As many of you know, the Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection was released on the 10th. Warner Bros sent me some of the contents of the collection to take a look at. As the collection is so very large, I wasn’t able to receive the entire thing, but what they did send me had so much content that even with nearly a week’s time I was barely able to see all of the content.
I received the Blu-rays for Harry Potter Bonus Disc, Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 7: Story (Year 7 Part 1), and Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up (Year 7, Part 2). I also received the Stuart Craig (Production Designer) sketch prints and the Hogwarts fabric map. Below are images of the entire set and the review materials I received.
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These discs contained so many features, that I just didn’t know where to start first. And then I knew: start with the creator… J.K. Rowling. On the Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 7: Story (Year 7 Part 1) disc, she and screenwriter Steve Kloves sit down and have a very long discussion. You can see a few clips of this talk here and here, but I have to tell you that these clips only give you a small glimpse into the entire discussion. JK Rowling and Steve Kloves first met in 1999. She was wary of the movie industry until she met Kloves, who seemed to set her at ease. Some of the interesting things revealed during this conversation was that they thought that perhaps Ron could be American and that Harry could be more like Ron. Also, it was suggested that perhaps Harry’s story was all in Harry’s imagination while he was still in the cupboard. Jo admitted that she misses Dumbledore the most. She and Kloves continue to discuss things that fans (including myself) were totally unaware of. It’s an absolutely mind blowing conversation that gives insight into the Harry Potter world that fans could only wish for.
After each of the clips are done, you want to make sure to stick around for the credits, as they’re filled with more clips, and many interviews with the cast.
The Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 7: Story (Year 7 Part 1) disc also includes a section called Behind the Magic. Here you will find loads of interviews with the cast and crew. It includes more inside knowledge on the filming of the Seven Potters scene. A lot of insight into the special effects are discussed as well.
There are so many other sections that include hours and hours of content… and loads of deleted scenes! Let’s just say that you’ll get your fix of Harry Potter that you’ve been craving since there aren’t any more movies or books.
The only drawback was after you watch the first clip, you’re forced to watch the warning for copyright infringement that lasts at least ten minutes as it’s shown in every imaginable language.
On the Bonus Disc one of the features I enjoyed the most was the 50 Greatest Harry Potter moments. It’s a countdown that lasts over an hour. Some of these included:
- Harry and Ron take the Ford Anglia for a flight
- Neville Longbottom defends the Hogwarts bridge
- Harry’s first kiss
- Snape vs McGonagall
- Fred and George’s fireworks
- Ron’s Love Potion
- Platform 9 3/4
This disc also includes a tour of the set, including Dan’s dressing room; a touching interview with David Holmes, Dan’s stunt double who was sadly injured and paralyzed during a stunt; a wonderful interview with First Assistant Director Jamie Christopher, who worked tirelessly on these films; Designing the world of Harry Potter, which includes interviews with production designer Stuart Craig and his supporting crew; secrets on how the quidditch scenes were made, and J.K. Rowling stating how she came up with the magical game; and secrets on how they made Hagrid appear so large. There’s also a section called the Harry Potters You Never Met that includes interviews with all the stunt doubles.
The Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up (Year 7, Part 2) disc includes another sit down session with J.K. Rowling, but this time with Dan Radcliffe (see more on that below). One of its many sections include Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 8: Growing Up. This section, which lasts nearly 50 minutes, starts off with the last day of principal production, and then goes to the beginning of filming for the first film and works its way all the way to the last day. During this sequence, you really get an idea of how important it was for the young cast to continue to feel like they were kids and to ensure they were protected. The cast talked about what scenes they remembered the most, the changes they’ve gone through, and the difference between the different directors. Many of you may recall when Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) and Alan Rickman (Snape) played a trick on Dan Radcliffe during the sleeping bag scene in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban where they put a farting machine in Dan’s sleeping bag. Now you get to actually watch the footage of when this occurred.
