Harry Potter is Deeper than you Know
Epigraph
A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.
– Joseph Campbell
If someone were to ask me what is my favorite book? I would answer, ‘that would depend on the genre’. If someone were to ask me what is my favorite movie? I would respond with ‘well there are 10 of them that I like almost equally for different reasons’. If someone were to ask me what is my favorite movie series, I would be tempted to say: The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But on second thought… However, if the question was: what is your favorite series of books, fiction or otherwise, the answer would no doubt be J.K Rowling’s story of the ‘Boy Who Lived’. This essay explains why and more.
My Introduction to Harry Potter
It was the school sports meet (day). I was a 6th grader about to make his way out of the college grounds. It was hot and humid, and I was thinking of getting a drink by one of the stands near the main exit before I left.
As I was about to leave, I saw a guy from my class. He was a smart kid, we never spoke much, but I knew his father worked at the British Council Library. The chap was talking to some older kid, who I recognized as the older brother of a friend from the same class. As looked on I noticed the kid from class had a book with a red cover in his hand. As I ventured closer I recognized it as the first book in the famous book series that I heard murmurs of The Philosopher’s Stone.
Around that time I was vaguely familiar with the famous fantasy novel. My cousins who visited my homeland from England just some time ago brought with them copies of the books. I can’t recall much, other than being surprised that they actually had a copy. I remember clearly my tomboy cousin taking a purple book out of her bag, with a picture of a flying bird (Griffin).
Before going further it is worth mentioning that I am something of a reader. As a kid, I had a thing for fantasy. In my part of the world, the top fantasy author for children was Enid Blyton. Before her, I had read through filtered versions of the tales of the Brothers Grimm. You know the stories: from the fabled: Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Snow-white, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, The Elves, and the Shoemaker. Yeah, the Germans had it all.
In terms of more serious works, I had already read Oliver Twist. A rather dumbed-down version (it had pencil drawings at the start of each chapter) but a serious one nonetheless. There are other top books on my list. One of them which I have come to read time and again is The Coral Island by R.L Stevenson. But in terms of a meaningful step up in my reading foray, Harry Potter was it.
So on that hot afternoon on the College grounds, as this bloke from my class held this book, I recall walking up to him and inquiring about the book. As he gave it to me for a quick look, I recall mentioning something that I had heard elsewhere: ‘that this was among the best-selling books in the world, right up there with the Bible’. Having held the book for the first time, I got this feeling, which I wasn’t fully aware of at the time, but it held me, and told me that I had to read it.
So that dear reader was my proper introduction to J.K Rowling’s world.
The day I got hold of the first Harry Potter book was in the same year that I turned eleven. I recall this hot boring afternoon, during some monotonous lesson, when a friend of mine, who was sitting behind me, was going through this red book. He wasn’t exactly reading it, but just skimming the pages. Looking back, it seems likely he was just showing off. No judgments here. Heck if I had the book as a kid that age, I’d probably be doing the same.
If I recall correctly he had on an earlier occasion mentioned the book and said a few things about the story. I was slightly curious. But upon seeing it this time, I quickly inquired about it, and he was kind enough to let me have a look. The word ‘Harry Potter’ on the cover of the book had a certain effect, My knowledge of it being one of the best-selling books and my love of fantasy meant that there was little standing in my way of getting hold of it (kids!).
If I remember correctly, there was this other guy who was after the book as well. This meddlesome oaf having seen it, may have grabbed it at some point and was trying to persuade the owner to give it to him. Being the conscientious person that I am and that the owner of the book was a friend, meant that I got it before the final bell rang. This was the year 2000 before my eleventh birthday. And so began my journey into the world of witchcraft and wizardry.
A point on being lent this book. One of the things I learned in the experience of reading the Harry Potter series, is when you have something good, or better, something you treasure, particularly if it is something that does not diminish, it feeds the impulse to share. To give this product of value, and goodness to others.
In the following sections, I will share my experience of reading through the seven books, and my take on them. This is followed by my overview of all eight movies, containing a commentary on each. At first, I was planning to include an analysis of key themes and story arcs in the books but that would take it beyond the scope of this work. This essay is about why I love the world of HP.
The Philosopher’s Stone (Book 1)
I remember I started reading it around late afternoon and then finding the book immensely dense. Reading ‘big’ books (i.e. those without pictures and over hundred pages) was still a relatively new enterprise for a ten-year-old. And the prose took some time getting used to.
As I was slogging through the first chapter, my Mom had just returned from work and handed me a packet of chips. I remember trying to eat them, whilst reading the book without blemishing it. Enthusiasm! Anyway, I managed to get through the first few chapters with a bit of persistence, and afterward, I was pretty much set.
The book was great and it only got better. And I made it a point to only start reading it around dusk and then, as it often was, late into the night. It was funny, as a book without pictures I constantly had to turn to the front and rear cover for ‘inspiration’. As I was trying to structure in my mind the kind of world J.K had envisaged (I was in the dark about the movies at this time).
The book as a whole took me a few weeks to read to completion. And I remember parts of it. One of the chapters that I do recall is: ‘The Midnight Duel’. Where Draco Malfoy challenges Harry to some sparring contest with wands, which turned out to be a trap, with the Slytherin not showing up, and the poltergeist Peeves getting involved. Too bad that scene, and the poltergeist as a character never, featured in the theatrical version.
Overall I really liked The Philosopher’s Stone. In terms of serious reading, until that point, I only had a number of Secret Seven, Famous Five, and maybe a few Nancy Drew Mysteries and Case files under my belt. So J.K.’s first Potter novel could be considered my first serious fantasy book. And it was well worth it.
For some reason, I connected well with Harry. His story, his character, and will resonate with me. His decision to join Gryffindor was never in doubt, though the point made by the Sorting Hat that he ‘could be great’ in Slytherin was interesting. It is never properly explained what kind of ‘greatness’ we are talking about. Considering that Harry Potter being the boy who lived, will indeed go on to do great things regardless of the house he chooses. Well, I guess, in light of the wisdom of Ollivander, that Harry, whose wand shares a feather with that of Voldemort’s, will do great things. The difference is that Voldemort did terrible things. ‘Terrible but great’.
As far as the other characters are concerned, Ron was decent. Hermione was a bit annoying at first but eventually likable. And more so once I got acquainted with movies. (For the obvious reason that she is prettier in films than in the books). Snape was interesting, but I had trouble processing the notion that he was a bad guy or at least an agent of the Dark Lord as he was made to be. But I was nowhere close to guessing… Well you know. The Philosopher’s Stone is a great book and was made more enjoyable having read it as a kid.
The Chamber of Secrets (Book 2)
My friend who lend me this book, the same bloke who did the last one, hyped the story up quite a bit. First stated how the cover for the second book was cooler than the first and mentioned a few other elements of the story. No spoilers of course.
Here I must credit the guy, for one: being enthusiastic about the series, and two: for coming up with the idea of quizzing me on the book, once I had finished reading it. As was he the only guy in class who had read any of the books. The other chap I mentioned earlier, whose father worked at the library, may have done so to, but he never gave the impression.
It is important to note that it was around the time when I got hold of The Chamber of Secrets that the magic of the story really started to catch on. Living in a country far away from the magical world of the great British capital, and before the internet was a thing, books and movies were the main doorways to a fantasy world; but also functioned as a means of some escape from the reality of life.
It might sound silly looking back on it, but one of the magical things about being a kid is that the fascination with fantasy at times seems so real, that it almost becomes so. As for the second book was concerned in addition to being imaginatively captivating it was also thoroughly enjoyable.
