Search Beyond Hogwarts:

Reference Desk:
•	Beyond Hogwarts FAQ
•	Wizard to Muggle Currency Converter
•	Harry Potter Spelling Reference

UPDATE! 3/12/08: Producer David Heyman said last night that It will be officially announced soon that book 7 WILL BE TWO FILMS! Click here for more info!

Pages:  <<  <  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22  >  >>

Reader Comments: (Page 21)

Folks, I don't know how this rumour about replacing Dobby by Kreacher came about - but on every single cast list I could find I detected bot Toby Jones (Dobby's voice) and Simon McBurney (Kreacher's croaks) - so I am pretty sure they'll both turn up on screen as they should really. I mean it was sort of okay to cut Dobby from GoF and OoTP but in DH he is essential and obviously even Yates realized this. Personally I think only a (monster) mini-series would do justice to HP, but this form of entertainment seems to be totally out of fashion...

Posted by Siena from Nottingham, UK on November 18, 2009 03:16 AM

Was it actually a rumour, Siena? I know I suggested the possibility, but that was just me speculating, based on decisions they've made with other characters. I haven't heard any rumours, but this is the only Potter site I frequent. I just figured they'd cut Dobby because they've already cut him, if you see what I mean. Good on you for checking it out. I'm glad we get Dobby back. Does this mean we get a proper Battle of Hogwarts?

Are mini series really out of fashion? I've seen some good ones in the past couple of years (Bleak House and Wuthering Heights to name two) and I agree with you that they are a good way to do full justice to a book. I think the problem you would have is that they wouldn't make as much money as the movies have.

Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on November 19, 2009 12:38 AM

Yes, a few people contributing to the "Dumbledore is ...again" thread on this site came up with this Dobby? Kreacher? thing - and they all seemed certain so I thought I'd check... good on you for only visiting "Beyond Hogwarts" by the way... I must admit I can't resist sneaking off to one particular other site occasionally as they are a bit faster on the news front... but you can't really join a fruitful discussion there - so bless David and his team really for this wonderful site.

Anyway, I read somewhere that they are planning at least 30 minutes screentime for the Battle of Hogwarts in DH - so hopefully we'll have Kreacher in full flow - including "Master" Regulus' locket, fluffy ear hair and the other elves to boot...I loved this scene in the book and also Slughorn in his pyjamas finally taking action... just loved it.

And how I loved "Bleak House" - that was wonderful, the best adaptation of a book I've ever seen I think. You are quite right! But "Bleak House" is only one book - think about them having to do all seven Potters! Yes, I guess it's a money thing again unfortunately - I read the BBC is going to change its policy, there are going to be less larger productions. I think their theory is that less people would sit through a miniseries for weeks on end - things need to be faster for today's aunce - very unfortunately. I personally would love to sit through 100 hours of Potter if necessary - so the audio books really suit me well.

Posted by Siena from Nottingham, Uk on November 19, 2009 11:30 AM

Good to know they are planning to give us a decent Battle of Hogwarts. I felt distinctly cheated by HBP as I have said elsewhere.

I think seven mini-series of HP might be a little much, yes. There IS a lot more of it than even Bleak House. Pity. As for the BBC changing policy - I believe one of the reasons Philosopher's Stone was rejected by so many publishers was that they considered it too long and complex for ten year olds. Ho, yus? Underestimate the market, much?! The problem with underestimating kids, and adults, in this way is that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Kids are taught that there has to be instant gratification. Wham, bam, thank you, Ma'am. One of the delights of PS is that opening where you enjoy Rowling's voice, the quirky humour and you're asking; what the heck is going on here? Vernon Dursley goes off for a typical day at work, only he's haunted by owls and people in weird clothing. Then, suddenly everything turns magical. Literally. The point is that the reader is drawn in gradually. I love that, and I wish they'd shown that in the movie, complete with squalling Dudley.
To be honest, I suspect the reason for cutting back on things like Bleak House, and even the HP movies, is the Holy, Sacred Bottom Line - the Almighty Dollar. Yes, I know they need to make a profit, but could they please give us a good result along with their profit margin? Please?
I'm sounding cranky again. Sorry. Frustrating few days.

Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on November 21, 2009 04:25 AM

im glad theyre making it into 2 diff movies instead of trying to squeeze it all into one
even though it be TORTURE to wait for the second part but still...its worth it

Posted by luna from toronto on November 22, 2009 1:58 PM

Elizabeth I know what you mean. The films aren't exactly a tribute to Rowling's subtle humour, a testament of neglect where the "After the burial" scene in the HBP film, where Slughorn is portrayed as a bit of a thief sneaking into the greenhouse stealing plants... I didn't like that at all, Slughorn is such a brilliantly developed character, they had a lovely actor in Jim Broadbent, so why they gave him this scene is beyond me. You are of course also right about the "almighty" dollar - and I am already afraid that they give more attention to loud bangs, dragons and fires in DH than on the wonderful emotional side of it. As they are filming the Ministry scenes, Malfoy Manor and Gringotts I fear it be a bit repetitive to also watch the fiend fire in the room of requirement... I do hope, however, this won't be in exchange for some focus on the horcruxes amidst all the loud bangs and flames... Harry contemplating his next steps while at staying at Shell Cottage is one of these wonderful quiet moments. Radcliffe has become a fine actor, hope they'll give him the chance to show this more introvert side of Harry.
luna - yes, despite all the doubts whether DH film live up to the DH book, I know it be very hard to walk out of the cinema halfway through the story...

Posted by Siena from Nottingham, UK on December 28, 2009 08:10 AM

i hope they make DH better. HBP was pathetic. they ignored substances which shouldn't be ignored and added rubbish

Posted by pritesh from india on December 28, 2009 11:01 AM

Goblet of Fire, Order of the Pheonix and - especially - Half-Blood prince films have all been disappointing. I know there's so much information to cram into a film, but still... I think they could've extended each of the films a fair bit longer. Look at Lord of the Rings: very long films, but most people with concentration abilities superior to that of a rabbit believes those films to be pretty good (if not awesome).

I also wonder how they'll deal with Bill's role, given that in the books he's played a fairly prominent part for quite a few of the previous books. Seems a tad abrupt to just shove it in now.

I think the one thing that's better in the films than when reading is the magic itself. I think the computer graphics with the magic are excellent and - at least for me - portray it better than I could picture it.

Hopefully they won't focus too much on the action of the book. Yes, it's important and makes up some of the best parts of the book, but focusing too heavily on it at the sacrifice of some of the more subtle, less action-packed aspects may ruin it. Totally agree with you Elizabeth. I think they wrecked Goblet of Fire by leaving out those subtleties. Mind, it's more difficult to convey it with film than it is with books.

Posted by JWK from UK - West Yorks on January 10, 2010 5:45 PM

I'm again reading ly hallows (Don't remember the count) and each time its scenes are forming more clearly in my mind like a visual picture becoming brighter and brighter (I Hope the real movie is better than my visuals). I think its going to be difficult watching moody, Dobby and Fred , very difficult, not to mention Snape, Lupin, Tonks and Harry.

I think it is a war book as well which emphasize that why every dark thing should be fought from the beginning. Voldemot destroyed almost every good/great thing of past sorcerer's stone, Hall of prophecy, time turners, Ravenclaw's diadem (I'm sure he must not have even tried to wear it once before he converted it into a horcrux), Helga Hufflepufs's badger (He must not have tried to see what wonderful properties did it have) not to mention the torn apart families and many great wizards/witches of time because he was just so arrogant, thinking only he was extraordinary, magic was usual. The book clearly shows why every attempt of resistance to bad things should be supported/helped at large.

Posted by swati from India on January 18, 2010 12:44 AM

Well, we know that the movie is being split into two now, but we still don't know exactly where. I would split it just after they escape from Gringotts, as they apparate in Hogsmeade.

I am so going to cry when Fred, Tonks, Lupin and Harry . Even though we know Harry lives, it's still going to be so difficult to watch him and to know what happens next. I really really hope they put in the line where Molly Weasley calls Bellatrix Lestrange a 'bitch' because that would just be brilliant.

Posted by Helene from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England on February 20, 2010 2:05 PM

JWK - I've been thinking about Bill's role. We've never seen him, and we haven't seen Fleur since Goblet of Fire either. I'm wondering if they might actually replace Bill and Fleur's joint roles with Remus Lupin and Tonks? It would work in terms of the story even down to the wedding being broken up by the ministry/eaters. Please bear in mind that this is pure conjecture - they may well go with Bill and Fleur - but we are all well and truly engaged emotionally with Remus and Tonks from the books. It would give them a bit more screen time in DH and make the ending that much more emotional.

Posted by Elizabeth from Australia on February 28, 2010 04:06 AM

I guess that's possible, though - personally - I hope it doesn't happen like that. I'd rather an abrupt Bill and Fleur than a fabrication! You are quite right though, it wouldn't really disturb the plot too badly. I guess I'm just a purist! Really irritates me when they deviate away from the books too much. On that note, I hope they don't elect to have Kreacher ed in lieu of Dobby.

Posted by JWK from UK - West Yorks on February 28, 2010 1:38 PM

Pages:  <<  <  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22  >  >>