MovieChat Forums > Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) Discussion > Richard Harris does not quite work in th...

Richard Harris does not quite work in this film...

posted 12 years ago by Iwishyouwell
23 replies | jump to latest

I thought Harris was pitch perfectly cast for Sorcerer's Stone, where he embodies the type of wise, kind elder wizard that fits in perfectly with the soft, optimistic glow typical of a Chris Columbus film.

Now while Dumbledore doesn't have a great deal to do in Chambers, the film or the novel, Harris seems to barely be holding on. I do know that the man was ill, but there are scenes where his voice sounds literally a step above a death rattle, and he looks almost propped up in other scenes, barely able to move.

After watching Harris in many wonderful performances, I have to admit that it's just sad to behold him literally slipping away before one's eyes. It reminds me too much of watching the great Donald Pleasence barely able to make it through his own final performance in the last Halloween film he was to complete.

[–] BlueFlowwer 12 years ago

Yeah, I thougth that too. To bad that he was ill. If he would be healthyer
and maybe 15-20 years younger then we would have the Dumbledore from the
books and not the retarded dustman that Gambon gave us...

Remember Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

Glad we agree on Harris, wonderful as he was, but I am one who loves Gambon as Dumbledore. I thought Harris was perfect for the first film, but I can't imagine anyone else as Dumbledore for the later films.

[–] BlueFlowwer 12 years ago

I don't agree, but it is your opinion and not mine.

Remember Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home

[–] pete-293 12 years ago

I thought Gambon was much the better Dumbledore. Harris was too cold, lifeless, and sterile. Gambon was near perfect Dumbledore in PoA and HBP.

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] DC-Tiki 12 years ago

I also prefer Gambon in the role but to say Harris was cold? Amazing how people see completely different things in people's performances. I can see a lot of mutual respect between the 2 characters and much warmth in Harris' portrayal towards Harry, like an ailing grandfather towards his favourite grandson perhaps. But as the later films required a more active Dumbledore it's hard to see Harris' version working later on.
Did you know that Harris was a hell of a rascal and a real boozer off screen throughout most of his career? Apparently he took Alan Rickman (Snape) out drinking one night during the first film and Rickman couldn't match him in terms of how much alcohol he was consuming. A pity the role hadn't come to him earlier in his life and he could've injected more of that energy into his portrayal of Dumbledore.

[–] pete-293 12 years ago

I did find Harris's Dumbledore to be cold and lifeless. But i agree it is a pity the role didn't come to him earlier in life. He could have been a superb Dumbledore.

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

[–] Devils-Night 12 years ago

I have to agree that Harris' performance did seem somewhat cold like he didn't put quite enough effort into showing emotions. He also seemed a very carefree Dumbledore who didn't really seem that bothered that Voldemort were trying to return. Indeed a more childfriendly version, more 1 dimensional than Gambon's. He is just the wise headmaster who is mostly just kind, takes his time, allwise.
Remember the magical mirror scene? In most of it he was just being the wise wizard who told of the truth about the mirror - however in the end of the scene he cautioned Harry with a sense of something deeper behind his words. Perhaps he was straining himself a bit there to get the performance down.

Gambon's was deeper and more mysterious, you never really knew where you had him as per what he knew and what he were going to do. He also approaches harry in a more adult way and he is no longer the always kind, well paced/patience'd and trusting wizard. His face had started to show worriment. Although his sudden rage in the goblet of fire did seem somewhat odd.

________________________________
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[–] pc-daisy 10 years ago

I agree too. Although I read somewhere that he never bothered to read the books and I think if he had done so that may have enhanced his performance. But, yes all that aside, I am one of the few (it seems) who likes him as Dumbledore.

[–] Duc_de_Richleau 12 years ago

Look at Gambon in GOF, when he ATTACKS Harry regarding the entry of his name in the Goblet of Fire.

Harris WAS Dumbledore in the first one, the Dumbledore in the books.

Although, could you imagine if they went with Christopher Lee as they wanted to?

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

I think Harris indeed WAS Dumbledore, as he was outlined in the very first Harry Potter book. I simply think he was in too frail a condition by the second film to be as effective.

Gambon however embodied perfectly the Dumbledore that I came to adore that worked for the FILMS.

