A rough cut of the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was screened in Chicago yesterday. Here are some quotes from some great reviews from the test screening. I’ve also included links to the websites where these reviews can be found. Prepare to be spoiled!
This is the Leaky Cauldron’s first Deathly Hallows Part 1 movie spoiler report:
This is the link to Leaky’s spoilers:
MuggleNet has a number of spoiler-laden reports and a new podcast which can be found here:
http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/show/3721
Some of the details from MuggleNet are as follows:
- The film is roughly 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- The music used in the screening will not be in the final cut.
- Bill Nighy is great as Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour; the film opens with him addressing the media.
- Hermione uses a memory charm on her parents at the beginning of the film. The big building we see her walking towards in the trailer is just a church in her neighborhood.
- Watching Snape and Voldemort together is amazing on screen. You see them just before Charity Burbage is killed.
- Lucius Malfoy’s character is paid attention to; what’s going on with his family is very well-established leading into Part 2.
- George loses an ear during the Seven Potters chase scene and the screenwriter kept the “holey” joke between him and Fred in the film.
- The Death Eater who stops the Hogwarts Express in the trailer is looking for Harry Potter. He meets resistance from Neville and other students that are aboard.
- The Hogwarts grounds do not appear in the film until Voldemort opens Dumbledore’s tomb.
- The Last Will and Testament of Albus Dumbledore has a much faster payoff than in the book.
- Harry is not disguised as a Weasley cousin at the wedding.
- Aunt Muriel makes Harry feel terrible because of what he doesn’t know about Dumbledore.
- Viktor Krum and Madam Maxime make appearances at Bill and Fleur’s wedding.
- The scene where Kingsley’s patronus arrives at the wedding to announce the Ministry has fallen is chilling.
- Harry has Sirius’ mirror. How did he get it?
- Similar to the book there is a ghostly version of Dumbledore guarding Grimmauld Place.
- Kreacher clearly obeys Harry in this film, but there is no flashback showing Regulus and Kreacher obtaining the locket.
- The casting of Mundungus Fletcher was well done and his usage is appropriate.
- A young Dumbledore and Grindelwald appear together in a photo. Harry is forced to investigate this throughout the course of the film as he recognizes Grindelwald’s face from somewhere.
- They did not cast Dumbledore’s family for Part I.
- The locations for the camp scenes while the Trio are on the run are very beautiful and scenic, making them not as dull as would be expected.
- Harry and Hermione shippers will get their day during the locket Horcrux scene.
- The Godric’s Hollow scene where Harry visits his parents grave with Hermione is very moving. Hermione conjures a wreath for the Potters’ grave.
- The Tale of the Three Brothers is a fictional story within a fictional story in the books. So when dealing with the movie they could have casted it with real characters. Instead they did a very cool animated sequence as Hermione tells the story.
- Xenophilius Lovegood is very well cast and says “Voldemort” to alert the Snatchers to the Trio’s location.
- Hermione’s torture really brings out a side of Bellatrix, an aspect of her character that we haven’t seen before. What drives her to torture Hermione is both interesting and exciting on film. When Hermione awakens from being tortured she notices the word “mudblood” carved into her arm.
- Peter Pettigrew doesn’t die; he is stunned by Dobby during the big escape from Malfoy Manor. Luna, Ollivander and Griphook are all captive in the manor with Harry and Ron.
- Dobby’s death is very emotional.
- The film ends with Voldemort opening Dumbledore’s tomb and stealing the Elder Wand. We see the scene from the trailer of him shooting magic high into the air and the screen goes black.
MuggleNet reader Gaby had this to say about the test screening of the film:
“Because it was a test screening, the movie was unfinished. At different parts, you see the green screen, ropes pulling Harry, animations during action scenes. Even the soundtrack was temporary. But for all of these “imperfections,” this film felt very perfect. I don’t remember feeling this satisfied with a Harry Potter movie since Chamber of Secrets. By this, I mean that the experience of seeing this movie almost exactly mirrored my experience reading the book all those three years ago.
The opening scene starts out with us looking into the eyes of the new Minister of Magic. We segue into seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione in each of their homes. The Dursleys hastily pack up their possessions to leave 4 Privet Dr. Hermione erases herself from her parents’ memory. I found it very unsettling as we watch her disappear from all her family pictures.
The next scene is Voldemort’s meeting with his Death Eaters. I’m unsure if it’s just me, but I’ve never seen Voldemort talk so much. The movie progresses just like the book. The scene in which everyone drinks Polyjuice Potion and turns into Harry is very amusing. In contrast, the following scene is wrought with adventure and sadness as we realize which beloved characters that were lost.
As for Harry and Ginny’s kiss, I was annoyed how Harry’s head was blocking it most of the time. Also, it was nice to finally meet Bill Weasley! His and Fleur’s wedding was a lovely event, until it was attacked. Now that Harry, Hermione, and Ron have gone on their own, you begin to understand just how dangerous it really is for them. The disguised visit to the Ministry of Magic was full of tension. I could not help but feel nervous for the trio. After successfully stealing the locket from Dolores Umbridge, the trio is left to camp in the wilderness. The evil power of locket and the stress of their mission weigh down on them. I never saw Ron look so burnt out. While reading the books, I was angry that he could just abandon them. However, seeing it visually made me sympathize with him.
There was a very cute scene added where Harry tries to cheer up a depressed Hermione by dancing with her. Although I don’t think it was in the book, it seemed like the audience found it endearing.
The visit to Godric’s Hollow was both sad and scary. It was very emotional to see Harry visit his parents’ graves. As well, seeing Batty turn into snake was horrifying. It will probably be even scarier in 3D. Another strange scene was when Ron had to destroy the locket Horcrux. Once it was opened, the locket projected visually all his fears. One of these fears was a topless Harry and Hermione kissing passionately. But eventually, Ron destroys it.
A “Twilight” reference was made when Hermione begins to read “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” The scene sort of went like this (Not exact words):
Hermione: “One day long ago, three brothers decided to go out traveling the world together. At twilight…”
Ron: “It’s midnight. My mum always says midnight.”
Hermione gives Ron an angry look. Ron instantly backs off.
Ron: “Oh, no, you’re right. Twilight is good. Twilight is better.”
I really loved the animation that depicted the tale, while Hermione was narrating. I liked the way it looked, and it helped show everything clearly.
When the trio is captured and taken hostage. You finally get some quality Death Eater scenes. You see Lucius Malfoy’s desperation, Draco’s struggles with indecision, and the nut case that is Bellatrix Lestrange. Hearing Hermione’s screams while Bellatrix tortures her was enough to make me cringe. It was a complete relief when Dobby appeared to save them. Dobby was definitely the audience favorite. When he first appeared on screen, the audience clapped. Actually, they clapped on all the scenes he appeared in. Hence, it was devastating when we realize that Bellatrix had managed to kill Dobby. It only made me cry more when Harry wanted to give him a proper burial. At this point, it’s the end, and we see Voldemort break into Dumbledore’s tomb and steal the Elder Wand. The last thing we see is Voldemort firing a lightning bolt into the sky with the Elder Wand.
I cannot wait to see this movie again. It’s going to be spectacular and even more perfect. To believe that this is just Part 1 is crazy. To just imagine Part 2 is too much because if it is like anything like this (which it probably is), it will be even more perfect. ”
MuggleNet reader Kyle had this to say:
“First off, this is the most perfect Harry Potter film ever. The movie on a whole is amazing and dark. Everyone was on top of their game. Everything was perfect. Dobby’s death was done perfectly. You could see the emotion in Harry and the gang. We saw green screens of course (because the film’s digital effects were not yet complete), but it didn’t affect me at all. The audience LOVED Dobby. Everyone was clapping when we saw him.
