If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’m listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks right now. I finished listening to Goblet of Fire on Saturday and I just started listening to Order of the Phoenix.
I’m not sure if you remember my review of the movie for Order of the Phoenix when it came out a couple of years ago, but I posted a couple of complaints I had about the movie. My main complaint was about the dementors. I said:
First, the dementors in the movie grabbed and choked Harry as they tried to “kiss” him. In the books, dementors don’t grab people. (The only time they actually touch someone is when they’re “carrying” you to prison as a policeman would an assailant.) Once the dementors come close enough to you, you feel “as though all happiness [has] gone from the world … and [you remember] … dreadful things” as stated by Arabella Figg in the book. The dementors don’t need to grab or choke you before they “kiss” you.
I just finished listening to the first chapter. And, to my surprise, I heard:
But there was no happiness in him…. The dementor’s icy fingers were closing on his throat….
I’ve read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix three times now and I never realized they actually grabbed Harry until now. I feel really sheepish for making such a big deal about it when the movie came out. I guess I have one less complaint about the movie now.
I need to be more forgiving when I watch movies made from books. This realization will be very helpful this year with the upcoming releases of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and New Moon. I need to remember even though the movies may not follow the books exactly or they may not portray exactly what I have pictured in my mind, they’re still bringing my favorite stories to life, making them seem more real. And, that makes the movies worth watching (unless, of course, they’re blatantly wrong in every aspect like the first Dune movie).
About Jenni Elyse
You said sheepish… baaaa!
Just kidding. I’m picking up on things as I listen to them more than I did when I read them. Maybe distraction or not focused enough. Or the way we voraciously read it when it came out a midnight.
I got a copy of the 6th book that I’m listening to now and it sounds like Jim Dale is taking a bath…that echo sound…horrible.
Happy reading. Say Hello to Corey. Happy Froyo! Love ya!
Ok, so when you come up for the blessing, if you can…you need to help me with my blog. It’s so sad and I want to put links and stuff but I don’t know how. P.s. I like you recant, you make me laugh.
It is always hard when movies are made from books! I just saw Angels and Demons and it was a really good movie, but not what I expected from the books (especialy considering that the book is the first in the series, but a sequel in the movies). You are such a good kid to read as much as you do!
Jenni- you totally make me laugh! I love that you appoligized for this! I would have read that, realized I was wrong, and never said a word… even if I know I’m wrong doesn’t mean that everyone else has to know too!
I need to re-read Harry Potter and the HBP before I go see the movie! I’ve forgotten so much!