As the second opus of the famous magic saga celebrates its 20th anniversary today, a look back at all the hidden details of the film.
20 years ago, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second opus of the famous magic saga adapted from the work of JK Rowling, was released in dark rooms. On this occasion, (re)discover all the references, winks, easter eggs and other details hidden in the film. A capillary revelation about Gilderoy Lockhart, the director’s children, an unknown post-credits scene… Here we go!
The opal necklace
Warner Bros.
Early in the film, when Harry mistakenly lands in Barjow and Berk’s sinister shop after using Floo Powder, he briefly spots a mysterious piece of jewelry behind a display case. It is actually the Opal Necklace, an evil bewitched artifact that we will see again much later, in the sixth installment of the magic saga.
Book collection
Warner Bros.
Soon after, Harry managed to get out of Barjow and Berk’s house and now wanders down Knockturn Alley, hoping to find Diagon Alley. He then passes by a row of old books which, according to several observant fans, are none other than the first volumes of the magic saga written by JK Rowling.
The director’s children
Warner Bros.
As is sometimes the case with famous Hollywood filmmakers who work on great sagas, Chris Columbus, director of the first two Harry Potter films, had fun inviting his own children into his films. At the start of The Chamber of Secrets, we can thus see his daughter Isabella leafing through the new book by Gilderoy Lockhart.
The Director’s Children 2
Warner Bros.
Already present in the first opus of the magic saga, his eldest daughter Eleanor is back in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Directly to Hermione’s right, during Professor Sprout’s Herbology class, we can indeed see her uprooting a mandrake with disgust.
The Director’s Children 3
Warner Bros.
As for Brendan Columbus, the director’s son, it is in the middle of the film that we can see him, among a group of students who whisper low masses about Harry Potter.
Ford Anglia
Warner Bros.
Bewitched by Ron Weasley’s father, the flying Ford Anglia in which the two young wizards board to go to Hogwarts is not just any car! Indeed, when she brought it to life between the pages of her books, the novelist JK Rowling was directly inspired by the vehicle owned by one of her friends in her youth.
Gryffin door
Warner Bros.
At Hogwarts, if you want to visit Albus Dumbledore in his office, you will have to go through a griffin-shaped door. Or, in the original version, a “gryffin door”. Is this a little play on words in reference to one of the four houses of the school, the Gryffindor house, which the director seems to particularly value?
Hair revelation
Warner Bros.
Towards the end of the film, take a good look at Gilderoy Lockhart’s office, when the latter pretends to take to their heels and receives an unexpected visit from Harry and Ron. In the middle of his business, we can indeed see a pretty blonde wig. From what to conclude that her undulating hair is only one more lie.
The number 7
Warner Bros.
As we can see throughout the Harry Potter saga, the number 7 is of particular importance in the story. Indeed, the novels written by JK Rowling are 7 in number, there are 7 children in the Weasley family, 7 years of study at Hogwarts school and 7 horcruxes. In the same way, at the end of this second part, we can see that 7 snake-shaped locks lock the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
Lucius Malfoy is a killer
Warner Bros.
During the film’s denouement, Harry Potter releases the house-elf Dobby, against and against the wishes of his master, the sinister Lucius Malfoy. In revenge, the latter does not hesitate to brandish his wand and point it at the young wizard, sketching an irremediable “Avada Kedavra”. Luckily, he doesn’t have time to complete his killing spell, neutralized by Dobby’s magic.
Post-credits scene
Warner Bros.
One and only post-generic sequence of the Harry Potter saga, this short scene located at the end of the second part brings us back to Diagon Alley. In the window of a bookstore, you can see Gilderoy Lockhart’s new work, entitled “Who am I?”, which seems to have been written following the spell of Oblivion suffered by the professor.