I remember being so excited, when I first got hold of it, that I started reading it on my way back home in the school van (As I couldn’t do it in class). I was in the back seat, and the bloke in front of me, a senior by 1 year, a good kid, upon seeing it got enthused himself, and simply asked/took the book. I mentioned that it was my friend’s. To which replied that “he knew” the said person, and proceed to read it himself. And weirdly enough I was cool to let him have it. But as my journey home neared its end (at which point I had pretty much given up hope of getting the book back) he simply gave the book back. And I went back to reading it.
There are a few things that stood out about my experience reading The Chamber of Secrets. This was the year 2001. For one thing, my habit of eating something whilst reading had only gotten stronger. But since the book was borrowed and was in top condition I had to find something that would do, without the risk of spillage and stain. Enter Polo: “The mint with the hole”. Nestlé peppermint brand, which I don’t think is in the market anymore, was my side indulgence as I read through the book.
I recall reading about the Weasley home in the chapter titled after it: The Burrow on one hot afternoon. Only to realize that I was out of peppermint, to then make my way to the nearby store and then replenish the stocks.
One of the memorable chapters in the book is ‘The Deathday Party’. An interesting and in some ways disturbing celebration of the dead. I recall this time quite well. As it was a rather cold night. It had been raining a few hours earlier. And as I was getting into one of the more interesting parts (considering there was a Basilisk roaming the halls of the school) there was a power outage! Everything went dark for a few moments. And as the household was trying to get some of the lights on, there was a knock at the gate.
You know when these sorts of things happen together it does sort of hit you. And credit to J.K. her writing was able to pull me into such a state, as events in the real world worked to augment that feeling of dread. When my parents had determined that the people at the gate were friendlies; but the scenario was made interesting in that they were people we had not seen in some time. Once they were in (it was still pitch black with battery-powered torches the only aid) the lights came on soon after.
Here I can recall the face of one gentleman: bald, pale, and on the shorter side. He looked out of place. He didn’t look related (if you know what I mean) and had this piercing look on him. He didn’t speak to anyone, and when I met his eyes-I still had The Chamber of Secrets in hand-he stared, with a sense of curiosity and suspicion. That’s the last time I ever saw him.
Without a doubt, the most exciting part of the book is the ending. I presume the reader is very much familiar with books or at least the story via the films, so I will not hold back. The basilisk is an awesome foe. I remember reading the final few chapters probably on a Friday night and kept reading till I fell asleep. It was that good.
Saturday morning, probably around 7.00, I picked up where I left off and just kept going. I mean it was one of those few moments in my time reading books (and I have read quite a few) that I felt this sense of exhilaration. Like, Man..! And credit to J.K. The Chamber of Secrets is a winner. And it is also the book where certain elements of unease started to creep into the narrative. The sense of disturbia that will become a feature of the latter books was sprinkled throughout the second and was all the better for it.
In terms of characters Hermione was becoming more likable (for a prepubescent), Ron was a good character, and Harry was great. He is the kind of hero a kid my age could relate to, possibly because we were the same age. And I loved the mystery that was woven into the tale. As I have come to learn HP stories, whilst a fantasy at the core, are technically mysteries as well. The ending as mentioned was something else.
The Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3)
This book was somewhat difficult to get into. And in terms of narrative and flow it was the only book, possibly until the fifth in the series, that I found the most restrictive. At this point, it is worth mentioning that I have read through J.K Rowling’s series just once in the period spanning almost 9 years.
I got The Prisoner of Azkaban sometime later in 2001. The book has one of my favorite covers in the series. (The purple one featuring a Griffin). And I was excited going into this one on the back of the many thrills I had with book 2. But boy, did this take some time to get into. I don’t know why, but the prose seemed quite dense at the time. But that did not stop me from wanting to slough through it.
What I remember best about book 3 was the sense of expectation leading up to each reading session. Just the idea of going home from school and finding some spare time in the evening to read the story was great in itself. One experience worth mentioning was my prospect of trying out for the school’s cricket team selections.
I was and still am a big fan of this sport. An English game cricket. That is very popular in my part of the world. Knowing my enthusiasm for the game my Mom took time from work to take me to the practice session, which would include trials for selection. This was a tough one. I knew I was quite talented at the sport, and I believed I had something to offer if I took up the willow and leather and made a commitment.
But something on that day made me consider otherwise. To my Mother’s disappointment. I look back on that day, the day I turned the chance to get serious about playing the game I am passionate about. The idea of playing cricket, and becoming a professional was (and weirdly still is) a dream. But looking back, saying no to the bat and ball seems like a way of saying yes to reading and writing. For I recall walking back, thinking, hey at least I got a Harry Potter book to go back to.
And it was worth it. I recall reading the book that very evening. As it turned to dusk, at which point the lights went out again. I was at the part where Harry boarded ‘The Knight Bus’, and I resorted to candlelight to keep going.
The book itself only got better. Whilst it appeared heavy in descriptive material in certain parts, from ‘The Firebolt’ to ‘Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs’. And the parts involving Professor Trelawney and divination were almost sleep-inducing. Things eventually picked up the pace and soon it became clear the centrality of the character of Hermione to the story and beyond.
This was Hermione’s story really, and with the absence of Voldemort in any form (who I was expecting to show up till the end, I don’t know if anyone else felt that way). The author was basically setting things up for Harry for the grand (and terrible) events to come.
Oh in case I forget, my efforts to not despoil the book proved futile as my candle-lit reading led to me accidentally pouring a bit of candle wax on a few of the pages. The friend who lend me the book wasn’t happy. And threatened to not lend me the next book. Anyway, that is another memorable HP book out of the way.
The Goblet of Fire (Book 4)
My favorite Harry Potter book. And arguably the most interesting fiction book I have ever read. When I say ‘favorite’ I don’t mean to say that it is best the book in the series. Nor is it the one I found to be the most impactful. We’ll get to them.
But in terms of sheer storytelling quality, the kind of excitement that it generated, and how it changed my view of the author from being an extremely good storyteller to being the best of the best, The Goblet of Fire was it.
A couple of things happened in the course of my time reading this book that increased my appreciation for the writer, and for reading in general. During this time I developed some vision difficulties. Nothing major. Slight myopia or nearsightedness in both eyes which was a result of playing video games for too long, and sitting too close to the TV. Reading in dim lighting conditions could also have been a factor.
Anyway, it was not serious. As I could see things clearly close up and see things at a distance reasonably well, provided they were not small numbers and letters. But then on one dark (literally) morning, when it seemed like it was about to rain, but didn’t. Myself and the guys in class were playing a game of, well I don’t know what really: but it basically involved the boys splitting up into two teams with aim of hitting opponents with a tennis ball. It didn’t matter where, as long as it hit the person. It was kinda fun.
Until I took a lusty through straight to my left eye. I tell you the moment the ball hit the eye, I was knocked to the ground and I couldn’t see with it for like a minute. Some of the blokes helped me up, and a few walked me back to class. I pretty much couldn’t see with my left eye for the rest of the morning. As my vision slowly returned, there were green smudges all over my vision, and I was starting to develop a headache.
Long story short, I had to pay a visit to the eye doctor. Then got referred to a specialist in ophthalmology. Which soon involved months-long evaluation and some treatment. Thankfully no surgery. As my vision improved slowly over time, it drew attention to my underlying myopia. This meant I had to go Harry Potter for real and get a pair of glasses for nearsightedness! Unfortunately, my first pair were not moon-shaped ones, but they were black. I liked it. And even my classmates were impressed. And in case I forget, the guy who got me with the throw apologized the next school day. He was a good kid.
Now, this happened when I was some way into the fourth Harry Potter book. And I was loving it. Whilst it took some time to get into it, one example would be the chapter on the ‘Portkey’. But as the story started moving, I just wanted to keep going. Until ‘it’ happened. Now the hit to the eye wasn’t that serious but I was told to rest my eyes. Which meant not straining my eyes in any way: so no TV and no reading.
This was tough. And I just couldn’t help checking out the book until it got to a point where I proceeded to read The Goblet of Fire with one eye. Like Mad Eye!
