Big news!!! Deathly Hallows will be broken into two movies and now the big question is, "Where will the make the break between part one and part two??" This poll is about where part I should end.

I'm going to have to say that the moment Harry goes into speak with Griphook and says, "I need to break into a Gringotts Vault" would be wonderful. We would just have seen Dobby give his life for the trio and others, and Harry would have dug his grave and Ron given him his socks wipes eyes and this would leave the movie goer in suspense and not leave on a sad note, but that they are ready to look to the future and do whatever means necessary to get things done.

the moment AFTER Ron comes back, for the same reason as Cheryl Klien says. Her opinion was explained on a recent PC by Melissa. It was something like that there is enough of a climax there to make it a complete movie, yet its still going to be left open.

Hoooooooly crap.

*squees loudly*

At first I wasn't sure about the split, but, what the heck, bring on a double dose of DH, please!!
The bad: HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT TWO YEARS FOR DH PART 1 ?!?!?

Woohoo, this is gonna be intense.

Anyway, I voted for after Ron comes back, because then you have action but also resolution from Ron destroying a Horcrux. But the other part of me thinks it would be cool if part 1 ended right when Xeno says 'Are you referring to the sign of the Deathly Hallows?' Black screen. Ooh, almost gives me chills...

I'm glad that they are taking the time to make this movie perfect, but what about HBP, are they going to hurry up and finish it so they can begin on the next one?

I like David Yates as the director though.

I think it will split right when Ron comes back because the movie fans will be in suspense on how Hermione reacts, also its the middle of the book. What stinks about the two part deathly hallows movie is that we are going to have to wait even longer for Rupert and Emma to kiss which I am looking forward too!
Leggers, I could too see them ending the first part with Xeno talking about the Delthly Hallows...
I am so excited for this now!

I think they should split it right after the Death Eaters come when Harry says Voldemort like "We don't care who we curse" and then blackout. MAN THAT WOULD BE INTENSE!!!

I chose other, and here is my explanation

I'd really love for it to end with Xenophilius saying, "Are you refering to the sign of the Deathly Hallows?" Suspense, but nothing sad happened. We've already experienced Ron coming back, and I just think that line would be great as an ending to part one. I don't think it should stop before then because we don't hear the word Deathly Hallows before then and all the poor, sad people who don't read the books would be all confused.

Plus, that's pretty dang close to the middle of the book.

I definitely think that they will cut it after the middle of the book to make room for the Battle of Hogwarts because we all know that things get drawn out in movies (haha Chamber of Secrets killing the Basilisk).

why are they asking people where to cut it

shouldnt the director do that. what the

Well this is a discussion forum so people are discussing where they think the film should be cut, it's not an official poll or anything. Although it would be pretty awesome if it was up to the fandom to decide!

This poll is just for fun. It's not like WB patrols the various polls leaky has to get ideas.

Oooo also another great split would be the "Griphook, I need to break into a Gringotts vault" *blackout*

Hahaha all this reminds me of LOST how it's always some big revealing line then the blackout lol.

Oh but how awesome would that be

I'd like it to be the moment after Ron destroys the Horcrux but before Harry and Ron go back to tell Hermione.

Oh my! I just don't know how I feel about this! I really didn't think they would split them, but if the quote I read is true:

(bold mine, quote from yahoo news)

then I am happy. If they will not remove elements of this book, I will do a happy dance in the theatre!

As for where to place the split, I voted for "the moment Ron comes back," meaning after he saves Harry, destroys the Horcrux and faces Hermione in the tent. I voted for that for the same reasoning that weaslygirl gave - it makes sense from a filmmaking perspective, as a complete movie, but leaves it open because you know there is so much more to be resolved.

However, my other choice would be when the trio leaves Shell Cottage. If it were me, I would probably end it when they are leaving, but before Hermione and Ron are disguised, just because it would seem so strange to end it with them in disguise. The reason I think that would be a good place is because the second movie would then open at Gringotts and we would be very quickly immersed in action. And from that point on, DH is mostly action. So, that would make really good sense to me.

Oooooh, it's going to be hard to wait. And then we'll be waiting for the release of the extended, director's cut, 16 disc special edition collector's dvd set. lol! XD

I'm so squeeful I could die. There's so much I have to say on this! GAHHH. Now that I've squeed myself to death, onto the discussion...

