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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

David Yates (2) (2009)

147min
12A Certificate
Today 5:55pm - 9pm ITV2
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Review

Our Score
In the outstanding sixth adaptation of JK Rowling's fantasy series, Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) lures potions professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent, in an entertainingly eccentric performance) back to Hogwarts. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is then charged with trying to dislodge a key clue regarding Slughorn's former pupil, the future Lord Voldemort, from the retired teacher's resistant mind. This is a difficult book to adapt because it is mostly concerned with setting up the two-part finale, but screenwriter Steve Kloves does an admirable job of condensing the plot without losing the emotional depth of the surprisingly adult narrative. The dark tone of the film, as the forces of evil grow ever stronger, is leavened by the romantic entanglements and rampaging hormonal comic relief. Director David Yates dazzles with an evocatively brooding style and raises the storytelling and visual-effects bar for the entire series.

Summary

The young wizard is given the task of uncovering the secrets of Lord Voldemort's past as the evil sorcerer's henchmen cause havoc in both the magical and Muggle worlds. With the help of headmaster Dumbledore, Harry ventures into the memories of those who knew the Dark Lord during his early years, hoping to gain an insight into the secret behind his apparent immortality. However, Voldemort's influence extends much closer to home than expected, as Harry's rival Malfoy is chosen to carry out a sinister mission. Fantasy adventure sequel, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Michael Gambon, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and Alan Rickman.

Cast & Crew

Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe
Ron Weasley Rupert Grint
Hermione Granger Emma Watson
Albus Dumbledore Michael Gambon
Horace Slughorn Jim Broadbent
Severus Snape Alan Rickman
Draco Malfoy Tom Felton
Ginny Weasley Bonnie Wright
Luna Lovegood Evanna Lynch
Bellatrix Lestrange Helena Bonham Carter
Lavender Brown Jessie Cave
Minerva McGonagall Maggie Smith
Rubeus Hagrid Robbie Coltrane
Remus Lupin David Thewlis
Filius Flitwick Warwick Davis
Fenrir Greyback Dave Legeno
Narcissa Malfoy Helen McCrory
Peter Pettigrew Timothy Spall
Molly Weasley Julie Walters
Nymphadora Tonks Natalia Tena
Director David Yates (2)
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Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Warner BrosGuidance: May be edited for violence.Available on: DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 10 Jul 2009
Drama
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