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Five scenes from Half-Blood Prince that they'd better do well in the movie
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Cue Hedwig's Theme.
As the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie release date draws closer, I find myself wondering just how faithful to the book this adaptation is going to be. Now, I’m not as much of a book purist as I once was (I used to be unable to watch the movies without snidely commenting, “They could have actually explained who the Marauders were” or shouting, “The Hungarian Horntail did not get loose and run around the Hogwarts roof during the First Task in the book! It just didn’t happen!"). But I’m still fairly loyal to JKR’s original words, and I’d like to see my favorite scenes in the book portrayed up on the silver screen with the same levels of humor, pathos, and drama that are present in the print version. Here are five great scenes from the book that I hope they do right in the movie:
Snape makes the Unbreakable Vow with Narcissa Malfoy (pg. 36, US edition)--When I first read the lead-up to Snape making the Unbreakable Vow, I thought that he was simply playing the part of the Death Eater for Bellatrix’s benefit. But when he actually agreed to make the vow to help Draco complete his task, I wondered for the first time since Sorcerer’s Stone whether Snape could actually be a Death Eater. In the movie, I hope that this scene raises the same uncertainties about Snape's loyalties. I hope it also captures the interactions between Snape and Bellatrix, two of the greatest characters in the series.
Ron tries to impress Hermione while she’s extolling Harry’s virtues (pg. 219)—One of the best aspects of the sixth book is how JKR balances serious issues with silly teenage drama. This exchange is a prime example. It takes place when Hermione is explaining to Harry why girls have been paying so much attention to him lately. As she lists off the reasons, Ron interjects ways in which he too is attractive, culminating with Hermione saying, “It doesn’t hurt that [Harry’s] grown about a foot over the summer either” and Ron countering with “I’m tall.”
From what I’ve seen in the trailers, it looks as though the filmmakers have made an effort to include plenty of funny teenager moments. I have high hopes for that aspect of the movie.
Voldemort asks Dumbledore for the Defense against the Dark Arts teaching position (pg. 441)—This scene features a battle of wits between two of the most powerful wizards of all time. When Voldemort comes to Dumbledore’s office to ask him for the coveted DADA teaching position, we are reminded of the ultimate difference between the two wizards (Dumbledore points out that although Voldemort learned many magical secrets during his post-Hogwarts years, he still remains ignorant about the power of love), and we get to see Dumbledore show Voldemort up when he reveals that he knows more about the Death Eaters than Voldemort expected. Plus, we finally find out why the Defense against the Dark Arts position is cursed.
Draco fights Harry in the bathroom (pg. 522)—I love any scene that makes the reader doubt the hero and pity the villain. This interaction certainly fits the bill. Harry has basically been stalking Draco for the whole book, convinced that he’s a Death Eater, and then he walks in on him scared, crying, and confessing his problems to Moaning Myrtle, who Harry has always abused. Harry then proceeds to curse Malfoy with Sectumsempra, a spell that Harry didn't even bother to research. Suddenly, Harry, who is usually confident to a fault about his righteousness, is slammed with the knowledge that he made a huge mistake.
Harry must force-feed Dumbledore poisonous potion (pg. 571)—Poor Harry. As if he hadn’t been through enough. In this scene, he must force his beloved mentor to drink potion in order to empty a basin containing a Horcrux. I especially like this scene because of the parallels between Harry and Snape; although Harry doesn’t realize it, Snape will have to suffer the same torment several chapters later when he must force himself to kill Dumbledore. I hope they manage to capture that drama in the movie.
If you’re wondering how the movie is going to treat your favorite scene, check out Mugglenet’s All-Inclusive HBP List. It lists every chapter in the book and lists any information about what scenes from each chapter may or may not be in the movie.
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