Here's a quote from Heyman on the main site


Sooooo

If he's looking for a moments of suspense would have to say When Harry Says Voldemort. Fade away as the footsteps approach. That would be incredible. It is also very dead center of the book.


There are a few problems with making it for when Ron leaves:

~My problem with that is that the movies have already made Ron a caricature of the book Ron. That has only recently been remedied. I don't think I could take six months of movie only fans hating on Ron Weasley.

~The logistical problem is that this point is too close to the beginning. I want the Battle of Hogwarts to be at least an hour of this final movie, as there is so much glory and tragedy to cover. If you end it when Ron leaves, then you run the risk of having to stuff too much in that final movie.

Another good spot of suspense, ignoring my previous paragraph would be when Bagshot goes all snakey.

~If they can cut to Ron trying to find them while Harry and Hermione are veritably doomed, that might work.

Now on to moments of resolution:

An adminstrator at the EW.net forums has the perfect one, and it's a combination of many of the answers up there.

~When Hermione says "I haven't ruled it out".
It ends with a funny moment. Ron has destroyed the first horcrux, so it's a hopeful moment. He's back and him and Harry have settled and hugged, so it's a touching moment. It would be the most feel good spot of the book.

all of that being said....logistically, and for reasons of plot, I voted for after they leave the Lovegood's.

~It saves a good chunk for the final movie. It ends at a HUGE turning point in the plot. Harry has just learned the importance of the Hallows, and he's about to be faced with a choice. Luna is missing. They have escaped capture narrowly yet again, and they are not much closer than they were. But Harry knows another piece of the puzzle, and that piece is confusing.

The Gringott's line is very awesome....and that would make room for a lot of battle drama for the final film...I just think it's so far into the book, that we run the risk of losing the first half to time issues.

I voted for other because I think it should be right after Godric's Hollow. Ron is gone and we don't know when he will be back. Harry and Hermione just escaped Voldemort himself. And the audience will get to see things from Voldemorts perspective, giving them something they rarely get to experience. Actually now that I think about it...I guess I should have voted for when Harry wand broke because that's about the same time...ooops! Anyways, I still think this will give us enough adventure without giving away too much and leaving lots of suspense for those who have not read the books.

This would also give the movie makers plently of time to really show the 7 potters, Kreacher's story, their infiltration of the ministry, the camping out (although this would be some of what I would cut) and Godric Hollow (Harry at the grave...creepy snake Bertha).

That's my long two cents.

I really don't think they should leave it with Ron still gone. Ron being gone is very emotional and painful to no end for Harry and Hermione. It's like they are missing their heart. If we wait six months with that lingering, for the movie fans, it will go stale. Then, Ron's return will be anti-climactic.

Not to mention putting a major plot resolution right at the beginning like that would be disjointed.

I've chosen "when they leave malfoy manor"....I mean soon after Dobby's death when Harry decides about the hallows or horcruxes ........

Ah! I can see them departing for their adventure and that being the end of it, and then Part II opens with them disguised and us seeing Bellatrix making her way into Gringotts, and then her doing something comical to let us know it's not really her and everyone is just polyjuiced. You think your watching a baddie open the film, but really you're not.




I completely agree! You were riding toward my wavelength and them got bumped a bit, but I was thinking along the same lines. I think it would be so poignant if Part I were to end with Hermione and Harry narrowly escaping--with Voldemort's screaming into the night! Then, Part II would open with Voldemort's memories of how it all began. It would be poetic for the final part of the story to take us all the way back to the beginning I think.
However, I've thought about it long and hard, and as much as I'd like it to play that way, there are complications. The audience wouldn't have even heard of the deathly hallows, Ron would still be gone, and there would be a lot of plot that would have to be fit into Part II that is essential--going to Xenophilius' house the most important I think.

So, I voted for after Dobby dies. Part I would end on a sad note for sure, but I think this part in the story would coincide with Harry deciding to go after Horcruxes instead of Hallows. I think that needs to be addressed before Part II begins for sure. Ergo, I think as soon as Harry and co. depart for Gringotts should be where Part I should end.

