Harry Potter 20th Anniversary – Return to Hogwarts | Nostalgia at Hogwarts

If you know the rules of Quidditch, have tasted butterbeer before, and know what the Marauder’s Card is, you have surely been looking forward to New Years Day to watch the special. Harry potter 20 ^th Anniversary – Return to Hogwarts. Account of touching reunions in the absence of surprising revelations.

Véronique Larocque
Press

Dive into the wizarding world

From the first images of this program highlighting the 20th anniversary of the release of the first film in the Harry Potter saga, we dive back into the magical world that has conquered more than a generation of children. On platform 9 ¾ of King’s Cross station in London, we find Emma Watson, interpreter of Hermione Granger, before she boards the Hogwarts Express to the famous wizarding school. A wind of nostalgia blows when she pushes open the doors of the lavishly decorated Great Hall, where she reconnects with a dozen actors in a festive atmosphere.

However, the celebrations quickly gave way to a succession of meetings between actors and directors, in duo or in small groups, in various mythical places of the magical world created by JK Rowling. For example, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) meets Chris Columbus, director of the first two films, in Director Albus Dumbledore’s office, while part of the Weasley family performers chat at the Burrow. Gringotts’ bank is also one of the places that we rediscover during the interviews that chronologically address the eight films in the series.

Extracts from feature films, archival footage and direct-to-camera interviews complete Harry potter 20^th Anniversary – Return to Hogwarts.

From childhood to adulthood

Daniel Radcliffe was only 11 when he put on the Harry Potter glasses. Like much of the cast, he was just a kid. “We were kids. We only thought of playing fools. Chris Columbus gave the shoot a fun fair atmosphere, ”summarizes Tom Felton, who lends his features to the hateful Draco Malfoy.

Over the course of the films, the group has aged. This path to adulthood, for both characters and actors, is discussed many times in the show. ” The Goblet of Fire is a film centered on adolescence, first love, ballroom invitations… It reflects the awkward moments we go through at this age. Back then, we were literally going through the same experiences, ”says Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley) of the fourth feature film.

Growing up by taking part in a production of such an imposing scale brings its share of trials. Emma Watson confides that in the fifth film, she considered leaving the project because of the celebrity who caught up with her suddenly. “Nobody had to convince me to continue,” she said, however, saying that she felt the support of fans and her colleagues.

Touching threesome

During this 105-minute program, the most touching moments are certainly the exchanges between the interpreters of the three main characters. From the start, chemistry operated between them, they confide. A relationship of friendship and trust was built over the next 10 years. “The three of us could communicate without speaking to each other,” summarizes Emma Watson. One of his favorite scenes? The one where Hermione and Harry dance to Nick Cave in the seventh movie. “We knew each other so well at this point. I couldn’t have played a scene like that with another actor, ”she says.

However, the scene where Hermione and Ron kiss for the first time was difficult to shoot. “It was supposed to be a languid kiss, but we kept laughing,” says Emma Watson. Kissing Rupert was one of the hardest things to do. It was not right on all levels because Daniel and Rupert are like my brothers. ”

“We are a family, affirms Rupert Grint, a few minutes later, in a segment particularly charged with emotion. We always will be, that won’t change. […] We have a very strong bond. ”

Entertaining anecdotes

Helena Bonham Carter, aka the terrifying Bellatrix Lestrange, offers the most entertaining moments of this reunion. During an exchange with Daniel Radcliffe in a vault in Gringotts, she hands him a message he gave her at the time. “I adore you and I wish I had been born 10 years earlier, maybe I would have had a chance,” he reads, embarrassed. “I keep it preciously,” adds the actress.

A few minutes later, it is Tom Felton that she makes laugh by confessing to him that she stole objects following the shooting. “I tried to steal my wand,” Draco’s interpreter confides. “You know it doesn’t work,” jokes the actress.

Another surprising anecdote? Mike Newell, director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, broke his ribs during the filming. How ? He wanted to show brothers James and Oliver Phelps, who lend their features to brothers Fred and George Weasley, how to fight. The demonstration was a bit intense. “I should have abstained”, concludes the injured.

Large absent

All along Return to HogwartsHarry Potter author JK Rowling only appears in short segments from a 2019 interview. author. According to Entertainment Weekly, an invitation was sent to JK Rowling, who would have preferred to decline the offer.

On social networks, fans were saddened by the absence of other actors, including Maggie Smith, interpreter of Professor Minerva McGonagall, or Michael Gambon, the man behind Albus Dumbledore in six of the eight films.

On Crave in English version with French subtitles. The French version will be available on January 6.