The Harry Potter Movie Scene That Outshined the Books

The Big Picture

Alfonso Cuarón's directing of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban added a darker edge and more mature elements to the film, showcasing the growth of the main characters.

In the movie, the scene of Harry riding Buckbeak is transformed into an enchanting and magical experience, surpassing the brief description provided in the book. Cuarón brilliantly expands on this moment, capturing the awe-inspiring essence on screen.

Similarly, John Williams' soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban elevates the film to new heights. The music becomes richer, more dramatic, and enchanting, perfectly capturing the magical spirit portrayed in the book.

Christopher Columbus directed the first two films of the Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. These films established the foundation of the series, evoking a sense of wonder and inspiration. However, Alfonso Cuarón took over as director for the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, bringing a darker and more mature tone to the story. Through the use of visual techniques such as a gray/blue lens, Cuarón illustrated the growth and development of the main characters - Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.

Cuarón took on the project because he was interested in depicting Harry's transition from childhood to adolescence. From a stylistic and cinematic standpoint, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is arguably the best film in the series, highlighting Cuarón's directing talents. Although the plot may be slightly confusing for those who haven't read the book, Cuarón brought a new level of depth and romance to certain scenes that were previously described as dull by J.K. Rowling.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, our protagonists Harry, Ron, and Hermione find themselves coming back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year. This time, they are confronted with a perplexing enigma, centered around an elusive and dangerous fugitive who has managed to escape from the magical prison.

Harry Flying Buckbeak Is Better in the 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' Movie

Release Date: May 31, 2004

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Griffiths, Pam Ferris, Fiona Shaw, Harry Melling, Adrian Rawlins

Rating: PG

Genres: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery

Image via Warner Bros.

Instead of simply summarizing Harry's first ride on Buckbeak the hippogriff as an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience, Cuarón chose to transform this particular passage from Chapter 6 in the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book into one of the most unforgettable scenes in the entire Harry Potter film series.

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A broomstick was nothing compared to the Hippogriff Harry was flying on. The beating of the Hippogriff's wings made him feel uncomfortable, unlike the smooth action of his Nimbus Two Thousand. Instead of gliding smoothly, he was now rocking back and forth as the Hippogriff's hindquarters rose and fell with its wings. Buckbeak, the Hippogriff, took him for one lap around the paddock before descending to the ground. This was the part Harry had been dreading. He leaned back as the Hippogriff's neck lowered, fearing that he might slip over its beak.

However, in the film version directed by Cuarón, the scene took on a different life. Harry had some hesitations about riding Buckbeak, but once Hagrid lifted him onto the creature's back and it galloped before taking flight, the whole experience became enchanting. Buckbeak and Harry soared through the air, going far beyond a single lap around the paddock. They explored the Hogwarts grounds, flew over the trees of the Forbidden Forest, circled around the castle's tall turrets, and even glided along the sparkling surface of the Black Lake. Harry's experience was no longer a struggle for balance; instead, his face beamed with a smile and he felt a sense of exhilaration as he spread his arms like the iconic Titanic scene, embracing the thrill of riding such a majestic creature. Buckbeak, too, reveled in the freedom of the ride, dragging its massive claw through the water of the Black Lake and delighting in the vastness of the Scottish Highland landscape.

The 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban' Soundtrack Is One Of John Williams' Best

Image via Warner Bros.

The beauty of this scene is solidified by an additional element that is crucial to its exhilarating and meaningful nature: John Williams, a renowned film composer. Williams composed the music for the first three Harry Potter films, and while "Hedwig's Theme" is widely recognized, his genius truly shines in his score for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Williams departed from the playful melodies of the previous films, creating richer, more dramatic, eccentric, and experimental pieces for the third installment. However, he still incorporated the mystical and enchanting sounds that bring the magic to Harry Potter. Cuarón and Williams were aligned in their vision to capture Harry's transition into adolescence, effectively translating the magical essence of the book to the screen. The combination of Cuarón's depiction of a spooky, dark academic aesthetic and Williams' soundtrack, which ranges from chaotic to fun to thrilling to tragic to moving, is what sets Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban apart.

The score named "Buckbeak's Flight" accompanies Harry's ride on Buckbeak, and its name perfectly captures the light, elevated, and dazzling qualities of the music. As Harry and Buckbeak soar higher into the sky, the piece gains momentum, symbolizing Harry's freedom and happiness at Hogwarts. What was initially a brief and unremarkable description of a hippogriff ride in the book has been transformed into one of the most memorable scenes in the Harry Potter series. While movie adaptations often struggle to surpass their literary counterparts, the Harry Potter films manage to convey a sense of magic that goes beyond words. The collaboration between John Williams' genius and Cuarón's visionary talents allows the movie version of Harry to experience much more enjoyment on Buckbeak's back than the book counterpart ever did.

All 8 Harry Potter films, including Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, are available for streaming on Max.

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