Standing at the intersection of artistry and challenge, Claire Foy’s experience working with a notoriously difficult bird of prey reveals the dedication and skill required to portray a believable falconer on screen. But here's where it gets controversial: can an actress truly master the intricacies of falconry in just two weeks? The answer might surprise you.
Foy, 41, famous for her portrayal of a young Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, underwent a rigorous, fast-paced training period to convincingly handle birds of prey in her role in H is for Hawk. This film is an adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s acclaimed memoir, which recounts her personal journey of training a goshawk, called Mabel, to help her heal from her father’s death. The book, published in 2014, received high praise, even winning the Costa Book of the Year Award, highlighting its literary significance.
In the movie, the character of Macdonald’s expert, Stuart—played compellingly by Sam Spruell—sets the stage for the daunting challenge. He emphasizes the complexity of goshawks, calling them "the oldest and most unpredictable of raptors," a statement that holds weight when you learn more about these birds.
Lloyd Buck, a seasoned raptor trainer with over two decades of experience alongside his wife Rose, shares that these birds are not like other birds of prey. Unlike many, which can be somewhat adaptable and tolerant with their handlers, goshawks are known for their fiery temperament and extreme shyness in the wild. Mr. Buck, who was involved in training Foy, explains, "Most birds are fairly flexible when it comes to their handlers and flying to different people, as long as food is involved and you invest time with them. But goshawks do not compromise. If they decide they don’t want to do something, that’s it. They are high-strung, nervous, and in the wild, quite elusive."
And this intense nature is vividly demonstrated during Foy’s training sessions, which included her pursuit of a hawk dive-bombing tall men in Hertfordshire—a quirky, yet telling detail of her immersive experience.
The moment Foy first met the five birds used to depict Macdonald’s goshawk, Lottie, was described as pivotal. Lloyd Buck remarked, "If Claire wasn’t natural or was too scared around them, the entire film could have failed. You simply can’t fake her calmness and interest around these birds. She’s genuinely talented."
The actress began her two-week crash course with the Bucks in Somerset, initially working with gentler barn and tawny owls to build her confidence before moving on to the more aggressive goshawks, some with wings spanning over three feet. Her daily routine involved learning how to walk confidently alongside the birds, balance them properly, and tie the intricate falconer’s knot used to tether the birds securely.
One of the most challenging aspects was handling Lottie, the most fierce and energetic of the flock. Lloyd Buck describes her as intensely tenacious—"especially fired up and difficult to handle. You need experience and resilience because a bird of prey like her can seriously peck or grab you. No other bird of prey is harder to work with than a goshawk."
A significant part of the challenge was making sure these wild, high-strung creatures felt comfortable with the larger crew involved in the film—more than 100 people compared to the handful typically present on natural history shoots. Director Philippa Lowthorpe aimed to make the hunting scenes feel visceral, avoiding the more traditional, slow-motion documentary style. Instead, they sought authenticity, capturing the raw power and beauty of goshawks without exaggeration. Lowthorpe noted her worries initially about Foy’s ability to convincingly portray a falconer, but her natural athleticism and courage proved to be major assets.
The emotional highlight came when Lowthorpe saw her first clips of Claire in her costume, handling Lottie with skill. Her reaction was deeply moving—seeing her embody Helen Macdonald so convincingly felt like witnessing a ballet, a perfect blend of art and effort.
Foy, in interviews, expressed her attachment to the project, saying she planned to revisit the birds after filming wrapped. “Now I can identify bird of prey species wherever I go,” she shared. She’s become attuned to their presence, even noticing owls around her home—an impressive transformation considering this was uncharted territory for her as an actress.
And perhaps most intriguing is the debate that remains: can a person truly grasp the complexity of wild animals in such a short time? Or does this intense preparation produce a screen-ready facsimile that risks oversimplifying these extraordinary creatures? What do you think—has Claire Foy done justice to the art of falconry, or is this just another Hollywood stunt? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.
