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David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived

Play trailer 2:09 Poster for David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived 2023 1h 23m Documentary Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double in the first Harry Potter film, when Daniel is just eleven. Over the next ten years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident on set leaves David paralyzed with a debilitating spinal injury, turning his world upside down. As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David's extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration.
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David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Jack Seale Guardian The Boy Who Lived finds comfort in how friends cope when one of the team falls down, and it has the wisdom to recognise that the person who is supposed to need looking after often ends up caring for everyone else. Rated: 5/5 Nov 19, 2023 Full Review Dan Einav Financial Times Through [Holmes'] untainted pride for his work, the film becomes not just a tribute to one individual, but to all those behind the scenes who bring magic to the movies. Rated: 4/5 Nov 17, 2023 Full Review Alison Herman Variety The documentary works to introduce its audience to Holmes, who proves deserving of the spotlight. But they’ll go in knowing Radcliffe already, and as a result, it’s the star who feels most illuminated by The Boy Who Lived. Nov 17, 2023 Full Review Dónal Lynch Sunday Independent (Ireland) ​By this point in the film there was a further 50 minutes to go, and without being uncharitable, I was wondering how on earth they would fill it... Feb 5, 2024 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch While the sheer force of Holmes’ personality would make for a compelling documentary on its own, it’s the tenderness and honesty that all of these participants show that makes this so poignant. Nov 25, 2023 Full Review Danny Brogan Common Sense Media As tragic as the accident was, it's impossible to walk away from David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived without feeling inspired and with a new appreciation for life. Rated: 4/5 Nov 22, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (33) audience reviews
Kyle M While reminiscing to those Harry Potter days, this documentary is an affecting portrait that strives to inspire in overcoming impaired struggles as a reminder of our spirit’s inner strengths with admirably persisting ambitions the eponymous boy puts himself on. However, while it’s meant to deliver that sort of message, the purifying center lies conversationally in those casual interactions, forgetting the subjected format. (A-) Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Fred N Interesting small movie. Wonderful behind the scenes stuff that would have been a nice featurette if the accident never happened. Uplifting story that would never have been possible with the US healthcare and legal systems. Ultimately sad when you understand what people do to themselves for our entertainment. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/31/24 Full Review Taylor H One of the most moving, depressing, and inspirational documentaries ever produced. The best takeaway: if the good things in your life outweigh the bad, then your life must be pretty good. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/30/24 Full Review Daffydil G An incredible ride from the highest of highs to the startling lows. David has an energy, a spirit and resilience unlike any I've ever seen. A must see documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/03/24 Full Review Gwendolyn P Years ago I worked with spinal cord injured patients at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. This story is absolutely authentic and beautifully done. It illustrates what it's like for the person and their loved ones. Their friendship is lovely to watch on screen. Highly recommend. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/24 Full Review matthias s "David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived" takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster through the remarkable friendship between Daniel Radcliffe and his stunt double, David Holmes. As a self-proclaimed Harry Potter fanatic, the documentary's abundance of behind-the-scenes footage from the magical film series was a delight. For movie freaks and Potterheads alike, this film offers a charming glimpse into the lives of these two inseparable friends. The narrative takes a poignant turn when a life-altering accident befalls David, bringing a heartbreaking twist to their story. Watching David's resilience and witnessing the unwavering support from Daniel showcases the true essence of their friendship. It's not just about magic on-screen, but the real magic lies in the genuine connection these two share. "I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and this documentary hit me right in the feels. It beautifully highlights what a great guy David truly is – lovable, friendly, and a testament to the power of true friendship. The film underscores the idea that friendship is the key to having a happy life, and the bond between Daniel and David is nothing short of beautiful. By the end, it had me tearing up, realizing that some of life's most enchanting tales aren't confined to the wizarding world." Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived

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Movie Info

Synopsis The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double in the first Harry Potter film, when Daniel is just eleven. Over the next ten years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident on set leaves David paralyzed with a debilitating spinal injury, turning his world upside down. As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David's extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration.
Director
Dan Hartley
Producer
Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Vanessa Davies, Amy Stares
Distributor
Max
Production Co
HBO Documentary Films
Genre
Documentary, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 15, 2023
Runtime
1h 23m
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