Book Review: Harry Potter Page to Screen by Bob McCabe

Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Filmmaking Journey

by Bob McCabe
Published: October 25, 2011
Genres: Non-fiction
Format: Hardcover (531 pages)
Source: Purchased

"Harry Potter: Page to Screen" opens the doors to Hogwarts castle and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to reveal the complete behind-the-scenes secrets, techniques, and over-the-top artistry that brought J.K. Rowling's acclaimed novels to cinematic life. Developed in collaboration with the creative team behind the celebrated movie series, this deluxe, 500-plus page compendium features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and concept illustrations sourced from the closed film sets, and rare memorabilia. As the definitive look at the magic that made cinematic history, "Page to Screen" is the ultimate collectible, perfect for Muggles everywhere.

Harry Potter Page to Screen was like reading a yearbook of your time at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It’s sentimental, full of great stories to reminisce about and there are lots or gorgeous pictures. There’s actually quite a bit of text even though it looks like mostly pictures. It tells how they made the movie in a story format. There’s a lot of information that it goes over but the narrative ties it together and keeps it interesting.

My review is mostly notes on the random facts that I found interesting. I can’t say for sure, but even if you’ve watched and read every documentary on the making of Harry Potter, you will still find nuggets of interesting stuff in this book.

• The Quidditch pitch was inspired by a medieval jousting tournament (Pg 47)
• The shots on location for King’s Cross Station were actually filmed between platforms 4 & 5 (pg 56)
• Rupert and Dan couldn’t do a scene without giggling so they had to be separated during the first movie. (I have boys this age. They always have to be seperated lol.) (pg 63)
• Dan Radcliffe found it ironic that the forrest set was made of plaster trees and a wooden bottom. Me too, Dan :) (pg 84)
• There was enough content to make the Goblet of Fire into two movies, but the director, Mike Newell, didn’t feel like there was enough story for two movies.
• There are a ton of locations. The locations might even outnumber the characters and creatures featured in this book.
• All the Harry Potter sets have some sort of basis on something that is real. Hogwarts castle was based on Oxford and cathedrals for example. (pg 339)
• Hogsmeade Station was a location shot at Goathand Village. It’s a real heritage line that didn’t need many changes for the film and was built in 1865.

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