The Ron and Harry fight was so well done. The score sadly was not real – that’s the only thing I hated really. Voldemort was in the movie a LOT, but I didn’t care – that’s what made it so real for me. Him and Snape on screen together was amazing. This IS the movie we have been waiting for.
The Seven Potters scene was so well done. The part I loved the most was the Ministry of Magic scenes. This film will get a hard PG13 rating by far. The Horcrux scene was so well done. All the performances were so well done. I can’t wait to see Part Two. Everyone put their heart into this. There is one scene I particularly liked when Harry tried to cheer Hermione up. So cute.
One last thing: The wedding was so great. Kingsley’s message was so dark and powerful that you knew things were about to go down.”
MuggleNet also posted this Q&A with a fan named Dylan:
1. How did Ron react to Hermione being tortured?: Irrationally… That entire scene was just how I imagined it in the books. The Malfoy mansion was absolutely perfect.
2. Were there peacocks?: there may have been… I didn’t notice any. But it doesn’t mean they weren’t there.
3. Were Ron/Hermione done justice?: it was very clear that it was Ron and Hermione. The scene in the forest when Ron saves Harry’s live while he’s swimming underwater to get the sword of Godric Griffindor was amazing.
4. Was the locket scene like you imagined it would be?: When harry opened it, Voldemort played on Ron’s fears and it’s great. His fears for his family, but very vividly his fear that Hermione is into Harry. And the smoke that comes out of the locket is almost like the smoke monster from LOST. It has smoke versions of Harry and Hermione saying the most vicious and hurtful things to Ron. Then they start making out with very little clothes on.
5. Do Harry and Hagrid go straight to the Burrow after the 7 Potters fighting sequence..or do they still stop at the Tonks’ house?: No, they go straight to the burrow. And spoiler alert… Hedwig dies. But I was very happy with the way she dies
6. Is Mad-Eye’s death properly acknowledged?: It’s very abrupt…They arrive back to the Burrow and Bill gives the news that Mad-eye is dead.
7. Was the Lupin/Harry scene at Grimmauld Place included?: No. There is a great part with Lupin though. Right when the seven potters get back to the Burrow Lupin comes in with a bleed Weasley puts him on the couch, grabs harry and slams him against the wall and asks him what the creature that sat in the back of his defense against the dark arts class in Harry’s 3rd year.
8. I’m a Weasley fangirl..so please tell me anything you can remember from the wedding. Ron/Hermione/Krum, the reaction to Kingsley’s patronus, etc: Oh yeah the Krum scene is PERFECT. Ron and Hermione are circling the punch bowl and Ron is pretending not to look at her. Krum comes up to Hermione and takes her out to dance. Ron is furiously watching them. As soon as the dance stops, one of Fleur’s friends walks by and his eyes go from Hermione’s straight to this other girl and he walks away and ditches Hermione
9. So would you say, then, that Ron’s character is done justice in this movie? His character has been..butchered in some of the past movies. : Yes.
10. Can you tell me about the Death Eaters crashing the wedding? Is Greyback there, was there chaos after the patronus, etc.: It’s not a drawn out scene. Kingsley’s terrifying message entered the tent and everything stopped. it was a bloodchilling delivery. Then Death Eaters show up and the trio ducks for cover. Soon they find each other’s hands and apparate to Picadilly Circus.
11. Was the..discrimination against the Mudbloods done justice? Like..do we see them on the run, does Hermione still go to the trial, etc.: No,that is cut out… Hermione does not go on trial. But they’re hating.
12. Is Dobby’s death and burial as completely heartbreaking as it is in the book? Did anyone help Harry bury him?: OMG yes. I was fighting back the tears. The scene was SO SAD. Little Dobby is just SO happy to be in Harry’s arms… and then he dies and you just want to give him a great big hug.
13. Is the Harry/Ginny relationship shown or do they kiss? And if they do, does Ron burst in on them or anything?: yeah they’re making out in the kitchen in the Burrow before the wedding. And fred (I think) comes in and just chills out by the sink just looking at them. It’s a really funny/awkward scene
14. Is Snape in any scenes at all?: Yes. very few.
YuraGamer posted this detailed review at MuggleNet.
“The movie opens with an extreme closeup of Rufus Scrimgeour’s (minister of Magic) as he’s giving a very haunting press conference about all the dangers and horror going around in the wizarding world. The scene zooms out as it turns into a picture in a newspaper. We see the Dursleys packing up, leaving Harry behind, and their house in Pivot Drive completely empty. There’s another scene that starts out with Hermione looking worried in her bedroom. The filmmakers then decided to show Hermione hexing her parents to forget their current lives and move to Australia. After she does this, she also makes all images of her disappear from the pictures in their house. This scene was very well done and was one of my favorites in the whole movie. It was very effective because it quietly communicated the dread wizards were feeling due to Voldemort. There’s a shot in the trailer of Hermione walking towards what looks like a church. She’s not really heading there. It’s just part of a shot of her walking down her street, as the camera pans up to reveal the titles. One thing to note about that: since the movie score isn’t completed yet, they were using a variety of music from other movies, they had some music from Harry Potter, but I would say most of it sounded very much like a Hans Zimmer score. It was a little bizarre to see the Harry Potter And the Deadly Hallows title set to one of the most recognizable cues from The Dark Knight score.
If I recall correctly, we then see a shot of Snape arriving at Malfoy Manor, where there’s a very chilling sequence of Voldemort explaining to the death eaters about the shared core between his wand and Harry’s. The Hogwarts teacher who had been captured and tortured can be seen floating above the table throughout the whole scene. We also get a very intense exchange between Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy, when Voldemort asks for his wand in order to be able to kill Harry. The actor who portrays Lucius does a good job of selling the internal humiliation Lucius feels as his wand is taken away. Then Voldemort brings the teacher forwards, and shortly after she pleads for Severus’ help, she is killed.
We then cut to Harry waiting for the Order of the Phoenix to arrive. One of the things that I was very impressed with in the movie was how despite it being the darkest Harry Potter movie of all, it also had a lot of light hearted humorous parts. The seven Harrys scene is one of the best examples of this. As we see the decoys taking the polyjuice potion, the camera pans 360 degrees around the real Harry seeing all of them transforming. After, when they are changing, there’s a very funny moment when they’re all commenting on Harry’s eyesight, and Fleur comments how hideous she is as she takes of her bra. The sight gag of Dan Radcliffe taking off a bra got a lot of laughs from the audience. The scene plays out pretty much like the book, with the big exception of Harry and Lupin not having the heated argument they have in the book. In fact, Tonks’ pregnancy is brushed aside. It was a little frustrating if you’ve read the book, because they didn’t just omitted it, but literally brushed it aside: just as Tonks is about to make her announcement, Mad-Eye pushes her aside and discusses how important it is to move Harry. Mundungus Fletcher is briefly introduced without much background in this scene, though it is established that he’s forced to be there and that he’s a sketchy character.
Right before they leave, we see the scene of Harry releasing Hedwig from his front door, as seen in the recent publicity shots that have been circling around the web. The chase scene that follows is very exciting, though it mostly focuses on Harry and Hagrid (who is stupefied or paralyzed shortly after the chase begins, leaving Harry to fend for himself). The chase itself is very exciting, and takes place high in the sky, and on the street level, including a sequence through a tunnel that has the motorcycle doing a loop and Harry tippy-toeing on a truck as he hangs on for dear life. Hedwig’s death is a big change from the book; and one, I think is an improvement. Instead of the Death Eaters finding out who the real Harry is because he used Expelliarmus, they find out because Hedwig is flying close to him protecting him. In the movie, as Harry’s about to get hit with a death curse, Hedwig gets in the way and gets killed. Hagrid wakes up as they enter the protected area by the Weasley’s and one by one the Order of the Phoenix arrives. We do not see Mad-Eye’s death, it is only mentioned that he was killed after Fletcher escaped. The scene where Lupin grabs Harry for questioning is identical to the book, and translated great to the screen.
