a lot of things annoy me about the Harry Potter films but Ron saying lucky we didn’t panic in regards to the devil’s snare when that is exactly how he helped save them from it in the books is fucking ridiculous
“Stop moving!” Hermione ordered them. “I know what this is — it’s Devil’s Snare!”
“Oh, I’m so glad we know what it’s called, that’s a great help,” snarled Ron, leaning back, trying to stop the plant from curling around his neck.
“Shut up, I’m trying to remember how to kill it!” said Hermione.
“Well, hurry up, I can’t breathe!” Harry gasped, wrestling with it as it curled around his chest.
“Devil’s Snare, Devil’s Snare… what did Professor Sprout say? — it likes the dark and the damp.”
“So light a fire!” Harry choked.
“Yes — of course — but there’s no wood!” Hermione cried, wringing her hands.
“HAVE YOU GONE MAD?” Ron bellowed. “ARE YOU A WITCH OR NOT?”*
“Oh, right!” said Hermione, and she whipped out her wand, waved it, muttered something, and sent a jet of the same bluebell flames she had used on Snape at the plant. In a matter of seconds, the two boys felt it loosening its grip as it cringed away from the light and warmth. Wriggling and flailing, it unraveled itself from their bodies, and they were able to pull free.
“Lucky you pay attention in Herbology, Hermione,” said Harry as he joined her by the wall, wiping sweat off his face.
“Yeah,” said Ron, “and lucky Harry doesn’t lose his head in a crisis — ‘there’s no wood,’ honestly.”
MOVIE RON:
[Hermione tells them to relax, Harry does. He and Hermione fall through. Ron continues to panic and shout for help from above]
HERMIONE: [to Harry] I remember reading something in Herbology.
RON: [still trapped] Help!
HERMIONE: Umm…
RON: Help!
HERMIONE: ‘Devil’s Snare, Devil’s Snare, it’s deadly fun; but will sulk in the sun.’ That’s it! Devil’s Snare hates sunlight! Lumus solem!
RON: Aaahh! [Ron falls through]
HARRY: Ron, are you okay?
RON: Yeah.
HARRY: OK.
RON: Whew! Lucky we didn’t panic!
HARRY: [sternly] Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology.
So in the book, Hermione wrings her hands in a sudden panic and Ron reminds her to light one of her bluebell flames. Both Harry and Ron fall through at the same time. In the movie, Ron panics and is essentially deadweight while a calm Hermione solves the problem. And then Ron pats himself on the back for not panicking (comic relief for the viewers), and Harry coolly defends Hermione.
There’s no excuse for this. None whatsoever.
I know there are things that need to be changed when a book is adapted to the screen.
Some scenes that work in text aren’t filmable. Some just turn out silly when filmed exactly as in the text. Sometimes, there are limitations with the special effects or other technology that make it impractical, impossible, or too expensive to film a scene as in the book. Sometimes, filming the entire book would be too long and scenes need to be cut for time. Sometimes, the film can’t afford the sheer number of cast members required so some characters must be cut or be merged with other characters.
I understand all that and more.
The alterations to this scene didn’t affect filmability. As best as I can guess, they were made just for a bit of stupid comedy. However, The changes in this scene change Ron’s personality and character. This trend accelerated as the film series progressed.
A nuanced character was reduced to stupid comic relief at best idiot jerk at worst. I just can’t see a good reason for it.
a lot of things annoy me about the Harry Potter films but Ron saying lucky we didn’t panic in regards to the devil’s snare when that is exactly how he helped save them from it in the books is fucking ridiculous
Headcanonsandmore 