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4768
System / Harry Potter (and the Goblet of Fire)
The Durmstrang Ship
Le bateau de Durmstrang
El Barco de Durmstrang
Ages 7-12, 566 Pcs. (C)2005. 44 page manual: 1 model, 128 steps. Building time
about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Price Range: $50 USD
RATINGS (Scale: Must-Have Excellent Very-Good Good Fair Poor)
Set: Very Good / Models: Excellent / Playability: Excellent
DECALS? No
SPECIAL FEATURES/COMPATIBILITY
X Really Floats
SET DESCRIPTION
The mighty Ship of the Durmstrang Institute emerges from its trip in the frozen
north countries of Europe with tall masts, streaming banners, and an assortment
of colors, from its back masts and hull and grey deck to its tan, mid-blue and
dark red trimmings. The passengers on board are dressed for their cold home
climate, and can take shelter inside the ships different opening levels,
allowing for more play area than first meet the eye. Four mini-figs from
Hogwarts join the Durmstrang Ship in the Target Exclusive version.
SPECIAL ELEMENTS
Many elements of the ship are unique or nearly so. The hull, deck and bow of
the ship have only previously been available in 7075 - Captain Redbeard’s Pirate
Ship, and the Dark Red ‘Rounded Top 1x2x2&2/3 Window’ is only available in
Vladek’s Dark Fortress (which cots twice as much, and has 1 to the ships 3).
The Dark Red 1x6x3&1/3 Curved Top Arch is unique to the ship, as are the
Mid-Blue 4 ½ x 4 ½ half barrel (there are 2 of each). For mini-figs and their
accessories, all versions have 2 Durmstrang Crest shields and dark fur patterned
torsos, while the Target exclusive has a unique ceremonial Dumbledore torso.
The ship also has a ton of 1x4 Mid-Blue tiles (11!) Three cloth streamers top
the masts as the non-plastic elements of this set.
IMPRESSION
First, let me lead off this section with two warnings. First, I purchased the
set for 50% off at Target’s after-Christmas clearance, so my views will be
positively affected by the lower price I had to pay for the set. Second, I
built it months ago, but wanted to wait until I had seen ‘Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire’ to compare the model to the ship as pictured in the movie, since
I could not find good pictures of it anywhere online. Therefore, the actual
building experience of the model is lost from memory.
Now that I have seen the move (two weeks prior to writing this review), I have
to say that the model is a good representation of the movie version. I was
pleasantly surprised by this, and am glad to be able to give it a “thumbs up” on
that account. Sure, it doesn’t capture the massiveness of the Durmstrang ship,
but to do so would be prohibitively expensive!
I am not a fan of one (and two) piece hulls, but for anyone who wants their boat
to float, I suppose this is for you. One of my two biggest disappointments
about the set is the juniorised hull, deck and bow pieces, but this is a major
cost-factor complaint. To correct this into a more piece intensive solution
would raise the price considerably, and therefore I can let this slide.
The sheer number of arch, inverted arch, half arch, etc. pieces in the ship is
astonishing. I count 29 just looking at it! And more tan and dark red parts,
which is always nice! Great windows, great golden chrome dishes, and so many
mid-blue tiles! This set has special parts for just about anyone. All the
unique parts are also good reasons to wan this set.
There is some good hidden play value, and some bad unhidden play value as well.
Was the plank really necessary? This isn’t a pirate ship a far as I can tell,
but maybe we can call it ‘Viktor Krum’s practice diving board’? The different
decks on the back all come apart to allow more play! The top cabin has hinges
to open it up (there is no actual room inside for anyone, and the design of the
floor leaves something to be desired, but cool non-the-less), and it comes right
off the deck it is attached too. That floor also lifts off to reveal the BIG
play room, with table, broom holder, and room enough for dueling practice.
The masts of the ship aren’t my favorite (again being the variety that only look
good from the front, and look hollow and technic-y from the back), and lead to
my other big gripe with the set, and one that probably wouldn’t be too cost
intensive. There are no sails! I held this dislike until after I saw the
movie, to see if there were sails or not in the film, and there were. The poor
ship, it may travel by magic, but it must be most unhappy with no sails
attached. Maybe I’ll need to make my own, but in that case, the rigging isn’t
correct to attach it. I suppose the rigging is meant to represent ‘rolled up
sails’, but I don’t come away with too strong an impression of that. And
further, the set already has cloth in it, in the way of the mast-top streamers.
There are lots of nice little special elements. A map tile, a scroll tile,
chrome gold 1x1 round plates, trans-orange 1x1 cones for the lanterns. But
probably my favorites are the shields. The two that are re-used old elements
are blue trim Black Falcon shields, a fan favorite. The two new ones? True to
the movie Durmstrang Crest shields! I was very impressed with this, and these
will make great additions for any castle fan!
Likes/Dislikes
Like: Lots of unique/rare parts
Like: Good playability with take-off decks
Like: True to the movie feel of model
Like: Durmstrang Crest shields!
Dislike: Hull/Deck/Bow parts
Dislike: No sails?!
Dislike: Bad building techniques (cabin floor, unsecured decorations in stern of
ship)
CONCLUSION
Overall I think this was a pretty good little set. Having paid only ½ price for
it, I would gladly purchase it again (or even two!) At full price? That’s up
to the individual, but I would sure be tempted (I’m cheap, let’s just say that).
The model looks good, if not a little fat for it’s length, but otherwise has
lots of play value for young (get the Target version with extra figures if you
can) and old (get the Target version with extra figures if you can) alike!
REVIEWER INFORMATION
Review Written: March 22, 2006
By: Brett Kingery (plucky)
Age 30 Favorite Lines/Themes: Castle, Star Wars
CA++++ #+++ CO LM LS++ P+++ S- Hzl M- YB75mIC17
COPYRIGHT
This review is Copyright 2006, by the author as named above. The
author grants publication rights for all uses, public and private,
with the following exceptions: all information in the document must
be published in full; any for-profit use requires express written
permission by the author for publication in full or in part.
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