Daniel Radcliffemay be best known as the face ofHarry Potter,but David Holmes made Harry fly.
The tuck jump is pretty good, isnt it?
Radcliffe says with a grin.
Daniel Radcliffe and David Holmes in their documentary ‘David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived’.HBO
The tuck jump isverygood, Holmes replies with pride.
Here, Holmes, Radcliffe, and Hartley explain how they brought Holmes story to the screen.
HBO
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: David, what was your reaction when you sat down to watch the documentary?
HBO
DAVID HOLMES:Everyones asked me this question!
I havent done it yet.
There is a time in my life that Ill get in a bed and wont get out of it.
So, when Im ready, Ill watch it.
Are there moments that he would not like?
Are there moments we should take out?
Im coming across as a man and a person.
So, those are the opinions that matter to me.
Dan, I was surprised by how much archivalPotterfootage you have in this documentary.
DAN HARTLEY:Well, I was basically employed onHarry Potter1 to be the video assist operator.
So I knew the footage, but getting access to it again was such a gift.
Fifteen years later, Id forgotten just how incredible a performer Dave was.
It was such a joy to unearth that footage.
But its also kind of cool to give theHarry Potterfans something that theyve never seen before.
But I think that is a very particular version of those films and that relationship.
I was so close to the crew, as much as I was close to the cast.
In fact, to be honest, I was much more so with the crew.
Theres something lovely about getting to tell Daves story now.
It feels to me like its a lens of the behind-the-scenes stuff that hasnt been touched on.
We were all young.
[Turns to Radcliffe] You were 11.
[Turns to Hartley]And you were 26.
So, we spent a decade growing up together with the character of Harry.
And it was really nice that our old family could come back together and tell my story.
What was it like to reunite with them and reminisce aboutPotter?
Obviously, the focus at that point was: Hows Dave doing?
It doesnt matter how any ofusare doing.
But looking back now, Marc had to step in and take over from Dave as my stunt double.
They were best friends, and obviously, Dave asked him to do it.
So, there was definitely some real catharsis in getting to make this and finally talk about it.
HOLMES:In todays society, its rare to have four men just talk, isnt it?
It was a big thing to deal with, and it really made all of us step up.
RADCLIFFE:And safety.
Marc in particular has dedicated himself to safety.
Ive just loved watching their successes in front of and behind the camera.
Dan, as well.
I was like Dans P.E.
teacher when he was a kid.
It was such an honor to know that I was a small part of that contribution.
What do you remember most about that day?
HARTLEY:Whenever they hang out, its a riot.
So, to go in there and genuinely uncover things… We didnt stage anything.
We just walked the aisles and they found old stuff.
RADCLIFFE:I loved seeing Heath Ledgers costume fromThe Dark Knight.
HOLMES:And you broke the Batmobile.
[Laughs]
RADCLIFFE:Yeah, thats in the credits [of the documentary].
We went into one room, and they had the Batmobile in there.
I dont know, did I press a button on it?
HOLMES:I was like, Go!
RADCLIFFE:What a stupid thing to do.
[Laughs] Why was I just randomly pressing buttons that arent mine to press?
I was like, Ah.
Somebody should probably come and have a look at that.
But we came together because we love films, and we love storytelling.
HOLMES:Its the power of storytelling.
Ive spent one of the last 14 years in bed.
I know what it means to use films and TV to get through some tough times.
That is their safe space.
Still to this day, I do the same thing.
So, I love the fact that Harry does that for a lot of people.
I hope we spark a wider conversation about that.
And I hope we spark a wider conversation on what its like to have a disability represented on camera.
David, youve become an advocate for stunt performers and the stunt industry in general.
What do you wish people knew about the world of stunts?
HOLMES:The fact that we still put bums on seats in theaters!
Theres always going to be the human element in stunt work.
When someone gets hit by a car, they get hit by a car.
When someone falls down the stairs, they fall down the stairs.
And theres not a trick to that.
Youre just doing it.
Its like car knockdowns.
You just get hit by a car.
Its a slower speed than most car crashes, but still.
What speed do you do a car crash?
HOLMES:Probably 14 to 17 miles an hour.
RADCLIFFE:14 to 17 miles an hour is still rough!
HOLMES:We have to trust each other with our lives.
When I had my accident, everybody rallied together.
So, straight away, the stunt community had my back, and they have done ever since.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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