After, there’s a short scene of Harry trying to leave and Ron convincing him to stay for the wedding. We later see them putting up the wedding tent as Rufus Scrimgeour arrives to read the last will of Dumbledore. I thought the scene was very interesting, and the filmmakers made a very good effort of trying to maintain the relevance of the items Dumbledore left them throughout the movie. The golden snitch is usually seen flying around Harry at various points in the film, Ron’s illuminator is used several times. The Tales of Beedle the Bard are kind of ignored upfront, but obviously play a large part later on in the film.
The biggest change in the wedding scene is that Harry attends without any disguise. We see cameos from some old characters like Madam Maxine and Victor Krum (who dances with Hermione as Ron jealously watches in the background). This is also where we meet Mr. Lovegood, who was perfectly cast and portrayed. The camera purposely focuses on his necklace, but nothing is mentioned about it. We do not learn its significance until later, and there is no argument between him and Krum. Then there’s a short, but good conversation between Harry, Aunt Muriel and Elphias Doge in which some exposition is given to Dumbledore’s past. The actress playing Aunt Muriel makes a very good job at teasing Harry for not knowing Dumbledore. The wedding is cut short by the Patronus announcing the fall of the Ministry and the impending arrival of the Death Eaters. After a chaotic exit, we see the trio go into the coffee shop, where they are attacked by another pair of Death Eaters. There’s a nice bookend sequence here where Hermione uses the same memory charm on one of the Death Eaters that she used on her parents.
The Grimmauld place sequences are very shortened compared to the ones in the book. The trio discovers that RAB is Regulus Black very quickly and there’s no doubt it’s him who took the locket. Harry then finds Krecher and sends him after Mundungus Fletcher when he finds out he stole the locket. The whole subplot with the dual portraits in Grimmauld place and the Hogwarts Headmaster’s office was cut. There’s short sequence at Diagon Alley, where we see Fletcher hiding from people (and the first sighting of the Harry Potter Undesireable #1 poster). The movie then cuts to Harry, Ron and Hermione sitting around a table, when they hear a noise, then they notice Mundungus Fletcher with Kreacher hanging around his neck. Then, in what got one of the biggest reactions from the audience, Dobby greets Harry Potter as the camera pans to show him dangling from Fletcher’s leg. After a quick interrogation, they realize they need to go to the Ministry.
The Ministry sequence plays out almost exactly like the book. I have to say, seeing people flush themselves down a toilet to get there was very funny, especially because when we first see the bathroom, every stall has a line of people constantly going in but no one coming out. One thing that stood out is that the filmmakers were going to great extents to draw comparisons between the crusade against Muggles and Nazis. The statue at the entrance of the Ministry has been replaced by one of Muggles being crushed to death by wizards. Later, when Harry enters Umbridge’s office, we see workers making anti-muggle propaganda that looks almost exactly like Nazi propaganda. The guards at the ministry even have red bands around their arms, similar to Nazis. This was a little jarring for me even if it was also very strongly implied in the books, mostly, I think because of how visually obvious it is. The effects from their escape out of the ministry were very unfinished, but they include a run-in with Dementors in the court room, and some back and forth spell casting with Ministry storm troopers. Finally, we see them apparate in the wilderness, and Ron’s arm being severely hurt, which puts him out of commission for a while, and sets the stage for his jealousy and eventual leaving.
After that, the movie slows down quite a bit, as we enter the scenes set when Harry, Ron and Hermione walk around in the wilderness. I was afraid that the movie was going to have the same pacing problems as the book had during these sequences, and I was not proven wrong. These scenes tend to drag a bit, especially because the first part of the movie is so full of action sequences. One thing that makes these scenes more interesting than the book’s is that the locations they used to film these are absolutely stunning. Props to the location scouts for finding these places. Another big element in this set of scenes is the horcrux locket, and the effect it has on whoever wears it. In a way, these scenes almost feel like a Lord of the Rings homage, due to the constant wide shots of pretty landscapes and the similar ways in which the locket and the One ring affect whoever is wearing it.
It is interesting to note that, while Ron listens to his radio, the Potterwatch subplot is mostly overlooked. Since the movie is very much focused only on what Harry, Ron and Hermione are doing (think, for example, how in War of the Worlds or Signs we never really see what’s going on in the outside world), I thought the underuse of Potterwatch was a missed opportunity to show how horrible things were out in the rest of the world.
The scenes of Ron arguing with Harry and Ron abandoning them were very well acted, in my opinion. The performances were all around the best in any of the Potter movies, especially from the main three characters.
After Ron leaves, Harry and Hermione decide to go to Godric’s Hollow. The scene right when they arrive is another one of my favorite scenes from the movie. The setting and tone are very dark, like the rest of the movie, but it is contrasted with the snow and the caroling they hear from a nearby church. The scene when Harry finds his parent’s tomb is as close to perfect as possible. A very creepy Bathilda Bagshot shows up at the cemetery and leads them to her house. Just as in the book, she does not speak in front of Hermione, and takes Harry upstairs, where she speaks to him in Parsel (a change from the book, where we do not learn that it’s Parsel until later.) The effect of Nagini coming out of Bathilda were mostly incomplete. In particular, we saw what seemed to be a place holder for the most graphic scene of Bathilda’s skin falling to the ground as Nagini comes out. What we saw were a couple of quick shots of her jumping out. Voldemort does not show up at Godric’s Hollow before they disapparate out.
We see Harry having another of the dreams / shared memories he’s had throughout the movie, bringing him one step closer to finding out about the elder wand. When he wakes up, Hermione tells him he’s been out cold for a while. I can’t remember if this is where this particular scene is placed in the movie, but the filmmakers added a very very good scene of Harry and Hermione setting the locket (and therefore, their worries) aside, and they have a very awkward, but touching dance in the tent. It was also one of my favorite scenes in the movie, because it brought some levity to all the bad moments they’d been through up to that point.
Afterwards, we see the scene of the Doe patronus leading Harry to Griffindor’s sword, and the scene plays out much like the book, including a very dramatic reveal that it’s Ron who rescues Harry from drowning in the freezing water. After they get Griffindor’s sword, Harry opens the locket so Ron can destroy the Horcrux. When it opens, a massive creature that looks a little like the Smoke monster from Lost appears and tries starts taunting Ron with everything that made him leave in the first place. The sequence hits a high point with what I think will be one of the most talked about things in this movie: a silvery illusion Harry and Hermione are shown making out topless. Great acting by Rupert Grint in this scene.
After that, they decide to visit Mr. Lovegood, where they finally learn about the symbol of the Hallows. In an inspired choice by the filmmakers, we do not only hear the Tale of the Three Brothers as Hermione reads it, but also shown it through an animation sequence. It’s a little tough to describe, but I’ll try my best. It’s a pretty barebones animation set against a simple background that looks like old and yellowed paper. The characters look basically like 3D animated stick figures, and almost like a scaled back version of something Tim Burton would do. Everyone I talked to thought that the sequence was a very clever way to get through a lot of exposition.
Another change from the book is that Mr. Lovegood calls the Death Eaters to his house by saying Voldemort’s name outloud. (The taboo was mentioned by Ron earlier in the movie, but not really explained.) After they manage to escape the attack, they apparate immediately to where the snatchers are. They get chased down through the forest, shooting spells from their wands. The scene seemed to be shot with a hand held camera, and there was a lot of shaking and quick cuts, like a Jason Bourne chase sequence. The effects on this scene also looked like a work in progress, and there was no music (and since most of the movie had a temporary score, we don’t know if they intentionally left no music for this sequence.) They get caught, but not before Hermione deforms Harry’s face so that he’s not recognized, and then they get taken to Malfor Manor.
