Muggles rejoice! Magic is surely in the air with news today that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will be split into two feature length films, the first of which will hit theaters in November 2010.
But like an uninvited trip through somebody else’s memory (we’re looking at you, Harry), the news, while satisfying, offers up nearly as many questions as answers. If only Dumbledore was still around to help us sort it all out, right David Heyman?
“The question will be, where do you break it? And how do you make them one but two separate and distinct stories?” the “Potter” producer asked in a recent “LA Times” story. “Do you break it with a moment of suspense or one of resolution? These are the interesting challenges.”
Forgive me if it seems like I’ve taken an extra dose of draught of insanity, but what’s all the confusion about? In my mind, there can be only one ideal place to divide the two films:
SPOILERS BELOW
The best, most logical place, to divide the two films comes with the death and funeral of Dobby the house elf, corresponding to the chapter entitled “Shell Cottage.”
Aside from the simple fact that it comes at (relatively) the book’s halfway point, the moment is also one of the most significant in the entire novel (if not the series). As J.K. Rowling told MTV News last October, Dobby’s death “woke Harry up to what he was doing.”
Indeed (and now I quote myself) Dobby’s death comes at a crucial time in Book 7, when Harry must decide whether to continue chasing Voldemort’s horcruxes, or to abandon that quest and search for the legendary “Deathly Hallows” instead. The death of Dobby “focused [Harry],” in his resolve to choose the former, Rowling insisted.
It could be called a mini-climax, where Harry finally accepts the wisdom of Dumbledore and resolves to see his quest to the end. Fine. Bu what makes it particularly intriguing as a division even beyond that is that it’s a remarkably melancholy moment sandwiched between two high-octane action sequences – the fight at Malfoy Manor before it, and the assault on Gringotts immediately after.
Everything before is search, everything after is destroy: Harry goes directly from Shell Cottage to Gringotts, from Gringotts to Hogsmeade, from Hogsmeade to the BATTLE OF HOGWARTS!!!
I can even picture the last shot of the first film – Harry, crying over Dobby’s grave, sweat pouring down his face,ready to give-up instead stands tall, his fists clenched, resolved to discover what comes next.
Just like the rest of us.
Am I crazy or does this make way too much sense? Do you have a better idea for where to divide the series? And while we’re talking “Deathly Hallows,” make sure to help us cast it here.
Sound off below.
User comment: By: RogersEnding with voldemort finally getting the elder wand from Dumbledore is a GREAT idea, with the sparks flying everywhere and you just know ralph fiennes will do it amazingly.... however there is the same problem of this being waaaay to far into the book... they would definitely have to move some slower sections of part 1 to part 2 so as to create a better narrative arc
User comment: By: AlexI agree with whoever said that it should end when they are at the Lovegood house, because Dobbys' death is too far in the story. Besides how do we even know that they're going to put Dobby in the final movie, they haven't put him in the rest. So I'm not gonna get my hopes up for him being in this one either.
User comment: By: Glen WuI think that everybody is right about stopping there because in the final part of the first film, when Dobby dies, it will be a great cliffhanger and it will make people want to see more. Hopefully, it will leave people with their mouths wide open.
User comment: By: TrevorI dont know about ya'll but i would be all for a 5 hour Harry Potter movie. I just dont like it ending in the middle. I dont know, I guess if the split it up then the cottage is the best place to do it. I also think they should show Voldemort breaking into Dumbledore's coffin. That would build a lot of suspense.
User comment: By: TianaI agree whole heartedly! This would be the best solution. If they stop it here then both movies will have a battle ( Malfoy Manor and Battle of Hogwarts). I realy hope that they do keep this part and not cut Dobby b/c this is a very important part of the book. They cannot use Kreacher because he is suppose to fight in the final Battle.
User comment: By: TatiI kind of agree with the whole Dobby's death theory...makes sense... but do you all think they will def. keep that in there? What if they think we have forgotten Dobby and simply use Kreacher instead.... I've heard other people talk about..and I think its a good idea to cute it when Ron leaves... seems more like a half way point to me. After the Goblin's revenge chapter.. I think it would be a good cliffhanger... to see Ron leave them... and Hermoine stays behind w/Harry crying... Then 2nd one can start with them 2 making the trip to Godric's Hallow... That's what I think... but doesn't matter I suppose as long as they don't cut anything extremely important..
User comment: By: StevenI totally agree with this. Nevertheless, the last shot of the film should not be Harry crying, but Harry taking resolutions. The first part will have a great end with the battle in Malfoy's manor and Gringotts's scene at the beginning of the second part will be really entertaining. Let's hope Steve Kloves will have the same idea !
User comment: By: GeraldThat sounds like it would be just fine and if ne a great place to split the book of course though we all would like to see movie Asap ..but itll be worth the wait
User comment: By: DavidWhen I first heard about splitting the story into 2 movies, I thought of another place to cut: Right after the destruction of the first horcrux. Ron's return (and Ron saving Harry from the water), followed by the mental struggle with the piece of Voldemort's soal, could make a nice combination of suspense and a first bit of success that would give a good ending. However, Dobby's funeral is probably a much better place to cut.
Visit here to subscribe to these commentsUser comment: By: RogersThat would be a good point to finish, however I feel its too far into the book. Even though you definitely could make a whole and full part 2 from dobby's death onwards it just wouldn't be a very good narrative arc, way to fast paced, of course they could move some of the slower sections of part 1 to part 2 to even the two stories out. The problem I can for-see is that if they end part 1 too early it will be before the deathly hallows story line is really introduced (first time at xeno lovegoods) and how can you have deathly hallows: part 1 without much mention of deathly hallows?
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