There is a strong divide in theHarry Potterfandom as book lovers and film enthusiasts participate in the neverending debate of “who did it better.” While some inconsistencies are purely nitpicking (Radcliffe’s blue eyes, the Sorting Hat’s Song, etc.), other film alterations impact the storyline significantly, sometimes leaving gaping plot holes in their wake.
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While it is hard to overlook certainaspects ofHarry Potterfilms,such as the absence of S.P.E.W., the contradicting mechanics of the Polyjuice Potion, the disregard for the Weasleys' sub-plots, and more, this article will solely focus onspecific scenesfrom the franchise that did not translate well onto the big screen.
10Neglecting Norbert
Norbert (later renamed Norberta) may seem like a rather inconsequential side character; however, she is actually a crucial plot device in the progression ofThe Philosopher’s Stonestoryline. The grand adventure to the top of the Astronomy Tower solidifies Harry and Hermione’s rule-breaking bond,portrays the risks Draco is willing to takefor vengeance, and showcases Neville’s courageous side; but for book lovers only.
Although Norbert manages to squeeze some screentime out of the first film, her whole escape mission gets glossed over (along with Quirrel’s connection), while Charlie isn’t introduced to the audience, either. Overall, Norbert’s cinematic role is unfortunately rather pointless.
9Harry! Did You Put Your Name In The Goblet of Fire?!
Arguably one of the most controversial changes to enrage the fandom is the memorable scene that exposes Harry as a participant inThe Goblet Of Fire,which he never entered in the first place. While he is initially met with a great deal of contention from all sides, the one who seemed to never truly doubt Harry’s innocence is Dumbledore, who is scared and concerned more than anything else.
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The films clearly didn’t agree with the Headmaster’s calm response and decided to amp up the drama by substantially increasing Dumbledore’s anger levels. Harry does not have many allies in the beginningstages of the Tri-Wizard Tournament,but to lose Dumbledore too is just cruel.
8Kissing Cho Chang
One of the funniest scenes in the franchise is when puberty hits and Harry starts crushing on Cho and eventually manages to make his move inThe Order of the Phoenix… well, kind of. The awkward, “wet"humor of the whole event is not particularly emphasized in the film, which, in stark contrast, is more charming, cute, and rather suavely executed.
To add insult to injury, Cho is made to be the snitch whoreveals details about Dumbledore’s Armyto Umbridge (as opposed to the non-existent Marietta Edgecombe), which leaves a considerably sour taste in viewers' mouths, regardless of the Veritaserum’s influences in the matter.
7Fred and George’s Departure
AlthoughThe Order of the Phoenixcreators clearly didn’t cut costs when Fred and George had “outgrown full-time education,” Peeves is rather conspicuous in his absence (which has been an ongoing issue since day one.) It is a well-known fact that the twins are the only ones worthy of the poltergeists' admiration, and it is no surprise when he happily assists in mercilessly terrorizing Umbridge (surprisingly, with Professor McGonagall’sapproval.)
While the movie scene is a memorable one, the events have nothing to do with the O.W.L. exams and fit more in line with the outlandish(book-based) rumors floating around Hogwartsin the aftermath. Furthermore, it emphasizes the twins' pyrotechnic skills as opposed to the formidable Portable Swamp, and overall shows minimal resemblance to the original story.
6Sirus' Two-Way Mirror
Sirius Black’s tragic demise inThe Order of the Phoenixbecomeseven more heartbreaking when Harrysuddenly remembers the Two-Way Mirror and is flooded with hope at reaching his godfather beyond The Veil. The soul-crushing realization that Sirius is truly gone, and that using the mirror earlier would have saved him, hitseveryonelike a tonne of bricks, causing Harry to lash out and smash it. However, this is apparently, not important enough for the film.
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Many moons later inThe Deathly Hallows, Harry sees Aberforth’s eye in a shard of the mirror, and suddenly the looking glass makes its cinematic debut, while its emotional origin is never fully discussed, leaving the audience in the dark. Kreacher’s role in the matter is also disregarded, further instigating the mistreatment of house elves throughout the franchise (on and off screen.)
5Voldemort’s Army of Inferi
Despite all the missing literary content in this shortened scene, the emotive aspect of the Potion of Despair event iseloquently portrayed by Radcliffeand Gambon inThe Half-Blood Prince.Unfortunately, the sinister contents of the forboding body of water are not adequately explained to viewers. The fear factor is certainly present: however, knowing about the Inferi’s connection to Voldemort arguably makes things substantially more terrifying.
The repetitious creatures that emerge from the ominous depths are more Gollum-like in appearance, leaving no traces of being reanimated corpses, created by the Dark Lord himself. Harry’s desperate attempts to use Sectumsempra also get emitted, while a barely-injured Dumbledore seemingly effortlessly swoops in the save the day.
4The Half-Blood Prince’s Origin Story
More than once, movie-goers miss out on thechance to sympathize with Snape;his great reveal asThe Half-Blood Princeis not fleshed out with his backstory (much like the vast majority of the Professor’s Pensieve moments.) The audience gets a brief glimpse of Snape and Lily’s relationship, although according to the film, they apparently met long before attending Hogwarts (which is a rather unnecessary alteration.)
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Severus' lineage is also completely overlooked, giving no hints about his hateful Muggle-born father or troubled childhood in the impoverished Spinner’s End, which, combined with being constantly bullied, explains his unlikable anti-hero personae. Furthermore, Eileen Prince never gets mentioned either.
3Dumbledore’s Death
Apparently, Apparitions into Hogwarts is now a thing inThe Half-Blood Prince, leaving ahugeplot hole in the movie franchise,while Dumbledore’s cursed and blackened hand is nowhere to be seen, which would have emphasized his vulnerability. As the enemy approaches, Dumbledore neglects to imprison Harry in a Freezing Charm to deter him from intervening; leaving room for Harry to defend Dumbledore, but choosing otherwise puts him in a rather un-heroic boat.
Snape’s allegiance is also revealed much too early in comparison to the literature (and Rosmerta’s role is omitted), while the Dark Mark only begins the plague the sky after Dumbledonre’s demise instead of acting as a forewarning of tragedy.
2Visiting Godric’s Hollow
Returning to his hometown after so many years is assuredly a sentimental moment for Harry; however, a dampener is put onThe Deathly HallowsPart 1when bookworms notice that the Potters' shrine is inconveniently absent. The memorial statue honoring his parents' death and hope for Harry’s future reminds the youngsters that they are ending a war that hasbeen tormenting wizards for decadesand emphasizes the importance of their sacrifices up until now.
While this may overwhelm most, Harry and Hermione are spurred on by words of encouragement left at the memorial and the entrance of the Potter House’s skeletal remains; a truly touching moment that sadly doesn’t make the cinematic cut.
1The Elder Wand’s Fate
Both the books and movies agree that The Elder Wand possesses too much power for one person to wield and the temptation should simply be removed, period. Harry seeminglyfinds closure around Dumbledore’s deathwhen he comes to this decision, and handles the issue with sensitivity in the books during the heart-warming farewell to his beloved mentor.
Things take a more aggressive turn inThe Deathly HallowsPart 2, whereby Harry snaps the wand in two and casually tosses it off a bridge like a discarded twig (seemingly before fixing his own wand, too.) Laying it to rest with its rightful owner is arguably a more fitting end, conveniently leaving an opening for it to potentially get dug up again one day.
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