Given that the movie was going to be split, I thought that the escape from Malfoy Manor would be emphasized more, and the action increased, so as to give the movie one final large action sequence before the cut. However, it seemed to go much faster than I anticipated. After Bellatrix notices Griffindor’s sword, she keeps Hermione for torture and sends the rest of them to the dungeon. The torture scenes are very intense, but a lot of what makes the scene work is seeing the characters in the dungeon react to Hermione screaming in pain. Bellatrix cuts the word Mudblood into Hermione’s forearm. Harry looks into the mirror shard (something he’s been holding the entire movie, while looking at Dumbledore’s eye the whole time), and soon after, Dobby apparates to help Harry. An interesting note is that Wormtail is stunned by Dobby but he does not die in the movie. Given how much I hate that character, I hope they’re just saving it for the second part.
After they escape the dungeon, the confrontation and escape from the Manor goes very quickly. Dobby drops the chandelier, Harry dodges and wrestles Draco’s wand from him (another interesting point is how Tom Felton played Draco with a lot of uncertainty of what’s happening around him. In this sequence, for example, Draco barely puts up a fight with Harry for his wand, and the whole time, Draco has a conflicted look on his face). The scene ends with Dobby gathering everyone around him in order to apparate in Bill and Fleur’s house. Before they leave, we see Bellatrix throw a knife at the group, and the whole scene is set in slow motion, so you see the knife flying towards Dobby, while at the same time we see the apparition portal opening up. We do not see what happens with the knife at this moment. Then the movie cuts to a beach, where Harry yells happily that they’re all OK; until he notices that Dobby had been stabbed in the heart with the knife Beatrix threw. Dobby dies in Harry’s arms, and he declares he wants to bury him traditionally, with no magic. This is the last we see of our heroes.
The final shot of the film is the only to take place in Hogwarts, (I didn’t see the castle, but it is likely that it will be added later) and it’s Voldemort flying towards Dumbledore’s tomb, cracking it open, and taking the Elder Wand from his dead hands. The camera focuses on Voldemort’s joyous face as he obtained the only Hallow he was looking for, the camera zooms out and we see he’s conjuring up a massive and ominous cloud. The end.
I would say this is my favorite Harry Potter movie since Prisioner of Azkaban without a doubt. It is also the most faithful to the books since movies 1 and 2. I’m still conflicted about the split because it both feels appropriate and like an excuse to extend the series at the same time. The movie benefits from not having the action and narrative compressed like the last few movies, but at the same time, the cut feels a little artificial, especially if you’ve read the book. My biggest complaint with the split is that the movie ends shortly after we learn about the Hallows (and by extension, the reason for the title). That’s the moment when the story moves away from the three characters trying to figure out the plot, to the characters having a good understanding about what’s going on and what they need to do next. Because of this, the movie doesn’t seem to have that strong a narrative compass as it could. Once both movies are out, it won’t make sense to watch this part without watching part 2 shortly after, and in the meantime, this movie suffers a bit because of this.
Most of the omissions and changes from the book seemed to be either improvements, or changes that were made to simplify the narrative and avoid unnecessary exposition. The best example would be the change in the role of Hedwig at the beginning of the film. Keeping the Expeliarmus explanation would have added a lot of confusing exposition to the movie. The change allowed for a more streamlined narrative, and also for Hedwig’s death to be more meaningful. They can also trim a little from the middle sequences in the forest. That part seemed to drag a little, just like in the book. However, these complaints are minor, and do not detract significantly from the film.
Overall, I believe the movie lived up to expectations, and it bodes well for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, since they got a lot of the exposition out of the way, they’ll be able to make a more action packed and exciting movie.”
The Hogwarts radio podcast has an in-depth review of the film at
http://www.hogwartsradio.com/hogwarts-radio-58-the-one-with-the-side-boob/
Feel free to discuss these and other Deathly Hallows movie spoilers in the comments. I’m especially interested in Ron/Hermione spoilers and discussion of the religious symbolism in the film.
*UPDATE* Please read the comments for more spoilers! 🙂
This spoiler was from cosforums.com and refers to the scene at the wedding of Bill and Fleur, in which (unlike in the novel) Ron and Hermione do not dance.
“First out to the dance floor was the wedding couple, followed by duos of other guests, each gracefully swinging to and fro across the dance floor. Everyone clapped and urged the dancers on, and all enjoyed themselves immensely.
Later on, Hermione herself strolled out onto the dance floor with a partner, oblivious to the fact that Ron was watching her the entire time, quite upset, and no doubt jealous that she would dance with another. After the dance had ended, her partner quickly disappeared, being distracted by one or more of the bridesmaids it would seem, leaving Hermione alone and somewhat embarrassed on the dance floor.
As she scanned the room for where Ron was seated, Ron quickly turned his back to her so she wouldn’t see him watching her. He then rose to his feet, glanced coolly over his shoulder back at her, and made his way from the tent.
Hermione was further embarrassed by this, knowing as she must have that Ron had seen her dancing with another. She bowed her head, then turned on a dime, her bright red dress swirling around her, and walked away.”
I am still upset that Ron and Hermione did not dance together at the wedding, but this description of the scene makes me slightly less disappointed. 🙂
I just read this amazing review posted by Edward at The Leaky Cauldron!
“Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be among about 500 fellow moviegoers at a test screening of the first part of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” film. This event traditionally happens in Chicago about three months prior to the release of the film; it was by a bit of luck and some very good friends that I was able to attend. On hand at the screening were director David Yates, WB President and COO Alan Horn, and producers David Heyman and David Barron, who observed a focus group of select moviegoers following the movie. The film itself, which ran approximately two and a half hours, was a working cut, which meant that some special effects, such as CGI, were not yet complete. We would also be watching the film with a temporary soundtrack of music and scores from various other films. This, however, did not diminish the power or enjoyment of the film in the slightest. Knowing they have yet to add Desplat’s score to the picture only builds anticipation for how spectacular the finish product will be.
While some parts of the story told in the book were cut from the film or condensed, the main essence of the story remains. The film was paced perfectly, and balanced the action of fighting a war with the human and emotional toll of the journey very well. The look of the film stayed inline with the dark, gloomy, despairing colors of grey and black which were seen in “Half-Blood Prince.” It is clear that danger is in the air at every turn. The human emotional and physical toll also comes across in each scene. Wide sweeping shots of the expanse before them show just how alone the Trio are on the road.
The actors, particularly the Trio, give their best performances to date; practically disappearing into their characters. Jason Isaacs brings the character of Lucius Malfoy to new levels as an unshaven, groveling creature before Voldemort, while Rhys Ifans plays the desperate father who will do anything to get his child back to a tee. Bellatrix Lestrange plays a more prominent role in this film than in the past, which allows actress Helena Bonham Carter to show the sadistic and frantic side of Bella even more. We do see Dobby again, who makes his return at Grimmauld Place helping Kreacher bring Mundungus to Harry for questioning. The next time we see him, he appears in the cellar of Malfoy Manor to rescue Harry and his friends.
The film begins with the eyes of Rufus Scrimgeour speaking to the wizarding press about his government’s pledge to protect the liberty of its citizens during this dark time. This leads into a sequence which shows Harry, Ron, and Hermione at their respective homes, preparing for the journey ahead. Harry watches the Dursley’s go, Ron and the Weasley’s prepare themselves emotionally for the coming months, and Hermione performs the obliviate spell on her parents. In a very sad realization for both Hermione and the audience as photos of the family on the walls and mantelpieces are wiped of Hermione’s presence as the spell takes effect. She then walks from their house and down the empty street away from the former home of Wendel and Monica Wilkins.