The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: Behind the Magic section includes filming that took place with the Gringott’s/Lestrange vault, the Room of Requirement, the Ron and Hermione kiss, makeup, the Battle and Hogwarts, and much more.
There are, of course, many deleted scenes as well.
But the real jewel for me is the conversation that took place between Dan Radcliffe and JK Rowling. The two sat down and discussed so many things. Dan spoke of how he was discovered by the first film’s director, Chris Columbus. It’s true, he was seen in a theatre, but what isn’t well known was that Columbus had seen a photo of Dan from his first film, David Copperfield. When they were having such a hard time finding a Harry Potter, he waved around Dan’s photo and said, “What we need is someone like this.” They initially had spoken to Dan’s parents, but his parents were a little afraid that these films would be too much for their son. When they ran into each other again at the theatre, Dan’s parent felt this might be fate, and should perhaps give it a try.
J.K. Rowling first saw Dan on an audition tape and found it incredibly moving, saying that he was great and that it felt like watching her son.
She first met Emma by phone, which she admitted was probably a good thing. In Jo’s mind, Hermione isn’t very pretty, so when she spoke to Emma, she said that Emma sounded just like Hermione, but that Emma was (and still is) too beautiful to be exactly how Jo pictured Hermione in her mind. But she feels that she portrays Hermione perfectly.
Jo had great faith in director Chris Columbus and felt her books and the children were in great hands.
Dan spoke about things he gets wound up about. This includes when he hears Harry Potter words that are mispronounced.
Jo said that one of the deal breakers for the films was that Robbie Coltrane had to portray Hagrid.
She and Dan talked quite a few minutes about what Jo did and didn’t tell some of the actors about what would happen to them. Some of the actors, when she offered (Matt Lewis – Neville Longbottom – in particular) were vehement in not knowing what would happen. She did, however, tell Alan Rickman that Snape had been in love with Lilly, Harry’s mother. She also told Dan, when he had asked whether Harry Potter would die, that Dan would get ‘a death scene.’
Dan asked her if it was true she had written the ending of the book at the very beginning. She said she had written a sketch of what she thought how it would end, but that she wrote it about a year into writing the books. She said it stayed pretty true, except that one character had been killed off that hadn’t been in her original writing, and that was Remus Lupin. She said that she always knew that Hagrid was safe because she always envisioned Hagrid carrying Harry out of the forest and towards the battle. She had considered killing off Ron.
She admitted that she misses writing about Dumbledore the most. She and Dan then discussed the fact that Dumbledore is gay.
There are so many other sections on this set. Some of them include:
- Hogwarts last Stand
- The Woman of Harry Potter
- The Goblins of Gringotts
- The Great Hall of HOgwarts
- Ron and Hermione’s Kiss
- That’s a Wrap, Harry Potter
- Neville’s Battle Makeup
- The Gringotts Disguises
- Harry’s Death: The Courtyard Confrontation
- Harry Potter and the deathly Hallows: The Quest
You also get a look at the Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, the Pottermore Preview, and a trailers section.
The few discs from the Wizard’s Collection that I received that were absolutely incredible. The many insights and information that is gleaned from these is insurmountable. For the ultimate fan, this set is a must have.
You can order from Amazon US here or Amazon UK here.
Includes All Eight Movies in Blu-ray™, DVD and UltraViolet ™ in an Elaborate Limited-Edition Giftbox Packaging with Eight Exclusive Movie Memorabilia Items That Can’t be Found Anywhere Else
Available from 10th September
Just in time for Harry Potter’s birthday, Warner Home Video announces today the exclusive features that can only be found in the Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection. The most successful film franchise in history will be available from 10th September in a limited-edition collectible box set. The most comprehensive Harry Potter movie collection yet, the set will include all eight films, exclusive never-before-seen content and must-have memorabilia for the most devoted Harry Potter fan.
The Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection is a limited edition set containing over 37 hours of special features, including all previously released special features for all eight Harry Potter films. Also included are nearly four hours of exciting, never-before-seen bonus features that offer fans an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Harry Potter franchise. Wizards and witches everywhere will enjoy the all-new documentaries like “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 7: Story,” in which J.K. Rowling sits down with the series’ screenwriter Steve Kloves and discusses the process of translating the books to the big screen. “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 8: Growing Up” incorporates new and vintage interviews with the cast to understand what it was like growing up on the set of the world-famous films, and ends with Daniel Radcliffe’s emotionally charged farewell speech to the cast and crew.
Eight pieces of movie memorabilia, designed exclusively for the Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection by the graphic designers from the films, give fans a unique chance to bring the artistic details of the world of Harry Potter into their own home. High-quality concept art prints and a colorful fabric map of Hogwarts and the areas surrounding it are perfect for framing. The hard-bound “Harry Potter Catalogue of Artefacts” and the artistic “Label Collection” offer fans a broad look at the intricate details of each film prop. Also included are a blueprint poster of Hogwarts castle, sketch prints from the production designer, a Horcrux locket prop replica and a certificate of authenticity.
In addition to the theatrical release of all eight films, the collection also includes the extended versions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; and the 3D versions of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows –- Parts 1 and 2.
Beautifully packaged in a stunning gift box measuring 12-3/4” x 10-9/16” x 11-1/4” and weighing 19 lbs, the Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection is the largest collection ever released by Warner Bros.
Films Included in this Collection – All on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet
· Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Theatrical Version and Extended Cut
· Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Theatrical Version and Extended Cut
· Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
· Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
· Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
· Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
· Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 2D and 3D Versions
· Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 2D and 3D Versions
Blu-ray Special Features for Hours of Entertainment – Includes all previously released Special Features
· Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection Bonus Disc
Nearly 4 hours of features including:
All New! “The Harry Potters You Never Met” – Meet the stunt doubles for Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as they demonstrate how they balanced major stunt work with seamlessly mimicking the actors they represented and share their favorite moments.
All New! “Designing the World of Harry Potter” – Explore how production designer Stuart Craig and his creative team brought J.K. Rowling’s imagination to life on the screen.
All New! “When Harry Left Hogwarts” (Extended Version) – Hear candid and emotional stories about the final days on set in this extended behind-the-scenes look.
All New! “50 Greatest Harry Potter Moments” (Definitive Version) – Take a look back with cast members who share their on and off-screen memories.
All New! “Secrets Revealed! Quidditch” – At last, the secrets behind the special effects required for the breathtaking Quidditch scenes are revealed!
All New! “Secrets Revealed! Hagrid”- See the camera tricks, towering stand-in and voluminous body suits behind the beloved Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
· Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Bonus Disc
Over 2 hours of features including:
All New! “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part. 7: Story”
Plus all previously released special features!
· Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Bonus Disc
Over 4 hours of features including:
All New! “Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part. 8: Growing Up”
All New! “A Conversation with J.K. Rowling and Daniel Radcliffe: Extended Version” – with 15 minutes of new footage
“Hogwarts’ Last Stand” (Extended Version)
Plus all previously released special features!
· Exclusive Premiums
o Memorabilia designed exclusively for the collection by the graphic designers from the films
§ Label Collection – A collection of prop labels created by the production for potions, wizarding products and more
§ Harry Potter Catalogue of Artefacts – 48-page rigid book featuring the favorite props of the film’s graphic designers
§ Blueprint poster of Hogwarts castle – Detailed blueprint of Hogwarts castle is 22” x 26”
§ Concept Art Prints – High quality color concept art prints from the films are perfect for framing
§ Map of Hogwarts and the areas surrounding it – Full color 24” x 36” map of Hogwarts printed on fabric
§ Stuart Craig Sketch Prints — Series of 5” x 7” black and white concept sketches from Harry Potter production designer, Stuart Craig
§ Horcrux Locket – Wearable, high-quality prop replica created by Noble Collection
§ Certificate of Authenticity – A uniquely numbered 8” x 10” certificate inspired by a Hogwarts Express ticket
Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.
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