The epic ends, the magic lasts.

Harry Potter may have had its final bow on the big screen this summer, but that doesn’t mean the magic has to end too. The final instalment of the film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, will be released on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Blu-Ray 3D on 2nd December, and is available for pre-order from today, just in time for you to take it home for Christmas, whether it be for a loved one or a treat for yourself.

Judging by the film’s record-breaking box office takings of more than .3bn. across the globe, there can’t be a large number of people who haven’t seen the film already, directed by David Yates and written by Steve Kloves. Nonetheless, here’s a quick synopsis for the few that haven’t.

“In the epic finale, the battle between the good and evil forces of the wizarding world escalates into an all-out war. The stakes have never been higher and no one is safe. But it is Harry Potter who may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice as he draws closer to the climactic showdown with Lord Voldemort. It all ends here.”

Embedded below is a lovely five-minute video entitled, A Look Back, that is a collection of the trailers for all eight films in the Harry Potter series, which really makes you feel a little bit nostalgic, reminding you of moments you’d forgotten, moments you love, and reminding you that these films have been with us for, literally, a decade.

““Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will be available on Blu-ray 3D Pack; featuring the film on a Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray in hi-definition and on DVD in standard definition as well as a standard definition digital copy of the 2D main feature. It will also be available on Blu-ray Triple Play; featuring a hi-definition, a standard definition, and a digital copy of the film and on 2 Disc Special Edition DVD in widescreen format.

Also available on 2nd December is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” on Blu-ray 3D. Additionally, for the first time “Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection” featuring the complete Harry Potter film series will be available on Blu-ray and DVD and also as a Limited Edition, individually numbered, featuring a 48-page collectable photo album.”

It’s interesting to note that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, which was released in cinemas only in 2D, will be re-released on the same day in 3D. The film was originally to be released in cinemas in 3D as well, just like Part 2 was, but when the 3D conversion couldn’t be completed in time for its theatrical release, Warner Bros. decided to release it only in 2D instead, now completing the 3D version for fans of the series.

As always, Part 2 will come with a fantastic array of special features to feast your eyes on, including,

  • The Goblins of Gringotts – Hosted by Warwick Davis, you’ll see the entire process of becoming a goblin” in a Harry Potter film, from auditions and casting to makeup and prosthetic tests as well as filming the final scenes.
  • The Women of Harry Potter – A look at the remarkable women in Harry Potter’s life and the critical role they play in the films.
  • When Harry Left Hogwarts – BAFTA award-winning filmmaker Morgan Matthews has been given unprecedented access to the creative decision-making processes that have been kept as a closely guarded secret – until now.  Hear the personal stories of the faces we know, and those we don’t, as we come to the end of one of the most successful eras in cinema history.
  • WB Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
  • Deleted Scenes

And exclusive to Blu-Ray:

  • Maximum Movie Mode hosted by Matthew Long (Neville Longbottom) and other cast members (80 minutes) – As the epic showdown between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort approaches, don’t miss a single detail as the forces of Good and Evil clash one final time throughout the grounds of Hogwarts.
  • A Conversation with JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe – Join J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe for an exclusive conversation about bringing the character of Harry Potter to life, the last decade of films and how their lives have changed by the fame that they’ve both experienced.

The Blu-Ray exclusive of the conversation with JK Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe sounds like it has quite a bit of potential to be an interesting extra, and could definitely be worth the upgrade to hi-definition, if the improved picture quality isn’t already enough to sway you. And for PS3 users, there should also be a game demo of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 when you download the film.

To commemorate Part 2’s final release,

“The release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” will also be marked by a special celebration at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort, where the Harry Potter stories live on.  The Harry Potter Home Entertainment Celebration will consist of a series of special events to be attended by cast and filmmakers from the Harry Potter films.  The three-day celebration will take place from Friday, November 11 to Sunday, November 13.”

So if you’re fortunate enough to be going to Orlando in November over that weekend, you may well find yourself bumping into the stars of a film series that has truly taken the world by storm in the last ten years, with its all-star cast of adult actors and actresses including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Matthew Lewis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright.

And of course, we cannot forget how the series has made a name for Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. Their faces are well recognised the world over as those of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, and they went from anonymity to global success all but overnight. For now, I shall leave you with the look back at all of the Harry Potter films, in which you can see these three growing up over the years. Enjoy.

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Since graduating, I spend as much time as possible watching films/TV shows, reading books, and listening to music. So getting to write about what I love is nothing short of awesome. Biggest film-related hope for 2014/ever: Guy Ritchie announcing the RocknRolla sequel is finally moving forward.