Harry Potter is full of emotional moments. The Deathly Hallows, Part 1: This shocking (and unadapted!) scene is what stands out.
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Harry Potter is an indisputable cultural touchstone. For more than 20 years, Harry Potter’s books and movies have influenced cultural consciousness. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 was an instant hit in pop culture. Because of their imaginative worldbuilding, and the emotional resonance of many characters (even minor), the movies and books have held on to their place in the hearts and minds all over the globe. Although the Harry Potter films franchise is filled with many emotions and moving sequences, one scene in The Deathly Hallows-Part 1 stand above all the rest. It’s not in the books.
Deathly Hallows-Part 1 follows the titular character and his two closest friends, Ron, and Hermione as they embark on a climactic quest to find Lord Voldemort’s Horcruxes, which are containers for portions of his soul, and defeat him. Things don’t always go as planned and the trio must deal with many difficulties and heartbreaks. Ron is enraged and separates himself from his group during the trek’s most difficult moments. Harry and Hermione end up wandering alone, lonely, and dejected.
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How did Deathly Hallows’ Dancing Scene get started?
The film’s most memorable scene and perhaps the best of the entire series is created in this emotional setting. Harry and Hermione desperately want any sense of joy and connection at this lowest point of their journey. Harry (played by Daniel Radcliffe), turns on the wizarding music station and begins to dance to “O Children”, a Nick Cave song. Harry convinces Hermione to dance with him. They both smile timidly as they face impossible tasks.
An important decision was made to use Nick Cave’s classic track “O Children”. The lyrics to “O Children” speak of finding reasons for joy in the face of unrelenting despair. A report by Far Out Magazine states that the song came about “randomly” rather than organically. The scene was about the two of them, according to David Yates. The relationship between Harry and Hermione at that point in the series is strong. However, the two feel still comparatively apart about Harry and Ron. There is a gap between the characters. A further emotional barrier was created by their difficulties and the disappearance of Hermiones’ love interest. That barrier is removed by this scene, which provides an emotional connection and a moment to feel vulnerable. It’s a brief break from the endlessly dark and uncertain future they share.
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What is it that makes Harry Potter’s Dancing Scene So Special
The only thing that separates the Deathly Hallows-Part 1 dancing scene from the other emotional moments of the film series is its rare instance of showing, and not telling. It’s sensitive storytelling, without plot twists or exposition. The Harry Potter books offer more space and more access to Harry’s internal monologue. This gives Harry more freedom for emotional interrogation, without slowing down the pace. Because of their length and plot depth, movies have less freedom to reflect on the emotional lives of characters than books.
The touching, short sequence reverses the popular “magical realism” trope. It’s almost anachronistic. It is almost anachronistic, in a world where everything is possible, the simple act of being human is astonishing. This type of character moment is what makes the Harry Potter franchise such an attractive investment option for many fans.
Harry Potter has won so much adoration and the dancing scene of Deathly Hollows – Part I is among the most memorable, simple, and powerful sequences in the series. It doesn’t come from the source material but it perfectly illustrates the central theme concern of Harry Potter – the power of love in the face of forces that seek to destroy the world.