It’s a well-known fact thatHarry Potteris one of the most recognizable book series around. The film adaptions gained a lot of popularity as well. Overall, themovies stuck closely to the book’s plot, but they were not perfect. With the announcement of aHarry Potterreboot TV showcoming to Max in the not-too-distant future, elements from the books that didn’t appear in the film can get a spotlight. The streaming service has remained tight-lipped about the project, butDavid Heyman, who worked as a producer on the films and is set to be the executive producer of the series, claims the show “explores the books more deeply.” However, he insisted the project is in the early days, meaning it could be a while before more news comes. Yet there is someinformation about the seriesfloating around. Despitethe controversy surrounding authorJ.K. Rowling, she is involved in the new adaption. But there is more information about who won’t be involved with the films' director,David Yates,and the original Harry,Daniel Radcliff, and denying a connection to the show.
Though at first glance, it seems to bean odd choice to start overwith material that has already appeared onscreen, the show can finally bring to the screen what the films left out. Time constraints requiredseveral significant pieces to be cut from the films, and Heyman’s statement suggests that will change in the show. Though the series will still have a time limit as well, it will not be quite so restrictive. Assumedly, the show will dedicate roughly a season per book, so each book will get more time to fill. Where movies run about two to three hours long, shows often get between eight and ten episodes that are an hour each, effectively tripling the time allotted for each book. This means that fans will be able to enjoy many things that didn’t make the cut the first time around. Everything from Peeves to Voldemort’s full backstory now has a chance. Yet one storyline that didn’t make it in the films, in particular, deserves to appear finally. Unlike the films, the books have a heavy focus on the plight of house-elves and their significance to the fight against Voldemort.These creatures receive very little time in the adaption despite their major role in the story, and it’s time for them to get justice.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.
What Are House-elves?
Remembered primarily for the actions of the hero, Dobby (Toby Jones), house-elves are creatures in the Wizarding World who mainly function as slave labor, but this doesn’t seem to bother most people in the universe. They are often servants in Pureblood households or at wizarding institutions like Hogwarts. They are fiercely loyal creatures. For proof, look at Dobby’s relationship with Harry andhis willingness to die for his friend. But sometimes wizards aren’t so kind, yet house-elves are still loyal to a fault. Before Dobby gets his freedom, he is stuck with theMalfoy family, and when he disobeys orders, he’s compelled to hurt himself.
During the story, many house-elves are oppressed, despite the Ministry of Magic’s Elvish Legislation. Dobby claims it was worse when Voldemort was in power, hence his love for Harry. Yet even once Voldemort was gone, Dobby and others like him were still in bad situations. The Malfoys were unkind to Dobby at every turn. Whatever bound house-elves to their wizard masters forced obedience and can be broken if their master presents them with clothes. Though these meek creatures are given a low status among magical beings, house-elves have their own kind of magic that isn’t subject to the same limitations as wizards, which is useful when they are helping the heroes. Though Hogwarts is full of house-elves, only two appear in the films, Dobby and theBlack family’sKreacher (Simon McBurney). These two play an important role, though Dobby is cut from bothHarry Potter and the Goblet of FireandHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.Along with these appearances, the films remove Winky, another crucial house-elf. Her presence is one of the many oversights the series can correct.
What Did The Films Leave Out About House-Elves?
One of the main elements of the house-elf story that didn’t make it in the films is the Society for the Protection of Elvish Welfare or S.P.E.W. In the books, Hermione (Emma Watson) isn’t just the smartest girl in her year, but also a passionate activist who fights for fair treatment for the house-elves. Her unfortunately-named organization promotes house-elf rights. This subplot explores Hermione’s characterization and her sense of justice. However, she doesn’t go about helping the house-elves in the best way. Hermione knits clothing and hides it around theGryffindorcommon room to free the house-elves who come to clean, but before long, only Dobby is willing to clean the room because the rest fear finding clothes. After generations of enslavement, the house-elves are wary of freedom. They have lived one way for so long that they developed a society that conforms to it. For most elves, being set free is shameful, and even Dobby’s delight in his freedom can’t change that. He’s looked down on for being a free elf. Though the character is cut from the films, the books include Winky, formerly the Crouch’s elf, who is ashamed of her freedom.Dobby and Winky allow for the concept of house elves and their treatment and norms to be explored in depth in the books and could do the same for a show.
The Battle of Hogwarts gave an unusual chance for house-elves to show bravery. Though Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione gave them a chance to escape, some decided to fight. None other than Kreacher, formerly the Black family’s elf who shared their prejudices, leads the Hogwarts house-elves into battle to protect the castle. Kreacher’s battle cry calls Harry Potter the defender of house-elves, and it references his former master Regulus Black, who opposed Voldemort, but the books don’t explore why the Hogwarts house-elves joined the battle. It could be self-protection or extreme loyalty to the masters at Hogwarts, but whatever the motivation, it is a bold move for the small creatures. The moment is also a milestone in Kreacher’s development, who was abused by Voldemort himself. When introduced, Kreacher shows loyalty to the Black family and hatred towards Harry and his friends, calling them Mudbloods and blood traitors. But as they show him kindness and align themselves with Regulus Black, he becomes more agreeable until he eventually charges into battle against Voldemort. The films ignored Kreacher’s redemption arc, despite it beatingSeverus Snape’s (Alan Rickman) convoluted characterizationto become the best example of redemption in the story.
How Can The New ‘Harry Potter’ Show Fix This Mistake?
With more time to develop the story, the upcoming reboot could offer the house-elves the focus they deserve. Including Winky’s character and having Dobby present throughout the story, would allow the series to explore the norms and society of house-elves, especially the ones living at Hogwarts. Likewise, adapting the S.P.E.W. plot would bring in how the house-elves view freedom, despite their less-than-ideal situations. This ties in the Voldemort’s prejudices, showing how so many wizards would follow him. Additionally, this could demonstrate Hermione’s ability to relate her issues as a muggleborn witch to others who are mistreated.
Including Kreacher’s development would expand that house-elf story, allowing it to accumulate in their participation in the Battle of Hogwarts. Giving the house-elves their due would provide a great story for the series and differentiate it from the films. The story isn’t resolved in the books, as the creatures are still oppressed and resisting freedom. But it is yet another example of the Wizarding World’s struggle with prejudices. Though the characters face one head-on, they have more to do after Voldemort’s death. The messiness of the situation forces the audience to think critically, which is the beauty of this storyline.The house-elf plot is largely lost in the films, but, with another adaptation, this storyline could finally get the focus it deserves.
TheHarry Potterfilms are available to watch on Max in the U.S.
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