Part II would then entail: Gringotts (more dragon scenes, yay!), returning to Hogwarts, Big Battle, Harry Dies, Harry comes back (emotional stuff that needs tender care, ie timing), and then Harry's return to kill Voldemort. And I guess we can throw in the Epilogue since the transcript is already written, really.

It would be really exciting if the split after Harry says "Voldemort," it will be very climactic, but I think for a full ending they should split after ron gets back... hmmm I wonder if for the second half they will to a "Previously on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" montage... I always love a good montage.

I like the idea of after ron comes back. The little close-encounter with Voldy is a good climax event to be near the end of the first movie. And then ron coming back is a good sense of renewed purpose to await in the next movie.

However, if they ended the movie where Harry is suddenly saved from the water by someone, but they cut the movie before harry finally sees who it is, and thus the audience doesnt know, I would be mad. Not that the audience wouldnt actually know, because who doesn't know? But from a film making perspective, thats a cruel note to end on.

I think there are alot of possible places for them to make the divide, but my guess for what they are going to do is end part I with Xeno's quotation about the Deathly Hallows.
Part I will have-the wedding, the revelation about Kreacher's part, the Ministry, you will get the build up to when Ron leave's, you will have the seperate part where it's just Harry and Hermione with some exciting action/special effects (which audiences always love) and then the triumph of Ron's return and that amusement, but to end it with Ron's return puts emphasis on the trio's split up and reconfiguration and I think what the writers will want to do, especially because they are working with an audience which includes people who have never read the books, is put emphasis on the Hallows, include the idea of the Hallows in the first movie so that people who have not read the books don't wonder...well, what are the Hallows? I think that even if it isn't the best place to cut off from the fandom perspective, from the movie making perspective it is effective. In the end of Movie I we won't be wondering, where is Ron? Is he going to come back? We won't be thinking that the trio is all together and everything is happy, we will be posed with a question and we will be given the hint that the answer-what the deathly hallows are-is to come if we only have the patience to wait around 6 months and see part II. I can see this cutoff as very effective in a dramatic/cinematic way.

According to TLC's quote from David Heyman, they haven't decided whether to make the split a cliffhanger, or leave it at a point of some sort of resolution.

If it's a cliffie, it should be right after Ron leaves when Hermione collapses into tears, a la' Empire Strikes Back, for those of us old enough to remember what that wait was like.

If they go for some resolution, I'd say at Shell Cottage right after Luna's closed Dobby's eyes and Ron's put his socks on the house-elf. With Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Dean and Bill and Fleur there, standing around Dobby's fresh grave it would give the feeling of an ending while hinting that there is so much more to come (and I like the visual of them together standing over the grave). Ron's arm around Hermione, of course...

I really wanted just 7 films (ala 7 books, 7 horcruxes -- but I guess really 8 with Harry as the 8th "horcrux" and the 2nd film-part is the film-crux!
) However, I think it will be fine. David Yates did a marvelous job with OotP, although it was far too short for my tastes. At least by going with a two-parter there likely will be fewer cuts.

As far as Bill and Fleur are concerned, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Tonks/Lupin substitute for them, both at the wedding and at Shell Cottage, though I would surely miss Auntie Muriel!

For maintaining suspense, I like the idea of breaking the film at Bathilda’s place . . . we have the calm and poignancy of Harry visiting Godric’s Hallow, and then, boom, a huge, terrifying, suspenseful ending! Maybe even a cliff-hanger, with the non-book-fan folks wondering if Harry and Hermione got away. Concurrently I would add in a scene, just before Godric's Hallow, in which Ron is trying to find them, listening to the Deluminator perhaps.

Wow! 2 years between HBP and DH I--that’ll be hard!

I agree with Hagiographer I was hoping for one really long movie. However, I am finding the more I think about this the more excited I get about all the details that can be left in!!! In addition I am soooooooo happy Yates will be taking the helm, he is fabulous.

