Scene Anatomy 101: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Posted by George H. Sirois on 07.18.2007
Summer “School,” Part 3 of 4…
It was the summer of 2004, and those unfamiliar with the Harry Potter books, yet watched the movies, could sense a pattern growing and it wasn't looking too good for a series that was supposed to go for seven films. The threat of Voldemort's return looms heavily, the rivalry between Draco Malfoy and Harry builds, Professor Snape has it out for Harry, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher attempts to cause Harry harm. (Of course, these traits pop up again in later chapters, but each story would present a more unique spin on them.)
But while fans were hoping that Chris Columbus would eventually stay on and direct the whole series, they had to admit that there was a much greater possibility of everything getting stale very quickly. A fresh look was needed, and it just so happened that a fresh story was waiting for the new director. J.K. Rowling's third book had been regarded by most fans as the best installment in the series at that point and those fans were waiting with baited breath to see who would bring this one to life.
The winning director was Alfonso Cuaron, who had just come off international acclaim with Y Tu Mama Tambien. Even though Cuaron had experience directing American films like A Little Princess and Great Expectations, this film would be his first summer franchise film, and he would be exactly what was needed to take this series to the next level. I'm speaking of the 2004 hit film…
Now, what's so special about this third film in the Harry Potter series? Well, for starters, the threat to Harry this year deals not with a re-incarnation of Lord Voldemort, but with an escaped convict of Azkaban. The convict on the loose is Sirius Black, the man who allegedly betrayed Lily and James Potter to Voldemort 13 years ago. A threat like this allows for Harry to react to a much more human threat in the world of witches and wizards, and more importantly, it gives the direct threat of Voldemort a bit of a break.
Even better, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is a very fascinating character, Remus J. Lupin. He was an old friend of Lily and James Potter, and he understands the potential that Harry has to be one of the greatest wizards ever. He also knows of the darker forces that are conspiring against Harry, and so he does his best to be around him as much as possible to protect him. Even though there are signs that make it unsure whether or not to trust Remus, this is a very refreshing character that actually has Harry's best interests in mind.
Lupin makes himself known early in the film, aboard the Hogwarts Express, when the train is invaded by the Dementors of Azkaban. One of them attacks Harry and begins to suck away bits and pieces of his soul, when Lupin quickly incants a charm that acts as a shield. The last thing Harry hears before blacking out is his mother Lily's voice calling to him, her last word before she died.
As the year progresses, Lupin schedules a one-on-one lesson for Harry. He's aware that the Dementors can attack Harry again at any time, and being a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he knows it is his duty to make sure Harry's well-equipped. However, the spell Lupin intends to teach him may be a bit too advanced for the young student.
Harry walks into Lupin's classroom, and Lupin is anxious to see him.
LUPIN: Harry, there you are. You came. Now, are you sure about this, Harry? You know that this is very advanced magic, well beyond the ordinary wizardry you learned.
HARRY: I'm sure.
Considering everything that Harry's been through so far at Hogwarts, the more he learns, the better off he'll be.
LUPIN: Well, everything is prepared. Now the spell I'm going to try to teach you is called the Petronus Charm. Did you ever hear of it?
Harry shakes his head no.
LUPIN: No? Well, the Petronus is a kind of positive force, and for the wizard who can conjure one, it works as something like a shield with the Dementor feeding on it rather than him. And in order for it to work, you need to think of a memory. A very happy memory, a very powerful memory. Can you do this?
Harry silently nods in response. Whatever Lupin's going to teach Harry, it's best for him to listen and learn. Obviously, knowing how successful Lupin was against the Dementor on the Hogwarts Express, Harry's aware this man knows what he's talking about.
LUPIN: Very well. Close your eyes. Concentrate. Explore your past. Do you have a memory?
Harry has a memory in mind, but he's not willing to explore it since it's not exactly a happy one. So he comes up with something else. Once he has it, he nods to Lupin.