We are then transported to Malfoy Manor, where Snape walks through the iron gates of the towering estate and through the house to the Death Eater meeting. Charity Burbage’s tortured body looms over the Death Eaters throughout the scene, which adds an extra level of creepy to the whole scene. As I said above, Isaacs gives a stunning performance which plays so well with Fiennes, who lets Voldemort toy with Malfoy, snapping the silver handle off Malfoy’s wand and throwing the broken piece on the table. Throughout the film, a series of dreams/visions/memories tell the history of the horcruxes (the ones that we know of) and of Voldemort discovering the Elder Wand. Flashes of the previous films, including Dumbledore falling from the Astronomy Tower and Tom Riddle give us this background, while we get our history of Grindelwald and Gregorovich from Harry’s link to Voldemort’s mind.
The Seven Potters scene was nearly complete in this cut. The transformation takes place in a single 360 degree camera shot, with each character transforming into Harry in their own unique way. Fred and George shrink about a foot, Mundungus grows about a foot, and Fleur gets Harry’s eyebrows as the first thing on her body to change. When the Seven Potters are waking around the room in their original character’s clothes, they are distinguished by their original voices and mannerisms. They then strip to change into Harry’s outfit. The production went all out here- even having Fluer’s Harry take off a white, lacy bra in order to change clothes. Once in the air, we see the Death Eaters dive on the Order like bats, swooping in casting spells and curses. Death Eaters take Harry and Hagrid on a chase down the highway, diving in between cars, and even doing a flip around a tunnel ceiling.
As for Hedwig: she does die. In a change from the book, Harry lets Hedwig fly away before the Order leaves the Privet Drive. During the battle, right before Voldemort appears, she flys back on the scene in an effort to help Harry fight the Death Eaters. A Death Eater casts the Avada Kedavra curse on her, and she falls to the ground. It is Hedwig’s appearance alongside the real Harry that clues Voldemort into his identity.
At the fully reconstructed Weasley House, Scrimgeour arrives before the wedding to read the will of Albus Dumbledore and hand out the three bequeaths. Ginny and Harry share their only kiss in this part of the film here, which is interrupted in a hilarious way by the bandaged-ear George. (Yes, the ‘Saintly’ joke remains verbatim in the film.) Harry begins to become uncertain that he knew Dumbledore, with the help of Auntie Muriel and flashes of newspaper headlines about Rita Skeeter’s upcoming book, The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore. Then, Kingsley’s patronus appears, announcing Scrimgeour’s death and the fall of the Ministry. The Trio make their escape, this time with the aid of a strong-looking Lupin urging Harry to “GO!” and battle Death Eaters Rowle and Dolohov in the cafe once they reach London.
Once at Grimmauld Place, Harry sends Kreacher off to find Mundungus, who returns with both Dung and Dobby. The crowd cheered when Dobby appeared on screen, and was further endeared at the elf when he and Krecher vie for Harry’s attention. Mundungs’ information leads them to infiltrate the Ministry, which also is presented just as it was in the books. Umbridge, portrayed by Imelda Staunton, gets to recapture her former sinister self presiding over a courtroom with a swirl of Dememntors revolving overhead. The Ministry now seems to be operation to create forms of propaganda against Muggles, which are being produced in mass quantities (When Muggles Attack). They’ve also replaced the former statue in the atrium with a new totalitarian-themed creation, which is made up of jumble of twisted muggles holding up wizards on a pedestal. “Muggles in their rightful place,” says Hermione.”
Umbridge’s office at the Ministry is filled with ornate gold carvings on the walls, along with the pink brick and purring cat plates. Mad-Eye’s eye is seen in the door of her office, but it was not clear whether Harry takes it for or not. Upon escaping from the courtroom and stunning Umbrdige, they are chased through the Ministry and end up disapparating to the forest. Here we see a great performance by Emma Watson as Hermione who sobs over Ron’s body as she mends his splinched arm. Bone and muscle in his arm are exposed before the dittany is applied. She then casts the appropriate concealment charms over the Trio and their life in the forest begins.
The first part of the “Deathly Hallows” films flows seamlessly and quickly through the story. No particular part moves too slow or too fast, but the greatly condensed ‘camping’ sequence does take its time; but, with good reason. This part of the film shows the progression of Ron’s jealousy of Harry and Hermione’s friendship, spurred on by wearing the Horcrux. Rupert Grint plays this very well, storming out of the tent and into the winter, leaving Harry and Hermione unsure of how to go on. Following his exit, a scene not in the books remains one of the most touching and poignant: In an effort to cheer up a sullen Hermione, Harry removes the Horcrux from his neck, and shares an awkward high school prom-style dance with Hermione to the Nick Cave song, “O’Children.”
Harry and Hermione make their way to Godric’s Hollow and come across the gravesite of the Potters. The memorial statue at the house or in the square is not seen in this film, but Harry discovering their resting place remains an emotional experience. At Bathilda’s, Hermione discovers the bloody cupboard where she was killed while Harry turns to see Nagini coming out of Bathilda’s mouth, leaving what remains of her body and clothes in a pile on the floor. This particular shot was not complete in the film, for it was among the CGI effects yet to be finished. The fight with Nagini spills over into a children’s room in the house next door, and leaves Harry bitten by the snake. Once they make their escape to the Forest of Dean, Harry lays unconscious for a few days, during which time he finds his way into Voldemort’s mind and we discover more backstory about Grindelwald and Gregorovich.
This leads into, perhaps, the most thrilling and emotional part of the film: the Silver Doe. Rupert Grint’s performance is spectacular as he makes his return, pulling Harry from underneath the icy depths and destroying the Horcrux. After Harry opens the locket, a tornado of Voldemort’s dark soul rises above Ron, unleashing spiders on the ground and taunting him. In a very sensual turn, silvery porcelain visions of Riddle-Harry and Riddle-Hermione appear in the tornado and taunt Ron’s jealousy by sharing a long and intense kiss. In an effort not to truly represent the evil of Voldemort and the situation, the Riddle-Harry and Riddle-Hermione, in the swirling mass of the tornado, appear topless during the final seconds of their kiss before Ron swings Gryffindor’s sword down on the locket, destroying it.
This intense sequence is followed by the reunited Trio seeking out more information from Xenophilius Lovegood about the strange symbol he wore at the wedding. In a truly spectacular animation, the story of The Three Brothers is told in a completely unique style where the characters of Death and the brothers transform from shrouded skeletons to semi-formed puppets to, finally, puppet like mannequins as they relate the tale. Hermione’s voice reading the tale accompanies the animation, which lasts nearly three minutes. In my opinion, it is truly one of the best three minutes these films have produced. Xeno’s broken state of mind is played beautifully by Rhys Ifans. The Death Eaters are called to the tree stump-shaped house by Xeno who says Voldemort’s name, which is now tabooed. The Trio escapes briefly, but run into a gang of Snatchers, who chase them down in the forest. During this time, Harry also drifts into one final connection with Voldemort which shows the Dark Lord questioning an aged Grindelwald, who tells him the Elder Wand remains with Dumbledore in his grave.
The Malfoy Manor scene saw a few changes from what was in the book, none of which greatly altered the outcome of the story as it has been told in the films. For instance, Wormtail does not definitively die in the film. Rather, he is stunned by Dobby which allows for Harry and Ron to escape. Wormtail aside, Emma Watson’s shrieking as Bella’s character tortures her own (Bellatrix brands “mudblood” onto Hermione’s arm) still gives me chills. Bellatrix continues to be in top form when she uses her wand as a whip to take the sword from the low-rank Snatchers who captured the Trio. The Malfoy’s also get to show their complete desperation, with Lucius, drink in hand, talking a defeated Draco into identify Harry. Throughout this sequence the suspense builds until that final moment when the dagger is thrown by Bella and disapparates along with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Dobby to Shell Cottage.
