The Essence & Meaning Of Harry Potter Films, How Many Parts Are In The Potterian And What They Are About, Ideas. Death as an adventure, the loneliness of the chosen one and other ideas of the Harry Potter movie saga
Country: UK, USA
Genre: fantasy, adventure, drama
Year of production: 2001-2011
Director: Chris Columbus (films 1 and 2), Alfonso Cuarón (film 3), Michael Newell (film 4), David Yates (films 5-8)
Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton
The essence of the films about Harry Potter (Harry Potter), based on the books of J.K. Rowling, is the victory of Good over universal Evil. This is a story about a young wizard who challenged the Dark Lord – the embodiment of Death itself. The Boy-Who-Lived became the idol of millions of children and adults, and his Hogwarts School of Wizardry is the most famous educational institution in the world.
What is the movie about
The film tells the story of a boy named Harry Potter, who, at the age of 11, suddenly finds out that he is endowed with magical powers and that he is “the chosen one.” This is incredible, because he himself was sure that he was nothing. This thought was hammered into his head for years by Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, with whom he lived after the death of his parents. The son of his guardians, Dudley, also mocked the boy, which also did not add to Harry’s self-confidence.
Harry Potter received a letter of admission to Hogwarts. Frame from the film.
The beginning of the story immediately attracts attention, excites the soul, makes you read further. Millions of teenagers (what’s there, and adults too), who consider themselves “white crows”, were imbued with such a presentation of the plot. And when Harry Potter – a ridiculous, downtrodden bespectacled man – became the main pupil of the school of magic, a celebrity, it inspired the audience and instilled faith in justice. When Harry found friends at Hogwarts, he became truly happy and free.
At the school of magic, the young wizard began to reveal more and more new traits in himself, to find the hidden meaning of things and events. His faithful companions Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were not afraid to get involved in the fight against the Dark Lord, setting an example of true friendship.
Six times the Boy-Who-Lived fought Voldemort and defeated him in the final. Having gone through the injustice and pain of losing his parents, despite the machinations of the evil Draco Malfoy and his minions, he was able to defy Death and stay alive.
JK Rowling gave such a clear description of the details in her novels that the directors had only to transfer them to the screen. Each of the books served as a script for a separate film. The content of the last novel was divided into two parts. Here is a complete list of all films, there are eight of them:
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – 2001;
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – 2002;
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – 2004;
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – 2005;
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – 2007;
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – 2009;
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part 1 – 2010;
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Part 2 – 2011.
In 2026, it is planned to shoot the film “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” about the children of the main characters.
Ideas “Potteriana”
If you conduct a detailed analysis of all the Harry Potter films, you can find many hidden meanings and ideas. Books, and then their film adaptation, became a kind of “religion” for fans, gave rise to new trends in literature, cinema, and culture. The story of wizards living next to ordinary people raises many pressing topics. Here are the basic ideas of Potteriana.
Social inequality
Harry has been dealing with inequality and injustice since early childhood. In the Dursleys’ house, he is superfluous, an inferior being, unworthy of normal human treatment and pity. Whereas the native son of his uncle and aunt – the evil and narcissistic Dudley – bathes in love and care, gets everything on demand. The protagonist understands from an early age that people are not equal by nature.
In his opinion, he is affirmed, having got into the school of magic Hogwarts. His best friend Ron comes from a simple and poor family. This becomes an occasion for ridicule of some classmates. Immediately there is a comparison with the rich Draco Malfoy, who has everything except kindness and good manners.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). Frame from the film.
JK Rowling consciously did not begin to draw an ideal world where everyone is brothers to each other. The magical society in its interpretation is not much different from ours – “Muggle”, when it comes to human prejudices.
Racism and nationalism
Purity of blood is one of the main concepts of all parts of the film. In the magical world, characters are divided into castes, depending on the number of mage ancestors. There are pure-blood wizards, half-bloods, and those who were born Muggles. This is the lowest caste, to which the insulting word “Mudbloods” is often applied.
There is a direct analogy with the ideas of Nazi Germany, and also, perhaps, with racism and attitudes towards blacks. Pure-blood wizards are as prejudiced against half-bloods as fascists are against any “non-Aryan” race.
This trend was once spawned by Salazar Slytherin himself. Initially, Muggle-born wizards were not allowed to study at Hogwarts at all. Also in such moods reigned in the Black family – the oldest magical clan. For them, the purity of the blood has always been the main criterion in any situation.