This was a bad idea. Maybe the reader has tried it at some point, for when I did so, when I look at the page, with one eye shut, after some time I started seeing some flashing lights and static-like effects all over. I persisted and it soon got worse.
For a fearful thirteen-year-old, who was still in recovery mode this was a bit too much, and I remember at that point fearing for my vision. Thinking that I might lose my sight, I pretty much broke down, with The Goblet of Fire in front of me.
Thankfully things got better over the next few days. And as I read on so did the book. The Goblet of Fire is a special book. The are many moments in the book that made me stop and ponder how good it is. At one point I recall, I think it was the chapter ‘The Egg and the Eye’: The part where Harry undertakes cloak and dagger operation to the prefect’s bathroom to take a bath with the golden egg, under the cover of the invisibility cloak, guided by the Marauder’s map and is almost found out by Filch. Until Snape and Mad-Eye Moody enter the scene. All the while Harry is confused by the presence of this Bartemius Crouch Junior on the map.
The encounter that takes place between the characters and the way it is told, with elements of suspect, mystery, and a bit of trepidation built, is truly something else. I recall it well. (For it is absent in the movie). The moments leading up to Harry’s discovery by Mad Eye (who could see through the invisibility cloak), when combined with the events that were playing around him, made it truly memorable. I remember at times, just putting the book aside for a moment and thinking ‘Man… This is so exciting!’.
To date, this has happened only on another occasion whilst reading a fiction book. The Goblet of Fire truly is an achievement. Of course, it does not require me to state the obvious. As the fourth entry in the series is considered by many to be the best. Voldemort’s return is powerful as it is tragic: consuming the life of an innocent as a rite of passage for the reemerging wicked. An evil that can only sustain itself by destroying what is good. But the boy who lived survives the encounter with the Dark Lord because he must.
The Order of the Phoenix (Book 5)
The book for world-building. The fifth entry in J.K.’s series is the longest, but despite its length, it is a great read. A book that provided the much-needed depth that stories set in a fantasy world need. The Order of the Phoenix helps ground the magical world of Hogwarts in relation to the wider (real) world of muggles and its distinct but relatable sociology.
The element of world building a critical facet in science fiction is arguably less significant in fantasy. Since the latter often comes packed with a set number of core features that are characteristic of this genre: magic, mythical creatures, instruments of power, heroic conflicts, ancient evils, dark lords, etc. And often the reader can imagine much of these and fill in the gaps when necessary with the help of a few references.
The world of Harry Potter, which occupies the genre of low fantasy (where magical beings, events, and realities intrude upon our world), the art of bringing the two together and then presenting them in a believable light, whilst telling a compelling story is an intricate task. One that is overlooked or downplayed in lesser stories.
In a fantasy novel, that was written primarily for children, which later evolved (as the years went by) to suit a more young adult audience, J.K’s world-building grew with it for the better. The Order of the Phoenix whilst a mixed bag in terms of flow and intrigue sets out to present a more comprehensive picture of the wizarding world: One that consists of intricate relationships, novel institutions, and the politics that define it. And succeeds.
The fifth book when it came out in 2003 and I recall well the attention surrounding it. As the latest entry at the time was a bit overdue, and the expectations in the Potter world (the global fan base not the studio in London) were considerable.
I recall during a science lesson in my 9th grade, where the teacher, a serious guy who in the three years he taught us never mentioned a word about fantasy or fiction, brought up the subject; and then provided a quick narration of J.K’s backstory involving her struggles, and the success of Harry Potter as a global phenomenon.
In local papers, there were entire sections dedicated to the release of The Order of Phoenix and I for one was… excited? To be honest, at this stage in my life there was a lot going on. You know, the kind of things our heroes in the stories were going through as teenagers. And the idea of a new HP book sounded good but I was happy to wait. Just as before.
Looking back, the fact that I never ventured out to purchase a copy for myself probably says something about the level of enthusiasm I had for books. Whilst I was a big fan of the universe in principle, I wasn’t that enthralled to go out and become one of the robe-wearing, wand-wielding kids who send out fan mail to the author, and later, the actors.
As the years went by, particularly as Warner Brothers kept churning out some solid movies, my appreciation for the books never waned. With the deeper themes and light metaphysics that came to underpin J.K’s later books starting to take further form with The Order of the Phoenix, my appreciation for the series matured in accordance.
This essay is not the place to provide an in-depth breakdown of complex narratives and introductory theology that J.K. introduces in her books. However, one notable point is ‘The Lost Prophecy’ which is worth a mention.
The prophecy, one that speaks of a child who would be. The one who would have the power to defeat the Dark Lord and end his portending tyranny. In Christianity, the prophecy of Isaiah (7: 13; 9: 6): Of a virgin who would give birth to a son who would become the Prince of Peace establishing a new era of where justice and righteousness will rule. That through his coming and Passion the prince of this world will be overthrown (John 12: 31).
It goes without saying that Harry Potter books (and later movies) have a strong Christmas feel. And I don’t think this is a coincidence. The prophesied birth of Messiah and the light it portends for those who walk in fear and darkness is captured in the hope that is placed in Harry. Whose arrival gives hope and joy to those who choose the path of righteousness.
Book five in the series is for me where the Campbellian archetype that lay at the core of the story, really started to take off. The Hero’s journey that Harry will inevitably take, enters a higher stage where it takes on the characteristics of ‘the One’: The stage where the story of the hero goes beyond the simpler narrative of a man who is trying to find his place in the world; developing as a person, overcoming obstacles outside and within, growing in mind and body, rising in stature until he is ready to confront his demons and eventually his main adversary; and towards something cosmic in nature.
In Harry’s story, the power and greatness of the Dark Lord, who is literally the embodiment of Satan’s seed in the world of wizardry: the one who is bent on the domination of the wizarding world and the enslavement of humanity (akin to Lucifer’s designs); makes Harry a virtual Messianic figure. Akin to the One-like Neo Anderson from the Matrix, or Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars.
The meaning of the prophecy and the significance of Harry’s tale to the wider world becomes clearer at the end of the fifth novel adding a new dimension to the end of the first chapter of the first book: where ‘people were meeting all over the country […] holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices: ‘To Harry Potter – the boy who lived’. The Order of Phoenix cements Harry Potter along with other fantastical heroes of our time, as an avatar of Christ.
The Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)
Possibly the darkest book in the series. And certainly the most bewitching of all of J.K’s books. Like most other books in the series, I got hold of this one almost a year after its publication. During the extended Christmas break following the end of the Ordinary Level (O/Ls) examination, which extended into 2006. The friend who had lent me the first four books was on hand again. And it was an opportunity to meet up in the intervening months as our academic fate was rather uncertain in terms of trajectory and direction.
The Half-Blood Prince is one of the more curious books in the series. Despite being darker in tone and setting, not to mention, the powerful ending, it was one of the books that I enjoyed the most. And not for reasons that I understood clearly at the time.
For me, The Half-Blood Prince is the book I hoped that Harry Potter, as a fantasy novel will evolve into A literal dark fantasy. Which made it so much more special. Something which J.K throughout her previous books threatened: from Basilisks, Dementors to Unforgivable Curses. But it was in The Half-Blood Prince that J.K truly delivered. And she did so not only in terms of story tropes and character but critically in atmosphere.
Whilst other HP books, the fourth one most notably, contained that element of darkness and despite. It was only in The Half-Blood Prince that this unceasing tone of unease and melancholia takes hold, and never really lets go. And the crowing concept that enters the mix in this novel and embodies the spirit of the tale going forward is the Horcrux.
