The intricate process of bringing JK Rowling’s wizarding world to life on the silver screen has been a monumental endeavour, culminating in the finale of the Harry Potter franchise with the release of Deathly Hallows-Part 2. However it is a lesser known fact that actor Daniel Radcliffe, who masterfully portrayed the titular hero throughout all eight Harry Potter films, changed an astonishing 160 pairs of glasses during the series. Additionally, he went through 60-70 wands due to the demands of filming.
Potter’s iconic scar, a symbol of his journey, was meticulously applied with makeup approximately 5,800 times. This not only includes Radcliffe, who had the scar applied about 2,000 times, but also his body doubles and stunt performers, all of whom sported the scar. A remarkable 40 iterations of Salazar Slytherin’s locket had to be crafted to accommodate the failed attempts by Ron Weasley and Potter to destroy it.
With team spirit
Animals too played a crucial role in the Harry Potter films, particularly owls and cats, known for their challenging nature to train. Therefore, over 250 animals were featured across the movies, ranging from the grandeur of a hippo to the minuscule presence of a centipede. Besides, the seemingly uniform Hogwarts attire further underwent a significant creation process, resulting in the production of over 600 school uniforms for the entire franchise.
Inspired from reality
Grippingly, the inspiration behind Professor Dumbledore’s distinctive chair harkens back to the regal throne at Westminster Abbey. The Hogwarts Express, the enchanting train transporting young Potter and companions to the magical school, is a steam engine with the real name “Olton Hall.” It was constructed in April 1937. While British author JK Rowling penned her captivating seven-book saga from 1997 to 2007, the cinematic journey of the franchise extended until 2011.
In current times
If you believed that high auction prices were reserved only for the books, prepare to be amazed by the value placed on Harry Potter film artifacts. The celebrated glasses, forever linked with Radcliffe, were auctioned in the UK in 2022. One of the revered wardrobe pieces from the movies was also successfully auctioned for $20,000 (approximately INR 16 lakh) in the US back in 2015. This cherished item was just one among numerous pairs of glasses utilised throughout the film series’ duration.
