Review: 76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals
Posted by CapnRex101,
76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals blends connected moments from Order of the Phoenix and certainly appears impressive, providing two unique minifigures beside an exclusive Thestral foal! An accompanying Thestral-drawn carriage is also included.
Of course, these minifigures and Thestrals look appealing and I appreciate their availability in a relatively inexpensive set. However, previous sets sharing the £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99 price have often portrayed more significant scenes.
Summary
76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals, 121 pieces.
£17.99 / $19.99 / €19.99 | 14.9p/16.5c/16.5c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
While the minifigures, Thestrals and carriage are great, they warrant a lower price.
- Unique minifigures
- Delightful Thestral foal
- Surprisingly detailed carriage
- Superfluous tree
- Quite expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
The latest Harry Potter minifigure takes inspiration from his encounter with Luna in the Dark Forest, where Thestrals' mysterious properties are discussed. The dark blue jacket over his familiar Hogwarts jumper corresponds with the source material and this minifigure includes standard legs, conveying Harry's age during Order of the Phoenix.
Luna Lovegood, meanwhile, features articulated medium legs. This reflects the clear height difference between the characters onscreen and Luna's lavender cardigan looks accurate too, including a knitted pattern on the torso. Her dark blue satchel and blonde hair element are also faithful to the film, returning from the original Luna Lovegood Collectable Minifigure.
The printed Quibbler magazine closely resembles that Collectable Minifigure's accessory as well, albeit decorating a white 2x3 tile, rather than a bright light blue element. The intricate printing remains essentially identical though. Luna also carries a piece of meat to feed the Thestrals and Harry includes an apple, while both are equipped with their respective wands.
The Completed Model
LEGO introduced the first adult Thestral in 5378 Hogwarts Castle, before the modern version was then produced during 2018. This foal features shaping similar to the modern example, as expected, so reflects the leathery skin and emaciated appearance consistently associated with Thestrals. The legs and wings seem particularly effective, while the pale eyes look superb too.
Older students travel between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts aboard Thestral-drawn carriages, which appear to move magically for those who cannot see the creatures because they have never witnessed death. This model captures extensive detail from the onscreen vehicles and measures 17cm long, including the Thestral, further reflecting the source material.
The menacing Thestral closely resembles the example from 75951 Grindelwald's Escape, only varying as a dark bluish grey plate replaces a dark tan element on their body. This minor colour change is welcome, complementing the dual-moulded wings. However, the marvellous moulded detail is my favourite feature of the Thestral, most notably across the head and neck, where the bony designs are most obvious.
As always, the wings are attached using clips, allowing them to flap. Otherwise, the figure is static, although its legs are suitably positioned to give the impression of motion. The harness between the Thestral and the carriage is simple, but includes an articulated joint, which is very useful when displaying the model.
The carriage presents surprising detail, despite only appearing briefly onscreen. These muted colours are perfect and the proportions between the wheels, the unoccupied driver's seat and the passenger compartment compare favourably with the original vehicle. Additionally, the two lanterns situated beside the driver's seat are correctly located, again showing great attention to detail.
Four minifigures can sit comfortably along the passenger benches, with space for Luna's copy of The Quibbler behind the front seats. These benches integrate realistic backs and the pearl silver 1x1 round plates decorating the exterior look lovely. The opening door above the steps appears excellent as well, continuing the subtle details present across this vehicle.
LEGO Harry Potter sets occasionally include superfluous models, such as this basic tree. The tree could definitely have been omitted, but I do like the reddish brown and dark orange colour combination, alongside an eye-catching mushroom. The flame yellowish orange leaf is another lovely detail, gradually turning brown after falling. Nevertheless, the tree was only provided to supplement the piece count, so feels unnecessary.
Overall
Lesser-known scenes are always an appealing addition to the Harry Potter range and 76400 Hogwarts Carriage and Thestrals occupies exactly that category. The elegant carriage seems remarkably accurate when compared with the original vehicle, while the exclusive Thestral foal is enticing too, of course!
The minifigures are also excellent, although comparable sets have previously contained more than two characters. In fact, price is the most obvious issue with this set, as £17.99, $19.99 or €19.99 feels expensive. The redundant tree is frustrating from that perspective, seeming like a transparent and unsuccessful effort to improve the value. Even so, I think this is an enjoyable set, worthy of consideration once discounted.
