__Leaky Lounge

GoF Test Screening Report

I was wondering if you could tell us a bit about the Durmstrang headmaster, Karkaroff. In what direction did the studio decide to go with his costuming? What did you think of the actor's performance?

OOH HE WAS COOL! I loved him and want to see him again. I don't understand though, how in one scene he's in shackles inside a prison container, naming names in front of judges, and then he's a teacher. Huh? Nothing about that was explained. The actor was great. He was mesmerizing. I thought, this guy has to play Rasputin, if he hasn't already. If he and Lucius ever faced off, I think my head would explode in intensity. As far as costuming, kind of gyspy-like.

Was it ever revealed, or were you able to guess that Neville's parents were tortured into insanity by Barty Crouch Jr...which is why Neville lives with his Gran and which is also one of the reasons Barty Jr. was in Azkaban in the first place?

It was never reavealed in a way that would help me know it. I had no idea. All this back story you and others are giving me is really interesting and helps me understand what it is I saw. But no, I didn't know what in the heck was going on. There was dialogue before Karkaroff started naming names, so maybe something was revealed, but it went right over my head.

Karkaroff was in a strange contraption, an iron thing that encircled him, with steel spikes aiming toward him. He had to stand very still or else get gouged. He was in a prison uniform and looked dirty and wild-eyed. For having to stand still, he looked very intense and frightening. There were a lot of people in the courtroom. I didn't know who anybody was, but I'm sure fans would be able to pick out characters they're familiar with. Well, I knew Harry, who was there watching what was going on.

Now the actor portraying Karkaroff is dark (dark hair, dark eyes) and I'd wondered if they were keeping him that way for the film or going by the book version silver hair and blue eyes.

No, wild dark hair and dark eyes, much like in the middle and right picture here only I don't remember his beard at all, and with longer and fuller hair. As I said before, he wore gpysy-type clothes. I tried to find a picture of an approximation of his costume and haven't yet.

:: Equipoise, The Leaky Lounge (July 11-14, 2005)