I really couldn't figure how they would break DH into two halves, but after reading many ideas I can see several possible ideas. I like many of them but the one I like best (and voted for) was right as Ron returns. Harry goes into the lake, ends up nearly drowning, someone pulls him out. He comes to on the ground, looks up, and there is Ron standing there holding the sword. CUT! I think it works. Ron has returned but no questions have been answered, there is enough suspense to leave people wanting more. Plus it leaves for a perfect opening into the second movie with the destruction of the locket, and some lovely comedy as Hermione lays into Ron. That can get the viewer into the movie quickly and then we are off and running. The only thing I really worry about with that would be the possibility that the battle at Hogwarts and climax need more time than this cut would allow. *mind boggles* Kind of glad that's not my job to do!

I think Bill and Fleur could be introduced into DH if they really wanted them there.

I also agree waiting between HBP and DH1, then waiting until DH2 is going to be torture!!!

I voted for just as they decide horcruxes over Hallows (and I think I mean just before they decide which to go with), but I was talking with my mum about all the things that happen after they leave Shell Cottage and in and of itself that is a lot to cram into a movie, so I actually think they could break it after they escape Gringotts on the Dragon and still have plenty of scope for the other movie. that means that some of the exposition could be condensed in the first movie so those who dislike the camping (not me ... I think it works really well) aren't subjected to quite such an endless time out in the wilderness

YES YES Finally they see reason at WB..... I think it's really good that they do 2 movies.....

I'm really happy... I hope that they do it to the half blood prince to, but I think it's to late for that....

I believe the best split occurs at the very end of Chapter 24, "The Wandmaker". You have Dobby's funeral as the emotional climax of Part I, as it very well should be. Then, the final minutes of the film feature Ollivander's discussion with the group about the Elder Wand. It's the perfect note to end Part I on: tragedy, followed by a drive to push forward.

The beginning of Chapter 25, "Shell Cottage", is a perfect opening for Part II. A few days have passed in the book, and Shell Cottage serves as a pit stop for the Trio before they continue on. While everybody is resting at the cottage, the Trio has plenty of time to review the information they were given by Ollivander. This provides exposition for the audience, and it allows Part II to stand on its own as a complete story.

The perfect split exists right there in the chapter divisions. I sure hope it turns out that way.

I realize I may have used the word "perfect" one too many times in my previous post. However, I'd like to add one more thing: at the chapter 24/25 split, there's less than 300 pages remaining in the (U.S.) book. That allows the filmmakers to just go nuts with the Battle of Hogwarts. Anybody see a problem with that? Not me.



edited by moderator to merge a double post

i like the idea of two part film
and they shuold split it at xeno's house when he says
"are you reffering to the deathly hallows"

it gives us a reason to go back and watch it even more

it's like when in other films reach a certain part of it and you know whats going to happen and sends a chill up and down your spine for some unknown reason
take star wars for example
when old darth says
"i am your father"
sent a chill up my spine when i first watched it
imgaine having him as your dad lol

I voted for right after Ron returns because that seems like a natural "break" in the book for me.

I also agree that right after Xeno.... Lovegood says the "are you referring to the sign of the Deathly Hallows" line would be a good spot as well.

PigWithHair:
(waves at old friend)



I really think this would be the worst possible place to end the first film. There are many reasons.

The first reason, it leaves too much to cram into the second half. 16-18 if full of information, including Dumbledore's life and lies and Godric's Hollow. Then we need to film The Silver Doe. That is three very dramatic, informative, and climactic scenes to bombard us with in the beginning of the next movie. I want a lot of time for the battle.

And then there's that emotional factor. For six months, Ron will be on all the moviegoer's minds. Then, the pain, drama, and serious plot problem of Ron being gone will be thought over and go stale. I think in order to depict the emotional cycle that happens between the trio during Ron's departure needs to be shown in one full circle.

I will be very disappointed if they leave it when Ron leaves.


Whomever said this:

I really like the image of the movie ending with Ron pulling Harry from the water with the sword in his hand. Hero!Ron will be fun. I only think it will be too soon in the book to leave.

When Harry says Voldemort would be horrible suspense.

I chose right after dobby's death. I think it would be perfect to end part 1 w/Harry and everyone safe at Shell Cottage after just burying Dobby. And to begin part 2 w/Harry wanting to speak with Ollivander & Griphook.

