Production of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Directed by David Yates
Produced by David Heyman
David Barron
J. K. Rowling
Screenplay by Steve Kloves
Based on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
by J. K. Rowling
Music by Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography Eduardo Serra
Edited by Mark Day
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Running time
276 minutes
Country United Kingdom
United States
Language English
Budget $250 million
Box office $2,301,794,524

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the 2010/2011 two-part finale of the Harry Potter film series. Both Part 1 and Part 2 were directed by David Yates, written by Steve Kloves, and form the screen adaptation of the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. The picture was produced by Rowling, alongside David Heyman and David Barron. It was originally scheduled for a single theatrical release, but Warner Bros. Pictures divided the film into two parts due to financial and creative reasons.[1][2]

Both parts were shot back-to-back; principal photography began on 19 February 2009 and was completed on 12 June 2010,[3] with reshoots in December 2010 marking the series' closure of ten years of filming.[4] Part 1 was released in 2D and IMAX on 19 November 2010, and Part 2 was released in 3D, 2D and IMAX on 15 July 2011.[5][6][7][8]

Development

The idea to divide J. K. Rowling's final book into two parts came from "creative imperative" and was suggested by executive producer Lionel Wigram. David Heyman initially responded negatively, but Wigram asked, "No, David. How are we going to do it?". Having reread the book and discussed it with Steve Kloves when the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike ended, and having Rowling's approval, he agreed with the division.[9][10] Deathly Hallows was shot back to back,[11] and treated as if it were one film during principal photography.[10] Heyman said of the project, "Over ten years ago, we made a commitment to Jo Rowling that, above all else, we would be faithful and true to the spirit of her books, and ever since we have endeavored never to compromise on the creative ambitions of the films."[1][11]

In concluding the film franchise, we recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book, and its many fans, justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts.
Jeff Robinov, Warner Bros. press release on 13 March 2008[1]

Before David Yates was officially chosen to direct, others had expressed an interest in the job. Alfonso Cuarón, director of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had said that he would be tempted to return to direct.[12] Guillermo del Toro, who passed on Prisoner of Azkaban, had expressed interest in directing Deathly Hallows,[13] but an increased workload over the production of The Hobbit ruled him out of the project.[14]

For the first time in the series, Rowling was credited as a film producer alongside David Heyman and David Barron, however David Yates noted that her participation in the filmmaking process did not change from the previous films.[15][16] Heyman stated that the films are a closer recreation of the books than the previous films because of the length a two-part adaptation entails.[17] Steve Kloves wrote the first part's script before starting his work on the second part in April 2009.[17]

Daniel Radcliffe said, "This is a road movie, particularly in Part 1 of the film. People have been so used to seeing Harry Potter at Hogwarts and we're just not there for the first part of the film. That seems to have really freshened things up, and hopefully will get people seeing the films with fresh eyes again, because it's just a totally different look when you're not just sat in the same room the whole time."[17] He also commented on the relationship between Harry and Voldemort in Part 2 saying that "Voldemort does absolutely kick six bells out of me, and that's what makes it effective, the fact that Harry's a kid having the crap beaten out of him. If it's Voldemort killing an adult – well, he does that loads in the films. To see him brutalising and desperately trying to kill a 17-year-old boy is hopefully going to shake some people up."[18]

As maintained by producer David Heyman and director David Yates, Part 1 and Part 2 were treated as one film during production, but are ultimately two different films with separate tones and styles, connected only by the "linear narrative that runs through the middle".[10][19] Yates commented on the contrast between the two parts, saying that Part 1 is a "road movie" and "quite real", "almost like a vérité documentary", while Part 2 is "much more operatic, colourful and fantasy-oriented", a "big opera with huge battles."[20][21][22][23]

Yates and Heyman have noted that some of the events of the seventh book had an effect on the way the sixth film was written.[24]

Filming

Evanna Lynch reading The Order of the Phoenix during filming of The Deathly Hallows in May 2009.

Pre-production began on 26 January 2009, while filming began on 19 February 2009 at Leavesden Studios, where the previous six installments were filmed. Pinewood Studios became the second studio location for shooting the seventh film.[25][26] Bruno Delbonnel, the Director of Photography for the sixth film, opted not to work on Deathly Hallows, as he was afraid of repeating himself.[27] Eduardo Serra was chosen to be the cinematographer for Parts 1 and 2.[28] Director David Yates said that the film will be shot with "loads of hand-held cameras." He stated, "I want to shake things up every time I go into this world. I like experimenting as we go along."[29] In October 2009, Ralph Fiennes started filming his role as Lord Voldemort. Many of the adult actors also prepared for filming during that period.[30] The crew also shot on location, with Swinley Forest being the main outdoor filming area, along with the village of Lavenham in Suffolk[31] and the streets of the city of London.

On 26 March 2010, filming finished in Pinewood Studios. However, Leavesden Studios was still occupied for further filming.[32] Both Part 1 and Part 2 were filmed over a one and a half-year period throughout the United Kingdom, finishing on 12 June 2010. Even though the shooting schedule was set at 250 days, the filming took 478 days to complete. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson all openly wept on the last day,[33] which seemed to end their ten years of work on the films.[34] However, reshoots were confirmed to begin in the winter of 2010 for the film's final scene, "19 Years Later", which originally took place in London at King's Cross Station. The filming was completed in December 2010, marking the franchise's official closure of ten years of filming.[35]

During production at Leavesden, Radcliffe's stunt double David Holmes suffered a serious spinal injury during the filming of an aerial sequence, which left him paralysed. Holmes fell to the ground following an explosion which was part of the stunt.[36][37][38]