Hands down, one of the most emotional sequences of this film was Dobby dying in Harry’s arms on she shores of Shell Cottage. The burial of Dobby takes place on a bluff overlooking the sea. Harry digs the grave himself, and places the small House Elf in his resting place with Ron and Hermione. The final scene in the movie takes place at Hogwarts, on a small island just off the banks of the lake. Dumbledore’s tomb is cracked open by Voldemort, who looks into the blank face of Dumbledore before taking the wand from his grasp and firing a lightning bolt into the air.
After the film, I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Yates and Barron, who told me that Voldemort taking possession of the Elder Wand will indeed be where the first part ends, and that Desplat is currently finishing the score for the film. They went on to say they have not yet decided on a composer for the second part of the “Deathly Hallows” film, but they are starting the process of putting the final film together. ”
This is one of the best reviews of the Deathly Hallows test screening I have read so far. I was really happy to read the descriptions of Rupert and Emma’s performances as well as knowing that some of the best dramatic moments in this film are centered around the Ron/Hermione relationship. 🙂
R/Hr spoilers from Twitter:
@GabrielleAdelle And about the moment of Hermione and Ron sleeping in Grimmauld Place with hands closer.. did we see?
@ThiegoNovais yeah their hands were close, but not touching.
*Twitter from the person that asked is locked, so we only have the answers*
@shewillbeluved when ron explains how he got back them was really cute
@shewillbeluved also when she teaches him piano
@GabrielleAdelle Does Ron carry Hemione after her torture scene like in the book?
@themadhattero so much was happening, i’m not sure if he was carrying her. but he was holding her after they escaped the mansion.
@GabrielleAdelle Is Hermione’s torture scene well done? Do you actually see her being tortured/is it graphic?
@themadhattero its not super graphic. you hear her screaming mostly.
@GabrielleAdelle this is random, but was the harryxhermione horcrux-kiss better than what you see in Twilight?? LOL
@innocentsuz no. i just thought it was really weird.
@GabrielleAdelle And Hermione reaction after ron come back, i mean, did she criy or slap him like in the book?
@ThiegoNovais she was angry and tried to beat him up and harry held her back.
@GabrielleAdelle Do we get to see the true love develop between Ron and Hermione?
@MauRguez you see them get closer and how much they care for each other
@GabrielleAdelle It is true that Bellatrix uses whip to torture Hermione? We will see blood in that scene? 4
@ruanvinicius__ i’m not sure if she uses a whip but she does carve “mudblood” into hermione’s skin.
@GabrielleAdelle thank you my other question is does ron cry during malfoy manor and does he say say anything to hermione before he leaves
@festax03 he doesn’t cry but he’s upset and he accuses Hermione of liking Harry before he leaves them.
@GabrielleAdelle Was the locket kiss the real Harry/Hermione or were they cartoonish/CGI?
@themadhattero they looked something between real and CGI.
@GabrielleAdelle thanks. Was hoping they’d CGI to give them the ethereal look, but nothing too cartooney so the scene is taken seriously.
@themadhattero they definitely looked ethereal.
@GabrielleAdelle Did Harry and Ron hug each other after horcrux destruction? Answer me, please! And about ‘Dinner, Nagini’?
@ThiegoNovais “Dinner, Nagini” happens in the beginning. I think Harry & Ron hug, I’m not sure. But they are happy to see each other.
*Deleted tweet*
@TeganKirkwood ron was anxious and was the first to run to save Hermione. it’s like it was in the book i think.
@GabrielleAdelle Final quick question. What else happened in the scene where Ron left (aside from what we’ve see in the trailers?)
@themadhattero Harry & Hermione just keep working on their mission & Harry tries to cheer her up by dancing with her.
*I couldn’t find the question*
@TeganKirkwood @Angelikfire @hpboy040699 @AnnaLGilmer When Ron came back, Hermione was first surprised and then angry at him for leaving. Harry had to hold her back. It was a bit funny. Ron explains what made him come back, how he heard Hermione’s voice whisper his name and ball of light went through his heart. Hermione softens a little, but still acts angry with him.
Also, Hermione is topless during the HHR horcrux kiss. You only see side boob. lol. And her arm his angled so that it covers her up a little more. Same with Harry, he’s shirtless but smoke covers everything below his torso. I think the movie will get a PG-13 rating.
@GabrielleAdelle Hi Gaby!! I just want to know.. are there many Ron/Hermione “love” scenes?
@deepestdespairs they have moments together, but a lot of time they’re focused on their mission.
@GabrielleAdelle Does Ron get jealous of Krum? Do Harry & Ron talk about what Ron saw when the Horcrux opened? Is Dean in the movie at all?
@KringleChick no dean. Ron’s jealous of Krum. They don’t talk about what was seen in the horcrux bc Ron knows its not true.
@GabrielleAdelle can you tell me all about hermione and ron moments?
@eekerangel08 my fave ron and hermione moments was when she was mad at him. it was cute and you see how great they are for each other
@GabrielleAdelle what was rons reaction to the locket and hermione getting tortured?
@newtscholar8 Ron was terrified of the locket. and he was the first to run to Hermione to save her from Bellatrix
@GabrielleAdelle gaby, are there scenes that show what happens to Ron after he leaves Harry and Hermione?
@ClubeDoSlugue you don’t see what happens to Ron when he leaves.
[…] the special effects are still not done), but reviews have been good. To check some of them out, see here. I’m much amused by some of the comments – sounds like it’s going to be a bit more […]
Here are more R/Hr spoilers from Edward at the Leaky Cauldron (posted at cosforums.)
Quote:
@abandonedboyjon There are many moments in the film where either Ron or Hermione catches the other looking at them. It is obvious that they are both ready to go down that road, but neither seems to want to make the first move because they are not sure of the other. There is one great moment at the wedding where Hermione is dancing with Krum until a supermodel-looking witch walks by and fully captures Krum’s attention. Ron is in the background watching all this, of course, and he and Hermione then share a “I’m not looking at you” head turn moment away from each other. When he leaves, it is obvious that he is jealous of what he sees as the relationship Harry and Hermione have formed.
The don’t explicitly mention PotterWatch, but the wizarding wireless does play a part in the tent scenes, for Ron is always turning the dial trying to get a stronger signal. The song just sort of comes on the radio though static and fuzz as Harry is fiddling with the dials after Ron leaves.
@hermy Alas, no Hermione Ron dance at the wedding. A pretty funny moment between them and Krum, though.
@hallowedhearts IT WAS! And I just now remembered it because you asked! It’s a rather tender scene where Hermione tries to teach Ron something on the piano and he just isn’t getting it.
Thanks for all this info hun, its amazing. I wanted to ask if there were any moments when they are caught by the snatchers and malfoy manor. In the book Ron asks to take her place, does this happen in the movie?
I don’t know the answer to that, but that’s because I haven’t seen the film. I really hope they do include the part when Ron asks to take her place.
Here’s a link to a blog where YuraGamer is answering questions about the test screening.
http://www.yuragamer.blogspot.com/2010/08/first-round-of-hp-q.html
From YuraGamer’s blog:
Tuesday, August 24, 2010First Round of HP Q&A
I’ve compiled most of the questions that got sent to me today. I answered them as best I could after the break
1. You have written that the whole subplot with the dual portraits in Grimmauld place and the Hogwarts Headmaster’s office was cut in the movie, then how does harry finds out that Griffindor’s sword can destory a horcrux in the forest?
Hermione figures it out by herself one day out of the blue.
2. Do we get to see Ted, Dean and Griphook in the forest talking about the fake sword in the Gringotts Wizarding Bank and the punishment given by Snape to Ginny for trying to steal the sword? If not then why does Ron get angry and leave?
No, there are no scenes at Hogwarts, and we don’t see many of the Hogwarts students. No mention of punishment. Ron gets upset from a combination of jealousy, Harry having no clue what to do the locket’s influence and Harry telling him to stop listening to the radio (a very cut down version of Potterwatch)
3. In the wedding, if Krum does not question Mr. Lovegood about the symbol and nothing is mentioned about it in the wedding, then why does Harry goes to visit Mr. Lovegood?
