Muggles rejoice! Magic is surely in the air with news today that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be split into two feature length films, the first of which will hit theaters in November 2010.
But like an uninvited trip through somebody else’s memory (we’re looking at you, Harry), the news, while satisfying, offers up nearly as many questions as answers. If only Dumbledore was still around to help us sort it all out, right David Heyman?
“The question will be, where do you break it? And how do you make them one but two separate and distinct stories?” the “Potter” producer asked in a recent “LA Times” story. “Do you break it with a moment of suspense or one of resolution? These are the interesting challenges.”
Forgive me if it seems like I’ve taken an extra dose of draught of insanity, but what’s all the confusion about? In my mind, there can be only one ideal place to divide the two films:
SPOILERS BELOW
The best, most logical place, to divide the two films comes with the death and funeral of Dobby the house elf, corresponding to the chapter entitled “Shell Cottage.”
Aside from the simple fact that it comes at (relatively) the book’s halfway point, the moment is also one of the most significant in the entire novel (if not the series). As J.K. Rowling told MTV News last October, Dobby’s death “woke Harry up to what he was doing.”
Indeed (and now I quote myself) Dobby’s death comes at a crucial time in Book 7, when Harry must decide whether to continue chasing Voldemort’s horcruxes, or to abandon that quest and search for the legendary “Deathly Hallows” instead. The death of Dobby “focused [Harry],” in his resolve to choose the former, Rowling insisted.
It could be called a mini-climax, where Harry finally accepts the wisdom of Dumbledore and resolves to see his quest to the end. Fine. Bu what makes it particularly intriguing as a division even beyond that is that it’s a remarkably melancholy moment sandwiched between two high-octane action sequences – the fight at Malfoy Manor before it, and the assault on Gringotts immediately after.
Everything before is search, everything after is destroy: Harry goes directly from Shell Cottage to Gringotts, from Gringotts to Hogsmeade, from Hogsmeade to the BATTLE OF HOGWARTS!!!
I can even picture the last shot of the first film – Harry, crying over Dobby’s grave, sweat pouring down his face,ready to give-up instead stands tall, his fists clenched, resolved to discover what comes next.
Just like the rest of us.
Am I crazy or does this make way too much sense? Do you have a better idea for where to divide the series? And while we’re talking “Deathly Hallows,” make sure to help us cast it here.
Sound off below.
1. when Harry says Voldermort's name
2. when they are escorted into Malfoy's Mannor
or
3. when they start the torturing of Hermione and Harry actually starts to panic.
Any of these solutions will leave the viewer on the edge of his or her seat wanting to know what happens next. Dreading the answer if they don't already know.
The suggestion of breaking at Dobby's death is understandable, but I agree, it is too far into the book and does not offer a dramatic enough hook to the final movie.
I don't know if it counts as "acting", but Evanna Lynch stole that movie just by being herself.
I don't know if it counts as "acting", but Evanna Lynch totally "stole" that movie, just by being herself.
I don't know if it counts as "acting", but Evanna Lynch "stole" that movie, just by being herself.
JK, you are brilliant as a writer and astounding with imagination. Harry Potter has got to be my absolute favorite of all the Sci-fi/Fantasy genre. I'm 34 and I've seen and read alot of Sci-fi/Fantasy and Harry Potter just blows my mind. It's Fantasy in the 20th century and it's a revolution of the genre, after all most fantasy is set in a time long ago or in a realm other than Earth. I love Harry Potter more than most others of the genre.
I believe the first part of the 7th film should end after they escape Negini in Godric's Hallow. That is roughly, literally, close to the center of the book, but it is a great INTERMISSION point. Harry and Hermione just escaped with a hint that Voldermort is desperate to kill Harry. The only problem of that is that Harry had not yet destroyed any of the Horcruxes, other than the diary and the ring that Dumbledore destroyed, but that's ok. Leave the destruction of the other 5 Horcruxes, Ron's Return and Doby's Heroism for Part 2.
I think that they should cut it in Godrics hallow! it would be soooooo much better. With abeyance, will Ron come back? will Harry survive to Voldemort attack in the house of Bathilda Bagshot?? Don't you think so?
Before, I thought Rons Return would be perfect because it's right in the middle, you could end it with Harry & Ron walking together towards the tent with the broken horcrux which can be a great ending of a story but also leave it little open of *@ Hermione will react when she sees Ron again.
But unfortunatly the ending of part 1 can't be in the middle because the Battle of Hogwarts has to have at least half an hour of the movie. And alot of things has'nt happened yet when Ron is back so there is no way the second part can start in the middle... in that case, the second part will have to be like 5 hours long . (not that I have a problem with that ) :D
So basicially.. Dobbys Funeral will be perfect
What's wrong with a three plus hour movie?
In theaters they can put in a ten minute break or so, it's not that uncommon.
And I think it may not have been the smartes to let Harry live at the end of book 7. I was actually hoping for him to die!!!
But then again I'm not such a wizard fan...
Vampires kick wizard ass any day ----> Twilight!!!
Harry Potter and the Battle at Hogwarts(which was the title originally intended for the 7th book)would then be a full fledged action thriller.People would love it!!! I know i will.
*But i agree that the best place to split it would be after dobbys funeral. definitely!