London, Dec 1 (IANS): Actress Tilda Swinton dislikes the "Harry Potter" films.

The 56-year-old was sent to the exclusive West Heath Girls' School in Kent, South East England, when she was young, but thinks boarding schools are "cruel" and damaging to children. She thinks the wizarding franchise's Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry "romanticises" the educational setting and gives people an unrealistic view, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

"I think they are a very cruel setting in which to grow up and I don't feel children benefit from that type of education," she told The Scots magazine.

"Children need their parents. That's why I dislike films like 'Harry Potter', which tend to romanticise such places," she added.

The "Doctor Strange" star, who has twins Honor and Xavier, 19, with former partner John Byrne and is in a relationship with painter Sandro Kopp, says she had a "privileged" upbringing but has done all she can to fight against what has been expected of her.

"I grew up under privileged circumstances and was expected to marry a duke. I spent a lot of time and energy making certain that I would not find myself living a life that had been pre-ordained for me," Swinton said.