see why he, Holmes, and Radcliffe became close friends. Hearing Mailey break down while discussing the accident is heartbreaking. Much like Powell, this is something that he carries with him daily. This candidness could not have been easy for all three of these men, but it truly is the thread that beautifully connects this narrative.
At the center of this is, of course, Holmes. Though he has every right to be bitter and angry at the world and his situation, he simply isn’t. It puts into perspective how minor most of our problems are and the fear and pain that Holmes sadly endures. Yet, it’s overcoming, fighting and just remaining a happy person that is so utterly incredible. Even at the hospital, Holmes kept his spirits up and even looked after those in worse shape. This highlights a person who is rare and completely exceptional. The highlight is seeing Holmes and Radcliffe look at old costumes and props together. They stroll down memory lane, but never once is it tinged with sadness or regret for what could have been.
Much like the fictional Harry Potter, Holmes uses his abilities to rise to any challenge. While the battle is far from over, Holmes and his amazing support system will conquer things even more sinister than he who shall not be named.
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived will debut on HBO on November 15 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT). The film will be available to stream the next day on Max.
Much like the fictional Harry Potter, Holmes uses his abilities to rise to any challenge. While the battle is far from over, Holmes and his amazing support system will conquer things even more sinister than he who shall not be named.
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Big film nerd and TCM Obsessed. Author of The Ultimate Guide to Strange Cinema from Schiffer Publishing. Resume includes: AMC’s The Bite, Scream Magazine etc. Love all kinds of movies and television and have interviewed a wide range of actors, writers, producers and directors. I currently am a regular co-host on the podcast The Humanoids from the Deep Dive and have a second book in the works from Bear Manor.