I know I’ve been a little obsessed with Harry Potter lately. It’s hard not to with having just listened to all seven books, watched Half-Blood Prince in the theater, and having just watched the other five movies over the last five days with Corey. And, as it’s Harry’s “birthday” today, I wanted to post one last thing before I got off my Harry Potter kick for a while.
Before Sorcerer’s Stone was made into a movie, I tried to read the book. I got through the first chapter and I didn’t really understand what was going on. Because I wasn’t much of a reader back then, I didn’t give the story a chance to unfold around me; I just gave up. Once the movie came out, however, I was so enthralled with the story that I breezed through the four books currently published in less than a week. My love for Harry Potter was born!
Because I saw the movie before I read any of the books, my perception of Dumbledore came from Richard Harris. I think I read the books with Richard Harris in mind rather than forming my own opinion of the character. When Richard Harris died, I was sad that a new actor would portray Dumbledore and I didn’t give Michael Gambon much of a chance to show me he could be just as good or even better than Richard Harris as Dumbledore.
As I’ve been listening to the books and watching the movies, I’ve finally formed my own opinion of Dumbledore. Both Richard Harris and Michael Gambon do a good job as Dumbledore. My only complaint is I didn’t like that Dumbledore was angry with Harry in Goblet of Fire when his name came out of the cup. In the books, Dumbledore wasn’t angry. He was worried and curious. I don’t think Dumbledore was ever angry with Harry in the books. Disappointed, yes. Angry, no. Also, I miss the half-moon spectacles.
Anyway, if you could take some of Richard Harris’s characteristics as Dumbeldore and combine them with Michael Gambon’s, I think the perfect Dumbledore would be born. For example, take Richard Harris’s loving demeanor and reverence, combine them with Michael Gambon’s strength and awe-inspiring power, and voila–you have the perfect Dumbledore.
I’m glad I can finally see Michael Gambon as Dumbledore and appreciate his portrayal of the beloved character. I look forward to seeing him at the end, possibly sooner, of the second Deathly Hallows movie.
About Jenni Elyse
I didn’t think he was angry with Harry when his name came out. He was just in shock. I also like Micheal Gambon the most at Dumbledore. He’s the one I see when I read the books.
Well, he wasn’t angry when he read his name. But, when he came and grabbed Harry by the cuff of his robes, he was definitely angry.
I like Richard Harris interpretation of Dumbledor better. He was so much calmer and more thoughtful before he would speak his lines, and I thought that fit who I saw in the book much better.
Ooh, Happy Birthday, Harry! At first, I was indignant at the change of Dumbledores (but the first died, what could be done). I didn’t like Michael Gambon at first, but now I think he is the better of the two. But to have my way, like you said, a cross between both of them would make the perfect actor for Dumbledore. Thoughtful and kind, yet lively and determined. Richard Harris seemed just a touch too fragile and stoic. Of course, neither really matches the Dumbledore of my imagination, but they’ve done a pretty good job.
I’ve always thought combining the two would get closer to being Dumbledore, but he would still be missing the sense of humor. Neither one of them is the guy who makes his passwords bizzare candy names, or who can pull off seeing wooly socks in the Mirror or Erised. And I miss the spectacles too!
Yeah. I still think he was in shock when he did that part as well. Harry was over-startled. You could tell on his face that he wasn’t angry.
I love Richard Harris! Michael is doing a better job as the movies go on…but I don’t think anyone could have done it as well as Richard…
I finally finished the books! YAY! Now James is excited to have a conversation with all of us about the 7th book.
i was very sad when richard harris died..but michael gambon picked up and i like him too. well i was also confused that why dumbledore was angry with harry..but i guess i was because he wanted to save harry and when he came to know he was into the triwizard he lost his mind cause harry was in grave danger..i almost cried when cedric died. poor bloke.