Harry Potter: A History Of Magic

Harry Potter: A History Of Magic

Directed by Jude Ho, Alex Harding

Produced by BBC Studios Documentary Unit

201759 min7.3 / 10

A warm, visually rich documentary celebrating the creative origins and cultural roots of the Harry Potter universe through archival treasures and J.K. Rowling's personal insights.

A thrilling journey through legends, belief and folklore, this film goes behind the scenes with the British Library as they search to tell that story through objects in their collection, in an ambitious new exhibition: Harry Potter: A History Of Magic. J.K. Rowling, who is lending unseen manuscripts, drawings and drafts from her private archives (which will sit alongside treasures from the British Library, as well as original drafts and drawings from Jim Kay) talks about some of the personal items she has lent to the exhibition and gives new insight into her writing, looking at some of the objects from the exhibition that have fired her imagination.

Questions people ask

  • Is Harry Potter: A History Of Magic scary? No. Less frightening than 98% of films.

  • Is Harry Potter: A History Of Magic easy watching? Yes, very. More comforting than 95% of films.

  • Is Harry Potter: A History Of Magic violent? No. Less violent than 92% of films.

  • Is Harry Potter: A History Of Magic sad? Barely. Less sad than 89% of films.

  • Does Harry Potter: A History Of Magic end with hope? Yes. More hopeful than 81% of films.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

81/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

There is almost nothing else like this.

Rarity81

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise83

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love80

How much audiences actually like it

The highest scores in the catalogue →

Ensemble

Like Harry Potter: A History Of Magic

Nearest across the full emotional profile.

Same Mood as Harry Potter: A History Of Magic

Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.

Like Harry Potter: A History Of Magic, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Harry Potter: A History Of Magic, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Harry Potter: A History Of Magic, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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