Still More Musing on Adaptations

[Julie Balfour]

Lino Padrun <Padrun_Lino at y...> wrote:
> I also think that while some of the changes made in
> the name of adaptation may have sounded great on
> paper, they would have worked just as well if left as
> is in the book -- most of these issues have to do with
> minor changes in the order of events (i.e., Hagrid
> telling Harry about his parents in the Leakey Coldren
> instead of "on the rock" -- it's half dozen one and
> six the other and works either way).


I have to disagree with this - I think the "Hut on the Rock" scene 
was shambolic.  The Harry using Hagrid's lines at the Dursleys you 
have already mentioned, and I agree with your comments.  Hagrid not 
explaining things to Harry there and then is not at all feasible!  
How can you have an 11 year old boy a discover a piece of news like 
that and then just carry on the scene without him asking questions or 
wanting to know more?

But my main beef with the scene is that Petunia's outburst becomes 
totally out of place.  If Harry and Hagrid had the conversation they 
were supposed to, with the Dursleys listening it would have made 
sense for Petunia to suddenly start ranting - a natural progression.  
As it is it comes as a surprise and seems a bit irrelevant (to 
someone who was expecting it and knows its relevance!!).  Am I the 
only one??