"The franchise goes to a dark, interesting place, even if the whole enterprise feels rather played-out, so last decade. Less a conventional 'H. P.' film than a road movie." Robert Levin CRITICS NOTEBOOK "The grimness of Deathly Hallows replaces the lighthearted tone of the previous films ... how much of an improvement this is depends on how serious you thought the series should be. the end of the "Harry Potter" saga is now right around the corner." Joshua Starnes COMINGSOON "The best-looking and best-acted film in the series so far. Drags a bit in the middle act. Otherwise, a solid wind-up for the grand finale. The best-looking film in the series so far." Mike McGranaghan AISLE SEAT "Harry Potter fans, your bittersweet moment is here. Fortunately, the sweet far outweighs the bitter. Might be the largest Harry Potter in terms of scope and locales." Adam Tobias WATERTOWN DAILY NEWS "A beautifully executed movie that's about a whole lot of stuff that's not very interesting." Eugene Novikov FILMBLATHER "The dark tone, the real sense of sacrifice, the strained relationships, and an ending that suggests that the good guys are utterly outmatched, combine to give this film stakes that feel like they matter. It outshines many of its more self-contained predecessors." Ian Buckwalter DCIST "It's grim, funny in one sequence about shapeshifters, vivid in moments of violent action, nearly devoid of plot twists and marked by long patches where Harry, Ron and Hermione camp in the woods or by the sea or near a frozen lake and ponder What It All Means." Lawrence Toppman CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

"Saved by a riveting first hour, excellent cast and beautiful production, a multitude of flaws in pacing, exposition and the strange point at which the film ends puts this chapter far from the best in the franchise. Tries to pack in as much as it can for its audience." Diva Velez THEDIVAREVIEW "If its total success can only be properly measured upon arrival of the conclusion in July, the fact that Part 1 makes that worth waiting for should be taken as some kind of victory." Alistair Harkness SCOTSMAN "Best of the franchise to date, a satisfying, appetite-whetting setup for the series finale." Mike ScottY TIMES-PICAYUNE "This really is a more grown-up affair, and very scary, whether with the Dark Lord's manipulation of his minions in Malfoy Manor, or in Bathilda Bagshot's reptilian stare." Andrew Hedley FLICKS CO "In the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the tone has completed its change. The initial innocence, playfulness, and fresh discovery of magic is long gone. Horror now prevails." Tony Macklin TONYMACKLIN.COM "Like a virgin's padded bra, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I is all tease, zero payoff. A movie that plays like a 146 minute trailer for the final chapter is a definite cheat." Peter Travers ROLLING STONE "Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, having literally grown up in their characters, are ready for their close-up. They earned it, they deserve it and they nailed it. The next to last chapter in the Harry Potter saga is a muddy mess of a story. 'Harry Potter': The Blah Witch Project." Colin Covert MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE

