Thoughts on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1)
JA
November 25
1997. Say it with me. That was the year Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first graced our shelves, and, as they say, the rest is history. Say what you like, but there’s no denying that the books had in them an amazing ability to awaken everybody’s inner 10-year-old. And when kids of the HP generation turned eleven, don’t tell me there wasn’t a small part of them keeping an eye out for that owl in the distance, bearing an envelope of the Hogworts variety in their beak.
The translation of books to film, YA in particular, has always been difficult, especially when filmmakers mistake the tastes of a younger audience for an excuse to go all theme-park and cheesy. (One need only look to the off-kilter adaptations of Tomorrow When the War Began, The Golden Compass and the Chronicles of Narnia.) Given this, and the money-milking decision to split the film into two parts, I was ready for a somewhat imperfect plot and erratic pacing with the penultimate instalment of the Harry Potter series. My expectations were further lowered by the fact that the book itself was a bit of a letdown – for me anyway, a good part of the magic of the novels resided in the fact that the action took place at Hogwarts. Take that away, and add a meandering plot that doesn’t seem to know how to resolve itself, and you’re not left with much.
Strangely enough though, I’d have to say this is a case where the movie trumps the book (well, the first half at least). The Deathly Hallows is the most contained, yet also the most fully-wrought, instalment of the series thus far. Harry, Hermione and Ron’s long and at times directionless search to destroy the Horcruxes, each of which hold small a portion of Voldemort’s soul, somehow seems to give the characters more space in which to breathe. Eduardo Serra’s moody, ghost-lit cinematography plays a big role in creating just the right tone here – expertly playing on the juxtaposition between the real and magical worlds that have become a trademark look for the Potter films. We move easily from the crowded streets of London and a single, late-night café to desolate, wintry landscapes that underscore both the elements of fantasy and the continuing loneliness of teenagers left to fend for themselves.
The best part of the film by far is an animation sequence, created to accompany Hermione’s reading of the Tale of the Three Brothers. It’s a bold move for a mainstream movie and works brilliantly. The sequence – in hauntingly lit silhouettes and puppet figures – was designed and directed by Ben Hibon, whose has a background in short film and gaming, most notably Codehunters, and Sony Playstation’s Heavenly Sword. According to screenwriter Steve Kloves:
… [S]omeone had seen the work of this guy [animation supervisor Ben Hibon] and the idea was to have him do it – and it really worked out wonderfully … That story has a kind of amazing poetic feel to it, like a bedtime story but slightly scary. With Emma and the animation what could have been just a nice stroke was really captivating. To me it gives off an ancient, primitive storytelling thing. You feel the campfire in it, or shadows on a cave, and that’s why I feel it’s effective. It feels timeless, ancient.
You’ll probably hear it said too that this is the darkest yet of all the films. And indeed it is – Harry has all but shed the sugary cuteness of Chris Columbus’ earlier renditions, and personally I’m glad of it. One scene after Harry visits his parents’ grave is particularly and excellently creepy (especially if you’d forgotten most of the plot like I had). I expect there may be some annoyance at this grim direction, given the younger audience, but as Luke Buckmaster over at Crikey) points out:
… it may be worth remembering that the 9-year-old pipsqueaks who held hands with mum and dad and frolicked into ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ in 2001 are now old enough to legally buy booze, ciggies, drive a car and have sex, so perhaps there is some justification to the movies becoming less like magic carpet rides and more like dungeons and dragons.
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Comments
25 Nov 10 at 12:40
great post thanks Jess. Good to hear this film is a good one – I actually really liked the book too, one of my favourites. Although think the addition of an animated ‘Tale of the Three Brothers’ would have helped it along a bit.
For me the HP film that’s most trumped the book (so far) is ‘The Order of the Phoenix’, which I found way too long and suffered from what you say ‘Deathly Hallows’ suffers from, not having enough Hogwarts. For some reason that didn’t bother me with this last one which I devoured in a night. Looking forward to the film.
...25 Nov 10 at 14:34
Thanks Jane! I think Prisoner of Azkaban was also tops for me, but then the book was as well so I have to prefer that. Devour is exactly the right word for HP – and hence what I love about them. Strangely enough I think I’m a bit of the odd one out re: Deathly Hallows. Most people I’ve talked to haven’t liked the film all that much – but if you’ve read the book (and so already have some sense of the build-up/scene-setting) that helps.
...25 Nov 10 at 16:37
Oh yes, ‘Prisoner of Azkaban’ is my favourite. I mean the book. Sirius Black. Dementors. Petronuses. The … time twister? And didn’t mind the film either, but def preferred the book.
And yes, I think the films miss so much of the books, of course, because the books are so rich in language, dialogue and detail, but if you’ve read the books you just fill it in. So if these people who haven’t liked DH haven’t read the book, then perhaps no real reflection on the film.
And you’re so right about ‘The Golden Compass’ – ‘Northern Lights’ is the most amazing book. The film? Teeedious.
...25 Nov 10 at 16:38
that was me above, didn’t mean to be anonymous …
...25 Nov 10 at 16:57
I know your style Jane GW. Picked it was you BEFORE you corrected yourself.
...25 Nov 10 at 20:34
Yes that’s a good point – if you’ve already read the books, even if you’ve forgotten some parts, you can immediately immerse yourself in that world and fill in all the little details. Cramming those long plots in 2 hours pretty much leaves anyone who hasn’t behind. And yes – Hippogriffs and Sirius Black all the way.
...25 Nov 10 at 20:47
yes, hippogriffs … the scene in the movie where draco malfoy gets attacked by buckbeak for being impolite. (now i’m really indulging myself.)
and soph – am i really that transparent? i guess it’s lovely you can pick me a mile away. better not be writing an anonymous sex romp then.
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