Review of a

Television Serial

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Harry Potter

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Producer:

David Hayman

Directors:

Chris Columbus, Alfonzo Cuarón, Mike Newell, David Yates

Genre:

Fantasy, mystery, thriller, drama, Coming of age Fiction, British

Cast:

Danielle Radcliffe (Harry potter)

Emma Watson (Hermoine Granger)

Rupert Grint (Ron Weasely)

Tom Felton(Draco Malfoy)

Ralph Fiennes(Lord Voldemort)

Robbie Coltrane(Rubeus Hagrid)

Michael Gambon(Professor Albus Dumbledore)

Alan Rickman(Professor Severus Snape)

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 INTRODUCTION

Harry Potter is a film series based on the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. The series
was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and consists of eight fantasy films, beginning
with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and culminating with Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). A spin-off prequel series started with Fantastic Beasts and Where to
Find Them (2016), marking the beginning of the Wizarding World shared media franchise.

The series was mainly produced by David Heyman, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and
Emma Watson as the three leading characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.
Four directors worked on the series: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David
Yates. Michael Goldenberg wrote the screenplay for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
(2007), while the remaining films' screenplays were written by Steve Kloves. Production took place
over ten years, with the main story arc following Harry's quest to overcome his arch-enemy Lord
Voldemort.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final novel in the series, was adapted into two
feature-length parts. Part 1 was released in November 2010, and Part 2 was released in July 2011.
Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is among the 50 highest-grossing films of all time—at 18th-highest, grossing
over $1 billion. It is the fourth-highest-grossing film series, with $7.7 billion in worldwide receipts.

The Harry Potter movie franchise is a cultural phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide.
Based on J.K. Rowling's beloved book series, the movies bring to life the magical world of Hogwarts,
its memorable characters, and the epic battle between good and evil.

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 ORIGINS

In late 1997, film producer David Heyman's London offices received a copy of the first book in what
would become Rowling's series of seven Harry Potter novels. The book, Harry Potter and the
Philosopher's Stone, was relegated to a low-priority bookshelf, where it was discovered by a secretary
who read it and gave it to Heyman with a positive review. Consequently, Heyman, who had originally
disliked "the rubbish title", read the book himself. Highly impressed by Rowling's work, he began the
process that led to one of the most successful cinematic franchises of all time.

PRODUCTION

Filming for the series began at Leavesden Studios, Hertfordshire, England, in September 2000 and
ended in December 2010, with post-production on the final film lasting until summer 2011. Leavesden
Studios was the main base for filming Harry Potter, and it opened to the public as a studio tour in 2012
(renamed as Warner Bros. Studios, Leavesden). David Heyman produced all the films in the series
with his production company Heyday Films, while David Barron joined the series as an executive
producer on Chamber of Secrets and Goblet of Fire. Barron was later appointed producer on the last
four films. Chris Columbus was an executive producer on the first two films alongside Mark Radcliffe
and Michael Barnathan, but he became a producer on the third film alongside Heyman and Radcliffe.
Other executive producers include Tanya Seghatchian and Lionel Wigram. J. K. Rowling, author of
the series, was asked to become a producer on Goblet of Fire but declined. She subsequently accepted
the role on the two-part Deathly Hallows.

CRITICAL RESPONSE

All the films have been a success financially and critically, making the franchise one of the major
Hollywood "tent-poles" akin to James Bond, Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean.
The series is noted by audiences for growing visually darker and more mature as each film was
released. However, the films have generally divided fans of the books, with some preferring the more
faithful approach of the first two films and others preferring the more stylised character-driven
approach of the later films.

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Some have also felt the series has a "disjointed" feel due to the changes in directors, as well as
Michael Gambon's portrayal of Albus Dumbledore differing from that of Richard Harris. Author J. K.
Rowling has been consistently supportive of the films, and evaluated the two parts of Deathly Hallows
as her favourite of the series.

AWARDS

In addition, the American Film Institute recognised the entire series with a Special Award at the
American Film Institute Awards in 2011. Special awards "are given to outstanding achievements in
the moving image that do not fit into AFI's criteria for the other honorees". Six of the eight films were
nominated for a total of 12 Academy Awards. Although not successful at the Oscars, the Harry Potter
series has gained success in many other award ceremonies, including the annual Saturn Awards and
Art Directors Guild Awards. The series has also gained a total of 24 nominations at the British
Academy Film Awards presented at the annual BAFTAs, winning several, and 5 nominations at the
Grammy Awards. Philosopher's Stone achieved seven BAFTA Award nominations, including Best
British Film and Best Supporting Actor for Robbie Coltrane. Chamber of Secrets won the award for
Best Live Action Family Film in the Phoenix Film Critics Society. It was nominated for seven Saturn
Awards, including Best Director and Best Fantasy Film. Order of the Phoenix picked up three awards
at the inaugural ITV National Movie Awards. At the Empire Awards, David Yates won Best Director.
Deathly Hallows – Part 1 gained two nominations at the BAFTA Awards for Best Make-Up and Hair
and Best Visual Effects, along with receiving nominations for the same categories at the Broadcast
Film Critics Association Awards. Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was released to critical acclaim, gaining a
mix of audience awards. Part 2 of Deathly Hallows was also recognised at the Saturn Awards as well
as the BAFTA Awards, where the film achieved a win for Best Special Visual Effects.

LEGACY

The Harry Potter films and their success have been retrospectively considered to have had a
significant impact on the film industry. They are credited with helping redefine the Hollywood
blockbuster in the 21st century by initiating a shift toward established media franchises forming the
basis of successful films. In the wake of the final film's release, Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote
that the films "inspired every major studio to try to capture [its] alchemic formula, spawning a range
of copycats and wannabes" and "also have shown Hollywood how to make a glossy blockbuster with
an eye toward keeping costs down".

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 CONCLUSION

The Harry Potter movie franchise has left an indelible mark on popular culture. With its richly imagined world,
memorable characters, and universal themes, the series has become a beloved classic. As the wizarding world
continues to evolve, with new adaptations and spin-offs in development, the magic of Harry Potter will
undoubtedly endure

In conclusion, the Harry Potter movie franchise is a cultural touchstone that has captivated audiences
worldwide with its richly imagined world, memorable characters, and universal themes. The iconic
soundtracks, impressive production design, and innovative special effects have all contributed to the series'
enduring magic. The well-developed characters, from Harry's bravery and loyalty to the complexities of
Severus Snape's character, have resonated deeply with audiences. The exploration of themes such as friendship,
love, prejudice, and the struggle between good and evil has inspired a devoted fan base and left a lasting impact
on popular culture. As the wizarding world continues to evolve, with new adaptations and spin-offs in
development, the magic of Harry Potter will undoubtedly endure, reminding us of the power of love, courage,
and the human spirit.

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 STRUCTURE AND STYLE

The structure and style used in this project is my own with guidance of the
teacher

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Harry Potter (Film series) Wikipedia. com