HARRY POTTER-mania!! If you’re in charge to adapt HARRY POTTER BOOKS into MOVIES, what would you do?

Question

Let say that you have “enough” budget to make the whole scene as you wish. Still, you ARE to produce the whole film as realistic as possible. You can’t translate the whole action in the books into movies! It’s way too long! Besides, duration for any movie can’t be too long. In overall you can only create 3-hour long for a single movie. Remember, you only have no more than a year to produce ONE TITLE. That’s to ensure you follow the time gap for every books!

Personally, if I’m in charge in making this HARRY POTTER MOVIE, I will ask J.K Rowling personally of the whole characteristic and development of important characters throughout the series. I must know in first hand how this series starts, flow, and end so I can imagine the whole plotline in my movies. Some scene that come into my head for every title is listed below:

In Philosopher’s Stone, I’m kinda disappointed since the scenes where Hermione should have shown her cool logic to solve Snape’s puzzle wasn’t shown in the MOVIES adaptation (YET, she still got 50 points in the end! For WHAT?!?) I will surely have that scene in MY movie!

In Chamber of Secrets, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley were not brawling where they met at the bookshop. I will certainly make that scene in my movies!

In Prisoner of Azkaban (and Goblet of Fire), Prof. Sprout was cut from the scene! I won’t cut her from my movies. Madam Hooch and Madam Pomfrey were missing too… where were they actually?!

In Goblet of Fire, Quidditch World Cup scene should have been extended! I’m still unhappy since they cut almost completely the whole Quidditch World Cup. This is also the first time I started to dislike the guy who portrayed Albus Dumbledore. He kept yelling and shouting everywhere! Dumbledore in the books was always calm and cool. We need a better “Dumbledore” here!

In Order of Phoenix, I’d like to shoot the scene where the whole Slytherins sing “Weasley is Our King”. I’ll ask some composer to create such nice tune and of course the other scene where the Gryffindors finally sing that song when they beat Slytherins to win Quidditch Cup!

I will also shoot the whole scene where the Sorting Hat sings every year to welcome new students. Need a nice and qualified composer here! In addition, I’ll ask J.K. Rowling her permission to create some Prequel and Spin-Off (you know: The Founders era, The Marauders era, Tom Marvolo Riddle and Eillen Prince’s Era). This will be such huge project here! Of course main priorities are how Hogwarts was found and the whole adventures of Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. Tales of their friendship, betrayal, and destruction… how they all rose into great fame and how their friendship shattered in the end…)

Anyway, how about you all then? What kind of Harry Potter movies adaptation would you like to make here? Just remember, BE REALISTIC!!

Answer 1

I didn't discover J.K. Rowling's brilliant books until I had watched the first two movies, so I'm immensely fond of them. I thought Chris Columbus did a wonderful job bringing the books to the screen and I don't know that I would change much if I could. The characters were cast very well and the sets and special effects were quite good too.

In Sorcerer's Stone, I would've included the scene where Hermione deduces which bottle would allow Harry to progress through the fire though. It is like she said "This isn't magic -- it's logic -- a puzzle. A lot of the greatest wizards haven't got an ounce of logic, they'd be stuck here forever."

In Chamber of Secrets, I would include the scene where Harry overheards Lucius's business at Borgin and Burkes. I'd also have fist fight between Lucius and Arthur at Flourish and Blotts.

Although Prisoner of Azkaban was very good, I did think it was unfortunate that the scene where Draco, Crabbe, Goyle, and Flint dressed as Dementors in an attempt to distract Harry during the Quidditch game wasn't included. Crookshanks value was diminished because he didn't chase Scabbers (who suddenly ran to the Whomping Willow for apparently no reason), he didn't freeze the tree for Harry and Hermione, and he didn't shield Sirius with his body from attack by Harry. I would include the scene when Harry receives the owl from Sirius and Ron accepts Pig as a replacement pet and I'd extend the scene when Snape attempts to read the Marauder's Map. I was disappointed that he didn't read all of the insults, that passage was hilarious.

Goblet of Fire was visually appealing, but I feel it is the worst book to screen translation in the series so far. Too much was cut in favor of scenes not in the book. The changes in characters also seriously annoyed me.

