Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2010/2011

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

This film the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a two part epic fantasy based on the J.K. Rowling novel with the same name. It was directed by David Yates, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman, David Barron and Rowling. It is also the seventh and final instalment in the Harry Potter film series. The story follows Harry potter as he attempts to find and destroy the Holcruxes, Lord Voldermort’s secret to immortality.

The story was split into two because according to the producer Heyman, it is very rich and dense and a lot is resolved in the book. The first part of the film has been described as ‘road movie’ rather like a documentary while second part is said to be operatic and fantasy oriented. The lead star Daniel Radcliffe says that this contrast between the two parts and other film in the series serves to ‘freshen things up and get people to see the films with fresh eyes’.

The first part of the film retained most of its previous cast though new characters were introduced in the second part. Cast include Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, the main protagonist; Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Harry’s best friend and Hermione’s love interest; Emma Watson as Hermione, Harry’s best friend; Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldermort, the primary antagonist; Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange, a Death Eater and secondary antagonist; Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, Harry’s arch nemesis and a Death Eater among others.

The characters introduced in part 2 are Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather; Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, Hogwarts’ potions master; Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, future headmistress of Hogwarts and transfiguration teacher and Emma Thompson as Sybill Trelawney, Hogwarts’ divination teacher.

Filming began on 19 February 2009 at Leavesden Studios and Pinewood Studios became the second location for shooting the seventh film. They also shot on location in the Swinley Forest in Suffolk and the streets of London. The visual effects were provided by Double Negative such as the Death Eaters smoke effects, the Patronus charm among others; Framestore was also involved in the creation of visual effects.

The entire film (parts 1& 2) were filmed throughout the United Kingdom for a period of one and a half years and were completed in June 2010. Filming was officially completed in December 2010 bringing to a close 10 years of the franchise’s filming.

A test screening for the first part of the film was done on 26 August 2010 with the unfinished film gaining favourable reviews from test screeners. The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 world premiere was held in Leicester Square in London on 11 November 2010 and was presented in 2D and IMAX. This film received mostly positive reviews and was nominated for various awards such as Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects and other categories.