The concept of Horcruxes is pure imaginative genius from the English author. I don’t know what the inspiration for this idea was!? (For ideas such as gigantic serpents that can kill with their sight and breadth, magical stones that can grant immortality, transmogrification, and instant teleportation can be traced back to mystical and fantastical writings of the past). The concept of breaking parts of your soul into fragments thereby attaining a type of Earthly immortality is mesmerizing as it is disturbing.
I recall the day I read through this chapter ‘Horcruxes’. It was a cloudy late afternoon. I remember lying in bed, with the door to the room shut. I was probably alone at home at that time, as wasn’t interrupted once in the hours that I spent reading it. As I read through the chapter I couldn’t help feeling a sense of uneasiness. I was almost sacred, but I just kept going.
Until that point, I have never really been frightened whilst reading anything really, but this part of the book got me in a number of ways. The weird part was, not all of that fear was negative.
I was intrigued by the contents of what was in front of me and was half-wondering: ‘wow J.K you really have become the kind of writer I hoped you would be’. Whilst J.K never explicitly goes into the cosmic origins or foundations of these dark powers; but as events in the final book would attest, the metaphysics of God or in the case of the Horcruxes, evil, are powerfully developed.
Here it is worth mentioning I have this sort of love/hate relationship with the dark side. I mean the real dark side: one that concerns the world of evil spirits and dark forces that inhabit other realms and have the capacity to affect our own. As a person with a Christian heritage, I have always been fascinated by the power of evil. Intellectually at least.
Human history, in terms of the conflicts, trials, and tribulations, from the standpoint of the believer, is a function of sin and its effects, and the efforts of man to rise above it with the grace of the divine; which is available if he seeks it. Just like in Hogwarts where ‘help will always be given […] to those who ask for it’.
History is a story where the pursuit of power as an end in itself (a definition of evil) is often the catalyst. The main or primary driver that sets in motion cosmic events, that affect or influence grand human projects. Often leading men with ambition and will astray by twisting them towards negative ends that are not visible at first. Thus necessitating corrective action on part of the forces of good.
Without evil, there is no good. Without the perennial villain with evil designs to destroy what is good there is no need for a hero who wishes to confront and overcome it, and in the process overcome the demons within. Without Voldemort, there is no Harry Potter. Without the Dark Lord, there would be no ‘The Boy Who Lived’. Without Satan, there would be no need for the Redeeming mission of the Savior.
The Deathly Hallows (Book 7)
I was late to this book by almost two years. It was sometime in mid-2009 when I finally managed to read it. It was a borrowed copy from another friend. Come to think of it there’s something about people I like, and even the people I befriend and their affinity with the Potterverse.
The guy who lend me the final book in the series did so after making it clear that this set of books was his most treasured. In fact, the other friend who lend the early books in the series actually had-as I later learned-another set of the entire series of books!
On the topic of the HP fandom, and my apparent lack of enthusiasm for it. It is worth mentioning the instance where I helped a local Potter fan, a real fan let’s say, in a related endeavor. Around the time I was doing my final year exams at school, this girl was a student of my Mom. She was around 13, had a thing for Emma Watson in particular, and wanted help constructing some kind of interesting fan mail. I remember getting color printouts of the covers of the HP books for her to produce these items. And I think she got some signed items from the actual actors. But I could be wrong about this (This was in late 2008).
Speaking of my time in England, it was evident that Harry Potter was a big deal. In 2011 when I had just hit the shores of the U.K. and started my first year at University, the final film (Deathly Hallows: Part II) had been out just a few months. I recall a morning session for an introductory economics module when a number of the students, including myself hadn’t come prepared for the lesson. The lecturer in charge of the tutorial, following a light castigation asked us what else would be doing if we had the chance.
A guy next to me, who I think was originally from Ireland, mentioned if he could, he would be doing “Harry Potter studies” at… I can’t recall the name of the University, but it was presumably a British one. At this point, the lecturer in question, a rather eccentric but humble Englishman from Lewisham, inquired a rather multicultural (ethnic) class how many of us have read the books. I remember nodding to this, for which he inquired (disbelievingly if I might add) if had I read the entire series. I responded in the affirmative.
A number of things come to mind when I think of The Deathly Hallows. When I first got the book I was going through a period of deep reflection and change. And it is interesting that I should start reading the final book in the series at this time. As I recall, just a year before, in my final year at school some of the guys in class were reading it in between breaks or when there was a free lesson.
I for one always felt that the experience of reading every Harry Potter book had to be somewhat memorable. Something I would like to do alone. Preferably after sunset. In a quiet, cool, comfortable place with some mint nearby. Which is what I did.
Though, it is interesting that in the time leading up to this, I was not really on the lookout for the book: As I probably reckoned, heck I will get around to it at some point. Which again, is a curious thing for someone who loves the world J.K. has produced and thoroughly enjoys delving into it.
Anyway, how did I get started on the final book? It was a send-off party at a friend’s house. One of the blokes there was chatting with my friend’s brother, who was saying how much he liked the (HP) book but mentioned there was a scene that he did not enjoy: That of our dear Hermione getting tortured! The bloke who was listening cut in and told me he didn’t want to hear any spoilers.
It is funny for at that point my interest in reading the final Harry Potter book sort of clicked. Meaning I wanted to read it sooner rather than later. Eventually, I got hold of it (I don’t know: it could have been the same day. I can be quite persuasive). And as usual, I started reading it in my room starting around dusk. And yes with some mint in hand.
I gotta say I loved it. Whilst not as exciting as The Goblet of Fire, or darkly perturbing as The Half-Blood Prince, but The Deathly Hallows is the best book in the series for it delivers on so many levels. Once again, this is not meant as a review or analysis of the conclusion to the most popular fantasy book series in history(1).
What I like about The Deathly Hallows is that it succeeds as a grand conclusion to what the author laid out in the first book, and developed over the next five. At the same time introduces new concepts, story arcs, advancing character development, not to mention the grand twist, in addition to touching on the inevitable mysticism and theology, giving rise to the unique but familiar tale of the Boy Who Lived.
The Deathly Hallows functions as a story within a story. A short but powerful tale that engages the relationship between life and death. Between man’s self-serving quest for power and the inevitability of his demise. A function of the extent of his will, wisdom, and time, and the courage of those who oppose him in the name of love and friendship.
There are many powerful moments in this book. Powerful in touching, sobering, and inspiring ways. Harry and Hermione’s visit to Godric’s Hollow is one of the most memorable parts of the book. The quietude, coldness, and mournful serenity that is captured at that moment when the two stand before the grave of the boy wizard’s parents is touching. I remember the night I read it clearly.
I will leave out the story elements here, however, one other moment that stood out for curious reasons was the capture of Harry and his friends by the Snatchers and the following encounter with the Death Eaters.
What I am referring to specifically is the torture of Hermione Granger. Now I haven’t read any of the 50 Shades books or watched the movies they’re based on, and don’t believe I would connect with any of them. But there was something weirdly riveting when reading the part where Bellatrix Lestrange is hurting Hermione. Can’t explain why. But when reading it, it made the scene that was dark, interestingly darker, and dare I say, stimulating.
This is a confession on my part. I need not say this. But this is a dark side of yours truly that happens to connect with such (dark) elements from time to time. For the record, I have nothing against Hermione. Heck after the release of the movies-especially the third-I sorted fancied her (Emma Watson). Still kinda do.
As for the conclusion. It was, dare I say, somewhat expected. Obviously not in terms of how the events actually played out but in terms of the metaphysics. The reference to I Corinthians 15:26 ‘The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death’ is unmissable in its forthrightness: For Harry must die in order defeat the ultimate evil, for the two are connected.
But, as the story goes, as light must prevail over darkness, he is resurrected as the master of the Deathly Hallows and thus becomes the Master of Death itself. As the Resurrected Christ who defeats the ultimate evil, through his death and resurrection and is now the Lord of all Creation.
