Gary Oldman Reveals His Favorite Harry Potter Scene

Harry Potter actor Gary Oldman recently revealed his favorite scene from the celebrated film series. The third film adaptation of the world-renowned fantasy novels by JK Rowling saw the return of the main cast that includes Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. Oldman, who played the role of Harry’s godfather, Sirius Black, was one of many new inclusions to the cast along with David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, and Michael Gambon, who assumed the role of Albus Dumbledore following the death of Richard Harris in 2002.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban served as a sequel to 2002’s Chamber of Secrets and revolves around Harry, Ron, and Hermione’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as Harry looks to uncover the truth about his late parents’ past, which involves the recently escaped Azkaban prisoner, Sirius Black. The film marked a change behind the camera as Mexican filmmaker, Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Gravity), took over directorial duties from Chris Columbus, who was at the helm for the first two films.

In anticipation of the upcoming Harry Potter reunion special, Oldman spoke to ET Canada about his time playing a character in the Wizarding World and revealed his favorite scene from the films. He said that the scene that “stuck with me” the most was one from Prisoner of Azkaban, which involves the students practicing a spell on creatures known as Boggarts. Oldman praised the “imagination” behind the sequence and praised the fact that reactionary elements like “laughter and humor” could be used to “disarm” a Boggart. Check out his full quote below:

“One of my favourite scenes that always stuck with me was the Boggart from [Prisoner of] Azkaban… the whole thing with the wardrobe. The imagination behind it is incredible. That you could disarm the Boggart with laughter and humour, that scene has always stuck with me.”

The scene in question takes place when Harry and the rest of the third-year students take part in a Defense Against the Dark Arts class led by David Thewlis’s Professor Remus Lupin. Lupin teaches his students how to use the Riddikulus charm as a way to combat the shape-shifting beings called Boggarts, whose primary ability is taking on the form of its intended victim’s worst fear. The spell changes their appearance into a less fearsome and sometimes comical apparition, which weakens them. This sequence garners hilarious results as audiences get to witness Neville will Snape into wearing his grandmother’s clothes and Ron apply some rollerblades onto a spider’s feet.

Oldman’s comments come as no surprise as the above-mentioned scene in Prisoner of Azkaban proved to be one of the most memorable and entertaining scenes in the film. The third entry in the Harry Potter franchise marked a major shift in tone as the story got progressively darker, accompanied by Alfonso Cuaron’s distinct visual style. However, Prisoner of Azkaban managed to capture the right balance between the darker and comedic elements of the story, which created what is often regarded by many critics and fans alike as the best Harry Potter film.

Source: ET Canada