LUPIN: Allow it to fill you up. Lose yourself within it, then speak the incantation, "Expecto Petronum."
HARRY: "Expecto Petronum."
LUPIN: Very good. Shall we?
Harry nods again.
LUPIN: Wand at the ready.
Harry holds up his wand, and Lupin opens up the trunk that was used during an earlier lesson. A Dementor appears from the trunk and starts to float towards Harry. Harry holds up his wand and speaks the chant.
HARRY: "Expecto Petronum."
But the chant isn't working, and Harry can feel himself starting to lose consciousness.
HARRY: "Expecto… Expecto…"
Harry blacks out and he can hear his mother's voice all over again.
LILY: HARRY!!!
Lupin quickly wakes up Harry.
LUPIN: Here we go. Come on, sit up. Deep breaths. It's alright, I didn't expect you to do it the first time. That would have been remarkable.
Lupin pulls out a piece of chocolate and hands it to Harry.
LUPIN: Here. Eat this, you'll feel better.
Harry does as he's told and can feel his strength coming back to him as he eats.
HARRY: That's one nasty Dementor.
LUPIN: Oh, no no no no no. That was a boggart, Harry. A boggart. The real thing would be worse, much much worse.
(Just so you know, a boggart is a spirit that resembles someone's worst fears.)
LUPIN: As a matter of interest, what were you thinking? Which memory did you choose?
HARRY: The first time I rode a broom.
Lupin shakes his head.
LUPIN: Oh, that's not good enough, not nearly good enough.
Maybe Harry's not quite ready for this, if this is the type of memory that he believes will be powerful enough to stop a real Dementor. Especially considering that he couldn't even stop a boggart.
Harry hesitates, then finally speaks.
HARRY: There's another. It's not… happy, exactly… Well, it is. It's the happiest I've ever felt. But it's complicated.
You can see that Lupin has his suspicions on what this memory is.
LUPIN: Is it strong?
Harry nods.
LUPIN: Then let's give it a try. You feel ready?
Harry takes a deep breath, then responds.
HARRY: Just do it.
Lupin opens up the trunk again and the boggart flies out. When Harry speaks this time, he has more bass in his voice, more force.
HARRY: "Expecto Petronum."
The boggart's getting closer.
HARRY: "Expecto Petronum!"
Suddenly, a great burst of light shoots out from the tip of Harry's wand. He can feel the light forcing the boggart back, back towards the trunk.
Delighted, Lupin slams the trunk shut when the boggart's close enough. Harry did it!
LUPIN: Yes! Well done, Harry! Well done!
Harry lowers his wand, exhausted.
HARRY: I think I've had enough for today.
LUPIN: Yes, sit down.
Lupin serves Harry another piece of chocolate.
LUPIN: Eat this, it helps. It really helps. And just so you know, Harry, I think you would have given your father a run for his money and THAT is saying something.
Harry nods. He might as well tell Lupin what this memory was, since he shared a strong friendship with them while they were alive.
HARRY: I was thinking of him, and Mum. Seeing their faces. They were talking to me. Just talking. That's the memory I chose. I don't even know if it's real, but it's the best I have.
This one scene is just an example of how much of a fresh change of pace this film is. We barely see any Quidditch, the interactions between Harry and Malfoy have been toned down since we saw enough of them in the previous two films, and while there are mentions of Voldemort, there's a much bigger threat that faces Harry in the present time. Not only does he have to come to grips that there's an escaped convict coming after him, but that there are Dementors of Azkaban that seem to be pursuing him.
Thankfully, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in this installment is not only out to protect Harry from harm, but he's actually… A TEACHER! Yes, he's an energetic, passionate teacher that wants to make sure his students have the knowledge they need to protect themselves. And as the film continues, he becomes a true confidant for Harry and one of the most interesting characters in the franchise so far.
It's a good thing that there are now people anxious to take Harry under their wing and prepare him for what lies ahead. As we'll see next week, he's going to need all the help he can when the Dark Lord finally makes his return.
