In Honor of Release of The Tales of Beedle the Bard: J.K. Rowling documentary

[pegkerr]

Journalist James Runcie was granted an incredible documentary opportunity in 2006 -- to film Harry Potter author JK Rowling for the entire year as she worked on the final book of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

The final documentary is a gem, not just because Rowling is very selective about her public appearances and interviews, but because the film shows fans a side of her that reading a biography or articles about her life cannot begin to convey, including the childhood experiences that have shaped her writing and her emotional reaction to the conclusion of the Harry Potter series. An excerpt:

"What's your favorite virtue?"
"Courage."
"What vice do you most despise?"
"Bigotry."
"What are you must willing to forgive?"
"Gluttony."
"What's your most marked characteristic?"
"I'm a trier."
"What are you most afraid of?"
"Losing someone I love."
"What's the quality you most like in a man?"
"Morals."
"What's the quality you most like in a woman?"
"Generosity."
"What do you most value about your friends?"
"Tolerance."
"What's your principal defect?"
"Short fuse."
"What's your favorite occupation?"
"Writing."
"What's your dream of happiness?"
"Happy family."

So in honor of the release today of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, here is the hour-long documentary, in five parts: