The Order of the Phoenix is by far the largest Harry Potter volume. The German translation came to 1022 pages when it was first published. The most recent publication has 960 pages. With regard to the film adaptation, one main question arises: How on earth is this all supposed to fit into a film?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix provides the startling answer. Not only does the fifth part succeed in bringing the huge original into film form. Of all things, the adaptation of the longest book has it shortest film in the series produced. At just 138 minutes, The Order of the Phoenix is well below the Harry Potter average.
Tomorrow evening you can watch the fast-paced film adaptation on TV.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix shortens the template significantly, but that doesn’t matter at all
Lord Voldemort is back! We saw this with our own eyes at the end of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But the Ministry of Magic doesn’t want to know anything about it and is putting Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) under pressure. Then also these extremely nasty As Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton) begins to transform Hogwarts according to her ideas, it is clear: Harry and his friends have to do something.
Warner Bros.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Together with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), Harry joins the Order of the Phoenix to prepare his classmates for the impending danger of the Dark Lord. This in turn robs Harry of sleep and haunts him in his nightmares. Harry sees terrible visions. And then there is a mysterious prophecy that connects him more to Voldemort than he would like.
That’s the very, very broad plot of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. There is still in the original book many more stories, which take place in parallel in the Wizarding World and affect the events at Hogwarts. We’ve discovered at least 9 things missing from Harry Potter 5. But do these missing elements destroy the film? Absolutely not! It’s actually really refreshing.
Harry Potter 5 offers unique changes and therefore feels like no other part
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the only Potter not written by screenwriter Steve Kloves. Instead, Michael Goldenberg, who previously worked on films like Contact and Peter Pan, took over the adaptation. The difference is huge. Goldenberg is not interested in it for a secondslavishly immortalizing every Harry Potter 5 event on its script pages.
Warner Bros.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Instead, he teases out the essence of the original in crisp key scenes without getting lost in details. The Order of the Phoenix takes the creative liberties that every film adaptation of a novel should take: when translating from book to film, there are quite a few other narrative possibilities. The written word can come to life in moving images and can even be accompanied by music.
Director David Yates, who also delivered his first Potter with Phoenix, brings a lot of momentum to the series. His fantasy blockbuster is a coming-of-age adventure set in stirring montages is told. The energy of the pubescents shakes Hogwarts awake like the fireworks of the Weasley twins, before grueling heaviness enters the series with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
Despite the heavy cuts, the film doesn’t feel like it’s missing anything. From the innocent kiss in the Room of Requirement to the trembling magic duel in the halls of the Ministry: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is an extremely entertaining, playful and very coherent film. And after the lighthearted moments, the dramatic tones in the finale are still perfect.
Fantasy blockbusters on TV: When is Harry Potter 5 on?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 8:15 p.m. on Sat.1. With advertising, the TV broadcast continues until 11 p.m. You can also watch the repeat on Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. on Sat.1. Alternatively, the film is currently available as a streaming subscription on RTL+.
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