The Inside Story From the moment he was introduced, people all over the globe have thrilled to the adventures of Harry Potter, the boy wizard who changed both literary and cinema history. For more than a decade, David Heyman has been immersed in that magical world, as the producer of all the films based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling, who also served as a producer on the film adaptation of her seventh and final title, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". But as Heyman approached the last installment in the record-breaking film franchise, he realized that it presented some unique challenges, not the least of which was how to encompass all of the series interwoven story threads as they sped toward the climactic conclusion. Breaking from the tradition of the film series, the decision was made to split "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" into two full-length parts. "When Steve Kloves began working on the screenplay, it became clear we would have to omit too much to do justice to Jo's book in one film," Heyman ("Yes Man" & "I Am Legend") explained. "There were simply too many details that were integral to the resolution of the series." Producer David Barron ("Sahara" & "Love's Labour's Lost") notes that: "With the previous books, the decision was always to follow Harry's journey, so it was possible to pinpoint specific scenes that, while immensely enjoyable to read, didn't necessarily advance his story. However, the seventh book is all about resolution: the dotting of all the i's and the crossing of all the t's." "The intricacy of the plot Jo had mapped out from the beginning is a fantastic feat of storytelling. It has twists and turns, mystery and romance, comedy and action.," says Daniel Radcliffe ("December Boys"), "all the brilliant things people have responded to over the years. It was the only way we could tell the story in a complete and fulfilling way." Helming his third Harry Potter feature, 2002 and 2005 BAFTA TV winner David Yates ("The Way We Live Now" & "Sex Traffic") says that Part 1 of the final Harry Potter adventure "also breaks tradition by taking the central characters away from the familiar surroundings of Hogwarts. It is actually the first film in the franchise in which the iconic School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is never even seen. I think that's one of the most intriguing things about Part 1. We're away from the magical environment of Hogwarts, which felt very safe even when the characters were in utter jeopardy. Suddenly Harry, Ron and Hermione are trying to survive out in the big, bad world, and it's a dangerous place. They feel isolated and alone and very vulnerable. It makes the adventure much edgier and more grownup, which really appealed to me, and to Dan, Rupert and Emma as well." Radcliffe validates the directors assessment. "I think it gives the film a more adult tone because it's harder to see us as school kids when we're no longer at school." Rupert Grint ("Wild Target") comments: "Away from the safety of Hogwarts and the protection of their parents and teachers, anything can happen. They can be attacked at any moment, which gives the film a different energy." "Harry, Hermione and Ron don't have a home anymore," notes Emma Charlotte Duerre Watson who was born in Paris, France but moved to the UK at the age of five. "They are always on the move and, worse, they are being hunted, so they don't know who to trust. But the stakes are high, so they have to be brave." The stakes have never been higher. The fate of everything the three hold dear, is now in their hands. Having learned the secret to Voldemort's power and immortality, Harry is on a mission to track down the four Horcruxes: items in which the Dark Lord has hidden pieces of his very soul. The trail of the Horcruxes also has some unexpected consequences for Harry, as it discloses some painful truths about Dumbledore's past. The revelation that his beloved mentor and teacher, at one time, had more in common with Voldemort than Harry ever imagined causes the young wizard to begin to doubt his own belief in the man he had respected so much. "The more Harry finds out about Dumbledore that he hadn't known or that he feels had been kept from him, the more his trust is eroded," Radcliffe, who appeared with Pierce Brosnan in "The Tailor of Panama" revealed. "It becomes a crisis of faith for Harry," Yates confirms. "What makes it doubly difficult for him is that Dumbledore gave him this mission without a clear plan: or really any idea at all-of how to fulfill it; which is putting his friends in jeopardy. It leads to a real test of their relationship, which is another interesting element of the story." "I've always believed that, for all the magic and action and adventure of the Harry Potter stories, at the heart it's about these characters," Heyman emphasizes. "In this film, their relationship is more complex than ever, and in exploring them more deeply, Dan, Rupert and Emma are better than ever." Yates agrees, adding that Radcliffe, Grint and Watson felt a strong sense of responsibility towards the roles they inhabited for almost half their lives. "They knew intuitively how their characters would respond to certain things, often much better than we did. I love that about them. As a director, it was wonderful to engage with them because there were times I wasn't just talking to the actor; I was actually talking to the character." Like Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort is also on a mission: to end the life of 'the Boy Who Lived'. Ralph Fiennes ("In Bruges" & "The Reader"), virtually unrecognizable in the role of Lord Voldemort, says that his character is "driven by a deep rage. The only thing that fires him up is power and more power: the ability to control, to manipulate and to destroy people. It's his addiction." "Ralph is very scary when he's playing Voldemort. He has the capacity to tune into some very dark places as an actor; you can literally feel the temperature in the room drop as he inhabits the character," Yates recalls. The Death Eaters regard the Dark Lord with a mixture of reverence and fear, knowing he needs little provocation to turn on even his most loyal followers. If they need a reminder of that threat, it is there in the companion always at Voldemort's side: and the only living creature Voldemort treats with actual tenderness; the great snake, Nagini. However, Voldemort has discovered that he cannot kill Harry Potter with his own wand. He has extracted from wand maker Ollivander (played by three time BAFTA winner John Hurt) that his and Harry's wands are twins, possessing the same core and thereby robbing them of their power against each other. In a voice dripping with thinly veiled malice, he suggests that Lucius Malfoy have the "honor of giving up his wand to Voldemort." With Voldemort in control, the danger reaches beyond Harry Potter to everyone associated with him, as well as their families. Being wizards, the Weasleys are able to fight magic with magic, but Harry's and Hermione's Muggle families are especially vulnerable. To save her parents, Hermione makes an impossible choice. In a scene that is only alluded to in the book, she leaves her home behind. "Hermione knows that by siding with Harry she is putting her parents in danger," says Watson. "I was really charmed by the way Steve Kloves wrote the scene. It was moving and also brings home the magnitude of the sacrifice Hermione, and also Ron, are making for their friend Harry." Cast in the role of the Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, two time Peter Sellers Award winner Bill Nighy (1999 & 2004) jokes that his addition to the ensemble was long overdue. "For a while, I thought I would be the only English actor of a certain age who wasn't in a Harry Potter film. It was sweet to finally be a part of it, but the fact that David Yates was directing made it doubly attractive. He's one of the smartest and coolest directors around, so I'm always eager to work with him." Yates was equally delighted to welcome Golden Globe winner Nighy ("Gideon's Daughter") to the cast. "Bill is such a versatile actor, and I've always wanted him to be in this world. When the part of Rufus Scrimgeour came along, I thought, 'That's Bill!' The way Jo describes the character, he's like a rusty old lion of a soldier, and I knew Bill could play that so well." For Harry, Hermione and Ron a safe hiding place is essential. Eventually they find themselves completely isolated in a forest clearing, where, thanks to Hermione's ingenuity, they at least have shelter. Before leaving the Burrow, she had used an extension charm to turn her small, beaded bag into a proverbial bottomless pit, containing every necessity, from fresh clothing to books, a radio, and even a camping tent. Watson laughs as she explains that "every woman would love Hermione's bag because you could carry anything you could possibly need or wish for and it wouldn't weigh anything. She's very clever, that one: always so prepared, always one step ahead." "When they are separated from everyone and in mortal danger all the time," Baron notes. The initial forest scenes were filmed on location at Burnham Beeches, in Buckinghamshire. In designing their tent, Craig wanted the outside to be a simple, triangular, two-man camping tent. Magically, however, the inside is not so modest, with multiple rooms that are all furnished. Stuart Craig says, "I have to give credit to Eduardo Serra, who photographed the tent perfectly. The lighting was beautiful and subtly varied from day to night and season to season. It's amazing how much richness and visual interest you can get out of a few sheets of canvas." "Being out on location for this film provided a sense of scale and verisimilitude, especially since the story takes us away from the familiar setting of Hogwarts and puts us on the road with Harry, Ron and Hermione," says Heyman. 2006 César Award winning composer Alexandre Desplat, who created his first Harry Potter score for "The Deathly Hallows Part 1", agrees. "Our heroes are constantly in motion, so I wanted the music to follow the thread of their journey, and find just the right balance between the action, suspense and emotion." "Alexandre's music expresses so many different colors and emotions," Heyman offered. "His score has scale and intimacy, darkness and light." "My goal was to give the film an original musical imprint," 2007 Golden Globe winner Desplat ("The Painted Veil") says. "At the same time, I wanted to carry on the rich musical tradition of the composers who have scored the previous Harry Potter films in keeping with the series' great heritage." "That is what makes these films so incredible to work on-that they have a rock solid foundation, which began with Jo's books. The most important thing to us was to make a film fitting the material she created," Barron states. Heyman says, "It all begins and ends with Jo; we wouldn't be here without her. I feel privileged to have worked on Harry Potter for more than a decade. It has been inspiring, challenging and an awful lot of fun." Yates is "particularly thrilled and proud that I'm the director who gets to bring the climax of her great story to the audience. That's what I'm looking forward to." What It's All About

Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction. Without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, they must now rely on each other more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart and the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. The one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for him with orders to bring him to Voldemort: alive. Harry's only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort manages to find him.

The Verdict "Those who have been avid follows of the 'Potter Franchise' know that it has become darker with each edition. So, with many younger fans being drawn to the fold, it's timely to point out that "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" is far darker than what has come before. Parent should note (not that many are likely to take my advice), there are some scenes in the film that will distress 'younger' fans. Other than that, 'Potter' fanatics will find this a substantially satisfying experience. On the other side of the coin, if you're not a fan, there is no reason on earth that would justify, walking in off the street to see this film. I have the greatest of respect for J.K. Rowling and I acknowlege the literary contribution she has made, but, these are not 'walk in' films. You can't just turn up at your local multiplex and expect a rewarding experience without having either read the books or seen the previous editions in the franchise. Taking everything into account, this isn't even the best film in the franchise. So, unless you wish to tempt fate, give HP7 a wide berth. Leave this to Potter's devoted fans, to whom it is highly recommended. 3 1/2 STARS." Who's Playing Who?

Daniel Radcliffe Emma Watson Rupert Grint Ralph Fiennes Helena Bonham Carter Timothy Spall Bill Nighy Richard Griffiths Harry Melling Julie Walters Bonnie Wright Ian Kelly Michelle Fairley Fiona Shaw Alan Rickman Robbie Coltrane Brendan Gleeson

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Harry Potter Hermione Granger Ron Weasley Lord Voldemort Bellatrix Lestrange Wormtail Rufus Scrimgeour Vernon Dursley Dudley Dursley Molly Weasley Ginny Weasley Hermione's Dad Hermione's Mum Petunia Dursley Professor Severus Snape Rubeus Hagrid Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody

The Production Team Directed by David Yates Screenplay by Steve Kloves From the J.K. Rowling novel "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Produced by David Barron/David Heyman/J.K. Rowling Original Music by Alexandre Desplat Cinematography by Eduardo Serra Film Editing by Mark Day Casting by Fiona Weir Production Design by Stuart Craig Senior Art Director Andrew Ackland-Snow Art Direction by Mark Bartholomew/Alastair Bullock/Martin Foley/Christian Huband Art Direction by Molly Hughes/Hattie Storey/Gary Tomkins Set Decoration by Stephanie McMillan Costume Design by Jany Temim Run Time 146 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2010 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2010 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.