The Boy Who Lived: More Than Just a Documentary
It’s not every day that an actor shares such an intimate connection with their stunt double. But, for Daniel Radcliffe, the face of the beloved Harry Potter franchise, this bond is powerfully evident in the newly released trailer for “The Boy Who Lived.”
The documentary, created by Radcliffe in collaboration with his former stunt double, David Holmes, delves deep into their shared history. As the captivating footage unfolds, audiences get a first-hand look at Holmes, the fearless man behind the exhilarating stunts of the Potter films. In the trailer’s opening moments, we witness the sheer tenacity and passion that fueled Holmes’s career.
“You’re constantly being tested, risking it all. I used to fly, nothing’s like it, man,” he passionately shares.
Holmes, seen in footage from his younger days, proudly labels himself as “a gymnast, stuntman, and extraordinaire.” It’s no surprise then, that he fondly reminisces about his role in the Potter films:
“I knew I was going to be a stuntman, then I got the best job in the world, lead stuntman for Daniel in the Potter films.”
The Unbreakable Bond Between Star and Stunt Double
For Radcliffe, Holmes was more than just a professional companion. He saw him as a mentor and a friend, saying,
“Dave seemed like a cool older brother, who would do the most dangerous, physical things.”
However, their journey was not without its dark chapters. The trailer takes a heart-wrenching turn, recounting the fateful day in 2009 during the filming of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” Holmes was involved in a tragic stunt mishap that resulted in him crashing into a wall and breaking his neck, leaving him paralysed and wheelchair-bound.
Recalling that life-changing moment, Holmes reflects,
“I remember straight after breaking my neck, I knew there was no chance of coming back.”
A visibly emotional Radcliffe refers to the incident as “unfair” but is quick to emphasize that Holmes’s story is not one of tragedy. To him, Holmes’s resilience and the positive impact of his journey on those around him mark it as anything but a somber tale.
Embracing Life Beyond The Stunts
Holmes’s story doesn’t end with the accident. The documentary sheds light on his ongoing journey, highlighting his admirable spirit and the profound bond he shares with Radcliffe. As Sky describes the film’s essence:
“Featuring candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes’s stunt work, scenes of his current life and intimate interviews with David, Daniel Radcliffe, friends, family and former crew, the film also reflects universal themes of living with adversity, growing up, forging identities in an uncertain world and the bonds that bind us together and lift us up.”
Further underscoring his unwavering spirit, Holmes shared on Instagram:
“This film tells the story of not just my achievements in front of the camera, but also the challenges I face every day, and my overall attitude to life after suffering a broken neck. In the turbulent world we find ourselves living in right now, I would like to quote Harry – ‘We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.’ I am only able to live because of the united love and support that I am fortunate enough to have had. And it is thanks to this love and support that I am able to share my journey with you all.”
In “The Boy Who Lived,” the magical world of Harry Potter intersects with a real-world story of resilience, friendship, and unwavering spirit. It’s a tale that promises to touch hearts, inspire, and remind us of the incredible power of human connection.
