Funeral Scene in House of the Dragon Inspired by Classic Movie

The passing of Jaehaerys in House of the Dragon results in a moving funeral sequence, which was actually influenced by one of the most iconic films in history.

The devastating consequences of the infamous (albeit debated) Blood and Cheese assassination in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 are heart-wrenching. The Red Keep is being destroyed by King Aegon, Helaena is in a state of shock, and Otto Hightower is attempting to exploit the chaos for their own gain.

Despite their reluctance, Alicent and Helaena were thrust into the spotlight during Jaehaerys’ funeral march. The sight was horrifying, and the atmosphere was even more haunting knowing that it was inspired by one of the most beloved films of all time: The Godfather.

During a behind-the-scenes featurette that aired after the episode, Clare Kilner, co-executive producer and director of Episode 2, shared her insights. She mentioned researching iconic funeral scenes from films like The Godfather for inspiration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja31OO8YyJo

Crafting a Royal Funeral | Behind the Scenes – S2, Ep 2 | House of The Dragon | HBO (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja31OO8YyJo)

The scene under scrutiny in The Godfather is the funeral of Vito Corleone. In fact, both funerals depicted share undeniable similarities, as they honor influential individuals within their respective realms (the successor to the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon and the head of the mafia clan in The Godfather).

The rituals also occur outdoors, where the immediate family of the deceased carefully observes the behavior of the mourners in attendance.

Both instances involve strategic planning as well. In House of the Dragon, the procession is meant to deceive and manipulate the smallfolk, turning them against Rhaenyra. Similarly, in The Godfather, Michael becomes aware of Tessio’s betrayal during this tactical planning.

However, the driving force behind the moment was not solely other fictional scenes. Kilner also drew inspiration from real-life events, particularly Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

She also reflected on Princess Di’s funeral and the slow procession that took place. This led her to contemplate the similar public scrutiny and pressure that Alicent and Helaena faced during their grieving process.

Similarly to the famous instance of Princes William and Harry being forced to walk alongside their mother’s coffin during her funeral while grieving crowds watched on, Alicent and Helaena are also subjected to a similar experience as they are used as pawns in a vendetta of animosity and vengeance, as noted by Kilner.

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