Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter

Meet Ian Potter, British superstar author J.K. Rowling's childhood friend, whose last name would be used for the character of a young wizard-in-training dreamed up in 1990 while the former English teacher was stuck on a train. Peek at the cupboard under the stairs in the early Rowling house in Winterbourne. Visit King's Cross Station, where Harry Potter and his friends Hermione and Ron catch the Hogwarts Express leaving from the invisible (to muggles) Platform 9 3/4. Hosted by Hugh Laurie (Stuart Little, 101 Dalmatians), this PBS-aired behind-the-scenes look at some of the real inspirations for the phenomenal, best-selling series of children's books (also loved by adults) combines biographical tidbits about J.K. Rowling (including an interview clip with Rowling herself), on-location footage of possible models for various settings in the Harry Potter books (including a Scottish boarding school called Gordonstoun that might have been the inspiration for Hogwarts), and interviews with a modern-day alchemist, herbalist, and witch, who talk about potions, wands and the philosopher's stone. In addition, viewers will learn of the literary antecedents to some of the otherworldly characters found in Rowling's fiction, such as "Fluffy," the 3-headed dog clearly drawn from Greek mythology's famous mastiff Cerberus. A winning, magical complement to the books and film, this "real world" guide is sure to find a warm welcome with Pottermania fans. Heads (even Nearly Headless Nick's) and shoulders above the rushed-to-video The Magical World of Harry Potter: The Unauthorized Biography of J. K. Rowling (VL Online-9/00), this is definitely recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (R. Pitman)