'Mudblood' scene

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-Movie at y..., "c_voth312" <divaclv at a...> wrote:
> --- In HPFGU-Movie at y..., Claire <dis_aliter_visum at y...> wrote:
> > --- Wanda Sherratt <wsherratt3338 at r...> wrote:
> > WANDA:
> > This is an interesting take on the problems of
> > adapting this scene.  But my only quibble is that
> > since they removed the Gryffindor reaction, it is
> > unclear just how bad this word is in the wizarding
> > world.  

> CHRISTI:
> I think the intent was to have the Gryffindors shocked by the fact 
> that Malfoy had actually used the word in the first place (much the 
> same way most of us would be shocked to hear a person use certain 
> racial slurs).  If you listen, there's some uncomfortable murmuring 
> during Hermione's reaction shot.  On the whole, I think I prefered 
> the "outrage" reaction in the book--I liked having the Gryffindors 
> stand up for one of their own.
>  
> ~Christi


bboy_mn:
I'm incline to agree that the scene was played out all wrong. Our
perception of impact of saying this doesn't come from poor Hermione's
feelings being hurt, it comes from the outrage of everyone else at
Draco say such a vile and uncalled for thing.

In the book, Fred & George express outrage and leap forward trying to
get at Draco, but are stopped by member of the Slytherin team. Then at
Hargid's hut, Ron explains it with a sense of rightious indignation
and outrage. Hargid also expresses outrage that Draco would say such a
vile thing. It's the outrage of everyone that conveys the seriousness
of this insult, and that outrage has a greater emotional impact than
Hermione's weepy hurt feelings. 

As it was, the movie scene was so short, that there wasn't time to
develope sympathy for Hermione's hurt feelings. To develop the
appropriate response in the audience, the scene needs time to build in
emotional intensity, and time was one thing this movie didn't have for
anything.

Here's how I think the scene should have played out.

Draco/Tom Felton makes the insult, but instead of mumbling something
that sounded very close to 'mub-blub', he enunciate it very clearly
with emphasis 'muD-blooD'. Fred and George say something 'Malfoy, you
bastard (maybe they wouldn't say this word but something like it),
take that back!'. They leap forward and four Slytherins jump in front
of them and block their way. This scuffle quickly fades to the
background where it is reduced to a lot of out-of-focus pushing and
shoving. Alica Spinnet steps forward, 'Malfoy, I should slap your
face, that was a horrible thing to say.' Ron growls through gritted
teeth, trying to contain his anger, 'You'll pay for that Malfoy....
Eat slugs!' 

We have anger and outrage everywhere, fights are breaking out, people
are threatening Malfoy, Ron attacks him. I would say that's a pretty
intense scene and anger can be conveyed faster than heartache can.

Then in Hagrid's hut, Ron explains with a continued sense of outrage
that is amplified by Hagrid's outrage. This doesn't leave Hermione all
sad and weepy, it leaves her stunned and shocked by the magnitude and
seriousness of what Malfoy said.

The whole scene, the way I've outline it, is only a few seconds longer
than the original, it's closer to the book, it conveys strong emotions
on the part of more people.

In the movie trailers, I couldn't even understand what Draco was
saying (sounds like 'mubblub'), although on the big screen, the word
mudblood do come through clearer, they are still somewhat mumbled.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

bboy_mn