by Brian Linder

Robbie Coltrane as Reubeus Hagrid

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone began principle photography this weekend at the Goathland railway station in North Yorkshire.¿ The filming took place in an obscure yet public area, outside of the train station.¿ Measures were taken to block certain elements of the shoot from public view, such as hiring folks to walk around with umbrellas to follow the actors around.¿ Lucky for the rest of us nosey fans, some folks were able to sneak a few shots.

One of the cool pictures that turned up in Scotland on Sunday shows actor Robbie Coltrane in costume as that loveable oaf, Reubeus Hagrid.¿ I'm an avid reader/listener of the Potter series, and I know that all the visuals in the film aren't going to jive with my personal interpretation of them, however they've got Hagrid on the right track. Now if they can just throw in a little CG wizardry to make him twice that size, they'll have him perfect!¿ This shot shows Hagrid outside of Hogsmeade Station, that's the roof of the Hogwarts Express in the foreground.¿ Presumably, they're preparing to film the scene where the first year students arrive at Hogwarts and encounter the gentle giant.

The other two photos are of a significant object and location in the Harry Potter mythos.¿ The fortunate folks over Potter's Domain obtained these impressive images of the Hogwarts Express, the magical locomotive that transports students to and from Hogwarts each school year.¿ The second image shows the Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station, where the students first arrive in the magical world, after their journey from London's Kings Cross Station.

The Hogwarts Express. It's red. It's a train.¿
Click the pic for a larger version.

The Hogwarts Express at Hogsmeade Station. Note the Hogsmeade sign above the passenger car.
Click the pic for a larger version.

Don't worry if you're not floored by the look of these shots.¿ Stuff usually doesn't look as cool in production stills or especially spy photos, as it does in the finished product.¿ With just a little bit of CG magic, that train will look truly enchanted.¿

¿ Brian Linder likes the pics, and still has a lot of faith in this production.

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