Introduction

[Carol]

zanooda wrote:
> >
> > Hi Steve! Which movie is your favorite so far :-)?

Stephen Vandecasteele responded:
>
> Hi Zanooda, Steve Here,
> 
> Order of the Phoenix for many reasons none the least is the rift
that developed between Harry and Dumbledor, or was there one?
Dumbledor was simply trying to protect Harry which we now know was an
error. This movie in my humble opinion was far too short.

Carol adds:

Hi, steve. I see that you found your way here from the OT list! I
entirely agree that OoP was too short. The longest book should not
have been made into the shortest film! Incidents were altered or
omitted that should have been left as is. Unfortunately, the film was
made before the last book came out, so they couldn't have known that,
say, Kreacher, might prove important. JKR persuaded them not to leave
him out, but I wonder whether people who haven't read the books were
confused by his presence.

In fact, you're the perfect person to ask since you've seen all five
films without reading the books. Did you know what Kreacher was doing
when he muttered about "my poor mistress"? Also, did you figure out
how the Order knew to show up at the MoM (Ministry of Magic--or
Ministry for Magic, if you're British)?

Those two things in particular have always struck me as likely to
confuse filmgoers who haven't read the books. I'd really appreciate
your responses. (We can explain what really happened if the film
didn't make it clear.)

BTW, Umbridge resembles a toad with a little girl's voice in the
books. The film-makers got the sugar-coated malice right, but not the
ugliness.

Carol, posting below the messages she's responding to so the
conversation is easier to follow