When he first meets Mr. Lovegood, he bring Harry in uncomfortably close, the camera makes a point of focusing on the symbol, as does Harry.
4. Does Harry’s break his original Wand or not?
Yes, he does break his wand after Godric’s hollow. The core is phoenix red
5. Did they keep the part where ron arrives late after everyone else and they are worried something happened to him? I haven’t heard anything about it and was just wondering because I’m worried about how many ron/hermione parts are in the movie.
I can’t quite remember how the scene goes but it’s very tense for everyone. And don’t worry, the Hermoine / Ron moments are there and they are plenty
6. I am a huge Ron/Hermione shipper…can you tell me what was Ron’s reaction in Malfoy Manor to when the love of his life is so horribly tortured
Ron looks absolutely distraught and you can see the urgency and just how much he wants to go save her
7. Oh and another question do Ron & Hermione dance at the wedding ?
I don’t quite remember if they danced. Hermione dances with Krum, with Ron watching in the background steaming of jealousy. I just don’t remember if they did afterwards. I’m leaning towards no they didn’t.
8. Do you see how Hermione reacts to Ron coming back like she does in the books? Does she hit him?
Hermione get incredibly angry at Ron, and demands for her wand back (Harry took it when he went to get the sword) so she can cast a spell on him. Yes, she hits him.
9. So then you’d say this one was much closer to the books?
This is by far the closest movie to the book since the first two. (Which were too close to the book to a fault, I thought).
10. Do they talk about ideas of what other horcruxes could be? Was there any mention of breaking into Gringotts? If not, how do they plan on getting the goblet?
No, they cut out before any of those parts.
11. During the ministry of magic infiltration Do Harry and Hermione make their patronus?
When they are trying to escape, the Dementors from the courtroom chase them, and as they board the elevator (I guess you can call it that) Harry makes his patronus, Hermione does not.
12. How many times does the silver doe appear?
One
13. Can you tell me if they mention the book life and lies of Albus Dumbledore and if harry discovers the “dark” part of dumbledore.
Yes to both. Harry talks to Aunt Muriel about it, and Hermione sees the book in Bathilda’s house. However, there are very few specifics. I’m guessing they’re saving all that exposition for part 2.
14. Do the Dursley’s have any lines? Is it a proper farewell for them?
They have a few lines. Dudley asks why Harry’s not coming and Uncle Vernon just yells that it’s because he doesn’t want to. They’re in there more than they were in some of the other ones, but nothing special.
15. How successful is the film at telling a story? If it does tell a story, then is it Rowling’s story about Harry’s struggle to figure out his place in the greater good, or is it some other related story better suited for the parts of the plot(s) shown up to this time?
This was the biggest weakness of the split, I think. I thought the only one of the main 3 characters to have any development was Ron. Harry knew what his mission was from the end of the last movie and never changed. Hermione is Hermione… other than falling hard for Ron in this movie, nothing much changed. Ron had a complete arc of being a friend, leaving angry and coming back to rescue Harry. Like I said in my review, I can’t think of any other movie that is split like this. Lord of the Rings, the Matrix you can watch them separately. I don’t think next year people will want to see Part 1 without watching Part 2 closely after. The movie doesn’t start building towards the ending of the series until it’s too late and it’s over.
16. Could you elaborate on the scene where Harry receives the Snitch from Dumbledore’s will? Is “I open at the close” there?
The scene is very well acted, with a lot of tension drawn from great performances all around. The I open at the close isn’t there but much later in the movie, after Ron has left the trio.
17. How much of Snape and Voldemort are in the movie?
Snape’s only in it at the beginning of the movie, and Voldemort doesn’t have that many more substantial scenes after the beginning either. For some reason they took out the parts of him being in Godric’s Hollow and him being on his way to Malfoy Manor
18. Oh, I do have a question (my apologies if it has been asked)! After the return to the forest when Ron is all bloody (Was that from splinching?) – are Hermione’s hands bloody? Because in the trailer they were originally and then they changed it so they weren’t. Was that just for trailer appropriate purposes (that’s what my friend and I are guessing)? I hope you can recall. Thanks in advance :D!!
They are bloody, and it’s because she was mending to Ron due to the splinching. They are not in any danger at the time, Hermione is just crying and the reason her hands are up is because she’s casting the protective spells around her.
If there are any more send them over to yuragamer@gmail.com
Here are some “early reviews” of Deathly Hallows Part One. http://www.crazycritics.com/page/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-2
A+ would read again
This is from YuraGamer’s Harry Potter Q&A Part 2. Enjoy! 🙂
One thing I realize people have been asking is about the scenes at Godric’s Hollow. The sequence goes like this: They arrive and they notice the Christmas Caroling. Then, they see the cemetery and they go in. Hermione finds the tomb of one of the three brothers. Harry calls her over to show her his parents’ grave. She laws a wreath. While they’re talking Hermione notices Bathilda Bagshot. She calls Harry over and Harry decides to follow her. As they’re walking to her house, the walk past the Potter house. Harry stops and makes a comment to Hermione about the significance of that place (can’t quite remember what was said, sorry) There are no flashbacks or anything else. It’s a nice quiet moment, and they they go to Bathilda’s house.
Another thing I noticed that I haven’t been too clear about is the Ron / Hermione relationship. I would say there’s no need to worry. You can see that they really like each other and they’re very close. Any Harry / Hermione moments are cute but not romantic. For example, the added dancing scene plays more as a couple of friends just having fun than anything romantic. Unfortunately, I don’t really remember many particular moments other than him being jealous of her and Krum at the wedding and him being desperate when she’s being tortured, but they’re there, I just can’t remember them. Hehe.
Third, about the mirror. It is not well explained where Harry got it from, but we do see him use it quite a bit. We see Aberforth’s eye but obviously we’re led to believe it’s Dumbledore. In Malfoy Manor, Harry uses the mirror just before Dobby appears.
1) Can you describe more the scene of Harry and Ron argument? I want details about it.
Harry and Hermione are come into the tent from doing something outside, when they come in, Ron is listening to the radio, and Harry says something along the lines that he shouldn’t listen to it anymore, because there’s nothing he can do. At this point, Ron gets livid and starts yelling about how he doesn’t care because he has no family to worry about, how he has no plan, how Dumbledore didn’t give him any clues on what to do. After that, Ron decides to leave and asks Hermione to come with him and she says no.
2) Did Harry and Hermione read the book of Life and Lies of Dumbledore?
No. She finds the book in Bathilda Bagshot’s house, but we don’t really hear about it anymore afterwards.
3) Can you remember any dialogue between Snape and Voldemort? Because you can add this to your description. ¡It´s an important part! You only mention between Voldemort and Lucius.
Neither of them have a lot of lines, and even less between each other. Snape only appears in the beginning of the film, and mostly to go and report when Harry will be moved. The scene is very similar to the book, including someone else saying July 31st and Snape saying that’s just a false trail.
4) Was the attack of the death eaters to the cafe a great scene?
Yes. It was kinda funny because there’s a waitress who’s oblivious to the whole thing, and the battle between them is very gritty, especially because it’s just after the wedding and they’re all really worried. At the end, Hermione casts the same memory hex on one of them as she did her parents.
5) I thinks that a script extract revealed the part of the trio arrving at the burrow; so Does Harry see through Voldemort´s mind the torture of Ollivander?
Yes, he sees Olivander being tortured. Other than the beginning scene, these flashes are the main way we see Voldemort (up until the last scene). I wasn’t particularly happy with them, because they were a little messy and confusing.
6) Did the movie show Harry´s obsession about the Hallows or do you think that they left it for the second part?
Left for the second part.
7) How was the Sirius´s mirror introduce?
