Harry Potter and the
flying Ford Anglia
March 19, 2002
Hogwarts School - filmed in Durham Cathedral
Alnwick Castle has once again been magically transformed for its starring role in the new Harry Potter film Chamber of Secrets.
The castle has been chosen by Warner Bros to become Hogwarts School of Wizardry in the second Potter movie based on the book by JK Rowling.
Among the amazing secrets revealed is the need for no less than 14 classic cars for an incredible flying scene.
Warner's production team had to scour the length and breadth of Britain to find the identical sky blue Ford Anglia cars for the shot, which sees the flying banger crash-land in the castle's Inner Bailey.
One insider revealed: ‘Because of the damage inflicted to the vehicles during filming, it would have been impossible to use the same car over and over again.
Medieval library
‘We had a real job getting our hands on so many vehicles of such a classic make.’
The set of Hogwarts Library, an identical copy of Oxford University's famous medieval Bodleian Library, has been re-built in Alnwick Castle's Guest Hall.
Meanwhile, the actual logistics of filming at the fortress - home to the Duke of Northumberland - have also proved extensive.
The base which has been set up to control all aspects of cast and crew is said to be the biggest Warner has ever built in Europe.
Taking up a huge portion of a field at Alnwick Pastures, across the river Aln from the castle, the tented village includes wardrobes, restaurants, rehearsal space and even classrooms for local children who are starring in the movie.
Inside the castle itself, one walled enclosure houses dozens of lorries and the biggest portable generator in Britain, which powers the entire set.
Security has been intense during the three-week-long operation, which is due to run until the end of this week.
Warner, however, may be forced to remain on-site for longer, after filming schedules were hampered at the end of last week by bad weather.
Stunning backdrops
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets marks the second visit by Warner to Alnwick, following filming of the previous blockbuster Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in September and October 2000.
That showcased some of the region's most stunning backdrops including Alnwick and Durham Cathedral, and the latest burst of activity has sparked great optimism for future visitor figures to the North-East.
Paul Mingard of the Northern Screen Commission said: ‘We work very hard to attract film companies to the North of England. Not only do they bring money into the region during filming but the spin off from visitors wanting to visit the area is enormous.’
A spokesman for the Duke of Northumberland added: ‘Warner has been very kind to allow access to the sets, so that they could give proper thanks to those local people who have helped immensely in the production of both films.
‘We think Alnwick will benefit massively from what looks set to be another sure-fire smash hit.’
Babbling baboons and hooting owls brought a touch of animal magic to the normally peaceful confines of Durham Cathedral's cloisters at the weekend as film-makers shipped in a menagerie for a wild scene.
The imposing edifice is also doubling as part of Hogwarts School of Wizardry and is understood to be the place where young wizards and witches first learn about familiars, or magical animal assistants.
An insider said: ‘We had loads of animals in cages for the scene - monkeys, birds - and there was a lot of noise.
‘It was really mad, but a lot of fun.’
March 12, 2002
Durham Cathedral has once again been turned into a giant film set as a backdrop for the latest Harry Potter movie.
A cast and crew of hundreds from Warner Bros returned 15 months after filming scenes at the cathedral for the first box office hit, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Filming is taking place on several days over the next fortnight within the cathedral, with scenes featuring the three child principles - Daniel Radcliffe, in the title role, and fellow Hogwart's pupils Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
A larger-than-life Robbie Coltrane, as gentle giant Hagrid, was shooting with the trio and extras from nearby Durham Chorister School in the cloisters yesterday.
As a place of worship, the cathedral remains open to the public, but visitors are warned, on arrival, of disruption in the cloisters and are asked not to take any photographs.
The cathedral's dean and chapter issued a statement welcoming ‘all who visit the cathedral’ and apologising if the visit has in any way been marred by the filming. Low profile
But it added that it reserves the right to ask any member of the public to leave the dean and chapter property, at any time.
Although the crew did not announce the visit, the presence of a fleet of vans and a marquee on Palace Green, outside the cathedral, rather gave the game away.
A Warner Bros spokeswoman said: ‘We do not announce our visits while filming and we try to keep a low profile. It's partly for safety reasons, but it's also so as not to disappoint any youngsters.
‘If we encouraged people to turn up, children would expect to see filming take place and perhaps attempt to get autographs, whereas we need to film without interruptions.
‘We also want to preserve the magic of the film. Many youngsters who write to us from all over the world believe it's true.’
Harry Potter II, as it has been dubbed, is scheduled for a launch in November.
November 5, 2001
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, one of the most-eagerly awaited movies ever, had its world premiere in Leicester Square, London, last night.
The cinema was turned into a replica of Hogwarts magic school for the occasion and thousands of excited fans, some dressed in wizard hats and cloaks, gathered to catch a glimpse of arriving celebrities.
The film is due for general release on November 16 and has already taken the biggest ever advance bookings for a movie release.
JK Rowling, the author of the Potter books, said she was 'happy and relieved' by how faithful the film is to her creation.
Magic powers
The film will turn the world's eyes to the North-East of England once more. The Hogwarts school scenes were shot at Alnwick Castle and Durham Cathedral and the North York Moors Railway also features.
Daniel Radcliffe, the 12-year-old star of the film, arrived for the premiere without his trademark Harry Potter spectacles. He said the occasion was 'overwhelming but fantastic'.
Among the celebrity fans attending the premiere were the Duchess of York and her daughters the Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
The film is expected to become one of the most popular children's movies of all time.
It features a who's who of British stars including Dame Maggie Smith, John Hurt, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Julie Walters and Zoe Wanamaker.
The four Harry Potter books have become a global phenomenon. More than 110 million copies have been sold worldwide since the first book was published in 1997.
The books tell the adventures of Harry Potter, an orphaned English schoolboy with magic powers who is sent to a wizards' school called Hogwarts.
Sir Cliff Richard took his young nephew Philip; actress Patsy Kensit was there with her son James and North-East pop legend Sting was there with his daughter, pictured left.
Pre-order the Harry Potter movie at Amazon
line
Read more
Copyright (c) 2000-2001 Sue Kelly