Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: A Saga in Two Parts

May 11, 2010  
Filed under Entertainment

If you have not been living under a rock for the past ten years, then you are undoubtedly familiar with the story and legacy of “The Boy Who Lived”. (For those of you who seem to have lost touch with the world as we know it: that means Harry Potter in layman’s terms.)

The mystical world of Harry Potter began in 1997, when author J.K. Rowling stepped out in the literature world with a story about a young orphan boy who learns he is a wizard and must go to a school of witchcraft and wizardry to refine his skills; all the while, dodging Quidditch bludgers and the wrath of the vengeful Lord Voldemort. The book instantly captivated young and old readers alike, and a movie was soon made about the best-seller. In 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was released, and thanks to a widely positive response from audiences, became the sixth highest-grossing film of all-time.

Fast-forward nine years, and the Potter phenomenon is still growing strong. After six more books and corresponding movies, we have reached the final steps in Harry Potter’s enchanting journey. On July 21, 2007 the last book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released, selling 8.3 million copies in the United States alone (nytimes.com) and leaving fans to anxiously await the arrival of the final movie, set to release Nov. 2010. But wait, there is a catch. Fans will have even more magic to look forward to because the last installment of the Potter series will be made into not one, but two films.

Why would the movie be split into two? Even though it is not the longest book in the series (that award goes to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) it is surely the one with the most content. The book is not set at Hogwarts but rather across the country as Harry, Ron and Hermione go on a quest through the magical world to find an end to Lord Voldemort. It is undeniable that there are many details in this book that need to be expressed in order to make the finale as big as possible—almost every part is a vital one.

Tom Felton, who plays Harry’s Hogwarts nemesis, Draco Malfoy, said that there is a big advantage to the two-movie split.

“We have all the freedom to stick to the books exactly and revel in them and enjoy every page,” Felton said (reelzchannel.com).

Many students are happy about the decision to divide as well.

“I think it is a wonderful idea,” junior Paul Thomas said. “They can pack all the adventure and excitement into two movies instead of just one.”

And do not think that it is only young people who are enticed by the world of Potter. Adults like Ms. Tatum, English teacher, are pleased by this news as well.

“I think it is necessary,” Tatum said about the split. “I think with other movies that’ve been epic fantasy novels, they’ve made the mistake of cropping it too much. But by doing this, they keep more content.”

By keeping more content audiences are sure to not be left disappointed since many parts that would have been cut making only one movie will be kept due to the separation into two. What scenes are fans most hoping will be emphasized in the upcoming films?

“I think they’ll be able to focus on the battle of Hogwarts and the fall of Voldemort and hopefully on all the memories that Severus Snape gave to Harry,” Thomas said.

Tatum said she usually does not realize her favorite sections have been left out until she is done watching the movie.

“I don’t really realize it until it’s over, but then I’m like, ‘Why did they cut that?’,” Tatum said.

Her only request is the same as Thomas’s: keep Snape’s memories.

“They better not cut any of that. Other than that, I know parts will be cut, but they better do it justice,” Tatum said.

It is clear to all, cast of the film included, that this movie must be big in order to end the renowned series with its well deserved bang. Helen McCrory, who portrays Draco’s mother, Narcissa Malfoy, said the sense of anticipation amongst the cast is palpable because these last two movies will offer something the previous six could not.

“It’s got a full stop. I think up to now, every director who has done a Harry Potter has had to do a dot-dot-dot. They know it’s a sequel, they know there’s another film coming out. But with this one, we can actually make everything have an epic ending. It’s going to be final. And it’s going to be huge. There doesn’t have to be any more pauses or dot-dot-dots. So they’re letting out all the stops with this one,” McCrory said (rottentomatoes.com).

The underlying theme in these last two movies is Harry’s transition from boy to man. And that, she emphasizes, really sets the stage for a dramatic finale.

Another factor that will make this last installment a memorable one is the announcement that the two movies will be released in 3D. In a press release regarding a new deal IMAX secured with Warner Bros., mention is made of an IMAX 3D release for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II. Previously, Warner Bros. announced that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I is to be released in 3D as well as in traditional 2D form.

Dan Fellman, WB’s President of Domestic Distribution, said that incorporating 3D into the movies will serve as the ultimate experience for audiences.

“We are extraordinarily proud of our forthcoming slate and eager to offer these films to audiences in the most premium of movie-going experiences,” Fellman said (the-leaky-cauldron.org).

So, if you are still a bit unsure of exactly who Harry Potter is, it is advised that you get a library card. The whimsical world of Harry Potter has built itself up into a whirlwind of magic and the end of the epic saga will surely be designed to blow audiences away. Catch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I in theaters Nov. 19, 2010 and Deathly Hallows: Part II in theaters July 15, 2011.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/23/business/worldbusiness/23iht-potter.4.6789605.html

http://www.reelzchannel.com/movie-news/6153/tom-felton-opens-up-about-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/harry_potter_and_the_deathly_hallows_part_i/news/1848518/exclusive_helen_mccrory_updates_on_harry_potter_7

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2010/2/3/confirmed-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-one-to-be-released-in-3d

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Jaime Birzer

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