The Marauder's Map
The Moment: Of all the magical objects Harry lays his hands on over the years, there are surely none more fantastical than the Marauder’s Map. Devised by Harry's father and his pals and handed on to him by Fred and George Weasley, the map shows the location of every Hogwarts inhabitant at any given time, as well as revealing the school’s numerous secret passages. If we could get hold of anything from Hogwarts, we’d choose the Marauder’s Map every time.
Better On Film? The map is as magical on screen as it is on the page. Pity about those wooden twins mind…
You Say: “‘I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good,’ & ‘Mischief managed!’” – Amanda Puspita Sari (@mandapuspi)
The Yule Ball
The Moment: A collection of delightfully festive moments rolled into one, the Yule Ball is a shining example of Rowling’s aptitude for cosy Christmas scenes. Not only are we treated to the first stirrings of feelings between Ron and Hermione and Ginny and Harry, but even Hagrid gets in on the act by making eyes at Beauxbatons headmistress and fellow half-giant Madame Maxime. Aaah.
Better On Film? The great hall looks suitably enchanting, whilst it’s a rare opportunity for the young cast to doll themselves up a bit and acknowledge their adolescence. Plus, Jarvis Cocker shows up to provide the entertainment! You don’t get that in the book…
You Say: “Emma Watson walking down the stairs in Goblet Of Fire in her rather stunning Yule Ball dress” – Adam Clarke (@aj_clarke)
Remus vs. Sirius
The Moment: Caught in the light of a full moon before he can lock himself safely away, Lupin makes his gruesome transformation into werewolf form, and advances upon the children. Fortunately, Sirius is on hand to protect them, transforming himself into his four-legged alter-ego and throwing himself into battle with his old friend. Fiiiiight!
Better On Film? The werewolf transformation is fairly niftily done, and the ensuing battle is more than a little frightening. An early sign of the dark direction the series would soon begin to take.
The Love Potion
The Moment: Accidentally eating a chocolate meant for Harry, Ron finds himself unaccountably smitten with its sender, Romilda Vane. The chocolate had been spiked with love potion, leaving Ron rather than Harry in a state of moon-faced desire. “I’m in love with her!” he tells Harry happily. “Alright, fine, you’re in love with her!” snaps his friend. “Have you ever actually met her?” “No,” replies Ron, “can you introduce me?” Gold.
Better On Film? Rupert Grint’s comedy chops are firmly brought to the fore in one of the sixth film’s funnier moments.
Uncharitable Greeting
The Moment: Rowling’s final book starts as it means to go on with the callous murder of Charity Burbage, former Muggle Studies professor and occasional Daily Prophet columnist. Suspended in mid-air over a table full of cackling Death Eaters, she is killed by Lord Voldemort over an article that has displeased him. “Dinner, Nagini,” smirks the Dark Lord…
Better On Film? The sight of Burbage’s body, suspended helplessly in mid-air, is even more disturbing on screen. What an opening scene!
You Say: “The meeting at Malfoy Manor because of the cast: Alan Rickman, Peter Mullan, Ralph Fiennes and Jason Isaacs.” – Mike Hurd (@Hurdy666)
Enter The Dragon
The Moment: One of a series of death-defying tasks involved in the Triwizard Tournament is the stealing of a golden egg from the nest of an angry dragon. Naturally, the Hungarian Horntail in question is none too pleased by proceedings and is soon giving chase to the impetuous competitors…
Better On Film? Yes. The Triwizard Tournament is a slightly ponderous sequence on the page, but brought to life with the help of some hefty CGI, it provides a suitably thrilling finale to one of the better films in the series.
You Say: “Not a huge fan of the movies but I did enjoy the bit with the dragon in Goblet Of Fire especially when it slams into the roof and starts sliding down the slates.” – Chris Wootton
The Hex
The Moment: In a clear sign that the series is taking a turn for the frightening, a school trip to Hogsmeade is soured by Malfoy who has attempted to attack Dumbledore by having a cursed opal necklace delivered to him. However, the package accidentally rips exposing the necklace to unwitting courier Katie Bell. The result is horrific as Katie is suspended in mid air, racked with searing pain.
Better On Film? It’s a visually striking scene, with Katie’s red coat standing out against the snowy backdrop as she is tossed about by an unseen force. Yikes.
Luna Explains It All
The Moment: Racked with grief over Sirius’s death, Harry is comforted by Luna Lovegood who gently and compassionately explains her ideas about death, revealing she too has suffered loss. “My mother,” she explains quietly, “She was a quite an extraordinary witch, you know, but she did like to experiment and one of her spells went rather badly wrong one day. I was nine.” Heartbreaking.
Better On Film? Evanna Lynch does a wonderful job as Luna, bringing a good-natured loopiness to the role that never becomes overbearing.
Sectumsempera
The Moment: The relationship between Malfoy and Harry finally reaches breaking point as both wizards go for the throat in a bathroom brawl. Draco makes an attempt to strike Harry with the dreaded Cruciatus Curse but not before Harry hits him with Sectumsempera, the equivalent of a slashing, invisible sword. The end result, as you can see in the picture above, is not pretty.
Better On Film? The damage inflicted by the curse actually happens off-screen, somewhat understandably, given its brutality.
Death Eater Terrorism
The Moment: Just as spectators are beginning to mill away from the Ireland – Bulgaria match, a devastating attack by the Death Eaters prompts widespread panic among the thousands-strong crowd. With obvious parallels to real-world terrorism, this has to go down as one of the most disturbing Death Eater moments of the series.
Better On Film? It’s certainly spectacular, and goes some way to atoning for the cursory nod to the Quidditch World Cup. The chaos created by director Mike Newell recreates the terror of the scene very well indeed.