What was missing: The Twins leaving the Ton Tongue Toffee for Dudley when they went to get Harry from the Dursleys. It sets up for Weasley Wizard Wheezes later. And where was Ludo Bagman? Without his character, the Twins didn't lose their life savings. What about the interaction between Lucius and Arthur, and the introduction of Narcissa at the Quidditch World Cup? Or the Veela dance? (which makes Fleur's appeal understandable later.) The scenes when Draco has words with Harry, Ron, and Hermione about the Death Eaters march through the campsite and when he reads the Daily Prophet article in the Great Hall and makes inflamitory comments about Molly and Lily. Also, the weighing of the wands ceremony; expaining Fleur's heritage and making it clear that Rita didn't have Dumbledore's permission to harrass the Champions, but was only supposed to cover the ceremony. How about Rita's targeting of Hagrid, which sets up for Umbridge later? And where was Dobby? He helped Harry not Neville! Where was Hermione's hate mail and her discovery of how Rita kept getting her information? What happened to all the magical obstecles in the maze?! I thought that it was a huge let down that we didn't see Harry use some of his talent and intelligence to overcome the golden mist and to get by the Sphinx and spider. Why didn't we learn that Fudge allowed a Dementor to kiss Barty Crouch Jr.? And why didn't we hear his denial that Voldemort had returned? Hermione's revelation of Rita's unregistered Animagus status was missing and so was Harry's donation of his Tri-wizard Tournament winnings to the Twins for their joke shop. Some of this could've been done quickly, not exactly as it appears in the book, and yet effectively. Many of these examples are small, but important details.

What would I leave out? I'd cut the First Task down a lot; far too much time was spent on the dragon scene. I also would cut the scene where McGonagall instructs the students on how to dance and when Harry and Ron observe Neville practicing alone. The scene when Harry is studying for the second task and Neville is commenting about something he saw in the lake would be cut. It shows Harry seeking help from a source he never explored. I'd cut Dumbledore's comment about sending an owl to Azkaban and that they'd find that they were missing a prisoner. When Sirius escaped it was all over the news in both the Muggle and Wizarding worlds and Dementors were out in force searching for him, but we're supposed to believe (in the very next movie) that no one would've noticed another prisoner had escaped? Without the introduction of Winky and the explanation of how Crouch Jr. used the Polyjuice Potion to switch places with his mother, it doesn't make any sense. I would certainly cut the scene where Snape hits Harry and Ron in the head for talking. Since when does Snape put his hands on his students? He frequently makes scathing comments or vicious threats, but does not to physically abuse his students! And I despise Michael Gambon's portrayal of Dumbledore. He is not supposed to be a overly emotional and volitile character, but he is shown shouting at students and manhandling Harry! If he is outraged when Umbridge shakes Marietta in Order of the Phoenix I'm going to be very annoyed at the hypocrisy.

For now, I've got high hopes for Order of the Phoenix. I thought that the HBO First Look show looks very promising. I can't hardly wait until July 13th. It is a shame that they have to cut Quidditch entirely because the "Weasley is our King" song was so good in the book and it would be nice for Ron to finally get some glory entirely seperate from Harry, but I can understand the necessity to sacrifice it for plot, running time and budget. As far as the story of the Four Founders, I'm hoping that J.K. Rowling will write more about them. I'd also love a prequel book about the adventures of the Marauders, Snape, Lucius, a younger Dumbledore, and Grindewald.

Answer 2

i completely agree.

i also think the people who Wrote the script should know the material Thoroughly. so they know what they should include, and what can "roll off a bit"... i think Peter Jackson did an EXCELLENT job on LOTR. seriously. he really condensed the stories and yet did a Great job at allowing those who have not read the books to completey get into the stories and understand each character Fully.. so important in a character driven story and plot!!!! sometimes the plots aren't as good (i didn't like chamber of secrets book as much), but if the Characters are beloved and make sense, then no matter what situation they incur, they will be amusing and interesting to the viewer.

i Hated dumbledore in movie #4... he Grabbed and Shook harry. that killed it for me.. also his accent went from British to American... he was quite unconvincing!!! i think even Gandalf in LOTR had more of the humor, wit and mischief in his EYES than dumbledore in the movies had... altho the first D was pretty good overall.