I can’t remember if it was, and I haven’t read anyone else talk about it, so I don’t think it got a proper introduction.
8) Were in the movie scenes of Ron alone after he had the argument with Harry?
No
9) Can you give us a detailed description about how was the horrocruxes´s story told?
Like I wrote on my original review, Hermione’s telling the story but the movie cuts to an animated sequence that looks like a cross between stick figures and a Tim Burton movie. (Though it’s not as creepy as what Tim Burton would do) It;s kinda hard to describe the visuals to be honest. The actual story is almost verbatim to the book.
10). How was the cinematography, the lighting and color tone? Is it as visually gorgeous and unique like the sixth movie? Was there a lot of handheld camera during action scenes?
It was very well shot. Much wider range of tones and colors. The scene with the snatchers is all handheld camera. It feels like a Jason Bourne movie
11). Were the action scenes well shot and edited? My major disappointment with Yates’ films has always been the lack of real action scenes so I hope he does it better this time. Are they too slow, too short or anticlimatic?
Unfortunately I would have to say yes. While they are better than in the last 2 Harry Potter movies, they could still be improved. In particular, I though the last fight at Malfoy Manor could have been more exciting.
12.) Was it mentioned that the snitch can remember the first person who touched it? Did Harry recall using his mouth to catch the Snitch during his first match?
Yes and Yes. Though it’s a little bit later, when he and Hermione are alone in the woods.
13.) Did we see many new parts of the ministry other than the atrium/statue/courtroom? Can you please describe what the set design looks like?
There weren’t that many new places shown other than the entrance through the bathrooms and Umbridge’s office.
14.) I would like to know if you can recall Harry’s reaction to Hedwig’s death, if he even has one. Do they mention Hedwig after her death?
He yells as she falls into the ground while they’re flying. I think she’s mentioned once more, when they ask how the Death Eaters recognized him.
15.) Do they mention Sirius when they are at Grimmauld Place?
Yes, right when they enter they are attacked by the spell that looks like Dumbledore and they mention that it was in case Snape came.
16.) There have been reports that the godrics hollow and malfoy manor scenes are too short. Would you agree?
Yes, I think they’re too short and not urgent / exciting as they could have been.
17) When hermione is being tortured do we actually see it? Or is it more off screen? How was the acting?
It’s both on and off screen. Acting is great, especially Helena Bonham Carter.
18) During the destruction of the Locket Horcrux, when Ron sees Harry and Hermione kissing, was it the actual actors in this scene or do you think it was just animation with their voices?
It looked like the real actors, but they were in a silver hue and surrounded by smoke. It was kind of a shocking scene and I imagine people will be talking about it when the movie comes out.
19) During the Ministry infiltration, do the trio have their voices when they are polyjuiced or is it the other actors?
I’m almost positive it’s their own voices.
20)According to reports, Scrimgeour only has two scenes. How long is his speech at the beginning, and in the will scene, does he get impatient/angry with Harry at all? Bill Nighy refers to him as “good”, so I’m worried that they toned down his personality. Overall, how much screen time would you say he has?
He is not in the movie for very long. The speech is good, but only lasts about 2 -3 minutes tops, I would say. The will scene is very tense and lasts about 4 to 5 minutes, and I’d describe him as quietly confrontational, but he does get angry when asked about Griffindor’s sword. It’s a very tense scene. He doesn’t ask Harry to support the Ministry.
21) Does Bellatrix Attack the Snatchers like she does in the book?
Yes she does. I liked that scene a lot.
22) Was there a shot with a Cooling Tower? Did the trio walk past some Cooling Towers in their travels ?
There was a shot of them under something that looked like a cooling tower, but it couldn’t have been because they were literally under it. It looked like silos almost. I don’t remember a cooling tower, but it’s possible it was there.
23) The only thing that confused me was no talk with Ollivander before voldlemort goes to dumbledores tomb is it made clear that dumbledores wand is the elder wanrd b4 voldelmort takes it? how?
I think he finds out through Gregorovitch and Harry sees it through one of the times he sees Voldemort’s mind. He realizes Voldemort will have the Elder Wand.
24) Do the trio skirmish in the Ministry of Magic scene with Umridge and company? If so does it take place in the courtroom? Is harry under the cloak in this scene? If not how does he enter the room? Do the trio still split up in the ministry of magic scene or do they stay together the entire time? Does Ron go to stop the raining while Hermione goes with Umbridge to take notes and Harry goes off in search of her office?
Yes, Yes, No (which is weird, the cloak is not even mentioned in the movie at all. If I remember correctly, all we get is a conspicuous glance between the three when they hear about one of the Hallows being a true invisibility cloak). They do split up in the scene and they go do exactly what you asked.
25) Do the trio get attacked by dementors while they are camping? Is this the scene by the cooling tower?
They are not attacked by Dementors anywhere but the Ministry of Magic.
26) You said that Harry’s wand gets broken at Godric’s hollow. Does Ron bring another wand with him when he returns that Harry uses in the film?
Yes he does.
27) Do the trio ever hear about Ginny, Neville, and Luna trying to take the sword from the heads office? If so where do they hear it, on the radio, or somewhere else?
This was entirely cut. No scenes at Hogwarts. Potterwatch was reduced to a bunch of static with the radio saying names of people who had disappeared.
28) What could you tell about the ‘encounters’ with Death Eaters during the camping scenes?
Other than the one when they were captured, there is a scene where Hermione comes very close to a snatcher who can smell, but not see or hear her. She never seems to be in danger, she just gets worried the spell isn’t strong enough.
29) So, as I know, Hagrid gets paralyzed early in the seven potters chase. I was also told that he does some cool maneuvers with the motorcycle to avoid the death eathers. Is this the only thing he does in the chase? No spells being cast etc? Oh, and does he do anything funny in the film? Like in the book where he crush some chairs at the wedding.
He has some funny moments in the chase when he hits the motorcycle’s turbo button. He also has some funny awkward glances with Maxime.
30) Can you confirm whether or not the 1980 flashback (to the night Harry’s parents were killed) was shown? I’m assuming not since we haven’t heard anything about it, but it also hasn’t been outright declared missing. Also would like confirmation on whether or not there the film had the Kreacher’s Tale flashback to the cave used in HBP. I thought the Leaky report said yes, but others said no.
No flashback. And no Kreacher’s tale. Also, a note on the Mugglenet podcast where some weird Kreacher rumors surfaced. The only reason they got quiet and awkward was because there wasn’t really much to say about Kreacher and they did not want to spoil how Dobby got reintroduced.
31) Is their any evidence of Harry finding Ron/Hermione talking behind his back?
None that I can remember. In fact, the opposite is emphasized, with Ron just staring at Harry / Hermione as they talk about their quest.
32.) From the trio, who gave the best overall performance?
I would say Ron was the best character and the best acted character in the movie.
33.) What were scenes/moments added that weren’t in the book?
The only one that really stood out was Harry and Hermione dancing in the tent when they were by themselves. I can’t think of any more, though I’m sure there are, sorry.
34.) Is there any dialogue during hermione hexing her parents?
Just her parents watching a documentary about Australia and how much they’d like to go there. It’s in the background while we see Hermione struggle with what she’s about to do though.
35.) How were the scenes after they apparate from the wedding? Ex. Streets if London, cafe scene.
They’re nice, I think they’ve ben pretty well described elsewhere. There’s a funny moment with Hermione realizing they forgot Harry’s Birthday.
36.) Is voldemort in the 7 potters scene?
Yes. He chases after Harry.
are there any slaps in the movie??
will Hermione slap Ron
or will Bellatrix slap Ron like in the book?
the movie would be 100000000000000000 times better!
Frank, Hermione does hit Ron. There are pictures of that scene here on this blog. It looks really funny.
As for Bellatrix vs. Ron, I don’t know. We will have to wait and see about that.