The Deathly Hallows is a powerful novel. One that captures the mind of the reader, particularly the fan of the series, in the most profound way. The elements of mystery, adventure, suspense, romance, and shades of horror contrast with the beauty of hope, friendship, heroism, and above all love that completes this narrative. Which together makes seventh the best book in the series.
Ranking Harry Potter Books
The Goblet of Fire – The Half-Blood Prince – The Deathly Hallows
The Chamber of Secrets – The Order of the Phoenix
The Philosopher’s Stone
The Prisoner of Azkaban
The Movies
The best part about the Harry Potter movies is despite the fact that I start to watch them in the later part of the series (Book 4), they did not infer with the world that I had built up in my mind. Sure there were differences in terms of characters, aspects of the art style, and the kind of world that was portrayed on-screen. However, the integration of the world that was presented on-screen and what I had imagined was pretty seamless.
Harry was pretty much the same. Ron was Ron, and Hermione was admittedly was wayyy prettier in the movies, and more likable (Maybe because she was prettier).
Anyway, reworking the characters in the movies back into what I had imagined whilst reading the books, whilst somewhat challenging at first-for in a number of ways what I had imagined seemed more high-end. (Such as the great hall with rectangular tables which seemed medieval, not magical).
Speaking of the Great Hall and of Hogwarts in general, one of the problems I had with the movies, is that they all, with the possible exception of the Prisoner of Azkaban, lacked a sense of magic!
A funny thing to say about a movie on wizards and witches. But something about the Harry Potter movies seemed to be wanting in the fantasy department. Sure the movies had a lot of magic in them. But often, and especially within Hogwarts, where all the magic is supposed to happen, there seemed to be this diremption between the magical world and the human world: that is in the very places where magic is technically supposed to be ubiquitous.
This is a difficult point to explain; but for those who are familiar with fantasy, particularly high fantasy materials like The Lord of the Rings, there is an added sense of magic and mystery that pervades the entire world. The world around you seems ingrained with a magical DNA. With HP it seemed to be the opposite. Which is understandable given its low fantasy status. However, it appears the producers went too far in the secular (non-magic) direction. The HP movies seemed to take place in a Muggle world that was imbued with magic and not the other way around. And it was all the weaker for it.
It is worth mentioning that I around the time I started watching the first HP movies (in early 2004), I was binging through Peter Jackson’s LOFTR trilogy. The second and third in the series, I watched for the first time at this time; and in comparison, the HP movies until that point (films one and two) seemed like a step-down.
At one level it almost felt like HP was a fantasy for kids and early teens, whilst LOTR was a fantasy for adults (Well Christian ones who are ignorant of or closed off to the world of carnal pleasures. As that’s GOT’s arena).
HP in comparison to Tolkien’s movie juggernaut seemed clearly weaker. But as I would come to learn, not lesser. In fact, as the years have passed I have to come to appreciate the HP movies greater, and indeed the eight movies from Warner Brothers Studios are now (Christmas 2022) my favorite ever.
The Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone
This is the first movie I watched in our family’s new DVD player. Yea we were a bit late to the game but hey. I remember watching it during my first term vacation sometime in 2004. I remember laying on the couch watching the story unfold on the relatively small screen.
I liked it. The world that was presented whilst different was also familiar. The writing seemed faithful to the source material, and the casting was pretty much spot-on. Though I imagined Hagrid with less facial and head hair and attired more like a Texas rancher. But other than that the character looks were on point.
The first HP movie was good. It was kinda what I expected in a good way. One that did not let the viewer, and especially the fan, down. But nor did it astound me with its world-building and gripping screenplay. It was at its core a movie intended for kids. And as something of a kid myself (14) I was able to appreciate it better.
Though one thing the movie proved was that the imaginative facilities of the mind are generally astounding. And reality (i.e. our power and capacity to actualize what we envision) is still lagging far behind. In a way, I guess it always will. Well, never say never.
The Chamber of Secrets
For a while, this was my favorite HP movie. Yes even after the release of The Prisoner of Azkaban.
What I liked most about the movie is that had most key elements from the book packed in. If you skim through the chapters of the second book, the movie is able to reproduce its contents almost chapter for chapter. One that latter movies did not manage. Well, until the last one which was split in two.
What I liked about The Chamber of Secrets is its very direct story. The rise of Harry as Voldemort’s opponent. His role as a paragon of virtue and truth makes him the enemy of the forces of evil that take many forms. As Harry and his friends become the kryptonite to all the dark energies that are swelling around the castle causing mischief. From the elitist classist Lucius Malfoy, the self-serving charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart, to Tom Riddle, the avatar of Dark Lord himself;
Gilderoy Lockhart as the villainous Dark Arts teacher was a marvelous play by J.K. The fact that this mountebank who had built a career hoodwinking people; stealing the success of better wizards and witches and then destroying their memories to secure credit for himself but in no apparent way was associated with the Dark Lord was a cool idea.
The fact of life that bad people come in all shapes and forms, and not all of them are bent on world domination, or at least happen to be serving those who harbor such designs is a good trope that J.K. employs.
Above all, I liked the fact that The Chamber of Secrets worked to stay faithful to the book as much as possible. Probably it did so too much for some. Which may be why it is not the best-reviewed. But I liked it. The Chamber of Secrets along with the first and third movies in the series, but especially the first, naturally catered to a younger audience. Hence they are more enjoyable if one approaches them as a kid.
In fact, one of the magical things about watching the Harry Potter movies as an adult is that they make you feel like a kid. Bringing back memories of my time as an early teen when I watched these movies for the first time. Another reason that makes these movies special.
The Prisoner of Azkaban
Arguably my favorite film in the franchise and one of my top 10 movies ever.
There is much to like about The Prisoner of Azkaban. From its opening with Harry using Lumos to illuminate what looks like a map in the darkness, with the anti-magic brick wall of Mr. Dursley knocking against it sets the magical tone of the movie in motion.
One of the things I have found intriguing about the Potter world is the idea of magic as an abiding force: one that is part of the very fabric of the world of wizards and witches. A world where magic is operative in spite of and apart from the agency of those who carry magical blood.
Harry ballooning his obnoxious Aunt without actually intending it is telling in this regard. A magical moment that was prefigured in events like ‘The Vanishing Glass’. The inexplicable nature of magic, as one that resides secretly in the world of witches and wizards, but one that from time to time breaks into the Muggle where the reality of magic is not only denied but ideologically opposed. A worldview best embodied by the Dursleys.
The idea of embedding magic into the world, as opposed to one that emerges solely as a function of what the witches and wizards do, reinforces the reality of magic as a mysterious force that is not fully understood nor tamable and is one of the key strengths of J.K’s books. One that is artfully brought to life by the vision of Alfonso Cuarón.
The Knight Buss is one of the most interesting scenes in all of J.K.’s books. For it shows the world of magic as a world within a world. A parallel reality that exists apart from but also in relation to our own (The Knight Bus might move really quickly, and alter its mass by defying the laws of physics, but it is not so beyond the rules that govern our world in that it can run through an old lady).
What makes The Prisoner of Azkaban so interesting is the characters and their relationships. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are teenagers now, which adds more interesting (and serious) layers to the story. There is a natural step-up in terms of the maturity of the character’s thoughts and motivations: with Harry’s potential as a powerful wizard to challenge the Dark Lord rising, and with it a certain dormant darkness within him.
But the centerpiece of the movie is, of course, Hermione. Emma Watson is pretty great in the third installment. The Prisoner of Azkaban is really her film: as she is presented as a co-equal to Harry in driving the events that unfold.
Portrayed as a girl with agency, wit, and growing femininity. This was around the time when boys started taking an interest in the English actress. I remember (a few months before I turned 15) hearing some of the guys in class looking forward to seeing the new Potter movie for Ms. Watson’s sake. So was I.
