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  • klbell21

He-who-Shall-Not-be-named

When we first see Voldemorts face in the book and in the movie they are vastly different. In the book Quirrell turns around and unties his Turban to show Voldemorts face. However in the movie Quirrell is facing Harry when he undoes his turban to show Voldemorts face through the mirror. Why would they chose to show Voldemorts face through the mirror? Why not have Quirrell turn around to show Voldemorts face? Well we have some insight. Since voldemort claims that he is at his weakest, showing him through the mirror visually represents him being weak. Not being able to look at Harry face to face. Also showing him through a mirror gives Voldemort a more creepy and ominous persona. If the first time we met someone was through mirror, we would all run away screaming. It is also interesting to mention that the shot is from Harrys point of view. The camera is positioned in a way to feel like you are in Harrys eyes. We (the viewer) are put into Harry's shoes which makes it more realistic. Makes us feel like we are seeing Voldemort for the first time too. Another reason behind this choice has to be so we can visually see Quirrell and Voldemort in the same shot. The viewer can visually see that Voldemort is attached to another human. Which again makes him appear weak.


Also in the book Voldemorts description is short and non-descriptive. He also has red eyes. In the movie we finally see Voldemort and what he looks like, and oh man does he look way scarier in the movie than the book describes. He has a lot of CGI on his face. For example the stretch his face does coming from the back of the head. Or his wrinkles. Making him appear weak. In the book Quirrell walks backwards so that Voldemort walks forward to Harry. We do not see this in the movie, but we think if we visually saw this in the movie it would have made the scene with Voldemort 100 times better. We are unsure on why they would cut that out from the movie.


In order to understand all this digital literacy there are a couple things you need to know first. The obvious one being: reading the book. If you didn't read the book there is no way you would notice the differences between the book and movie. Another thing that our group had knowledge of is movie production, and what camera angles can convey in a scene. Its not all about the dialogue but its sometimes the subtle camera angles and SFX that can create a feeling or an emotion. Just like showing Voldemort in the mirror through the point of view of Harry.

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