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Alan Rickman’s Diaries Offer Candid, Contrasting Take on His Harry Potter Years

Fresh attention to his posthumous journals highlights a nuanced mix of private criticism and admiration that shaped how he approached an era‑defining role.

Overview

  • Published with the help of his widow Rima Horton as Madly, Deeply, the diaries resurface Rickman’s unvarnished views of working on the franchise.
  • He wrote of early ambivalence before the first film’s release and criticized aspects of the debut, including John Williams’ score.
  • Rickman praised The Prisoner of Azkaban and its director’s artistry, calling the film more daring and mature.
  • After seeing The Half-Blood Prince, he lauded the effects but expressed frustration with producers David Heyman, David Barron and David Yates, questioning the storytelling focus.
  • He later found the staging of his character’s final moments unsettling to watch, even as he noted audiences were pleased.