Breaking GoF in half for 2 movies

[Diana <dianasdolls@yahoo.com>]

I've been thinking about it quite a bit and I wouldn't mind if GoF 
was broken down into two movies.  In fact, I'd prefer it.  Two 
movies would mean at least five and maybe closer to *six hours* of 
screen time to tell this Moby Dick-sized story.  There is so much of 
importance in the fourth book that cutting out a bunch just so 
what's left can be crammed into a two-hour, fifty-minute movie would 
mangle the story, IMHO.  

For me, the logical breaking point for the end of the first movie 
would be just after Harry's name comes out of the Goblet of Fire as 
the fourth champion.  They could cut to Harry's face expressing 
shock and disbelief...add a 'to be continued...'...and then seque 
into a great several minute "clip" showing scenes from the upcoming 
second movie.  "Back to the Future" did this with the end of the 
second movie to great effect.  

The entire first movie would cover Harry's stay at the Weasleys, the 
Quidditch World Cup and the subsequent riot, the trip to school and 
all that happens up to the naming of the champions.  There's a lot 
more there than it sounds like, especially when filmed.  

Then the second movie would begin with Harry going into the see the 
other champions in the room off the hall, etc. etc.  Granted, the 
second movie *should* be LOTR in length (3+ hours) to cover all the 
tasks and the graveyard battle with Voldemort, but...it's an idea 
anyway.  

If they chose to end the first movie after the first task instead, 
then Ron and Harry becoming friends again after their argument would 
be a good stopping point, I guess, but...Harry's name coming out of 
the Goblet would be a more dramatic ending point...  :)

I'm really interested to hear where others would end the first movie 
if GoF was broken into two movies.  

Diana