No Quidditch??

[Susan Atherton]

Emily F wrote:
I'm open to suggestion that the movie absolutely CAN NOT be made without 
quidditch.  So far, though, most people seem to just want to watch a game of 
quidditch.  No one has described why it's ESSENTIAL to the plot of PoA 
(i.e., there is NO other way to explain or demonstrate certain aspects of 
the plot).  

I grin:
You give me an opening... for the record I'm on the Keep Quidditch side of things.

OK, let's break it down into thing by thing. What happens in the Quidditch matches that is relevant to plot, rather than purely Quidditch?

Hufflepuff:
-Invaded by Dementors 

This is important. Quidditch is the most important thing to Harry, so this is the impetus for his beginning Patronus lessons. However, it's possible they may cut this in favour of the train sequence.

-Harry sees "The Grim" 

Again, significant as far as little clues go, but could be cut for the Grim on Magnolia Crescent, which we know is in.

-Cedric Diggory catches the Snitch, but offers a rematch 

I believe this is VASTLY significant, because it proves Harry is not infallible or invincible. It also demonstrates Cedric is honourable and honest, which sets up the sympathy vote for him in GoF. I can't see any other way of doing this, but I suppose they might cut it anyway.

-Harry's Nimbus is destroyed by the Whomping Willow 

SURELY this is significant, because otherwise why would he need the Firebolt? However, it's possible the Nimbus could be destroyed by Malfoy, or Crookshanks, or any other conveniently located "broom-destroying bad thing". After all, Ron's wand wasn't destroyed in the crash of the Anglia, but rather by tapping it against the steering wheel in TMTMNBN2. Because wands are oh-so-flimsy, of course.

Ravenclaw: 
-Harry meets Cho Chang

Again, this should be a good opportunity to introduce Cho now rather than waiting for GoF. But, like Cedric, it's a good possibility she'll be cut.

-The "Dementors" come to the match 

Not very important. Easily cut.

-Harry successfully casts a Patronus 

Shows Harry is getting there on the Patronus thing - makes the leap from "fainting" to "defeating a whole bunch of Dementors" slightly more believable. But then, when are the HP movies believable?!

Slytherin:
-Gryffindor win the Quidditch Cup, for the first time since Harry joined the team

Unimportant plot-wise, but would be great to see.


So what is important? I think it mainly comes down to Cedric's victory. This is the only thing I can see that is important to plot and character development, and can only be done with Quidditch. However, Cedric shouldn't win if Harry doesn't faint. For Harry to faint, the Dementors have to come to the match, thus causing the destruction of the Nimbus, and maybe even a glimpse of the Grim. And once again, the interweaving plot strands that make the Potter books such good books and such bad screenplays come into play. Hopefully Cuaron can fix it somehow, but I'm not holding my breath.

And as far as Flint being cut goes - who cares? If we can't save Wood, do you really think we'll save Flint? And do we even really want to?

Susan
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