[HPFGU-Movie] Re: Why Gambon is a Better Dumbledore Than Harris Was...(not!)

[clshannon at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/8/04 10:37:16 AM, daughterofthedust at yahoo.com writes:


> 
> Well, I guess I'll just have to be alone on this one. :-)
> 
> Harris came off as feeble and ill as he actually was, to me (I even
> asked my companion at one of the screenings "Is he ill?").
> 

Well, you aren't alone on this <g> I agree with everything you said, 
including how Harris was rather a 'generic' wizard. I particularly thought he looked 
and sounded feeble in COS, unfortunately, he was ill at the time. 
The scene at the end of COS with Harry is particularly difficult for me - he 
repeats Harry's name so many times in his speech that I was wondering if he 
was forgetting the character's name. That is a case where Columbus should have 
directed him better. There's no need to say a person's name so many   times 
while addressing him, it's awkward.
My acid test, however, was in the first film. I remember reading that folks 
were disappointed that Dumbledore didn't start his speech at the feast with the 
nonsense words like in the book. Remember those words he says right after McG 
says, 'and now Headmaster D. would like to say a few words.' 
Well, while watching the movie, I couldn't imagine Harris' version of 
Dumbledore saying that. He wasn't playing the 'dotty' side of D at all, he was all 
wise and stately. I don't think he ever really got that other side of D. that is 
in the books; that of an outwardly eccentric man who is really powerful 
underneath, etc.

I thought Gambon captured that bizarre side to Dumbledore more than Harris. 
And the books certainly give enough evidence that Dumbledore does act a bit 
strangely ;-)

Cindy


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