bus knight in Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban Bring to life great characters like Stan, Ernie and Shrunken Head. Despite playing a rather minor role in the film, the bright purple color of the triple-decker bus and the strange special effects make the scene on the Knight Bus one of the most memorable scenes in the entire film.
anything Harry Potter Fans, these Knight Bus facts are a must-know, and they reveal all the behind-the-scenes secrets that captivate every Potter fan.
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night bus
The Knight Bus is actually inspired by the real-life London night bus service, which continued to operate after the underground rail network closed overnight. People don’t have to worry about getting stuck and this is a very convenient service for UK residents.
JK Rowling must have been aware of the creative opportunities he had in the wizarding world, so the “Knight” bus was born from the Muggle bus.
Difference Between Books and Movies
Harry Potter reading fans Prisoner of Azkaban Before seeing the film adaptation, it didn’t take long to notice some major differences between the Knight Bus in the books and the Knight Bus on the screen. In the book, Harry observes how objects will jump out of the way (trash cans, trees, etc.), but in the movie, the driver Ernie simply avoids all obstacles.
Ernie magically transforms the bus using various knobs and levers, a process far more complex than the physical one described in the book. The filmmakers must have wanted a more specific form of magic, and while it’s a shame to change the original writing material, the strange mechanics of the movie version of the Knight Bus is an image. great photo.
studio
In addition to the actual triple-decker bus, the filmmakers had to set up a separate studio to film all of the inside scenes of the Knight Bus. Considering the actual bus’s internal volume should be small, it made sense to have two separate filming locations.
The set is built on a moving gimbal, which means the ground and walls can move erratically like the knight bus in the books. Sliding beds and swinging chandeliers were also incorporated into the set, and the authenticity of these real props contributes to the magic of the film, bringing the setting to life.
passenger limit
As Stan led him to his seat, Harry’s shoulder quickly indicated the capacity limit of the Knight Bus. Although short, it clearly shows that the bus has a total capacity of 9 passengers, with 3 passengers on each deck. Considering how large the bus is to the naked eye, this limit is actually quite small.
However, the small seating capacity adds to the weirdness of the bus, especially considering that a lot of the humor in this scene comes from the rather dangerous and unpredictable nature of the driver and the movements of the bus. vehicle. With Harry slamming his face into the glass twice each time Ernie stepped on the brakes, it became clear that the Knight Bus everywhere was a mess – it was even considered one of the most dangerous vehicles in the world. Harry Potter.
history
JK Rowling presents some history of the Knight Bus on the Wizarding World website, here it is Harry Potter Any fan page. According to her, the service was created after calling for safer and more reliable transportation for underage mages and other Apparitioners who can’t or don’t feel safe.
The Ministry of Magic refused the request to equip Thestral with vans and baskets, and in the end, they decided to use a more modern form of transport inspired by Muggle bus services. While some would argue that Muggles should pay attention to the noisy vehicle, its stealth capabilities prove quite handy.
Ernie and Stan
Bus driver Ernie and conductor Stan are some of the most memorable characters in the film. Harry Potter: Prisoner of Azkaban.Stan Thornpeck is a much larger character in the books, even appearing in Deathly Hallows At one point, he was a cursed Death Eater, but even one scene from the movie made him the center of attention. There is an interesting history behind their name.
JK Rowling said in her Knight Bus notes on the Wizarding World website that she actually named them after her two grandfathers, Ernest and Stanley. While these characters may be a bit quirky emotionally, it’s still a great way to honor family members.
small head genius
one of the biggest supplements Prisoner of Azkaban The iconic character in the movie is the shrunken head. Many fans may wonder why it takes up such a big part of the scene, especially since these avatars never existed in canon. Harry Potter book series.
JK Rowling explained that the filmmakers came up with the idea of miniature shakes, which she really likes. In the book there is also a saying of her harry potter movie magicsay, “I wish I had thought of that.” Oh – that’s just another reason to watch and read the series.
“Knight” bus
The “Knight” bus is clearly a parody of the real-life London night bus service, but it has a deeper meaning than just running a night bus. According to JK Rowling, she meant that the name was both a homonym for the word “night” and the mark of a true “knight”.
Like the traditional knight in shining armor, the Knight Bus is said to mean rescue and protection. This is the last option for witches and wizards, but the community still turns to them when needed. So it’s definitely an appropriate title.
The two of them!
For the Knight of the Bus in the movie, the props department actually had to make two to complete the big shots in the movie. One is dedicated to outside filming, and the other is equipped with a more powerful motor to move under such a large load.
Since this is such a large bus, the surrounding vehicles are practically moving at very slow speeds to simulate the fast movement of a three-decker bus. It’s definitely cinematic magic!
it actually still exists
Of course, one of the most interesting parts Harry Potter One of the great things about the Knight Bus is that it actually exists and looks as authentic as the one used in the movie. To create the concept in the book, an old Routemaster was reconstructed and the special effects department had to cut the top of the bus to place the third deck.
Routemasters are red double-decker buses that have been used in London for many years, so it makes perfect sense for this vehicle to be the basis for the fictional version. The Purple Knight Bus is available to visit at Universal Studios Florida, and for die-hard fans there, it’s the perfect photo spot.