November 2, 2010. Copyright 2010, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: the end is drawing nearer
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 2, Graphic News:  If at first there were groans at the news that the last film of the Harry Potter books would be split into two parts, now there is relief that it's not yet all over. And if the release of the penultimate movie, Deathly Hallows: Part 1, is causing even more excitement than ever, it is partly because this Potter outing is a definite departure from the others.

It's true that every Potter film has been heralded as "darker" and "more complex" than its predecessor, but Deathly Hallows marks the first time that Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) leave the familiar surroundings of Hogwarts in pursuit of the mysterious horcruxes, which hold the key to the evil powers of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). This time so much of the action takes place in the outside world that Radcliffe has even called Deathly Hallows a "road movie". 

British director David Yates -- who also helmed the fifth movie, as well as the sixth and most commercially successful (Half-Blood Prince) -- has said this one is edgier and "cooler" than earlier Potter outings: cracks are starting to appear in the bond between the teenagers who are on their own as they struggle to destroy the horcruxes (the objects contain fragments of the soul and can be used to resurrect a dead person) without the help of dear departed Dumbledore. With the wizard trio grappling with the challenges of independence as they try to defeat the Dark Lord, Yates believes the latest installment in the Warner Bros franchise will appeal to older kids and young adults, as well as capture its traditional family audience. 

For moviegoers who have grown up with Harry, now is their chance to get to the bottom of some of the secrets that have dominated his life. 

Expect lots of filming with a hand-held camera and and chilling new sets as Harry and friends venture beyond the school's confines. Rhys Ifans joins the celebrated cast as eccentric wizard Xenophilius Lovegood (father of Luna) who helps them unravel the mystery of the Deathly Hallows. A self-confessed Potter nut, the director asked author JK Rowling for permission to add in a Death Eater scene that was not in the book, to ramp up the cinematic action. But romance is also on the agenda as relationships deepen between Harry and Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), and Hermione and Ron. Fans of Daniel Radcliffe will doubtless already know that at one point his character appears naked. 

The budget was reportedly a lavish £150m but the filmmakers had their share of horrors: Radcliffe's stunt double David Holmes was injured during a flying sequence, and fire broke out on one of the sets. If this film is the beginning of the end, there's almost a sense that some might find it so hard to let go they would even postpone the final installment beyond its release date next July. For true fans who have waited almost 18 months for Deathly Hallows: Part 1, however, the final few days must be practically torture.
/ENDS

RELEASE DATES

November 11: World premiere, London
November 17: Belgium, Egypt, Germany, Netherlands 	
November 18: Argentina, Australia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland
November 19: Brazil , Canada, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, India, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, UK, USA 	
November 24: France 	
November 25: Hungary 	
November 26: Bulgaria, South Africa 	
November 27: Japan 	
December 16: Hong Kong, South Korea