I don't look at the Harry books and films as one in the same. They are two totally different artistic threads, which is why subtle changes in characterization mean absolutely nothing to me as long as it serves the films well. Gambon's performances, much like Alan Rickman's turn as the misunderstood Severus Snape, differ here and there from the characterizations present in the books, but they work extremely well for the films.

I would have been interested to see what Lee would have brought to the table. Perhaps a certain darkness? And that likely wouldn't have gone over well with Potter fanatics who were looking for the films to be a direct visual transcription of the books.

[–] ShrunkenHeadonKnightBus 12 years ago

Look at Gambon in GOF, when he ATTACKS Harry regarding the entry of his name in the Goblet of Fire.

It's sad that this one moment has come to define Gambon's performance for many fans.

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Life's a fillet of fish, HEY!... Yes it is.

[–] pete-293 12 years ago

agree and it wasn't really that important any way.

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

[–] pete-293 12 years ago

Christopher Lee is a great actor but after Lord of the Rings would probably not be a good choice for Dumbledore. The producers originally wanted Patrick McGoohan for Dumbledore. He would I think have been an inspired choice. He turned it down on the grounds he was too old and might not live through the series. Gambon did a good job though. He brought life to the character. He brought out the quirky nature, the humor, the warmth, the strength and the gentlness of the character well.

Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain (Isaac Asimov)

[–] snoho 12 years ago

I prefer Harris as Dumbledore to be honest. Fantastic actor. The lack of respect for him from Harry Potter fans is quite mind boggling.
Even as an ill dying old man he still gave a fantastic performance in this movie. I've still to see a few of the other movies but to be honest after reading the book (for Prisoner of Azkaban) I was a bit disappointed with the movie they made for it. The first 2 movies just have this classic timeless feel.

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

I'm not sure how much of the Potter community you have contact with, but the overwhelming majority of fans I've interacted with prefer Harris as Dumbledore. My view, that Gabon is the preferred actor for the role, is actually a minority opinion in my experience.

Also, exactly who has a "lack of respect" for Richard Harris? Personally I was aware of Harris' work long before Potter, and my view of him in ONE film (as I already stated he was perfect for the first Potter film) does not in any way, shape, or form merit an accusation that I don't respect him. Harris was an actor, and as such his work is up for critique. Hell I don't even love all my favorite actors in every single film they ever do.

As far as the first two films, Columbus was perfect for the material those films covered. He is at his best when covering delightful, magical, juvenile fare. But I don't consider them the best directed of the lot. That goes to Prisoner of Azkaban and The Deathly Hallows Part II. Like the books themselves, the series evolved with time and the passage of entries (though the films didn't have as smooth a trajectory).

But I sympathize. When I first saw POA I too was very disappointed, having loved the tone of the first Harry Potter so much. But upon revisiting it recently, I was struck by just how incredibly directed it is; such artistry, and it does a great job at being it's own entity entirely, based off the books, but not mimicking them. Alfonso Cuaron is a master director.

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 11 years ago

Harris gives Dumbledore a Santa Claus'esque persona... ideal for the first two films with youngest actors.

Gambon is my fave because he could command a scene so much more potently; helped raise the bar for the final stretch of the series, adding gravitas.

[–] fang123horn 11 years ago

I loved him in the second film as much as the first and I still think he WAS Dumbledore. I like Gambon and his best work was in Half Blood Prince but Harris just has a presence that shouts out, "powerful." I think he could've worked in the other films if he was much healthier.

[–] chilone 10 years ago

Gambon is a STELLAR actor!! If anyone doubts it, watch this:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097108/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I don't love her.. She kicked me in the face!!

[–] jsmjpc 10 years ago

I definitely think Richard harris being ill had a lot to do with his portrayal in this film. some movies I liked gammon and others I didn't really care for him...but when I think of Dumbledore, I picture Richard harris as he was in sorcerer's stone...

[–] Arvin-G-Borkar 8 years ago

Well, to be fair, he did die after the second film.

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[–] TwoThousandOneMark 8 years ago

His (Tom Riddle) flashback scene is interesting. As playing younger, his Dumbledore seemed far less a caricature of a wizard & more actually looking a real one as it were.
Alas the rest of the movie for him was pretty much small one liners & anecdotes.

Come to think of it, Harris might've seemed a bit weird with a more aged Radcliffe. I think Gambon's energy made them more believable pairing.

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