Alan Rickman’s untimely death due to pancreatic cancer in 2016 left a void in cinema that no other actor could fill. One of the finest English actors, Rickman gained global recognition for his portrayal of Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter film series. In more recent times, Alan Rickman’s personal diaries became available to the public, containing some unfiltered opinions about everything related to movies.
The diary, where the Sense and Sensibility actor holds nothing back, was released in book format in 2022, titled Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman. It contains 25 years of Alan Rickman’s thoughts on his projects and cinema in general, including Harry Potter.
Alan Rickman Was Frustrated With Harry Potter Director During Filming
In his diary entry dated July 30, 2003, Alan Rickman wrote about his on-set experiences working in the film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The third installment in the series was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, the Mexican filmmaker known for films like Y tu mamá también and Gravity. Cuarón replaced Chris Columbus, who directed the first two Harry Potter installments.
Rickman explained how the day began on a great note but turned into a nightmare. The Love Actually actor shared that the director went ballistic on him. Further, Rickman added that he couldn’t stay mad at the director for unleashing it on him, as Cuarón himself was under a lot of pressure. Alan Rickman wrote in his diary (via The Guardian):
“The day got off to a fabulous start with the screen guillotining on to my head, a sudden, swift blackout followed by day-long melancholy. Alfonso [Cuarón, director] was quietly ballistic with me. I love him too much to let it last too long so I wailed offset and we sorted it out.”
The Die Hard actor also expressed frustration with the younger actors, including Emma Watson, as he thought they needed the director to guide them through correcting their mistakes. This made Cuarón’s job much more harder than it was supposed to be. Rickman finished that day’s entry again venting about having to rehearse with a French stand-in. Rickman wrote (via The Guardian):
“He’s under the usual HP pressure and even he starts rehearsing cameras before actors, and these kids need directing. They don’t know their lines and Emma [Watson]’s diction is this side of Albania at times. Plus my so-called rehearsal is with a stand-in who is French.”
Alan Rickman also earlier wrote about Daniel Radcliffe, whom he thought was very “serious and focused” on his career. He also believed Radcliffe would turn to directing or producing in his mature years.
Alan Rickman Was Content With Alfonso Cuarón’s Final Product
Alan Rickman wrote about the premiere of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in his diary entry dated May 23, 2004. He described the experience of being greeted by thousands of fans who were mostly there for Daniel Radcliffe, but the other members also received their fair share of crowd support. Rickman mentioned almost feeling like a member of the Beatles.
The Dogma actor showered praises on the film, especially the director, whom he mentioned did “an extraordinary job”. Rickman also loved the stunning effects in the film. Interestingly, it was the first Harry Potter film to use IMAX technology. In his diary, Rickman wrote (via The Guardian):
“Alfonso has done an extraordinary job. It is a very grown-up movie, so full of daring that it made me smile and smile. Every frame of it is the work of an artist and storyteller. Stunning effects that are somehow part of the life of the film, not show-off stunts.”
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban raked in $798 million at the box office, with critics writing positive reviews, especially about the performances and Cuarón’s direction. Often hailed as one of the best Harry Potter films, the third installment is now available for streaming on Max.
Source: The Guardian
