Michael Gambon is a remarkable actor, an artist, but I am not convinced he was the right choice for Dumbledore. It would require an actor more inclined to portray characters, as a means to please the fans. At least that would be consistent with the overall casting. I don’t think his interpretation of the character would change even if he did read the books however. On the other hand I would say the Gambon Dumbledore certainly is a more realistic character than the way Richard Harris portrayed him or the way he is depicted in the books. If it’s something I really can’t take seriously about the books, it isn’t all the supernatural nonsense, but the madly excessive goodness of Dumbledore as opposed to the excessive evil of Voldemort.

I have tried to adjust to Gambon as Dumbledore, but then, since they gut the stories anway, I’ve just watched the movies as ADAPTATIONS a word I hate, and try to visualize Ian McKellan as Dumbledore. He has just so much more emotional range and control. I am sure Mr. Gambon is a fine man and actor, but he is no Dumbledore.

First, Ralph Fiennes is a great actor and I’m really happy he’s Voldemort. He got the portrayal right even without knowing Voldie’s back story. BTW, he was pretty much (aside from the cinematography) that I liked about “The English Patient,” and he was also predictably fantastic in “The Constant Gardener.” I recommend the second film. “English Patient” – not so much, it was three hours of my life I’ll never get back, but Fiennes was fabulous.

As for Gambon, everyone just needs to get over it already. He’s been DD for four movies now if you include HBP, he’s not being replaced, and the directors obviously like what he’s doing with the character or else they’d tell him to act in a different way. Even though Richard Harris was wonderful, no argument there, even if the man hadn’t died he didn’t have the same energy that Gambon has in the role. DD is old, but still very energetic, which Gambon shows very well.

First, Ralph Fiennes is a great actor and I’m really happy he’s Voldemort. He got the portrayal right even without knowing Voldie’s back story. BTW, he was pretty much (aside from the cinematography) that I liked about “The English Patient,” and he was also predictably fantastic in “The Constant Gardener.” I recommend the second film. “English Patient” – not so much, it was three hours of my life I’ll never get back, but Fiennes was fabulous.

As for Gambon, everyone just needs to get over it already. He’s been DD for four movies now if you include HBP, he’s not being replaced, and the directors obviously like what he’s doing with the character or else they’d tell him to act in a different way. Even though Richard Harris was wonderful, no argument there, even if the man hadn’t died he didn’t have the same energy that Gambon has in the role. DD is old, but still very energetic, which Gambon shows very well.

Somehow I don’t think Ian McKellen would want to get pigeonholed as another wizard, and wouldn’t have agreed to do it. That’s always been wishful thinking.

It’s one thing to post an opinion, quite another to chide someone else fo theirs.

Surprised some people didn’t like the graveyard scene. I always liked it. I loved the way V did those sudden movements, kind of snake like. As someone who had not at that time read any of the books I found it very disturbing, so the actors must have done something right. Especially since it was that scene which spurred me on to read all the books! I am really looking forward to seeing him in DH, not to mention his nephew in HBP!

I agree with Catherine that Gambon gets across DD’s energy better than Harris. His energy in POA jarred at first until I read the books and realized that in fact DD does have great energy for his age. With all respect to Harris, who was spot on in appearance and set the scene perfectly as a kind grandfather figure for Harry, Gambon is actually more my DD. I can already imagine his version of DD with the dodgy past life that we now know he had. Also, in real life Gambon has a wicked and eccentric sense of humour like DD, so if it isn’t showing in the films it must mean that the script is at fault. It stands to reason that if DD is only in serious scenes in the films then getting humour across is going to be difficult. Of all five only POA manages it. The OotP court scene shows a hint when DD says Brian (if they had done the chintz armchair it would have been spot on!).

Fiennes clearly got a very close understanding of Voldemort, was he able to read the full set of books while preparing for the role? Did he interview JKR much? Its a pity the rest of the cast can’t put as much into the job.

I love you Leaky! Most of my friends like HP put aren’t maniacs like me, so this is The Place to Be. I mean, where else could you have amazing discussions like the one that has just been going on? Three cheers for The Leaky Cauldron!

Anyway, I agree with both sides on Gambon. Harris’ Dumbledore was absolutely incredible, as it showed the Dumbledore that we thought we knew. To quote Aberforth “The sun shone out of his orifice.” It’s interesting though, Gambon shows the real Dumbledore, the one underneath. Of course, he never meant to, but it’s there all the same. And it’s a bit of a pity too, seeing as we don’t know that side exists until DH. I think I have gotten more used to him by now, but I don’t I will ever forgive him for “HARRY-DID-YOU-PUT-YOUR-NAME-IN-THE-GOBLET-OF-FIRE??

The one thing thing that will be interesting for me is whether or not I will cry when Dumbledore dies in the next movie. If Harris was playing him, I would for sure, but with Gambon, who knows?

Another thought: if in DH, they show flashbacks when people are ralking about and remembering Dumbledore, Gambon will do a stellar job.

And of course, Fiennes is awesome.

Radish :)

iyamjodi & stixvix, thanks for an entertaining, edifying, and civil exchange of ideas. If only all posters adhered to your principles!

I love Fiennes’ portrayal of Voldemort. Perhaps he didn’t read the books, but he certainly put the thought and the work into development of the character. He’s chilling.

As for Gambon, I truly detested him in HP 3 & 4, but I must admit I liked him very much in HP 5. He showed tenderness, sensitivity, and vulnerability. I still think Richard Harris would have been incredible in the fight scenes, but I was very happy with Gambon and I look forward to seeing him in the next two (er, three) films as well!

Ralph,you are perfect!!! i really miss you Harris, you were AWESOME. Gambon, i hope you prform better than your usual standards in HP-6 .the same goes for the rest of the cast. BECAUSE I AM STILL SEETHING AT THE WAY WARNER BROTHERS CHANGED THE RELEASE DATES. OOTP WAS ANYWAY A DISAPPOINTMENT.

I have to say with Gambon that he got Dumbledore almost right in PoA he was quirky, Funny yet didn’t act like an Old man which is exactly what dumbledore was suppose to be

Harris was good but he played him slow and old which if you actually read the books is not how he should be played, could you imagine Dumbledore of films one and two dueling Voldemort.

In an ideal world i would bring the Grace and manner of Harris together with the energy (and humour in PoA) of Gambon and get rid of the wierd gambon accent.

In short i dont think either one of them has got it right.

I love Ralp and he is a great actor and a great Voldemort.

But I disagree with his argument that V. was rejected. In the Orphanage the children were treated much the same, but Tom behaving badly and was an outsider. In Hogwarts almost all the teachers liked him, look at the Slug-club, he was not alone. And when he worked for Borgin he had a great sucess and was welcomed in houses.

I would say he rejected people because he was not interested to find a way to life in the “normal society”, he could have had a wife if he wanted too, Bella was crazy for him and he would have had a lot of money with her also

If you want to check out another really nasty performance by Fiennes, go see "The Duchess". Another evil character that Fienned nailed. Hehehe…….

It’s not everyone who can look beyond Voldemort’s snake face, and yet not try to make him a pitiful, understanding character. Fiennes is brilliant, and does a great job as Voldemort.