As a side point, it is worth mentioning that Hermione’s characterization in the film is how you portray a female character: As a girl who is competent, and independent but also human. Throughout the movie, we get glimpses of who Hermione is as a person. Her character (hard-working), her wit (problem-solving), and femininity (her budding relationship with Ron and tears at the execution of Buckbeak in the alternate timeline).
In sum, what makes The Prisoner of Azkaban a great movie, and for me, one of the best ever is the artistry of its production. The film is a work of art on many levels. The solid acting, led by Garry Oldman, the dark world of the Dementors, the youthful spirit of adventure of our lead characters which harkens to the teen ventures of the Famous Five; the Sci-Fi concept of time travel that is engaged with a degree of competence with respect to the source material, all held together in the believable world of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.
The Goblet of Fire
The most disappointing motion picture in the series.
Since I loved the book, I was really hoping for something great when it came to its theatrical adaption. But boy, from the terrible hairstyles/cuts to the hideously dim, dark color scheme; the removal of entire plot lines and characters (in more egregious ways than in other films); to the cringe-inducing injections of ‘humor’ that distract from the seriousness of the plot, of what is one of the darker movies in series.
The Goblet of Fire was disappointing as I went in with high expectations on the back of the last film, which was based on a much shorter book and was marvelously adapted to the big screen. Since the fourth novel is over twice the length of the previous entry, it was impossible for the producers to squeeze in all of the secondary and subplot lines into the movie. But its absence was missed.
The notable exclusion of Winky the house elf and the rather complex plot line involving the social status of her kind, with Ms. Granger’s efforts to fight for their rights (ever the activist our dear Ms. Watson); to her relationship with the Crouch family and deeper mystery surrounding Bartemius ‘Barty’ Crouch Junior’s infiltration of Hogwarts, should have found their way into the movie.
In hindsight, given the scope and extent of the story, the movie ought to have been a two-part release. This is not a bad idea, given that the final two movies in the series which were filmed together, but released separately, together raked in over $ 2.3 billion.
But based on what was offered, there were still a number of things that could have been done better. The color theme I have already mentioned is worth extrapolating. I for one wished that the movies adopted a color scheme that corresponded to the covers of the books: the original UK paperback version. Book one has a deep red hue; book two: has shades of light and deep blue; book three: purple; book four: a rich crimson with shades of fiery yellow; book five: gold and sky blue; book six: with a deep glowy green; book seven: a kaleidoscope of colors predominantly gold and silver, produced via the jewels against a maroon backdrop.
As per this expectation, The Goblet of Fire fails abysmally. The color palette and the overall atheistic of the movie with its deep gray, green-black overtones are plain ugly. There is no other way to put it. Heck, even the characters don’t look great. And did I mention the terrible hairdos?! The Yule Ball was another mess. I hated the rock element. What was supposed to be a very elegant, chivalrous, and orderly dance soon degenerated into some butterbeer-fueled pandemonium.
One scene that was a big letdown visually was the dragons when Harry and Hagrid paid a visit to them in the night. Whilst it was too much to expect the First Task of all the champions to be showcased, at least a good glimpse of all four dragons that the contestants had to face off, with wizards trying to contain them with stunning spells, as per the book, would have been great to see. Heck, even the dragon miniatures which the contestants are presented with before the task and not clearly shown.
The Goblet of Fire was an excellent disappointment. Whilst it succeeds as a movie that seeks to tell a coherent story, with an eye on the unread viewer, with major plot lines touched on. However, the film fails in terms of world-building (or enhancing it, since it is the fourth). And especially from an aesthetic standpoint. Despite getting nominated for an Academy Award for Production Design).
The lack of seriousness that underpinned the narrative (that stupid cannon going off at various times, Argus Filch running like a fool during the banquet, to the lack of sexiness which I think was needed as the story now properly enters teenage territory. (No Veelas, Fleur Delacour whilst pretty, was not smoking hot as described in the book; the lack of cleavage and butt shots with respect to the Beauxbatons). The Goblet of Fire whilst a good HP movie was a letdown as a movie intended for Harry Potter fans.
The Order of the Phoenix
Arguably the best-made movie in the entire series. It’s funny that for a movie that is based on the lengthiest book in the series and also happens to be the second shortest in terms of runtime, it was able to pack pretty much all that I was looking for when it came to a faithful adaptation of J.K’s fifth book.
I really liked The Order of the Phoenix. For some reason, eerily almost, the book almost scene for scene visually presented my conception of the book. What I imagined whilst reading the book for the first and only time, sometime in late 2004, was represented beautifully in this theatrical adaption.
From ‘The Advanced Guard’, The headquarters of ‘The Order’, to many parts of ‘The Ministry of Magic’. It was kinda bizarre, for when I watched it the first time, it was like: ‘yea I have seen this one before’. It is funny when you think about it. But I guess at this point J.K world vis a vie the movies had become so ingrained, that my imaginative faculties at that point had begun to assimilate much of the world presented onscreen.
Of course, there were shortfalls or absences. The Ministry of Magic lacked a few areas, the visit to ‘St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries’ with a meeting with the now mindless Gilderoy Lockhart and the great exposition by Dumbledore at the end of the book was surely missed.
I recall having an argument with a friend and fellow HP fan in 2007 when the film was released on what was the better film: 4 or 5? This was the guy who lent me the early books in the series. He insisted it was 4, I said it was 5. Admittedly 4 is a better story, and for those who haven’t read the book it may have seemed like a better movie. However, as per the reasons I have mentioned earlier, the 4th movie was poorly made despite its narrative strengths.
The Order of the Phoenix visually was almost pitch-perfect. Harry looked strong, competent, and purposeful. And Ron wasn’t a total goofball. Hermione seemed to take a back seat. Which was fine. What I liked best about the movie was the visual style. The color scheme and the overall world-building are easy on the eye and imaginatively faithful to what (I believe) J.K envisioned. So as a HP fan who wants to see his version of the fantasy world brought to light, The Order of the Phoenix was a success.
The Half-Blood Prince
The worst movie in the series.
I know that view is not shared by everyone. But I gotta say, I really had a hard time watching it as an entertaining Harry Potter movie the first time. This is not to say it is a bad movie. None of the HP movies are. But the point remains. The Half-Blood Prince is not a great film.
I understand this book was different. It was serious from the outset. And it dealt with more mature themes of trust, romance, the cost of true friendship, rites of passage, and betrayal. The darkness literally and metaphorically that pervaded the entirety of the book, as it built up to the fateful end was faithful to the book, but it lacked an imaginative dimension of the 3rd movie: This movie just seemed less magical. But what do I mean by this?
Now, this is a difficult concept to explain, but as I touched on earlier, it is up to the producers to build a world that was magical in its DNA. Rather than magic being some kind of superficial add-on that pops up from moment to moment or when it is desperately needed. The idea of magic as a living force, one that is embedded in the very fabric of the world and that comes to life, almost with a will of its own is what the reader wants to see on the big screen.
The Half-Blood Prince fails in this regard. From its terrible color palette, horrible lighting, and dim brooding atmosphere, together made the film lifeless from the outset. This approach was understandable but it need not have been so.
Whilst the tragic end was meant to be prefigured by the dark atmosphere, it was poorly managed, especially when much of the post-death scenes from the book, where the reader is meant to process the passing of the great wizard were cut out entirely.
In its defense, The Half-Blood Prince, unlike all other books in the series it was based on, was seriously lacking in the action, excitement, and intrigue department. Something that I for one didn’t mind whilst reading it, given the riveting narrative.
However, I felt such elements could have been integrated in some way (i.e. some extra content) for the sake of the movie. For one, I found the events leading up to Dumbledore’s death in ‘The Lightening-Struck Tower’ where the climatic moment when the Half-Blood Prince murders the Hogwarts Headmaster: the man, who was until then, the greatest wizard of the age.
