Why Harry Potter 7 Defied All Odds and Transformed Cinema: An Inside Perspective from the Director

Summary

David Yates, the director of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, admits that splitting J.K. Rowling's final book into two parts left the movie without a well-developed third act.

Yates and editor Mark Day dedicated extensive hours in the editing room, seeking to craft a feasible climax for the third act.

Although the level of intensity in the finale may not match that of other films in the franchise, the penultimate Harry Potter installment surpasses expectations by immersing viewers in a somber ambiance and delving deeper into the characters of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One should not have functioned as a standalone story, according to director David Yates. This film, which is part of the beloved J.K. Rowling novel series, was the first of the franchise released in 2001. Yates became involved with the franchise in 2007, starting with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and remained on board for the final three sequels.

In a recent interview with Collider, director Yates admitted that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One faced a major issue – it lacked a proper third act. According to him, this created significant difficulties during the editing process as they struggled to create a satisfying climax. Here is Yates' complete statement:

"In retrospect, I would say that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 was particularly challenging. The film seemed to lose momentum halfway through, leaving us perplexed in the editing room. We found ourselves constantly pondering the absence of a third act and questioning our approach. It was quite incredulous to realize that the movie lacked a proper resolution."

The concept behind the two movies, Part 1 and Part 2, was to initially create a road movie where the kids are taken out of their safe school environment and face challenging situations, testing their growth and the strength of their relationships. However, it transitions quickly into a climactic and explosive finale.

We thoroughly dissected Part One to ensure that the ending had a sense of escalating intensity, even though it ultimately ended up being more lighthearted. Despite this, some people still express their admiration for Hallows: Part One, mentioning how it felt like a European road movie. It's important to acknowledge the incredible efforts made during the editing process to achieve this effect.

Harry Potter 7 Still Works Despite Its Third Act

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One presents a unique departure from the franchise by taking place entirely outside of Hogwarts. As a result, the film has a distinct visual style and atmosphere compared to its predecessors. The tension throughout the movie is palpable, as Harry, Ron, and Hermione are relentlessly pursued. Adding to the intensity is a chilling horror-like sequence in Bathilda Bagshot's house.

Moreover, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One delves deeper into the complexities of the story's three main characters than any of the previous films. As the penultimate installment in the franchise, tensions among Harry, Ron, and Hermione reach new heights, accentuated by the increasing hopelessness of their quest. Alongside intense conflict, the movie also presents poignant character moments, including a touching interaction between Harry and Hermione.

The issue with dividing Rowling's last book into two films, according to Yates, is that the initial part will inevitably seem like a lead-up to more significant events. The climax of the third act in Harry Potter 7, after all, is essentially a minor-scale prison escape, which may appear less intense compared to preceding and subsequent movies. Nonetheless, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One takes sufficient narrative and tonal risks to be perceived as a deserving and thrilling addition to the franchise.