The Deathly Hallows documentary

During filming of Deathly Hallows, British filmmaker Morgan Matthews shot a documentary highlighting the filmmaking process and the lives of the cast and crew on set. Producer David Heyman said that "[It] shows the challenges of making the film – the tolls it takes on the actors and crew. It's not just pure gloss and everybody's happy. It's real. At the same time, it's really, really funny." Matthews had access to various creative departments behind the scenes as well as on set filming.[39]

The Golden Board

Throughout the production of Deathly Hallows, the filmmakers formed a video which showed cast and crew members holding up a board which displayed how many days they were into production and how many days left until the end. Some of the footage included actor Robbie Coltrane playing air guitar, production staff waving goodbye and the final scene of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. The last shot was of director David Yates "getting into his car and driving away out of Leavesden" as confirmed by David Heyman.[40]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Warner Bros. Plans Two-Part Film Adaptation of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" to Be Directed by David Yates". Business Wire. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 6 September 2012. ...expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts.
  2. "Final 'Potter' split point revealed". Digital Spy. 13 August 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. Schwartz, Alison (14 June 2010). "Daniel Radcliffe Calls Wrapping Up Harry Potter Devastating". People. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  4. Magrath, Andrea (9 December 2010). "Better get to the wig store! Emma Watson and Harry Potter co-stars to re-shoot crucial final Deathly Hallows scenes". Daily Mail. UK. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  5. "Release Date Set for Harry Potter 7: Part I". Comingsoon.net. 25 April 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
  6. "IFCO: Irish Film Classification Office – Reviews of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1". Ifco.ie. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  7. "WB Sets Lots of New Release Dates!". Comingsoon.net. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 25 February 2009.
  8. Tyler, Josh (8 October 2010). "Part 1 Not in 3D". Cinema Blend. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  9. "David Heyman 'Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them' script is wonderful". YouTube. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 Richards, Olly (14 March 2008). "Potter Producer Talks Deathly Hallows". Empire. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  11. 1 2 Malvern, Jack (14 March 2008). "Longer spell at box office for Harry Potter". The Times. UK.
  12. Utichi, Joe (27 July 2007). "RT-UK Exclusive: Alfonso Cuaron talks Mexico and a Return to Harry Potter". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 July 2007.
  13. Carroll, Larry (26 October 2007). "Guillermo Game For 'Harry Potter'". MTV. Retrieved 26 October 2007.
  14. Richards, Olly (28 January 2007). "Guillermo Del Toro In Talks For Hobbit?". Empire. Retrieved 29 January 2007.
  15. "David Yates discusses 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2'". Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  16. "Warner Bros. Pictures Worldwide Satellite Trailer Debut: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" (Press release). Warner Bros. Pictures. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 9 February 2011. produced by David Heyman, David Barron and J.K. Rowling
  17. 1 2 3 Helen O'Hara (April 2009). "Hallowed Ground". Empire: 100–104.
  18. "Daniel Radcliffe says new 'Harry Potter' will shock fans". Indian Express. 6 September 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  19. [Weintraub, Steve (15 November 2010). "Director David Yates Interview". Collider. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  20. David Yates: Part 1 "Verite" Archived 12 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  21. Woerner, Meredith (13 August 2010). "Find out where Harry Potter and the Death Hallows Part 1 will end". io9. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  22. Hunter, Rob (13 August 2010). "If The Two 'Harry Potter and the Death Hallows' Films Were A Person This Would Be Perineum". Film School Rejects. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  23. "David Yates: Deathly Hallows is a big opera, a great big epic with huge battles". The Leaky Cauldron. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  24. Newgen, Heather (10 July 2007). "Yates and Heyman on Harry Potter 6". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  25. "Emma reveals DH test shooting begins this Monday". MuggleNet. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
  26. "Harry Potter Movies Being Filmed at Leavesden and Pinewood Studios". The Leaky Cauldron. 25 March 2009. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
  27. "Delbonnel Declined".
  28. "Harry Potter continues his magic at Leavesden" (PDF). Panalux. January 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
  29. "Deathly Hallows to Be Shot Using "Loads of Hand-Held Cameras," Tom Felton Talks Sectumsempra in Half-Blood Prince". The Leaky Cauldron. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2009.
  30. Sue. "The Dark Lord Ascends: Ralph Fiennes Returns as Lord Voldemort for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". The Leaky Cauldron. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  31. Will, Exclusive. "Suffolk Free Press". Suffolk Free Press. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  32. Edward (26 March 2010). ""Deathly Hallows" Filming at Pinewood Studios to Wrap Today". The Leaky Cauldron.
  33. Boucher, Geoff. "Daniel Radcliffe to Comic-Con fans: 'I apologize for my disappointing non-presence'" Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2010.
  34. Boucher, Geoff. "Daniel Radcliffe on his tearful 'Harry Potter' farewell – and his scary acting future" Los Angeles Times 28 July 2010.
  35. Ellwood, Gregory. "Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson confirm 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt 2' ending reshoots" Hitfix 11 November 2010.
  36. MuggleNet (29 January 2009). "The ULTIMATE Harry Potter Fansite – Deathly Hallows, Half-Blood Prince, JK Rowling, and much more". MuggleNet. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  37. MuggleNet. "The ULTIMATE Harry Potter Fansite – Deathly Hallows, Half-Blood Prince, JK Rowling, and much more". MuggleNet. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  38. Cockcroft, Lucy (1 February 2009). "Harry Potter stuntman David Holmes vows to return to work". The Daily Telegraph. UK. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
  39. Morgan Matthews: Deathly Hallows Documentary
  40. David Heyman: The Golden Board
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