Michael Gambon doesn't see any point on reading the books????

[cubfanbudwoman]

Sherry:
> I remember my great disappointment when I saw POA and saw/heard 
> Gambon's Dumbledore.  it was so different from Harris, but even more, 
> it was so different from the Dumbledore i thought i knew.  Even 
> recently, I dug out my DVD and showed it to a friend.  I didn't 
> dislike the movie quite as intensely this time around, time and 
> distance I guess, but Gambon was still heartbreakingly not Dumbledore.


SSSusan:
You know what I find interesting?  My husband, who's not an HP fan but 
who's watched the movies a bazillion times with my kids & me, REALLY 
liked the change to Gambon in PoA.  I was rather stunned by this and so 
asked why?  He said he was funny and hip had more "life."  I think he 
thought Harris' DD was rather boring.  

And let's be honest, it was sooooo apparent, sadly, in CoS that Harris 
was unwell.  His voice was croaky and he looked frail.  That might also 
have contributed to his not coming across as the most powerful wizard 
of all time or as "boring" to someone like my husband.

But I do also think this speaks to the difference between Big Fans (as 
most of us are) and casual fans.  Big fans know DD *well* and know what 
they want to see in a portrayal of him on screen.  I thought Richard 
Harris was terrific -- that he really caught the twinkling eye and 
kindness of DD... while still being able to bellow out "SILENCE!!" and 
gain instant control when he needed to after Quirrell's troll 
announcement & the ensuing panic in SS.  

So Gambon's DD was a shock on the first couple of viewings of PoA for 
me.  His humorous interpretation did grow on me eventually, in things 
like how he diverted Fudge & the executioner's attention at Hagrid's 
cabin and in how he quipped, "Did what?" to Harry & Hermione.  He's 
*quirky* as DD, and I do think DD has an element of quirkiness.

I admit to not being real thrilled with his flippancy in the Empire 
interview, but I'm going to reserve judgment 'til I've seen GoF.  Then 
maybe I'll join the Patrick Stewart bandwagon. ;-)

Siriusly Snapey Susan