All Blacks have absorbed this theory, with the exception of Sirius and Andromeda. In the film, Hermione hears the word “Mudblood” many times in her address, especially often from the lips of members of the Malfoy family. By the way, Rowling, perhaps not by chance, made them outwardly “true Aryans” – fair-haired and blue-eyed.
The role of Draco Malfoy was played by actor Tom Felton. Frame from the film.
Also, the topic of racism was raised by the fans of “Harry Potter”. They could not accept that the main character fell in love with an Asian. Her appearance at the school of magic in general, many considered inappropriate, ridiculous. Poor Cathy Lung, who played Harry Jow Chang’s love interest, even faced internet bullying after the film’s release. This is clearly not the reaction that JK Rowling was counting on.
The book did not focus on the race of the characters. However, in the film, both blacks and Asians appeared among the students of Hogwarts, and in all this the audience began to look for a hidden meaning, to give this their own explanation.
Nationalism began to be seen even where it was not in sight. For example, student Seamus Finnigan from Ireland was linked to terrorism. In some reviews of the film, you can find the opinion that this is “the image of a native Irishman who is sure to blow something up.” Also, especially meticulous viewers saw “typical” Jewish features in the images of goblin bankers.
Slavery
This topic is widely covered in the books of JK Rowling, but in the films she was assigned an insignificant role. The explanation is simple – it’s too heavy and gloomy for a wide display. We are talking about the slavery of elves in a magical land.
In the second part, the viewer gets acquainted with Dobby, who serves at the Malfoys. This pitiful creature gradually deserves sympathy, and then compassion. The film mentions the conditions in which the elves have to exist, how they are disenfranchised and unhappy.
Elf Dobby. Frame from the film.
When, at the end of the seventh part, Dobby sacrifices himself to save Harry, this causes especially strong feelings. The point is that this elf was able to break the system, not only breaking free, but also going against his masters – the Malfoy family – in the name of goodness and justice.
The only one who seriously cared about the problems of the oppressed elves was Hermione. In her fourth year, she even created the Association for the Protection of These Magical Creatures. But what came of it?
Hermione really sympathized with the elves and wanted to help them. But Ron said to her face: “Yes, they like it. They like slavery.” Very quickly, this opinion began to spread among the students of Hogwarts, and the work of the Association simply did not make sense. Later, film critics were outraged by such a presentation of the issue, although they agreed that in world history the problems of slaves were solved in much the same way, that is, in no way.
School and education
Hogwarts School of Wizardry is not just an educational institution. This is a place where traditions and foundations have been preserved for centuries, where entire generations of great magicians have grown up. And although this institution is fictitious, its principles and ideas are applicable to real schools – for example, the system of classes (faculties), the accumulation of points, tests and exams, profile education.
Hogwarts provides a classical education. Children here are obliged to study, to comprehend knowledge through labor, despite the fact that they are wizards. Skills and abilities do not come to them by magic, and JK Rowling considers this to be the only correct one.
Frame from the film.
There is something that many children would like to see in their schools. For example, practical exercises instead of boring theory. The magical adventures of students during the development of the wisdom of magic captured the audience. Also, the idea that some lessons were taught by non-professional teachers “went” to the children. For example, the story of magic in the film is led by a real ghost. At the same time, the level of education at Hogwarts is always on top.
Family and parents
The film is particularly poignant about Harry’s love for his dead parents. She changes over the course of the story. Living in the Dursleys’ house, the protagonist grieves for mom and dad in a purely childish way, as any child would do.
But later, having learned the story of the death of his parents, imagining how his mother covers him with her body from Lord Voldemort, he begins to suffer especially hard. This love runs like a red line throughout the film and touches the hearts of not only children, but also adults.
Simple family values are shown on the example of friendly and positive Weasleys. Harry feels easy and comfortable in this family. Everything is simple here, Ron’s parents seem rustic, but their love for children is truly immeasurable.
Molly Weasley proves this by killing Bellatrix Lestrange with a death spell at the end of the film. So the mother avenged all the children, proving that quiet and modest magicians can also have great power if they are driven by Love.
The role of Molly Weasley was played by actress Julie Walters. Frame from the film.
Chosenness and loneliness
The theme of loneliness in the film and books about Harry Potter is very relevant. The boy keeps his distance despite making friends and even finding love. At first he is alone, because no one cares about him. Later, because everyone idolizes him and considers him the chosen one. In any case, people shun the young prodigy and do not understand sincere feelings. Chosenness for Harry is his inner pain.