There is some debate on which version is better (or worse): the book or the movie. I for one had a problem with both. But it became a ‘problem’ only after I watched the movie. In the book, the tragic moment was unexpected despite being a distinct possibility. So it was powerful for that reason alone.
Having watched the movie as a reader, the gravitas of this moment were naturally weaker. However, the manner of his passing, at least by Dumbledore’s standards: being the most powerful wizard of the time, took place rather tamely. And it contributed to the lack of an ‘action element’ in the movie.
But this issue was again alleviated in the books, given the extended ending: where the reader was made to process the gravity of his death, in terms of the massive hole it left in the lives of those who trusted, needed, and believed in him.
Dumbledore until that point was the father figure to Harry, the patriarch of Hogwarts, and indeed the spiritual leader of the wizarding world. Being ‘The Only One He Ever Feared’, his passing ought to have been momentous and tragic. The film’s adaption was neither. ‘The Phoenix Lament’ has to be one of the most touching chapters in all of fiction. I genuinely broke down whilst reading this. This has only happened one other time in my time reading books in this genre.
So in order to venerate the great wizard, I have put together a send-off that I hope is worthy of his stature, and of the person who conceived him. Here’s my take on the end of Dumbledore in The Half-Blood Prince:
—
Upon returning to the fateful Tower, Dumbledore dispatches Harry to find Snape. Harry is naturally suspicious: Albus being the powerful wizard that he is could have found a quicker way. Harry is uncertain and proceeds to obey, but only to disobey his orders. When he proceeds to remain, Dumbledore castigates him, at which point a Death Eater emerges from the shadows.
(Note this scene would take place on the top of the Tower: assuming it has a flat surface, such as those found in concentric castles; and came with multiple entry points, with stairs leading below).
The Death Eater is about to strike Harry near one of the exit points leading down, but he is dispatched by Albus. Stunned and disarmed. Angered Dumbledore looks Harry directly in the eye telling him that he must leave. Before he could finish the sentence, Albus is struck from behind by a hex. He is thrown off the ground but remains in control with a wand in hand.
Seeing Harry, the Death Eaters proceeds to attack him, at which point Dumbledore petrifies the attacker. And before Harry has a chance to say anything, Dumbledore freezes Harry and levitates the invisibility clock on him. Harry remains stuck to a wall, invisible and immobile, as more Death Eaters emerge. Swarming him from all sides one by attacking the great wizard. Who bravely stands his ground, as he knocks them down, but in an ever-weakening way. As Albus puts away who he thinks is the last Death Eater, he is struck, seemingly out of nowhere, by the cruciatus curse.
It is Bellatrix Lestrange. Who creeps out with mad laughter. Wreathing in pain Dumbledore struggles to gain control. As he does, Harry struggles to break free. He cannot. He is unable to move, unable to speak. He is forced to watch the ordeal of his mentor. Dumbledore regains some of his poise and aims a spell at the distracted Bellatrix: a freezing spell. It partly hits, freezing Bellatrix’s wand hand and part of her torso.
As Dumbledore struggles to gain his posture, he is hit by a red light. He is disarmed and weakened by the battles before, he falls partly to the ground. As he looks up, we cut to Harry who has this look of terror and anger. It is Malfoy. Malfoy walks towards Dumbledore, wand aimed straight at him. Dumbledore looks up and glances at Harry. For Malfoy had entered the arena from the staircase next to him.
As Malfoy walks towards Dumbledore, Bellatrix, though immobilized screams with laughter. Shouting, ‘kill him’. ‘Kill him now’. As Malfoy looks on with uncertainty at Dumbledore who is clearly helpless, He looks at Harry again. Harry half expects the wizened wizard to set him free to aid his Headmaster. But then a dark apparition. A wizard in black. Seemingly hooded, apparates into their midst. His back is turned to everyone. Expect Harry. As the camera rolls it becomes evident it is Snape.
Snape looks different. He looks angry. Vengeful and purposeful. Snape moves towards the scene of combat. Dumbledore’s face lightens. He almost has a smile on his face. With Bellatrix incapacitated, Malfoy is a confused mess. The scene is set for Snape to put things right. And it seems that he will.
Snape walks towards Albus and raises his wand seemingly pointing at Malfoy and then at Bellatrix. The camera cuts to Harry. He looks on, now a glimmer of hope coming over his face. But then looks. And looks.
Snape keeps walking with the wand in hand and then walks past the shaking Malfoy and frozen and crazed Bellatrix. He steps towards the helpless Albus, who is helpless. And as Snape approaches, he struggles to stand as he realizes the betrayal. The look on Harry’s face slowly turns to dread as the camera closes in (slightly).
Snape is silent. Bellatrix is still crazed but now crackling with deadly laughter. As Snape moves further forward, Malfoy falls away. The look on Dumbledore changes. He darts a quick look at Harry, almost wanting to ask for help. But then accepts his fate. But he looks at Snape and appears to hope otherwise.
Snape is unwavering. At which point he says: ‘Severus please’. Snape unflinching, kills him. Albus is blown away by the force of the death curse, his body is blasted through a gap in the wall as he falls away into the darkness.
Harry screams. But no sound is heard. Then the other Death Eaters arrive. The charm that held Harry in place weakens, and he breaks free….
So this would have been my take on the death of Albus Dumbledore. More action. More suspense. More pain. For all of its other faults, The Half-Blood Prince would have done immeasurably better had it given the Hogwarts Headmaster a worthy send-off. It didn’t.
Though having said the 6th movie whilst the worst, is not the most disappointing. I kinda expected the producers would have a hard time reproducing the story laid out in the book in a way that would be suitable for the big screen. The effort was commendable, and I did enjoy watching it when watching it for the second time (the extended version) this Christmas (2022). The Half-Blood Prince is my co-favorite book in the Series along with the fourth and seventh. The movie could have been better.
The Deathly Hallows (Part 1)
Possibly my favorite movie in the series. This is a tough call since for a long time The Prisoner of Azkaban was my favorite movie in the series. And it remains in my top 10 movies of all time. However, there is something about The Deathly Hallows Part 1 that… Man, I don’t know. It just brings up a number of positive feelings. Positive, but not necessarily good.
For starters, the movie(s) benefit greatly from being divided into two parts. Which allowed the producers to pack more of the content from the book onto the big screen. One that was sorely missed in the 4th film.
Since the writers had more freedom in terms of time, they were able to focus on many if not all important aspects of the book. Very little was left out. Particularly those little moments that resonate with ‘ah I remember that from the books’. But that doesn’t mean The Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Part 1 Henceforth) has everything. Viktor Krum’s absence at Bill and Fleur’s wedding and the interesting interactions that follow his observation of the Hallows sign were missed. However, the fact that the producers chose to include the wedding: a joyous occasion before the trials to come, was a great choice.
The characters were great. Hermione looked good as ever. Possibly the best since The Prisoner of Azkaban. Ron was coming into his own as a serious character: as a friend and as a foil to Harry. And Harry was rising up to be the man (or wizard) he was meant to be. There were a number of moments in Part 1 that stood as touching, powerful, and tragic. In sum, the movie now counts as the best in the series.
From the painful scene where Emma, sorry, Hermione (can’t separate the characters from the actors sometimes) obliviates her parents. The death of Hedwig. To the sad passing of Dobby at the end. There is just so much emotion packed into this movie. And the experience of watching Part 1 was especially memorable as I did it in London. A tale in itself.
—
On the night I watched the movie, I think it was a Sunday, I spent the day somewhere out of the British capital. Working a shift as a server at a big wedding. It was a grand event. It was between two rich Indian families from Southall, as this pretty Indian lady whose table I was waiting, was kind enough to tell.