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31 comments on this article
The carriage is superb same goes for the Thestrals.
None needed tree could easily be replaced with a trainplatform or just a few lanterns + village sign, or Neville and his "plant" but sadly we get this.
None printed mushroom allways feels cheap.
WTF is with the apple? Hagrid feeds the Thestrals with sheep.
Will it be available in time to use for the €150 needed to get 40567 ?
Thestrals look very not lego. Way too round and bulbous.
quite tiny rendition of a mammoth tree
Awww, cute baby.
Could have included the mimbulus mimbletonia.
At this price point, they missed a mark. If the set included three relatively generic minifigures, instead of two named ones, I would buy multiple copies as "army builders" to amass a fleet of carriages and students/civilians.
we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on.
I like the tree! I like the set! The price seems ok to me also.
@NatureBricks said:
"It needs a third figure because who is suppose to drive the carriage?"
Been a while since I’ve watched Order of Phoenix but I believe the carriages don’t have drivers. It being magic and all I think they just drive themselves.
@watcher21 said:
"The carriage is superb same goes for the Thestrals.
None needed tree could easily be replaced with a trainplatform or just a few lanterns + village sign, or Neville and his "plant" but sadly we get this.
None printed mushroom allways feels cheap.
WTF is with the apple? Hagrid feeds the Thestrals with sheep.
Will it be available in time to use for the €150 needed to get 40567 ?"
In the movie, Luna rolls an apple to the foal which it ignores. She then throws it a piece of meat which it jumps on. To be a bit more accurate, the apple should be red. Mushroom should definitely be printed. Village sign would be significantly better and useful.
This set relates to two scenes: (1) the beginning of the movie when students actually board the carriages and (2) the feeding scene - which is probably why there is a tree as this happens in the forest near Hagrid's hut.
NiBO - Nice But Overpriced.
76386 was released a year ago at the same price but has half again as many pieces and double the number of minifigures, all of them unique.
Sure, the thestrals in 76400 are costly especially the baby which is currently exclusive to this set, but all the same. £18 is taking the proverbial.
@captaincassianandor said:
" @NatureBricks said:
"It needs a third figure because who is suppose to drive the carriage?"
Been a while since I’ve watched Order of Phoenix but I believe the carriages don’t have drivers. It being magic and all I think they just drive themselves. "
The Thestrals know where to go, so no coachman is needed. But not everyone sees them.
I don't mind the extra tree parts since they'll be used and think the set is great. Definitely will try to find a discount though, but who wouldn't?
I was hoping someone would make a joke about how there aren't any thestrals in this set that they can see, just a carriage, a tree, and some minifigures.
@Ignore_Me said:
"we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on."
? I think I know what you mean but I’d prefer further elaboration before I give my stance on a point you might not be making. Seeing as we haven’t gotten Thestrals in a set for 4 years and it’s only $20 (still way too expensive for what you get but it’s easier for me to overlook if you’re still not paying a ton). Admittedly there’s not much else in the set that interests me but the tree, as unnecessary as it is, would do well to join my collection of props for Brickfilms. I almost never make any with trees but for when I do. :P
@GBP_Chris said:
"I was hoping someone would make a joke about how there aren't any thestrals in this set that they can see, just a carriage, a tree, and some minifigures. "
Ok, is this all a joke? What's everyone talking about? What's a thestral? I don't see any thestrals, just a crazy overpriced horseless carriage, tree, and two figs?
@GBP_Chris said:
"I was hoping someone would make a joke about how there aren't any thestrals in this set that they can see, just a carriage, a tree, and some minifigures. "
Without the box art typically pictured, this was an opportunity missed for an insanely meta review sans thestrals in the photos at all, and though that likely wouldn't have been too helpful, it'd have gotten my vote for most creative review ever.
How about Cap'n Rex claims he started the random animals in review photos trend years ago and that his reviews have been replete with thestrals for years and why do Huw & Megan get credit for the goats & sloths when he started it?
I like this set. I don't $20 like this set. If it gets a typical 20% off then I'll buy it at $16.
While 20€ may be somewhat expensive at least they didn't go for 30, which was the actual € price of 75951 and the one reasons it warmed shelves for the next couple of years here. Still not a fan of the inexorable price-creep happening (looking at you, Star Wars), but for two molded animals I can almost justify it in this case.
