FANS OF Harry Potterbegan their long farewell yesterday as the eighth and final instalment in the decade-long film franchise was released.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2opened for die-hard fans on Thursday night with a midnight screening.
Cinemas are catering for large audiences this weekend, with more than 19 screenings per day scheduled at Dundrum in Dublin.
Early indications were for a strong opening weekend for the film at box-offices worldwide.
It broke sales records for midnight screenings in the US and Canada.
By last evening the film had generated more than $125 million (€88 million) in international box-office sales.
The previous seven films have generated more than $6.4 billion (€4.5 billion) in ticket sales over the past decade.
It is the first of the Potter films to be released in 3D. It is based on JK Rowling’s seventh and final book which was split into two separate films for cinema-goers.
Lisa Stoerl, (18) Stuttgart
“I love Harry Potter. The film had so much suspense and I loved when the audience clapped at Hermione and Ron kissing. I was very happy with the ending and I’ll be watching the films all over again.”
Mark (6) and Caoimhe (9) Kavanagh, Celbridge
Caoimhe: “It was brilliant. I’m kind of sad that it’s over. Daniel Radcliffe is a really good actor and I thought the special effects were great.” Mark: “I think it’s magical”.
Ornella Gonzalez (21) Madrid
“I’m freaky about Harry Potter! The film is very, very good. The special effects were definitely special. It’s impossible to get everything from the books into the films. Me and my friends cried at the end. We want to watch it again and again and again!”
Lisa McGeeney, (41) Nenagh
“I’ve read all the books and watched all the films. I don’t think the films are as good as the books but they wrapped it all up very nicely. It was great to see it on the big screen but I don’t think they needed it to be 3D. I’ll buy the box set when it comes out!”
Ryan Paul Pagaddu (9) Bray
“It was fantastic! It was as good as I thought it would be and it makes me want to read the books, but I don’t think I’ll like them as much as the films. I’m sad that it’s all over but I think she (JK Rowling) will write more.”
Melissa Martin (17) Castleknock
“I’ve seen all the films and the final film has made me want to read all the books. I waited all this time for the ending, which was amazing. It was completely different to what I thought it would be.”