BS: Harry Potter

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Gloredhel
Date: 17 Nov 01 - 04:48 PM

I guess I'll address my grievances in the order that they appear in this thread:

My (former) Latin teacher has read the first book at my urging and stated that there were several mistakes made in the Latin of the book.

Anyone who doesn't appreciate the greatness of JRR Tolkein obviously either does not understand the nature of greatness or the nature of his books. His greatness lies in the fact that he can use myths and other literature and create something greater. One of the reasons Dracula is a great book is because of what it contributed to the much greater LotR.

HP were some great books, and the fact that they don't have much literary merit is just fine. We all need a break from the heavy stuff now and then. I'm looking forward to the movie.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 04:45 AM

I see that Alan Rickman is in the movie. That alone is reason enough to see it. CarolC - he is, he's good, but like Sean (Phroooaaarrwww) Bean, he should change it to Alan (Not ageing well are you pet) Rickman.

I was in hysterics at the Professor McGonagle/Miss Jean Brodie connection and her attire - the casting was superb! In an interview with Robbie Coltrane, he said he didn't know how they made him look so big!

And Guinnesschic - I see you have adopted the use of bratling for the anklebiters... MudGuard assures me that it is German for minced meat - hamburger stuff!

It was a bit long, but we didn't have to queue for ages beforehand, although it was horrendously long with the ads and everything before. We'd eaten the bucket of popcorn before they were over!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 01:30 PM

I haven't read the book, loved the movie. I am actually planning on seeing it again, just to watch some of the backgorund stuff more closely. Do be sure to see this in he theatre as opposed to waiting for the video. There is just so much that would be missed on the small screen.

My eleven year old daughter has read all the books and was a little disappointed with the film. She thinks that they left too much out. However, as it is already 2 1/2 hours long I'm sure that they did the best they could.

I'm borrowing the books from her. I'm really looking forward to reading them.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Nigel.Parsons
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 02:39 PM

Sinsull: yes we do "see" the stone in the book, first as a wrapped item being retrieved fron Grigott's bank, and towards the end, Harry sees himself taking it from his own pocket in the "Mirror of Erised". This is immediately before he feels the weight of it suddenly appear in his pocket.

Generally: yes, I get *most* of the Latin bits, but it seems that the most overlooked pun is the English one of "Diagon Alley" which preumably can be fitted into the overcrowded London streets because it runs at an angle!

I can also heartilly recommend the Jennings books (due for a U.S. launch shortly) although I first read them over 30 years ago, borrowed from the local library. I think I'll have to re-read them. As boarding-school books I always found them preferable to the forced comedy of Billy Bunter.

Nigel Parsons

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 05:24 PM

One point I forgot to mention.

All the way through the film, something was bothering me about Albus Dumbledore. Casting was just right (Richard Harris), characterisation very good... couldn't put my finger on it. Then I realised he reminded me of someone, and it took another while before it came to me who

that person was.

Anyone who's met him think the same? *grin*

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 08:45 PM

:::giggle!!:::

You have a point there, Noreen!

I wonder if we could get him to don some half moon specs and a robe to see how close the resemblence goes?

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 02:11 AM

Terrible similarity to Gandalf too, don't you think??

When are we going to see some more young handsome wizards - all those prefects at Hogwarts have to grow up into something - surely they don't become white haired and beared when they graduate?

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 09:11 AM

If only. If I could do the magic there'd be some young lads up in Buntingford who right now would probably be crawling around as toads...Until they've learned the errors of their ways.

The other significant similar establishment is Miss Cackles's Academy in the Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy, which also feel extremely authentic (and if you've ever seen Jill Murphy that's not too surprising) - my wife says it's very like the convent school she went to. For that matter Hogwart's is very like the boarding school I went to, though the food is a lot more lavish.

One thing more - as anyone who's read the Potter books should know, using the word Muggles as an insult, or sneering at Muggles in general, is the sort of racist thing Dumbledore and all honourable wizards and witches are dead against. The safe rule is to be very suspicious of anyone who talks in those terms.

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Nov 01 - 09:17 AM

It still missed out a bit in my post where I suggested that, if Liz wanted to find a book with a handsome young wizard (as against a handsome older wizard), "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula Leguin with Ged and a wholly convincing school of Wizardry, was the place to look. A lot more serious and fundamentally scary than Hogwarts. And a very authentic feeling. This is how magic would work if it worked.

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This thread is too long. Please continue at Harry Potter: Good Witch or Bad Witch (click), or Better Kid Flicks than Harry Potter, or start a new Harry Potter Part 2 thread if there's a need for it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: BS: Harry Potter
From: Noreen
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 06:49 AM

I think there is more scope for discussion of the film as more people get to see it.

Please post to new thread BS: Harry Potter, term 2