Game of Thrones: The Last Watch is a documentary that tells the behind the scenes story of season 8 and gives an insight into the kind of preparation, blood, sweat and tears that went into it. Perhaps, it will also offer some perspective to fans of the show that are really upset with season 8 for its rushed and haphazard writing.
Director Jeanie Finlay follows various teams as they go about their business - the location management, make-up, prosthetics, sets, logistics, extras, props, security etc.
Each episode of season 8 was a movie in itself, in terms of length and scale. And obviously people worked almost 24/7 behind the scenes to bring the big screen experience to the small screen.
The shoot for The Long Night literally went on for 11 weeks straight, comprising mostly of night shoots, the longest time any film crew has filmed nights. And the King’s Landing city took over 3 months to build.
Many such interesting revelations were made during this documentary that focused more on the foot soldiers of the show than the famous cast and directors.
Here are our top picks.
1. The table read
The last table read of the cast that has worked on the show for the last 10 years, was the only one where the stars of the show were placed at the centre of the documentary. Kit Harrington, who had not read the script prior to the session, was visibly upset and in tears on learning that he was going to kill his onscreen lover Daenerys Targaryen in the last episode. Emilia Clarke, who seemed to have been aware of the development, also got emotional at the point.
This is proof that we are not the only ones affected by Daenerys’ death, but the cast was visibly moved by the moment too.
2. Have you met them?
The documentary introduces us to some interesting people who have toiled behind the scenes, and we follow their story through out, as the shoot for the season progresses.
Many viewers recently recognized a familiar bearded face amidst the Stark army this year during the battle of Winterfell. We get to meet this man, Andrew Mclay, who has been the Stark guard every single year. He was there for the Battle of the Bastards and Hardhome too! He and the other extras get a good amount screen space in the documentary if not in the show.
The documentary also follows the story of Sarah Gower and her husband, who head the prosthetic department and snowman Del Reid who creates the snow on set with paper and water.
3. Stunt choreographer/ Night King
Czech stunt choreographer, Vladimir Furdik, who has also worked as stunt double on the show, is shown being transformed into the Night King.
For the first time the actor gives some insight into the mysterious character that hasn’t spoken a single word in the entire show, even though he has been the big villain that the writers have built up to.
“I think he is angry you know? He didn't want to be Night King. The Children of the Forest changed him. And now he is like ok, you want me to be Night King, now I kill you,” Furdik says, also mentioning the extensive number of hours he spends on the make-up chair to get into his character.
One of the cutest thing though was when Vladimir approaches a crowd gathered to see the big stars of the show, and asks them if they recognized him, wondering how it feels to be a big star and be recognized by fans. The real life Night King has our heart!
His parts were some of the best ones in the documentary.
4. The coffee cup & toasties
We are introduced to the on-set coffee van manager, Leigh McCrum, at the show’s Belfast office and set, where most of the cast and crew get a quick coffee and her special toasties.
The common conversations at her van include Jamie Lannisters trousers and battle scenes! And her customers are burnt and bloodied men and women, thanks to dragon fire.
And yes, the coffee/tea cups seem to be everywhere, and resemble the infamous one spotted in episode 4. From extras to crew members, everyone was carrying them. So its anybody’s guess as to who left it right there on the table for the cameras in episode 4.
6. Crucial scenes
The documentary gives us a peak at how some of the crucial scenes in season 8 were shot, even as snow and rain played spoilsport a few times.
Take for instance the scene where Arya Stark kills the Night King. It took multiple takes to get a perfect shot, and the cast and crew kept at it.
Emilia Clarke braved the cold weather while crying over Jorah Mormont’s death, leaving a sense of gloom on the set.
7. Daenerys and Jon’s last day
The documentary does let us in on how Emilia Clarke and Jon Snow’s last day unfolded. We see Jon’s last day at shoot through the eyes of Andrew Mclay, the loyal Stark soldier, who is in awe of Kit and gifts him a jacket.
The documentary does follow the story of Emilia’s relationship with Dany’s beautifully braided hair and with her hairstylist.
Their conversation runs through the film and in the end they talk about feeling sad and relieved at the end of this arduous, but fulfilling journey of Game of Thrones.
“It is kind of exciting to think... who am I without this... I wonder,” Emilia Clarke says to her stylist.
“I wonder if this wig has got much more life left in it,” the stylist says, to which Emilia replies, “Neither does the head under it.”
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