[HPFGU-Movie] Sorting Order, etc.

[Aberforth's Goat]

Lynn wrote,

> I think I have figured out why the children  were sorted in that
> order in the movie, as it's obviously not alphabetically or by
> birthday (as there so many after Harry)
>
> Could it be that the list McGonagall has is the order of those who
> wrote back accepting their admission.

I think we need to see this more in terms of plot and the exigencies of
movie making. First, they couldn't have used the book's alphabetical order
because it would either have taken forever or have forced them to fast
forward through a whole bunch of names. A book can vary the flow of time
easily; film's much more limited. And the last thing this film needed was an
even choppier feel than it already has.

Second, Harry's "trail by sorting hat" requires that the reader understand
the difference between Slytherin and Gryffindor. In the book, this
information is already in place; in the film, it is supplied to a great
degree by associating Slytherin with Draco, Gryffindor with Ron. If Ron had
followed Harry, this would not have been as clear.

Further, it makes cinematic sense to finish the scene with Harry's sorting:
it builds up to a climax and allows a nice shift into the next scene.
Book!Ron's place at the end of the alphabetical sorting highlights his
issues - but since film!Ron doesn't have any issues to highlight, sorting
him last would be a trifle boring.

For the most part, I think the Columbus and Kloves were just doing what they
had to do. They had to simplify, and they did, which particularly meant
spotlighting Harry's stuff and backgrounding everyone else's.

Which leads to Catherine's question:

> Why couldn't they have had
> Ron hoping  that she wouldn't be in Gryffindor, instead of saying
> that she's mental?

The film hadn't given us reason to suppose Ron would give a rip what house
he or anyone else might be in. But he had to say *something* derogatory.

* * * * * * * *

Or am I forgetting something? - I've only seen the film twice and wasn't
exactly lucid the second time through. (Though I didn't - ahem! - fall
asleep like the gentleman next to me, whose name, make and license plate
number shall forever remain a mystery.)

Next time, I'll have to take notes.

Baaaaaa!

Aberforth's Goat (a.k.a. Mike Gray, who does feel cheated that we missed the
twins yelling "'We got Potter! We got Potter!'" C'mon, Chris - it would've
taken, what, five seconds?, and the line's priceless!)
_______________________

"Of course, I'm not entirely sure he can read, so that may not have been
bravery...."