The Magic of Nostalgia: A Look Back at “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts”
The doors of Hogwarts have swung open once more, a true Christmas miracle! On January 1, 2022, countless eyes across the globe were glued to screens of all sizes, eager to return, even for a fleeting moment, to a place where happiness seemed boundless, the grass was greener, the trees towered high, Nearly Headless Nick floated through the Great Hall, and the Weasley twins orchestrated exam chaos. This potion of rejuvenation, or perhaps a few turns of a Time-Turner, felt like the perfect way to kick off a year that, for many, had concluded with the traditional holiday marathon: and once again, Harry triumphed and survived.
Chapter 1: Harry Potter and the “Return to Hogwarts”
Let’s start with the Muggle terminology: “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” isn’t your typical talk show special or Zoom reunion; it’s a documentary. The occasion for this gathering was the milestone anniversary of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” In 2021, the first film about the boy who lived turned 20. However, this nostalgic journey doesn’t confine itself to the initial two films; it progresses chronologically through the series, encompassing the entire cinematic saga of Harry Potter. Archival footage revives the most memorable moments from the sets, transitioning to the now-grown-up faces of the alumni. The cast reunion was impressive, though not exhaustive. Notable absences included the esteemed Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, and several others (the Dursleys, naturally, belong on Privet Drive, not in Hogwarts). Yet, this hardly diminishes the genuine magic and unity of those who crafted these extraordinary wonders.
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One of the most poignant segments of “Return to Hogwarts” was the tribute to those who had passed away: Alan Rickman, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, and other cinematic wizards. It’s both futile and impossible to fully convey the emotions shared; the actors themselves struggled to articulate the loss, both personal and collective.
Another figure absent from the celebration was J.K. Rowling. The author’s controversial stances on social media led to her not being invited to the reunion. However, the creators avoided constructing walls of alienation or pretending that the woman who built Hogwarts never existed. The segments featuring J.K. Rowling were taken from a 2019 interview, and the students of the school of witchcraft and wizardry repeatedly expressed their gratitude to “Mum Rowling.” In the given circumstances, this felt like a compromise, yet a sensible resolution to a complex situation.
Chapter 2: Harry Potter and the Gifts of Life
Perhaps the most important, and possibly the only, thing worth writing and talking about after watching “Return to Hogwarts” is the genuine joy of all those gathered in one frame, delivering heartfelt sentiments about kinship and family. For nearly two hours, viewers have the chance to connect with this sincere happiness of reunion and the authentic magic of love, to which so many words are dedicated in the books.
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The family tree of this magical family flourished, in no small part, thanks to Chris Columbus, the director of “The Sorcerer’s Stone” and “The Chamber of Secrets.” He served as both director and father figure to the young cast, as well as the chief visionary on set. Looking back, the actors unanimously expressed their affection for those early years at the school of magic. Columbus himself described “The Sorcerer’s Stone” as an invitation to Hogwarts: the doors opened for the first time and forever.
Longtime Harry Potter fans may not discover groundbreaking revelations in this reunion. The behind-the-scenes documentaries have been thoroughly studied, the interviews meticulously read, and the audition tapes of Emma, Rupert, and Daniel viewed countless times. However, both 20 years ago and today, the same chemistry flickers between the “golden trio,” and that’s true magic: correctly casting Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Despite the nostalgic warmth that spreads within when seeing them all together and each individually (Helena Bonham Carter is magnificent! Neville is wonderful! Gary Oldman is the funniest!), it is the Gryffindors who ultimately disarm even the most skeptical guests of Hogwarts.
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“Return to Hogwarts” isn’t perfect; towards the second half, the pacing falters and feels somewhat drawn out, with memories circling the nostalgic loop repeatedly. However, this doesn’t prevent the film from being the most successful class reunion. There have been a thousand and one reunions in the past two years, but some have gathered dust, while others are remembered for the awkwardness of the participants who had nothing to say to each other. “Return to Hogwarts,” on the other hand, happened purely out of love. And perhaps it’s because these people never truly parted ways. While they may not gather every year for Christmas dinner in the Great Hall, they participate in the same charitable projects, promotional campaigns, and other events closely tied to the magical world. In the 10 years that have passed since the completion of filming “The Deathly Hallows” (these scenes will also break your heart, be warned), the students and teachers of Hogwarts have not become strangers to each other or to us.
Chapter 3: Harry Potter and the Order of Hogwarts
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And this is, in general, the important didactic goal of this meeting: many (including us) grew up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, looked up to them, sometimes argued with their decisions, fell in love in sync, and mended their first broken hearts with the pages of Rowling’s books. It’s gratifying to see that all the heroes of our childhood and youth have grown up and become good and worthy people. Daniel Radcliffe has overcome all his harmful addictions and is excelling in independent cinema, Rupert Grint was the first of the trio to become a father (this is especially evident in his sleep deprivation), and Emma Watson has become an icon of a generation, thanks in part to her activism.
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Surprisingly, in this glossy and ceremonial event, there was still a drop of bitterness and exposed sincerity: Rupert, Dan, and Emma admitted that at some point they lost themselves and became Harry, Ron, and Hermione even outside the set. They didn’t respond to their own names on the streets and at events, had difficulty adapting to schools and universities, and were deprived of a typical childhood. But despite all these difficulties, it was love, care, concern, and of course friendship that helped them cope with the crisis.
Today, Rowling’s book series is often criticized for its conservatism, blue blood, and other British archaisms that became the foundation of the story. Perhaps some controversial aspects are indeed better seen from a distance, but Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, and Chris Columbus have become educators for many people around the world. Having grown up and finished school, like Harry, we stopped being “chosen ones” (as every child thinks of themselves) and turned into ordinary people working in ministries, cozy shops, and newspapers like the Daily Prophet. But we all need a couple of days a year to return to Hogwarts and unreservedly rejoice that we have not stopped believing in magic.