• I’m disappointed in myself that I was oblivious to this film’s (readily apparent) beauty until this most recent rewatch. It’s been the biggest revelation for me rewatching the series of films— I think I’ve seen enough of David Yates as director (good—but nothing special) to attribute the artistic triumph of the film here to director of photography Bruno Delbonnel. Yates directed the Harry Potter before and after this (both without Delbonnel) and they don’t look like this. There are a dozen breathtaking frames. There’s Draco Malfoy at the sink with Harry behind him, the landscape establishing shots, the room of requirement (which looks like a James Whale film- the father of English horror)
here are a dozen breathtaking frames. There’s Draco Malfoy at the sink with Harry behind him
the exquisite landscape establishing shots
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is half-blood-prince-alkdjflkajl-2242424.jpg
Unlike the rest of the films in the series- there are 10-15 of these stunning shots
  • It is the only Harry Potter film to be nominated for best cinematography and it absolutely is warranted
It is the only Harry Potter film to be nominated for best cinematography and it absolutely is warranted
  • Delbonnel worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on Amelie and A Very Long Engagement– impressive DP- also after this with the Coen brothers on Inside Llewyn Davis
I think I’ve seen enough of David Yates as director (good—but nothing special) to attribute the artistic triumph of the film here to director of photography Bruno Delbonnel
  • A dark film—the Empire Strikes Back of the series if you will with the ending (and that final shot is a jaw-dropper)—less CGI-fanciful dependent and it may be the most singularly gorgeous film in the series to put it there with Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Azkaban as the best
the final shot is a jaw-dropper
  • Highly Recommend – top 10 of the year quality