I' mixed between two events one when Ron leaves cause movie wise it would be suspensful, possible entice people to come see the second one to see if he comes back. I also like the scene when he comes back cause yes it is in the middle of the book, and it would show that the trio are on the right track to destroying the horcrux. Hopefully Harry's mission to destroy the horcuxes given by Dumbledore will be in the next movie, i suspect it will be.

lizzardbreath

Wow I really cant choose, although I think possibly my least favorite option would be right after Dobby dies. While for me this is a huge moment in DH (& I really hope they do it justice) I feel that leaving us waiting two years with that scene hanging over us would be just too painful and depressing.
Hopefully they get the balance right to include and cover the many storylines and scenes and people and events, and dedicate enough time to each aspect of DH.
No doubt they'll make a big deal about the battle at Hogwarts but hopefully not *too* big a deal of it to push aside other less visually dramatic but no less important & emotionally dramatic scenes.

Ignoring time constraints, I think artisticly, it's best to cut it right BEFORE Ron comes back. When I read the book, that was one point I stopped and put it down for the night. It was such a total feeling of hopelessness and despair. Ron was gone. Harry's wand broken. Harry and Hermoine not being close. To have to live with that feeling for the six months between films would really leave you with the same feeling Harry had at the time.

However, from a practical standpoint, I think that leaves too much story after it to try and fit into one movie. I voted for when they get captured by Greyback, because I think a cliffhanger is the better way to go. Can't wait to see though. Either way, I'm just thankful it's two movies, it would have been horrible only having one.

I chose Other.

I believe they will go for Drama - a cliffhanger. I can't think of a better mid-book cliffhanger than at the end of Godrick's Hollow where they almost get caught by LV.

The battle with Nagini happens
HG destroys Harry's Wand
LV comes into the house
HG and HP jump out the window spinning in the air and.....

Fade to Black

Moose_star, it should only be 6 months in between. We will have 2 years to wait between HBP and DH though.

I'm liking the idea of cutting at the point where they are getting ready to leave Shell Cottage and head to Gringotts more and more. I think that's my final answer. I would like for the 2nd half to jump right into the action.

Ok after giving it a little more thought, I like others want Gringott's and th Battle of Hogwarts to be huge parts if not all of the second movie.

Thus one of the best and dramtic places to split it while resolving the Ron issue would be where Harry tells Griphook that he needs to break into Gringott's.

However that makes Movie one July to February and movie two March to May. Really have to compress time in Movie one to do that, but they travel aimlessly so much before Christmas, that it is probably doable.

I think there are so many different things going on during the battle, that it needs to be extended more than the balance of the other chapters. We have major deaths, major plot resolutions, Snape's Story, Narcissa's motherly love, Harry walking to his death, Kings Cross, The ultimate battle, All of those fighters, the results of Harry's death and the reactions.

And that's just the last part of the battle!

So ending it with Ron leaving leaves way too much book to cram into the last half.

I vote for the moment when Ron leaves but I want to change it the moment when he returns. It is in the middle of the book and I am sure that they could do it very good and on that way only half book will be in the first part so it will contain all half book :D:D::D Yupi finally a movie that is complitely same as the books :D:D:D:D

I've changed my mind. I now think that Shell Cottage would be a good place to end it. It's climax would then be Malfoy manner and we would have a little winding down time and the big Horcrux or Hallows bit, but I really want that long last day (from Gringotts to Voldy's death is all in like a 48 hour period) to all be in one film, so I wouldn't want them breaking after Gringotts. I think cutting anywhere before Ron returns would make it so that there was too much that needed to fit in the second half.

So cutting at Shell Cottage would make it:
Part I: The Seven Harrys, the wedding, Grimuald Place, the Ministry, Camping, Ron leaves, Godrics Hollow, Ron's return, the Lovegoods house, Malfoy Manner and Dobby's death

Then the filmakers can go all out in Gringotts, the Dragon, the Room of Hidden Things, the huge Battle, Harry's Death, Kings Cross, and the final showdown.

That sounds good. I can get on board with that.

I think that one movie about months and months of time, and one about 48 hours might feel very uneven though.

I am still in the camp that if you want resolution, you do it after Ron destroys the locket...that creates a climax and lots of action, adds the mystery of the doe, and the resolution of Ron and Harry reconciling.

And suspense has to be when Harry says Voldemort.

Otherwise the balance would feel off to me.

