Through generations, the enchanting blend of magic, adventure, and coming-of-age themes in the Harry Potter movies helped shatter box office records and even create a global fanbase. However, while the memorable and enigmatic scenes from the films remained timeless, Gary Oldman revealed that it wasn’t always easy to shoot them.
During a candid interview with Josh Horowitz, acclaimed actor Gary Oldman shared the behind-the-scenes struggles of filming a particularly grueling scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Oldman, who portrayed Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise, described the challenges he faced while filming the pivotal scene at the frozen lake.
Gary Oldman Recalled One of the Hardest Scenes from Prisoner of Azkaban
Despite appearing in a bunch of iconic and timeless classics like Darkest Hour, there’s no denying that Gary Oldman became an icon for Potterheads, for playing the beloved Sirius Black in the Harry Potter franchise. Therefore, appearing on Josh Horowitz‘s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Oldman reflected on his time shooting the magical films and even addressed the challenges he faced.
Talking about his time playing Sirius Black, Gary Oldman reflected on the hardest scene he had to shoot for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Reminiscing about the film that introduced him to J.K. Rowling‘s Wizarding World, Oldman recalled his scene at the frozen lake, where his character was waiting for Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter to cast his patronus and save Sirius Black from the Dementors.
Actually, [laughs] this is the most difficult thing I ever had to do, oddly enough, was in one of the, I can’t remember in which one, in one of the Harry Potter [movies] I had to lie by that lake. There was like a frozen lake, and I’m sort of dead and my soul is leaving my body, and then it appears.
It was just me, lying down. But, Harry Potter, it took forever. It was slow, and we’d be on a scene for weeks. You know what I mean? Normally, we can shoot this in two days.
Although Gary Oldman had to do absolutely nothing but lie, and say no dialogue during the Prisoner of Azkaban scene, the actor described it as one of the most difficult and agonizing experiences. Explaining why shooting the simple sequence was so hard for him, Oldman stated that the long film shoots, and lying on a frozen lake made him feel uncomfortable.
Gary Oldman Reflected on the Challenges He Faced While Shooting the Scene
Continuing his story further, Gary Oldman implied that although Harry saved Sirius from the brink of death, he still found the experience to be one of the most physically taxing of his career. Thereafter, recounting that the lake was actually built inside a studio and cooled to simulate a frozen surface, Oldman mentioned enduring the discomfort and chills for an entire week.
Gary Oldman went on to explain that his discomfort during the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban scene was worsened by the cold lake and the physical strain of remaining in a fixed position for prolonged periods. The actor then mentioned how his body was gradually becoming uncooperative, and began showing effects on his kidneys and neck.
Anyway, I was lying. What they did was they built that lake inside the studio and they cooled it down and they froze this lake. And I had to just lie there for a week, day in, day out doing nothing.
[I was] doing nothing, but… I’d be like ‘Could someone get… I think my kidneys, they’re getting a bit cold.’ Then they put the little hot water bottle under you and you lie there like that. And then day three you go ‘My neck is killing me in this position.’ Then they’d put a little pillow underneath you.
Well, it now seems pretty understandable why the scene was so hard for him to shoot. But, despite the challenges, Gary Oldman’s commitment to his role offered us one of the most powerful and memorable scenes in the entire Harry Potter franchise. Thereafter, Oldman’s candid recollection became an inspiring tale about the demanding nature of his acting career and the lengths to which he would go to deliver perfection.
Harry Potter films are available on Max.