i think the Worst movie of all was #4 for sure... i know it was a long book, but please, just make the dragon scene Any Longer!!!! that was a waste of time. also, i didn't like how the maze was solely consisting of the bushes trying to swallow the kids up.. i mean u just have to run. there's not much magic involved in that..!! i think jk rowling's story has a lot more imagination and excitement in just the books, surely they could have included the Important stuff and done away w/ trivial things that apply to the story, but do not Make it. i feel that the movie directors so far have only kept in the "obviously" exciting parts, such as the Spider attack (which happened TWICE in movie #2), the Flying car thing (where harry fell out.. sure entertaining, but not necessary to be soo long!).

here are my criticisms in a nutshell:

Movie #1: chris columbus was a Slave to detail.. he lost a lot of childish imagination and Charm that the book possessed in translating to the screen. i loved the way the cinematography, costumes looked, but the acting and the script was somewhat Flat. overall good in establishing the characters... i did not like that they took away the potions defense that hermione did.. that would've been great. the keys turning into bullets was a waste of time too. i loved the mirror erised... how harry sat there seeing his family (altho in the movie it was just his parents). snuffles was ok.... the chess game was great, just as i imagined. hermione was much too "Cutesy", and had they understood how important it would be in book #4 they would've paid attention to that originally.

Movie #2: since i thought this book had the weakest plot, it was not my favorite movie. and moaning murtle kinda bugged me, but she is definitely memorable. again chris columbus paid attention to detail, but i think it was slightly more "fun" (gilderoy lockhart was AWESOME). fawkes was scary to me... haha. passable.

Movie #3: i personally thought this movie was the best out of the 4 so far.. only because the Story is so strong. it has everything: family relationships (harry as an orphan finding his long lost godfather...)... suspense (feeling that he was involved in murderous attempts at his life).... the time turner was great, kind of "back to the future-ish". helped develop the relationship between Malfoy and Potter.... as well as Lucius' connection to voldemort. dobby was ok.. pretty funny. i do like the Dursley's and Dudley (the actors). those parts of the movie are quite whimsical and charming... even tho they take place w/ Muggles! i didn't like Lupin as much because he seemed a bit effeminate (was he looking at and hugging harry a bit too weirdly or what??!), but i did like the fun musical score when they were taking out the boggart, etc. this book was my favorite by far.

Movie #4: don't get me started. i've answered quite a few questions regarding this movie, first how Dumbledore is horrible. also how they condensed the triwizard tournament so that it seemed so Lame.. why would u need to be the "best" of each school to run away from a bush. also, the story w/ mad-eye moody and barty crouch could've been so much better.. instead they condensed him into some bad guy from the past. greaat, that helps. so many nuances in the book that i guess can't be shown in the movie, but i mean, people Saying that barty crouch was killed isn't as poignant as showing barty Jr. explaining how he got the map, killed his father, blah blah under the veritiserum. the stuff w/ fleur and the girls walking that way was pretty lame too.. i just saw it as tho they had an Incomprehensible attraction only towards men... some sparkly stuff that came out when they walked or special looks they gave would be enough.. instead they had them swaying similarly and butterflies and all that. it was kind of lame. i did like Cho though. oh and i didn't like the modern clothes in the Banquet either.

good luck, i hope movie 5 isn't 'orrible!

Answer 3

I think you pretty much hit it on the head there. My answer would have been about the same. I would have loved to see why Harry was taken tot he quidditch cup game and everything that happened. It was way to short a scene. Also I would like to have seen where Hermoine exposed the house elfs in the kitchen of Hogwarts and started the liberate house elf movement. I hope they focus alot on the DA in the Order of the Phoenix and the battle at the ministry.

Answer 4

I would have someone who didn't read the books go over the script. I hated that Goblet of Fire made no sense if you didn't read the book. It had a very shaky plot in the movie. I would also ditch the modern clothes. I hate that they wear more and more modern outfits. It dates that later movies in a way that wasn't as obvious in Sorcerer's Stone. I love the books but the movies need to stand alone to last.

Answer 5

Most of the spells and some of the names are words that mean what they represent. For example: Remus Lupin: Lupus means wolf in Latin and Remus and Romulus are mythical twins who were raised by wolves. Lupin of course is a werewolf, so you can tell that JKR put a lot of thought into naming her characters. Another example: the spell "lumos" which causes light is derived from the word root "lum" meaning light. I just think it's really cool that JKR didn't use random words. :)

Answer 6

If it could happen, all the movies would be exactly how they are in the book. what they say, do, and everything.

Answer 7

You are taking this far too seriously, aren't you?

Answer 8

i'd do nuthin.. the books sux