As much as there is in that one day, i agree it just seems like a weird idea, putting just one day in a film that's 2 hours long... And just tumbling into the action at Gringotts doesn't seem right either - half of the people (those that aren't as fanatic as we are ;)) watching it will have forgotten why Harry wanted to break in there in the first place. So Harry's reasoning behind going to Gringotts should at least come before that...
When did he figure it out again? Oh well, somewhere between Ron's return and the break-in, I suppose.

And can Gringotts and the Battle be this close together, from a filmic point of view? Two big climactic things right after each other are very difficult to make, aren't they? I seem to remember something like that from LOTR-DVD-commentaries... You have to keep people's attention at a very high level for quite a long time. If they fall out at the wrong moment, they won't be 'right inside the battle', as they should be...
But I guess this whole looking-after-the-diadem thing doesn't have to be very high-strung. They could pace down there and build up again afterwards, maybe. But it still looks like a difficult thing to do...

Anyway, I'm sure Yates knows about those 'laws of film-making', so I'm not all that worried. They'll figure it out... The best way for them to do it would be to shoot it as one big thing, then divide it into two parts - like Peter Jackson did with LOTR. That way you could still correct things like cutting at the wrong place...

Excellent point! That's why I think that when Harry gets the epiphany from Xeno about the Hallows and how they are tied to Grindewald and Voldemort would be a great close.

Here's why...

Action wise, we get:
The Seven Potters (heart racing?)
The Wedding Escape
Break in at the Ministry
Godric's Hollow
The Silver Doe
That final escape from Xeno's

Suspense wise:
Only one horcrux down
Harry was seen by Deatheaters
Luna has been taken
The Hallows compounds the problem
Snape?

Plots resoved:

Ron and Hermione seem to be on the track to love.
Ron leaves and comes back
they get the locket and destroy it
Kreacher's tale

That is more than enough for one movie.

And there is a huge break between Gringotts and the final showdown. Snape's death and his memories. JKR wrote that as a break and the final resolution of so many questions. If Yates knows how to tell a story, he'll keep this order.

LOL. Kind of ironic in some way that. I guess they will call the installments, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.

I think a running time of 120-150 minutes (2 hours to 2 hours 20 mins) would be adequate for each film to fit everything in and resolve all those plotlines. That will give a total running time for the two instalments of around 4 hours to 4 hours 40 mins. The last two battle scenes in LOTR, Return of the King at Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate ran for about 50 minutes in total. I think this would be a suitable length for the Battle of Hogwarts.

I agree that switching the wedding scene from Bill and Fleur to Tonks and Lupin would be possible, and Shell Cottage should definitely have a presence in the film(s), whether it be with B/F or T/L. They would also have to cast a baby actor to play little Teddy Lupin if they do the latter. Lets hope they give him turquoise hair if they do.

I voted for the return of Ron who saves Harry from the Locketcrux in the pool and destroys it, because I think a resolution might be a better way to divide the two films.

Yes, waiting two years between HBP and DH will be extremely hard.

ZOMG I'm watching LOST while looking through the forums
GREAT show =]
haha imagine if they made a LOST movie...

anywho, back on topic, I still think they should they should "blackout" with the Xenos thing...1

48 hours... and 19 years.

Still uneven, I grant you. But I still think Shell Cottage is the best split point.

Well originally, when i heard about this I thought that they should end it when Ron comes back. However, that wouldn't make for a good film. The first film has to be longer in order for the end to work. I think it should end with Dobby's death. I can picture it now Dobby says his last words, "Harry...Potter." Then it fades to black and says "To be Continued May 2011."

The I believe the second part should start like this. We go past the "WB," logo and see a beautiful sunset. We continue to pan down, hearing only the noise of scarping. Dirt flies everywhere. Then the title, without music, comes up, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." We continue to pan down and see that Harry is digging Dobby's grave.

This image would be perfect to start the second film because it immediately reminds the audience that Dobby died and that no one is safe. It's also a metaphor for the rest of the film, considering it's about Death. It's also foreshadowing to other's death. This image just came to me and if I was making the films, this is how I would start the second one.

OH wow! I love that idea. That is wonderful! i am still about ending it after Xeno...but you have painted a very lovely picture.