The Battle of Hogwarts: 5 book to film changes we’re still salty about
In the Potterverse, it has officially been 20 years since the Battle of Hogwarts unfolded. It’s been less time since the battle hit the big screen, but there are still a few changes we’ve been stewing over.
In J.K. Rowling’s magical universe, today marks the 20th anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. That’s right, we’ve officially made it past the epilogue. Even though it’s been years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 hit theaters, we’re still annoyed about some of the changes the filmmakers made during the adaptation.
After all this time, you ask? Always.
1. Fred’s off-screen death
The Weasley twins are beloved characters within the Harry Potter fandom. Naturally, fans were saddened when Fred met his demise during the final stand against Voldemort. But in the books, he at least had a final heroic scene.
And while it would be even harder to watch Fred’s death play out on the big screen, many of us felt the films did him a disservice by cutting out his final moments. The first time movie watchers discover Fred is gone is when Harry enters the Great Hall, after the battle is more or less over. He doesn’t even get to take a Death Eater or two down with him, and that’s a shame.
2. Percy’s repentance
Harry Potter fans love to say “I told you so” as much as anyone else, and the films deprived us of the perfect opportunity to do just that. After Voldemort’s return in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Percy Weasley proves himself the biggest prat in the series. He sides with the Ministry of Magic, rejecting his entire family and Harry in the process.
We see this happen in the films as well, though the writers didn’t bother to wrap up Percy’s story in the last movie. In the books, he bursts into the battle and admits what a giant jerk he’s been. The scene provides resolution between him and his family, and it leaves fans with a sense of conclusion. We’ll forever be peeved that the film didn’t bother with it.
3. The missing house elf army
The Harry Potter films are frequently criticized for omitting storylines involving house elves. Sure, they did give us Dobby in Chamber of Secrets and Deathly Hallows Part 1. But apart from the essential Dobby and Kreacher scenes, the movies veer away from showing these creatures.
During the books, the house elves at Hogwarts join the Battle of Hogwarts. Led by Kreacher, they help the wizards defend their home against Voldemort. That the filmmakers would leave this out, particularly after Dobby’s noble sacrifice, is an outrage.
4. Neville’s big moment
The film version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows makes a much larger show of killing Nagini than the book does. We understand that the filmmakers wanted another excuse to show off Hermione and Ron’s newfound relationship. But doesn’t Neville deserve some glory all to himself?
In the book series, Neville kills Nagini after confronting Lord Voldemort in front of an audience of Death Eaters. It’s a big moment for his character, and we’re still upset the scriptwriters altered it.
5. Voldemort’s defeat
Many have complained about the movie’s attempts to make Harry’s final fight with Voldemort more flashy and dramatic. There’s an unnecessary fall during which the two seem to morph into one another, potentially attacking one another in the process.
In the novel, Voldemort’s final moments are less showy but more powerful. He and Harry circle one another, surrounded by onlookers. The discussion they have packs a much larger emotional punch than it does in the films.
And while Harry ultimately still snatches the Elder Wand from him, the evil wizard doesn’t simply dissolve into a pile of dust. The survivors are left with a body, making all that’s happened more physically present and real. All in all, the book’s portrayal of Voldemort’s death just had more of an impact.
Related Story: J.K. Rowling apologizes for killing Dobby in the Deathly Hallows
What changes from the book to the movie bothered you? Vent it all out in the comments.