Harry Potter: A History of Magic

"There’s something buried deep within all of us, I think, that would like to get the owl…" says Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling in this hour-long BBC-produced documentary on the parallels between the magic in her phenomenal literary franchise and actual real-world examples. The 2017-18 British Library showcase of the titular exhibit forms the centerpiece of this film by Alex Harding and Jude Ho, in which curators roll out artifacts for Rowling’s approval and experts nerdily froth about ties between the Potterverse and topics including medieval alchemy, the plants and potions of 17th-century "herbal hero" Nicholas Culpeper, love charms, broomsticks, wands (including father and son wandmakers who say they get inspiration from fairy sprites), divination, beasts, and spells. Along the way are readings by Harry Potter cast members, including David Thewlis (as a huge Potter fan, I confess to tearing up when Thewlis illustrated the "avada kedavra" curse with a passage from Goblet of Fire), Mark Williams, Evanna Lynch, Miriam Margoyles, and Warwick Davis. And Imelda Staunton is a fine narrator, although since she played the despicable Dolores Umbridge, keeping her off-camera was a good choice. Also including Rowling’s own insights and materials, as well as clips of fans excited about the show, this sure-to-be-popular documentary will likely be the only look that many will have of the exhibit (although it is currently being mounted by the New-York Historical Society in Manhattan through January 27, 2019). Highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)