For you Harry Potter geeks out there...

[Sam Fisher]

so how much exactly is cut out from the books? I read the begining of GOF and I noticed how much was missing in the movie.

 

[Matt]

Books 1 and 2, not that much.

Books 3, 4, 5...a ton was cut. All three movies pretty much had their entire endings cut.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Books 1 and 2, not that much.

Books 3, 4, 5...a ton was cut. All three movies pretty much had their entire endings cut.

Book 4 also had most of it's begining cut too, as well as quite a few big plot points for future books

 

[TKing]

As I recall, the Dursley's weren't even featured in Goblet of Fire?

 

[MaskedManJRK]

Like Matt said, from 3 onward, there seems to be a lot of plot points taken out (haven't seen OOTP yet, so can't say anything about that). The most annoying one I noticed was in the 3rd one, where Lupin in the end knows about the Maurander's Map and yet it doesn't mention the nicknames or anything.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Like Matt said, from 3 onward, there seems to be a lot of plot points taken out (haven't seen OOTP yet, so can't say anything about that). The most annoying one I noticed was in the 3rd one, where Lupin in the end knows about the Maurander's Map and yet it doesn't mention the nicknames or anything.

That was really the first big plot point that was left out of the movies. I haven't finished the final book yet, but there are a big time omissions in the OotP movie that play a huge role in the final book. I really wish Warners would give the directors a longer runnning time for these movies, they're gonna make their money back whether the movie is just over 2 hours or closer to 3, they'd probably make more money off repeat viewings from fans. I know a lot of people who were really disappointed with so much being cut from the 4th movie, that they only went once, instead of the multiple times they planned on.

 

[War Party]

Even though a ton was cut out of the last 3 films, I think they're better films in my opinion. I wish some stuff was cut out of the first two, but I still liked them. But they just dragged a bit.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

That was really the first big plot point that was left out of the movies. I haven't finished the final book yet, but there are a big time omissions in the OotP movie that play a huge role in the final book. I really wish Warners would give the directors a longer runnning time for these movies, they're gonna make their money back whether the movie is just over 2 hours or closer to 3, they'd probably make more money off repeat viewings from fans. I know a lot of people who were really disappointed with so much being cut from the 4th movie, that they only went once, instead of the multiple times they planned on.

Indeed--so much s**t's probably been cut, that the last two books might be impossible to tell.

And I agree with 3 hours--the fans who buy everything HP related and the people who watch the movies so they don't have to read the books will probably sit through 3 hours for it.

Plus, if people can watch s**t like Titanic or LOTR for over 3 or 4 hours, then they can handle a 3 hour Deathly Hallows movie.

Even though a ton was cut out of the last 3 films, I think they're better films in my opinion. I wish some stuff was cut out of the first two, but I still liked them. But they just dragged a bit.

I agree--plus it felt really watered-down and the three actors probably weren't that comfortable in the roles yet.

While Columbus probably helped the the movies up and running, I do think he really didn't have the greatest vision for the series.

 

[War Party]

I agree--plus it felt really watered-down and the three actors probably weren't that comfortable in the roles yet.

While Columbus probably helped the the movies up and running, I do think he really didn't have the greatest vision for the series.

It's too bad WB were a bunch of jerks and didn't give Gilliam the job.

 

[L0ngsh0t]

A tone is cut out from 3,4, and 5

but to the people who complain about it

I would love to see anyone of you turn 700 page books into 120 page screen plays, the reason the first two aren't so cut up is cause the books only run 300 pages long, I think the filmmakers do an excellent job on all of the movies

now, does this mean they should have just filmmed everything and let the rest come out on dvd, I think that is what they should have done, but I am in no complaints with the current state of the movies

 

[L0ngsh0t]

Even though a ton was cut out of the last 3 films, I think they're better films in my opinion. I wish some stuff was cut out of the first two, but I still liked them. But they just dragged a bit.

i agree

they generally have been getting the central point of the books, its not like they are completley re-writting them, just some stuff works better on film than others

 

[OtepApe]

I think a lot of what has been cut has been cut for a reason, but some things needed to be included and the stuff they did include wasn't fully realised. The Marauders, the showdown at the graveyard in GOF, the explanation of Priori Incantatum, a ton of other stuff from GOF. A ton from OOTP, it seemed like the last 20 mins of OOTP just flew by, even the death was glossed over, if they even just had Harry ask Nick about being a ghost, like in the book, it may have struck an emotional chord.

The makers of the movies need to realise people can manage with a longer running time. I only hope Deathly Hallows is allowed the room to fully explain things rather then speeding through the whole thing.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

It's too bad WB were a bunch of jerks and didn't give Gilliam the job.

Yeah, Gilliam would've rocked out with his c**k out there.

... now, does this mean they should have just filmmed everything and let the rest come out on dvd, I think that is what they should have done, ...

I repeat: Lord of the Rings. If a person can withstand 18 hours of that thing on the special edition DVD, then they can also go through a 3 hour Deathly Hallows movie.

 

[Matt]

I agree--plus it felt really watered-down and the three actors probably weren't that comfortable in the roles yet.