It was a long day. For much of the morning, I was tasked with bringing drinks to this table of guys. And boy did they drink. It was an open bar and there was no stopping them. But it was a fun evening. The guests were good overall. A lot of the women were just beautiful.
And we had to work with this another staffing company. They were good. As they had their own tasks allocated for the day. And I did proceed to help out one guy. During the midday break we were allowed to have some of the food the guests did (one of the perks of the job). It was something.
It was a good day overall. Despite being a day-long and at times difficult shift. God, the juice glasses were a killer! This was at the start of the day when almost everyone, including yours truly, dropped one. The dual journey back home: from this location outside of London to the heart of the capital, and then from Central London to where I was staying, close to West London was an adventure in itself.
First, having completed the shift sometime after 7.00 pm (this was the middle of summer). Then running into trouble with the transport, as the vehicle that brought us here was first delayed by more than an hour. And then was boarded by the other staffing company which apparently did not organize their own transport. This led to a 30-minute-long confrontation/exchange. Once that was resolved (they had to get out), we had this three-hour-long journey back to the capital.
We were dropped off somewhere in Central London. At which point most of us broke off, each making their own way home. By now it was nearing midnight, and those who have lived in London prior to 2016-when the ‘Night Tube’ (like the night bus) started its service-would know that the trains pretty much stop around midnight. As I was walking around using the map on my phone looking for the right bus stop to get to West London, I ended up in Piccadilly Circus. I always liked this place, especially at night. With its flashing lights and interconnected streets. I found my way home from here.
Getting back around I don’t know, half past 1.00 in the morning. After showering, I sat (or lied) down to eat my dinner (there was couch seating which I moved closer to the TV for comfort) and watch The Deathly Hallows Part 1. I loved every minute of it.
—
It seemed like a Harry Potter movie that was made just for me. I don’t know if the viewer has ever felt this way. There were moments in the film that shot for shot reminded of what I imagined whilst reading the book. In addition to capturing the overall sensibility of the book. It was living the reading experience on-screen.
One of my favorite scenes, which resonated with the events of the night, was when our heroes apparate out of the wedding as they escape the Death Eater attack, and land in front of an oncoming bus in the center of Piccadilly Circus. To then make their way through the streets of West London, with Hermione leading the way in that sexy deep red dress.
The encounter at the restaurant was on point and yea the film just kept delivering one good moment after another. The visit to Godric’s Hollow was among the most touching ones. The fight between Ron and Harry was powerful with doubts and suspicion growing among the firm friends, under the festering power of the Horcrux.
Arguably the best scene in the movie is the moment when Harry and Hermione, in the midst of all the pain, weariness, and lack of hope, and now with the apparent loss of the ever-present strength of a good friend, find solace in each other with that touching dance.
The way it started, with Hermione moving from a state of reluctance to consent, to eventually letting loose as the two find much-needed release in the moment and in each other… The scene is moving, literally and figuratively. You can see both of them actually starting to enjoy it. It was as if the scene itself-which is not in the book by the way-was giving the actors, who were having a tough time on set, and needed the release.
Loved it.
From my standpoint, there was real chemistry between the two. In ‘The Return to Hogwarts’ 20th-anniversary reunion, Emma Watson mentioned that it was one of her favorite scenes in the whole series. Mine too. Which shows that filmmakers can afford to get (carefully) creative from time to with the source material.
Interestingly this connection between Harry and Hermione made the later encounter between Harry and Ron; where Ron is made to choose between destroying the Horcrux and apparently killing Harry who was supposedly (according to the illusion cast by Horcrux’s self-defense mechanism) bedding his best friend’s girlfriend.
Now this part is not exactly clear. But the scene seems to imply-and it is wonderfully shot, despite being slightly on the dark side-that Ron is made to be filled with envy, then anger and hatred, where he with the sword in hand could have chosen to cut down his supposedly cheating friend as a crime of passion. As Ron moves to destroy the Horcrux, the incapacitated Harry half expects to be cut down himself. But Ron does the right thing.
The reunion with Hermione is as expected. And their detour into the Ministry of Magic was intriguing as ever. Man, I could write about every scene in the movie. Corban Yaxley as a Death Eater was great; the moments wandering in the wilderness (so to speak) were sad but captivating. And their eventual capture by the Snatchers was a powerful moment that ended the feeling of inevitability the film was building up to from the beginning.
I liked and disliked the scenes at Malfoy Manor (A compliment). They were done well. The torture of Hermione went down pretty much as I imagined it. It was… This is a great movie. For me, it is now the best in the series.
The Deathly Hallows (Part 2)
This movie is difficult to rate, for it came with a sad but inevitable fact: This is the end of Harry Potter.
Of course, it is not the end. Harry Potter, along with famed characters like the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel will always be with us. However, The Deathly Hallows Part 2 does bring an end to the movies and in many ways the books as well, to a close. Given how intertwined they were.
It’s funny because the filming and release of the HP movies started midway through the life of the books. As J.K Rowling was still writing her famed tale of the boy wizard when films were released. And at one point it seemed that the movies and the characters (and actors) within them, and the world that was set in the film and one that was imagined, whilst reading the books started to merge. At least did for me. So even when the final book was published, and eventually digested, the fact that movies were still in the works, kept the Harry Potter flame alive.
—
If I recall correctly, there were some rumors at the time (2007-08) that J.K. might take her famous story beyond the seventh book. Having finished school a year after the release of the final book (2008), and with the movies now a few years away, the story of HP had become the tale of my boyhood and adolescence. So when it comes to such rumors, a part of me wanted the story to end, but another part of me didn’t.
As I pretty much grew up reading these books and watching the movies. The characters who played them Harry, Ron, Hermione + Daniel, Rupert, and Emma pretty much grew up with me as the story progressed. It seems like I developed the characters/actors. Even today whenever I see these guys on screen, it seems there is some kind of connection. I don’t if people of the same age as Emma, Ron, and Daniel feel that way.
Curious still is whenever I see Mr. Radcliff, I almost see a version of myself. There is something magical about the main cast. Especially the protagonist. Having been part of a magical world for so long it seems to have almost shaped them in a magical way.
I guess one could say that applies to English people in general. I must say when I was in England, I always found it fascinating to walk the streets of Central London. A very multicultural city that becomes less so as one neared the center. Where the British, or should I say the English, or more specifically the Anglo-Saxon populace tends to dominate.
I recall walking with a couple of mates from University late evening, somewhere in Holborn, and the guy who I was speaking to, an Englishman, and remember telling him ‘there is something magical about you guys’. I can’t recall his response. It seems like English people, and for that matter, people of Germanic heritage seemed to have descended from Elves and Fairies.
—
Returning to Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2, part of the reason I delayed watching this film along with the previous, is because in a way I didn’t want the story to end. Even though it had, via the movies, it was still alive. And that watching its conclusion will somehow end it.
But it had to.
And so I watched the final movie. It was good. It was by no means the best in the series, but it did what it had to and did it well. There were metaphysical elements to the story which the film could have handled better, but given that this was Part 2, and the aim was to bring the story to a satisfying end, at least for moviegoers, it did its job.
For a long time, my favorite movie series or trilogy was Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings. And with good reason. But now, Harry Potter takes the throne. It means a lot in terms of story, relatability, and history.
When I saw The Deathly Hallows Part 2 for the first time, around a week after I saw the first part (sometime in the summer of 2012), I kinda skipped the part involving Voldemort’s death. Can’t really tell you why. (Until I eventually did in my second viewing in Christmas 2022).
When watched the conclusion ‘19 Years Later’ it was bittersweet. But since I was in England at the time it didn’t matter too much. London life becomes magically real from time to time, especially during the holidays. So I guess I didn’t miss the Potter world as much then. But I sure do now. Kinda miss England and the English way of life one that was artfully embodied in the tale of the boy who lived.
Thanks, J.K. for this wonderful tale of hope, faith, and love.