Total Film Opinion Article on 12 Things They Should Have Kept in the Harry Potter Films
Movies
Posted by: sue
June 20, 2009, 09:13 AM
UK magazine Total Film has an interesting opinion piece/feature online where they lament twelve things that should have been kept in the Harry Potter films. Echoing many sentiments we fans have expressed written and discussed over the years, the list includes some of the following:
*PEEVES: The omission of the pesky poltergeist of Hogwarts has long been a source of the discussion in the fandom. Total Film adds to the chorus as it notes Peeves should have been included for OotP, noting: Pesky prankster Peeves is an anarchic poltergeist whose only goal is
to create chaos. His sworn enemy is Argus Filch, the school caretaker,
who has to clear up after him. Rumours that he could be the ghost of Jeremy Beadle remain unfounded. Rik Mayall did film a scene as Peeves for Philosopher’s Stone, but it got chopped.
*The Origins of the Marauders Map in Prisoner of Azkaban: If you’ve never read the book, the magic map given to Harry in
Prisoner Of Azkaban seems to have ‘lazy plot device’ written all over
it.In fact, what it actually had written all over it is ‘Messrs Mooney,
Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs’, which is a clue as to its origins and a
whole subplot about Harry’s dad, Sirius Black and the other map
creators being animagii – those with the ability to turn into animals.
*Percy Weasley, Traitor: The magazine discusses the cutting of this subplot to Order of the Phoenix, as they describe the role played by Chris Rankin in the films as follows: In the film, elder Weasley sprog Percy – now working for the
Ministry of Magic – comes across as a slimy yes-man. In the books he’s
an all-out traitor, disowning his family and sending Christmas presents
back unopened. The film could have run with the idea of Percy going really evil –
fiddling his expenses and claiming on a second Gnome or something.
You can read the entire list, which also includes SPEW, Professor Binns, hoarding by Kreacher, the Headless Hunt and more here via this link. Thanks Kiwi!
94 Comments
539 Points
I agree with all of them! (But especially SPEW, The Marauder’s Map, Peeves, and Kreacher)
232 Points
To me, the list generally followed a scale of number 1 being the least important, to number 12 being most important. However, I thought the origins of the Marauder’s Map could have possibly been the most important, because it is one of the biggest themes of PoA, and it could’ve been so easy to incorporate. When Lupin closed the map, Harry could easily asked how he knew how to close it, and Lupin could have just as easily replied, “I made it!” and then go into short detail about Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. I really think that Harry discovering his many similarities to James was a big theme to the movie!
6907 Points
I don’t agree with the list much at all, except for the maurader’s map, Kreacher, and maybe SPEW. There are things they left out that are so much more important than the things on that list, for example information about the mauraders and Snape (why on earth was the SWM scene not on that list, for example?). My list would be so different.
98 Points
Well, I agree with all of you people too but it seems that the omissions were made from a film maker’s point of view. I don’t think that Kreacher was that cut and we have seen him putting some stuff from the box he carries! I just think that with all what JK has put in the book, the movies would have turned out to be like 5 or 6 hours!
79302 Points
I miss EVERYTHING!!!
3703 Points
Percy, Spew, Kreacher … all of those things on the list I agree with!
But they should also have kept REGULUS BLACK in the OOTP FILM!!!!
The great thing about Jo is that she buries a lot of her answers, but now they’re going to mention him in the same film as the message in the locket, anyone will will know for sure that the thief of the locket is him.
It would have made more sense to hide his name in the OOTP, as there are no other RAB’s mentioned in the films.
But they should also have kept REGULUS BLACK in the OOTP FILM!!!!
The great thing about Jo is that she buries a lot of her answers, but now they’re going to mention him in the same film as the message in the locket, anyone will will know for sure that the thief of the locket is him.
It would have made more sense to hide his name in the OOTP, as there are no other RAB’s mentioned in the films.
wierd! my comments appeared half way up the comments when i’ve only just posted, sorry for triple posts, keep getting server errors
23764 Points
I agree with a lot of those, particularly about the Marauder’s backstory.
76 Points
I agree on Peeves and the Quiditch World Cup.
67 Points
LargeBlondDeathEater is entirely correct. This list is a classic case of missing the forest (story, plot, themes) for the trees (narrative details). Look at Lord of the Rings: those films cut out all of these sorts of things. They built a much bigger audience (ticket sales actually increased) and got heaped with critical praise and awards.
799 Points
The Marauders Map was essential to the plot in that it exemplifies the relationship between the Marauders underscoring the horror that was Peter’s betrayal and the ramifications thereof. Also, no one who hasn’t read the book has any idea why Harry’s patronus is a stag.
Spew, I never saw as very important but the presence of Dobby and Kreacher were. No one has seen Dobby since CoS (in the movies) and therefore no one who hasn’t read the books has any idea of the loyalty and friendship between Harry and him. Kreacher’s betrayal and hoarding in OotP were both integral to the story. Peeves was a tragic loss. There was no reason not to include him. Every director put in crap that wasn’t in the book purely for humor and/or entertainment purposes. Peeves would have provided both in spades and still been canon.
Technically, these things were not vital to the plots. However, the biggest problem with the movies (in my humble opinion) is that they provide no reason for us to really care. Many of the things they cut are exactly those things that would have given ALL the viewers real affection and understanding of the characters and essential plotlines. I know of several people who have only watched the movies that didn’t really care when Sirius died because the movies never really gave the viewers the reason or the opportunity to care about him very much.
On the surface, these things might seem like inconsequential plot devices but they actually provide the story with a sense of cohesion and the viewer with the understanding that the Harry Potter universe is a 3-dimensional world and not a 2-dimensional snapshot.
At the very least, they could have had everyone wear proper attire.
174 Points
OMG Peeves had a scene in the first film but they cut it!? Why!!
2027 Points
wow. im really impressed that they had an article about that. i dont agree on 100% of the stuff that they say, but i like that they had that in there.
I agree with all of them! (But especially SPEW, The Marauder’s Map, Peeves, and Kreacher)