Movie news

[Simon J. Branford]

No: HPFGUIDX 4845

Amanda wrote: "Oh, and good job to Simon! Your catching the rumors of
Richard Harris in Oxford was our first noted mention on the web (and Sally's
pretty thorough)."

Ah! I got that information from the Harry Potter Movie Site
(http://harrypotter.eqrealm.com) - though I had heard the rumour that RH was
in Oxford before that (used that web site for confirmation).


The report (below) says something about them leaving early this week (the
paper comes out on Friday). This confuses me as they seemed to leave at the
end of last week - I will have a wander around later on my way to lectures
but am sure they will have gone by now (been away for the weekend so did not
have chance to see if anything happened then).

Also if you go to the web address connected with the report below there is a
picture of Daniel Radcliffe - I will warn you in advance that there is no
way from the picture that you can guarantee it to be him, since the
photographer seems to be miles away (hence why I have not uploaded the
picture to out files section).

Simon


The following is from the Oxford Student (a student newspaper):
http://www.oxfordstudent.com/00mt04/index.htm

REPORTERS FROM THE Oxford Student beat the tight security on the set of the
new Harry Potter mega film to grab these exclusive pictures. The huge crew
has been shooting the $120 million movie in the Bod and at Christ Church
since Saturday.
    The Oxford Student glimpsed Harry - actor Daniel Radcliffe - being
rushed on set after he arrived in a Jaguar. A film insider revealed that 11
year-old Daniel has scooped 200,000 for the role.
    His friend Hermione, played by Oxfordshire schoolgirl Emma Watson, was
spotted on location in the Bod on Monday. The Oxford Student also saw Irish
legend Richard Harris, playing Hogwarts chief Albus Dumbledore, being rushed
off location on Tuesday and driven away at high speed. Top Hollywood
director Chris Columbus oversaw the action.
    Wandering round the film set dressed in gowns and uniform for the
Hogwarts School, they and other actors have been protected by a tight wall
of security. Scots actor Robbie Coltrane and Dame Maggie Smith are also
expected to be filming during the week.
    Parts of Oxford's most famous visitor attractions have also been sealed
off over the past week in an attempt to protect the secrecy of the film. One
of the halls at the divinity school at the Bodleian was completely closed to
visitors. However, another sneak viewing by Oxford Student reporters
revealed a series of metallic hospital beds inside. The book's very last
scene takes place in the hospital wing.
    At Christ Church, a cloister has been turned into a lake with the
addition of a huge back-cloth. Custodians at the college have since stepped
up security around one quad in an attempt to avert disruptions to filming.
Students in the college's Meadows Quad have been warned to keep quiet at all
times around the area to aid the smooth running of filming.
    Any attempts to take photographs have also been obstructed by keen
security guards on the look-out for journalists. The film's stars were
shielded with umbrellas as they left the set.
    Warner Brothers and Leavesden, the companies responsible for the film,
have requested extra time at Christ Church and at the Bodleian to complete
filming. They will now finish early next week.