Now LEGO needs to make a set like this again with a regular horse and 2 knight figs to expand the current Castle trend and upcoming 90th anniversary set.
3 figures 1 horse cart :
€10 in 2011 7949 : Prison Carriage Rescue
€20 in 2013 70401 : Gold Getaway (bigger side builds + treasure)
I understand the 2011 horse was an older , less complex model with no moving legs, and a simpler flat head print, but still.
@AHYL88 said:
" This should've had slightly more bulk to the carriage, like 75951 : Grindelwald´s Escape from a few years ago which was similarly priced, as well as one or two more figures instead."
Except in Euro, it was a rip-off €30.
79108: Stagecoach Escape was even worse though, $30 / £30, but €45-55 ? ? ? ? ?
I would have preferred getting the Hogwarts gate rather the tree, as that is an actual part of the scene. The gate build might have made the $20 price point feel better, but that may just be me.
@Ignore_Me said:
"we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on."
Because someone has a different opinion to yours they need to be silenced or cancelled? In future, make a comment about the Lego.
I wouldn't have wanted a third fig like Neville. Having just Harry and Luna makes it a perfect blend between the arrival scene and the feeding scene, but they could have made it a slightly smaller set, or added a little more to justify the price point. A simple Hogsmeade sign could have done the trick, but at least here in Norway it's 20 NOK cheaper than Polyjuice Potion and Room of Requirement, so it'll be quite fine at a discount.
@Ignore_Me said:
"we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on."
These sets are amongst the best selling sets Lego produce. I buy these sets for my missus, who is a massive Harry Potter fan. I love watching her build them and the joy it gives her.
Although she doesn't, because of spoilers, I happen to enjoy reading CapnRex's reviews.
@twodoors said:
" @Ignore_Me said:
"we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on."
Because someone has a different opinion to yours they need to be silenced or cancelled? In future, make a comment about the Lego."
JK Rowling is literally funding the eradication of transgender rights in the UK, with the wealth generated from all sales related to her IP. Don't try to downplay what she does as "a different opinion", and don't act like encouraging the sale of LEGO harry potter toys doesn't warrant a serious discussion.
@Ignore_Me
Username checks out
I want it for the eerie vibes that carriage has. It would be cooler if the tree was a ghost or Death herself, or some graveyard thingies
@Ignore_Me said:
" @twodoors said:
" @Ignore_Me said:
"we need to stop reviewing harry potter legos. like have some standards, come on."
Because someone has a different opinion to yours they need to be silenced or cancelled? In future, make a comment about the Lego."
JK Rowling is literally funding the eradication of transgender rights in the UK, with the wealth generated from all sales related to her IP. Don't try to downplay what she does as "a different opinion", and don't act like encouraging the sale of LEGO harry potter toys doesn't warrant a serious discussion."
This is the wrong forum for that conversation. This is a Lego fan site, please respect that.
@BrickBoriqueno said:
" @GBP_Chris said:
"I was hoping someone would make a joke about how there aren't any thestrals in this set that they can see, just a carriage, a tree, and some minifigures. "
Without the box art typically pictured, this was an opportunity missed for an insanely meta review sans thestrals in the photos at all, and though that likely wouldn't have been too helpful, it'd have gotten my vote for most creative review ever.
How about Cap'n Rex claims he started the random animals in review photos trend years ago and that his reviews have been replete with thestrals for years and why do Huw & Megan get credit for the goats & sloths when he started it?"
It'd probably be in poor taste but if Brickset asked me to do this review, I'd frame the whole thing as if there were no thestrals in the set and I don't understand why the instructions suggest that something might be attached to the cart? Then post an "edit" where I'm all "ok, I can see the thestrals now, but I don't wanna talk about it. They're in the box, okay, and now I'm feeling twice as awful. 14/10, good set, I'm gonna go get help now."
Maybe a bit too dark in the humor department ...
"A relatively inexpensive set" which is in summary "quite expensive".
Hm, now I'm confused :D
@masterbrickZ said:
""A relatively inexpensive set" which is in summary "quite expensive".
Hm, now I'm confused :D"
The set is among the smaller and accordingly less expensive Harry Potter sets, but also relatively expensive for its contents.