V's fears - Movie fears

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 22127

Jim wrote:

>Perhaps they reminded him of the one thing Voldemort seems to fear 
above all
>else:  death.  The echoes of your victims coming back to haunt you 
would
>have to be one of the ultimate reminders of your own mortality, and 
although
>Voldemort seems assured of his immortality (though I have doubts 
about this
>given the mortal blood used in his "reincarnation") it is still a 
phobia
>that likely weighs very, very heavily on his mind.

He even says that he is not yet immortal in this form.

GF 33:

  "There was no hope of stealing the Philosopher's Stone any more, for 
I knew that Dumbledore would have seen to it that it was destroyed.  
But I was willing to embrace mortal life again, before chasing 
immortal.  I set my sights lower . . . I would settle for my old body 
back again, and my old strength."  [He then goes on to talk about the 
"flesh, bone, blood" potion.]

So I imagine that his mortality is weighing on him very heavily when 
once again he can't kill Harry with a simple Avada Kedavra, and when 
the echoes start whispering sweet somethings into his ear.  I can't 
imagine that Voldemort is remotely prone to remorse or guilt, so I 
agree, the things they are whispering to him speak to his fear.  Maybe 
just "you really don't seem to be able to kill this Harry Potter, do 
you?  He's going to be your downfall . . . "

Elizabeth wrote:

>I feel like the only one who believes this, so if anyone out there
>has the same belief- please tell me.  I feel so alone.  I am not
>going to see the movie because I feel it will ruin the images I see
>in my head while I read the book.  I adore these images - I see them
>all day - thus I would not want them tampered with.

I'm 99% sure you're not alone.  Caius, you out there?

I'm not worried enough about my mental images not to see the movie.  
I've watched the trailers a gazillion times and my inner vision of Ron 
is unaffected, to give an example of someone who was clear in my head 
and looks nothing like the actor.  Also, my experience with much-loved 
and -known books of which I then see the movie is that I develop a 
double track, in which as I reread the books post-movie, I can see how 
things looked in the movie if I want to, but it has to run alongside 
what I saw in my head to begin with.  In some cases, it's like having 
an extra character.  Now, when I read To Kill A Mockingbird, there's 
the real Miss Maudie and there's this extra woman running around, much 
too young and pretty, waving a desperate and ineffective little flag 
that says "I'm Miss Maudie too!"  Sure you are, dear.  Go back to your 
movie set, now.

But I sympathize with your POV, Elizabeth.  If you think the movie 
will erase your own images--and the power of film to do that is 
astounding--then by all means stay home on premiere night and reread 
your favorite instead!

I *am* worried about post-Nov. 16 discussions on this list--I want to 
pick apart the movie with everyone, but I also want this list to 
remain devoted to discussing the HP *books*, purity-of-canon obsessive 
that I am.  I hope that after the tidal wave of movie response, which 
I am sure I will contribute to in great measure, we will settle back 
into book discussion, and that we'll keep being clear about the 
distinction between canon and "HP-related work made by another artist, 
approved by Jo" (might need a new -anon term for the movie--cinanon?  
Isn't that like Esalen?).  This will become crucial as people join the 
list who have seen the movie and not read the books.  They will, of 
course, be sent to indoctrination camps--uh, I mean, gently urged to 
read the books pronto.

Amy Z

------------------------------------------------
 "I've told you before, Ron, keep your nose out 
 if you like it the shape it is.  Can't see why
 you would, but--"
                   -HP and the Goblet of Fire 
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