If before the fifth film the theme of the protagonist’s loneliness was dispelled by the presence of Hermione and Ron, then further on Harry became more and more annoyed, withdrawing into himself. He is rude to friends, does not listen to the good advice of teachers and trusts only one Sirius Black – as lonely as himself.
The answer is simple: the chosen one to save everyone at the cost of his own life must go this way alone. The death of Sirius was a great grief for Harry, but he continued to move forward, because he saw in this the great meaning of his own and others’ suffering.
Victory over fears
After the film’s release, Rowling faced a flurry of criticism on the theme of “intimidating” the audience. But the author always answered that only by meeting their fears, they will be able to cope with them. The paradox is that the scarier the plot of the book, the more zealously children read it. The same goes for films. Although many scenes in them, especially in the last parts, really evoke horror, the rating of films only increased with each subsequent part.
The point is that fear attracts people like a forbidden fruit. Children cover their eyes, but continue to watch dangerous and creepy scenes. The film shows that even powerful magicians, including Harry Potter himself, can be afraid.
Because Hogwarts uses special techniques to overcome fear. Boggart lessons are a prime example of this. A boggart is a ghost that takes on the appearance of the greatest fear of the one who sees it. The child, having met him face to face, defeats him with the power of spirit and thought.
Alan Rickman as Professor Severus Snape. Frame from the film.
The film also shows a way to deal with the greatest horror of every magician – the Dementors. To do this, you need to call the Patronus (from the Latin patronus – “protector”) using the spell “Expecto Patronum”. But for it to work, you have to turn off fear and imagine the happiest moment of your life. Magic alone is indispensable here – a strong heart and a desire to stop the evil force will help. To do this, you need to cope with fear and take a step forward.
Death
Death is one of the main themes in all the Harry Potter films. JK Rowling herself spoke about this. The narrative begins with the death of Harry’s parents, in the film, those who are dear to him die, and above all this, Voldemort’s obsession with defeating death at any cost is visible.
But in this he can be understood, because everyone is afraid to die, this is normal. Only the ending of the last part shows that death is not the end, but the next big adventure. It does not need to be afraid and try to avoid it. Acceptance of one’s end is another theme covered in the film.
The role of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was played by actor Ralph Fiennes. Frame from the film.
The meaning of the names of the main characters
Harry is a Middle English rendering of the name Henry, popular with British monarchs. It symbolizes the hero’s leadership. There is also a connection with the word “heri” (army). Hence the explanation that Harry founded Dumbledore’s squad and became a symbol of the fight against Voldemort.
Ron (Ronald) is also named so not by chance. This name indicates the status of Harry’s friend. It is derived from the Old Norse Regnvald, which means royal adviser. This is exactly the role that Ron plays in the plot of the film.
The name Hermione was taken from Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Rowling just liked the way it sounds, although the characters themselves are completely different in character. Harry’s girlfriend herself says that her parents named her so in honor of the daughter of Helen of Troy and King Menelaus – the heroes of Greek mythology.
The Harry Potter Prophecy Explained
FAQ The Harry Potter Ending Explained
In the film, Harry survived the Avada Kedavra spell twice, as an infant and in the final battle with Voldemort. The first time he was protected by his mother, using the Sacrifice spell.
It is very ancient and powerful. Lily Potter wished with all her heart that the Dark Lord would kill her instead of her son. It worked – the death spell killed her, and the baby got only a scar in the form of a lightning bolt.
In the end, he survived for several reasons. Firstly, he interacted with all the Deathly Hallows, which means that he became its unspoken master.
Second, he became a Horcrux himself. Dumbledore himself explains the ending, saying: “Lord Voldemort took your blood and restored his body with it! Your blood is in his veins, Harry. He forced you to live while he lives! Why did
In the film, Voldemort created six Horcruxes: a snake, a diary, a chalice, a ring, a locket, and a diadem. But the most recent – the seventh – he was not going to create. When he tried to kill baby Harry, the death spell rebounded from him and hit the Dark Lord himself. His soul was split and this fragment moved into the baby – the only living creature nearby.
But the irony is that Voldemort himself did not notice this. He experienced a split of the soul so many times that he stopped experiencing anything at the same time. He did not know until the very end that the last Horcrux was Harry. And, perhaps, this is what saved the main character’s life in the end.