While Columbus probably helped the the movies up and running, I do think he really didn't have the greatest vision for the series.

You can't blame Columbus. He was adapting children's books. SS and COS are very much watered down. They were written as children's books and before Rowling entered her stride as a writer. They are incredibly faithful to the tone of the books. Say what you want about Columbus, he wouldn't leave out important plot points for a talking Jamacian head or kids making stupid animal noises.

 

[Matt]

I think a lot of what has been cut has been cut for a reason, but some things needed to be included and the stuff they did include wasn't fully realised. The Marauders, the showdown at the graveyard in GOF, the explanation of Priori Incantatum, a ton of other stuff from GOF. A ton from OOTP, it seemed like the last 20 mins of OOTP just flew by, even the death was glossed over, if they even just had Harry ask Nick about being a ghost, like in the book, it may have struck an emotional chord.

The makers of the movies need to realise people can manage with a longer running time. I only hope Deathly Hallows is allowed the room to fully explain things rather then speeding through the whole thing.

The reason the audience couldn't relate to Sirius' death is because we barely knew him. Why exactly was he important to Harry? His god son's life is in mortal danger in GOF and he can't even bother to show up? Had they actually had Sirius' book role in the GOF movie his death would have been much more emotional and relatable. As it is, he is just the guy Harry had all of four conversations with in his entire life. Why should Harry care and why should the audience?

 

[Trainwreck2100]

I remember beiong upset the third movie cut out Hogwartz winning the Quiddich championship, the Firebolt, and the Murauders.

 

[OtepApe]

The reason the audience couldn't relate to Sirius' death is because we barely knew him. Why exactly was he important to Harry? His god son's life is in mortal danger in GOF and he can't even bother to show up? Had they actually had Sirius' book role in the GOF movie his death would have been much more emotional and relatable. As it is, he is just the guy Harry had all of four conversations with in his entire life. Why should Harry care and why should the audience?

That's a fair point. They did show a few moments between Harry and Sirius in OOTP. But yeah, they really needed Sirius to be a bigger part of GOF then he was. He was only in one scene and it cam off pretty bad to me. If they were actually aware of why Harry gave a s*it about Sirius, maybe they would have too. He was an excellent character in the books.

 

[Hush]

I think that most un-faithful adaption was POA, just flat out horrible. I honestly have a hard time reading that book because it had so much potential on film and it screwed itself in the ass by showing how the seasons changed with random dementor clips and a bird flyingon the grounds to get hit by the womping willow. It was like Cuaron tried to make a art film out of a damn good book.

 

[Secret_Riddle]

All movies thus far have been pretty faithful, only cutting out subplot that really dont affect the general plot of the book.

They are good adaptions, but if you want the true harry potter story, read the books, and only watch the movies if you dont have enough time to re read .

Just kidding, obviously, but Harry Potter is a story meant for books, and the movies only come close to what the books are.

If i can ill try and compile a list of cut material.

 

[Matt]

All movies thus far have been pretty faithful, only cutting out subplot that really dont affect the general plot of the book.

They are good adaptions, but if you want the true harry potter story, read the books, and only watch the movies if you dont have enough time to re read .

Just kidding, obviously, but Harry Potter is a story meant for books, and the movies only come close to what the books are.

If i can ill try and compile a list of cut material.

They aren't cutting out subplots. They are cutting out important plot details. GOF for example, my brother was visiting at the time and took his family with my wife and I. Afterwards, my brother (who has seen the movies, but not read the books) looked at me and said "what the **** happened?". Anyone who hadn't read the book was left totally in the dark by the lack of a proper explaination of priori incantem. Anyone who hasn't read the book felt no affection over the death of Sirius because he wasn't developed in Goblet of Fire. People were turned off by OOTP's sudden ending because Dumbledore never explained the prophecy nor did the characters get the chance to reflect on Voldemort's return and mourn Sirius.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Many people who saw the 5th movie but haven't read the books was wondering WHY exactly Dumbledore ignored Harry. They never really explained it in the movie...

 

[War Party]

I just remember reading that Yates' original cut of the film was about 3 hrs. long. I could tell a lot of stuff was cut out based on the editing. The movie just had a strange pace in my opinion. Regardless, I still enjoyed it very much.

 

[Mr. Socko]

Yes, Yates first cut was close to 3 hours. I hope we see an extended cut on DVD.

 

[War Party]

Yes, Yates first cut was close to 3 hours. I hope we see an extended cut on DVD.

yeah, I'm hoping for that too. But the DVD is probably just going to contain deleted scenes like the ones before it. I guess I have to wait to see the extended cut on ABC or ABC Family.

 

[BeserkerHilf]

and that's why I've come to reading the books after seeing OotP and buying deahtly hallows on a whim.


better late than never.



I started out on GoF because I know it cut the most out and I figure books 4 and are where the climax of the overall story takes place with Voldermort coming back and all. I was simply stunned within the first couple pages because the old guy in the beginning actually had a backstory.

and it was crazy when I realized what had happened to Dudley Dursley in two movies (him being a lot skinnier than before)