What kinda Dumbledore (was Dumbledore/Gandalf)

[ftah3]

katrionabowman wrote:
> > > You know what? You've totally hit the nail on the head! Ian
> > > McKellen's Gandalf is *exactly* how I personally interpreted
> > > Dumbledore in the books. The perfect combination of power, 
caring,
> > > scariness and humour. 

You know, having seen McKlellan in other things (Gods & Monsters, X-
Men, and in regards the case in point, trailers for LOTR), I agree 
with your observation that he manages to exude a wonderful 
combination of power, caring, scariness & humor.

On the other hand, that's not how I've interpreted Dumbledore in the 
books.  

The Dumbledore that I have in mind from reading the books exudes 
power, but a power that is not enormously indistinguishable from 
other wizards of competant power (no moreso than, for example, 
McGonnagall, Snape, Flitwick, or his other peers at Hogwarts).  In 
terms of power, he seems to me to not exude the true magnitude of his 
power, but to rather...hm, how to say...contain it.  Like Pandora's 
box ~ the power is legendary, but it's just a plain ol' box until you 
crack it open.  To me, that's Dumbledore's power.  Imho, Richard 
Harris got that spot on.  

Another aspect of Dumbledore that always strikes me (and sometimes 
annoys the heck out of me) is that he acts, at times, like a 
doddering old fool.  Like, he left his brain in another pointy hat 
that day.  Or possibly, as if he simply doesn't take things as 
seriously as everyone else does, whether because of some deeper 
knowledge/understanding, or exquisite emotional restraint, or as an 
enormous and overdone put-on.  I got that from Richard Harris's 
performance as well ~ he had a vague sort of way of speaking that 
embodied that aspect of Dumbledore, and occasionally of moving and of 
observing his surroundings.

On the other hand, I, like Harry, recognize that his presence is 
greatly comforting.  It's not so much that he cares, it's rather more 
that he seems wise, and is open and compassionate.  He doesn't butt 
in on others' lives in general, but when he has knowledge, even the 
difficult kind, that he thinks you should be privy to, he doesn't 
hold it back.  I guess, he respects all who deserve his respect, 
whether young or old, ill-tempered or kind, powerful or weak.  And 
sometimes, he grants respect even to those who do not deserve it.  

Dumbledore just has (in my mind) an overwhelmingly peaceful way about 
him.  He's very at ease with himself, with his fate, with the world.  
That's the one thing that I went to the movie expecting of Harris's 
performance, and Harris fulfilled it.  

I guess all of the above is why I *don't* think McKlellan would be my 
image of Dumbledore.  He's a fantastic actor, and I've been awed by 
him in most everything I've seen him in, but he is also extremely 
vibrant.  He sort of glimmers; it's almost as if he's in motion even 
when he's standing still.  That's obviously great for so many roles; 
but for my vision of Dumbledore, it would be jarring.  

So, er, rah rah for Richard Harris?  %-P

Mahoney