The Duelling Club
The Moment: As a result of Gilderoy Lockhart’s misguided Duelling Club brainchild, Malfoy and Harry are given the opportunity to go toe to toe for the very first time. Naturally, Lockhart’s instructions to “disarm only” are summarily ignored, the two enemies launching all manner of curses at each other as the club descends into mayhem.
Better On Film? In the book, Snape whispers in Malfoy’s ear, telling him how to conjure up a snake to attack Harry. However in the film, he does it off his own steam. An odd change to make, in that it absolves Snape and trumps up Malfoy’s skills unnecessarily.
You Say: “Kenneth Branagh being an arrogant prat in Chamber Of Secrets!” – Mark Brennan
Through The Veil
The Moment: The climactic moment of the battle in the Ministry comes when Bellatrix hits Sirius with an unspecified curse, knocking him through the Veil to his death. She then proceeds to taunt Harry as he grieves for his Godfather. Just as Harry had found himself some family, the Death Eaters ruin it for him once again. Bastards.
Better On Film? Nope. It all seems a little underwhelming on screen, with Sirius fading away with little ceremony as the action continues around him.
You Say: “I killed Sirius Black, I killed Sirius Black!” – FH Tamara (@taraferisa)
Here Lies Lily and James
The Moment: Whilst on their hunt for the sword of Gryffindor, Harry and Hermione stop at the cemetery in Godric’s Hollow where Harry finds his parents’ grave. As the snow falls upon them, he and his friend share a brief moment of sadness before resuming the task at hand.
Better On Film? The film captures the moment beautifully, the snow-capped scene looking like something from a Christmas card. Then Nagini comes along and ruins it all. Bloody snakes…
Buckbeak's Reprieve
The Moment: A spell of time-travelling jiggery-pokery courtesy of Hermione’s nifty time turner allows she and Harry to pull the wool over the eyes of Ministry busybody Cornelius Fudge, and rescue condemned Hippogriff Buckbeak from the executioner’s axe. Hooray!
Better On Film? Alfonso Cuaron handles the tricky time-travelling sequence with real aplomb. Now, lets hope they remember to include Buckbeak in the final battle, as he and his fellow Hippogriffs lend a hand against Voldemort’s army of giants.
You Say: “Time Travel!!! Nuff said!!” – Paul Kelly (@paulkelly1234)
Neville vs. Nagini
The Moment: The final Horcrux is revealed to be Nagini herself, the giant snake perennially found at the heels of her master, Voldemort. So who should step up to destroy the final part of the Dark Lord’s soul, than Neville Longbottom, the oft-derided but brave son of two of Voldemort’s victims. Every underdog has his day, and during the Battle of Hogwarts when he is needed the most, Neville has his.
Better On Film? Nagini seems pretty fearsome from the looks of the trailer, so lets hope Neville is up to the task. We suspect he will be….
Ron Steps Up
The Moment: Having fallen out with Harry and Hermione, Ron has abandoned the search for Gryffindor’s sword and stormed off on his own. However, just as Harry is being drowned by the locket Horcrux, Ron returns, dragging Harry from the lake and destroying the locket himself. Good man.
Better On Film? It’s a particularly effective scene, with the locket proving a terrifying adversary. The projected image of Harry and Hermione, er, “together” is particularly disturbing.
You Say: “The twisted vision of Harry and Hermione that comes out of the locket Horcrux. It was one of my favourite parts of the books and it translated fantastically onto screen.” – Tracy Robinson
Pettigrew Undone
The Moment: Having hesitated to strangle Harry during the battle at Malfoy Manor, Pettigrew demonstrates a merciful side that hints at the man he was before Voldemort corrupted him. However, this mercy proves to be his undoing, as his silver hand (a gift from Voldemort to replace his missing appendage) promptly chokes him to death. A grim end indeed.
Better On Film? No. The film shies away from Pettigrew’s grisly end, eschewing the strangulation in favour of a whack from Dobby’s wand. A poor substitute, to our minds.
Moral Maze
The Moment: The final challenge of the Triwizard tournament involves a vast maze, within the centre of which lies the Triwizard Cup. However, Harry’s participation in the task is interrupted by his transportation to Little Hangleton and subsequent clash with Voldemort. His return, along with the lifeless body of Cedric Diggory, puts rather a dampener on the occasion.
Better On Film? The maze looks utterly spectacular, its scale vastly increased upon from the version described in the book. Harry’s return is also nicely handled, with cheers and whoops gradually replaced by silence as pupils and staff realise something is gravely amiss.
Quirrell's Secret
The Moment: Unassuming, mild-mannered Professor Quirrell removes his turban to reveal the horrifying secret within…he has been possessed by the Dark Lord himself, whose face has manifested itself on the back of his head. It’s not the most action-packed conclusions of the series, but it's certainly one of the most nightmarish.
Better On Film? Not so much. This is before Ralph Fiennes was cast as Voldemort, so the face of evil looks unrecognisable in retrospect. It’s still creepy though.
The Fallen Ministry
The Moment: The portrayal of the Death Eater-controlled Ministry is something akin to a Kafkaesque nightmare, with a prevailing atmosphere of fear keeping the few remaining honest workers in check. The presence of the late Alastor Moody’s eye on Umbridge’s door is the cherry atop a very sickly cake.
Better On Film? Expertly created by David Yates, it’s an exercise in creeping paranoia.
