Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One , the seventh Potter film, was directed by David Yates, and was released in 2010. The movie is based on J.K. Rowling’s novel, which is the final book in the Harry Potter series.
The two-part final installment stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. In this movie, Harry and his friends are on a mission to destroy the remaining Horcruxes that Voldemort created to become immortal and end his reign of terror.
The story of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is set in the wizarding world and takes place after the events of the previous movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The movie opens with the Death Eaters taking over the Ministry of Magic, and Harry, Hermione, and Ron going into hiding.
The three friends are determined to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, which are objects that contain a piece of Voldemort’s soul. If they destroy all the Horcruxes, Voldemort will become mortal again, and Harry will be able to defeat him.
The Seven Horcruxes:
Tom Riddle’s Diary: This was the first Horcrux that Voldemort ever created. It contains a piece of his sixteen-year-old self. In “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” Ginny Weasley becomes possessed by the diary, leading to the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets. Harry destroys this Horcrux with a basilisk fang.
Marvolo Gaunt’s Ring: Marvolo Gaunt was Voldemort’s maternal grandfather. The ring was a family heirloom. Dumbledore finds and destroys this Horcrux using Godric Gryffindor’s sword in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”
Salazar Slytherin’s Locket: This locket once belonged to Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts. It later came into the possession of the Black family. Voldemort turned it into a Horcrux after murdering a Muggle tramp. Harry, Ron, and Hermione retrieve the locket from Dolores Umbridge in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and Ron destroys it using Godric Gryffindor’s sword.
Helga Hufflepuff’s Cup: Voldemort stole this cup from Hepzibah Smith, a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff, and made it into a Horcrux after murdering her. Hermione destroys the cup with a basilisk fang inside Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
Rowena Ravenclaw’s Diadem: Also known as Ravenclaw’s lost diadem, it was hidden by Voldemort in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the diadem is accidentally destroyed by Vincent Crabbe when he conjures Fiendfyre, a magical fire, inside the Room of Requirement.
Nagini, the Snake: Voldemort’s pet snake was turned into a Horcrux after he murdered Bertha Jorkins. She remains close to Voldemort throughout the series. In “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” Neville Longbottom beheads Nagini using Godric Gryffindor’s sword during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Harry Potter: Unintentionally, Harry becomes a Horcrux when a fragment of Voldemort’s soul latches onto him during the failed attempt to kill him as an infant. This is why Harry can speak Parseltongue and has a psychic connection with Voldemort. Voldemort unknowingly destroys this Horcrux himself when he hits Harry with the Killing Curse in the Forbidden Forest.
It’s worth noting that Voldemort intended to split his soul into seven parts, as he believed the number seven to be the most magically powerful number. However, he only deliberately created six Horcruxes, with Harry becoming the unintended seventh piece of his soul.
Part One: The Deathly Hallows
The first part of the movie revolves around Harry, Hermione, and Ron’s journey to find the Horcruxes. They encounter many obstacles, including Death Eaters, Snatchers, and a mysterious thief who steals a Horcrux from them.
Along the way, they learn about the Deathly Hallows, which are three powerful magical objects that can make the owner the master of death. The three deathly hallows are powerful magical objects in the Wizarding World, as described in the popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. These objects are said to have been created by Death himself and are considered to be the ultimate goal for any wizard seeking power and immortality.
The first of the deathly hallows is the Elder Wand, also known as the Wand of Destiny. It is said to be the most powerful wand in existence and possesses the ability to overpower any other wand, making it unbeatable in magical duels. According to legend, the wand was created by Death and gifted to the powerful wizard Antioch Peverell, who later used it to commit many acts of violence and bloodshed.
The Elder Wand has a long and bloody history, passing through many hands and causing much destruction before it ultimately ended up in the possession of Dumbledore and later, Harry Potter. We also learn that Harry, is in fact, the true master of the elder wand.
The second of the deathly hallows is the Resurrection Stone, also known as the Stone of Resurrection. It is said to have the power to bring back the dead, allowing the possessor to communicate with deceased loved ones.
According to the legend, the stone was created by Death and gifted to the second Peverell brother, who used it to bring back his deceased wife. However, the stone is said to bring only a shadowy imitation of life, and those who are brought back by it are never truly alive again.
The third of the deathly hallows is the Invisibility Cloak, also known as the Cloak of Invisibility. It is said to be the most powerful cloak in existence, rendering the wearer invisible and allowing them to move undetected.
Master of Death
According to legend, the cloak was created by Death and gifted to the third brother, Ignotus Peverell, who used it to evade death and live a long life. The Invisibility Cloak has been passed down through generations of the Peverell brothers, eventually coming into the possession of James Potter and later, Harry Potter.
Together, these three objects are said to make the possessor the Master of Death, granting them ultimate power and control over life and death itself. However, as the series shows, the quest for the deathly hallows can lead to obsession and destruction, and ultimately proves to be a dangerous pursuit.
Ron is Taken Over by The Horcrux
One of the most intense scenes in the movie is when Harry, Hermione, and Ron are ambushed by the Death Eaters in the forest of Dean. During this scene, Harry and Hermione escape, leaving Ron behind. Ron is jealous of Harry and Hermione’s close relationship and decides to leave them. However, he later returns after being haunted by the Horcrux, which takes on the form of his deepest fears.
Another notable moment in the movie is when Harry and Hermione dance together to the song “O Children” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. This scene provides a brief moment of respite from the tension and danger that the trio face throughout the film. In the HBO Max Reunion show, Emma Watson explained that she didn’t understand how this scene would work in context with the rest of the film, until she saw it on the big screen.
Albus Dumbledore: Past Mistakes
In the movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One, Albus Dumbledore is a central figure despite having died in the previous film. His legacy and influence are still felt throughout the story as Harry and his friends try to unravel the mystery of the Deathly Hallows and defeat Lord Voldemort.
Throughout the film, Dumbledore is portrayed through various flashbacks, memories, and conversations between Harry and his friends. His character is shown to be complex, with both admirable qualities and flaws. He is revealed to have made mistakes in his past, including his involvement with Grindelwald, a dark wizard whom he once considered a friend. However, he is also shown to have regretted his past mistakes and to have made amends.
One of Dumbledore’s most significant contributions to the plot of the film is his guidance to Harry through his “bequests.” These are items and memories that Dumbledore has left for Harry to help him defeat Voldemort. For example, he leaves Harry the first golden snitch he ever caught, which contains the Resurrection Stone, and he also leaves Harry memories that reveal important information about Voldemort’s past and weaknesses.
The Malfoy Family History
The Malfoy family, particularly Draco Malfoy, plays a crucial role in the overall plot. The Malfoys, a pure-blood wizarding family, have been longtime supporters of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
As the story progresses, the Malfoy family becomes increasingly entangled in the ongoing conflict between Voldemort and the wizarding world. Draco, who has been tasked with a mission by Voldemort, struggles with the weight of his responsibilities and the fear of failure. His parents, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Malfoy, also become more heavily involved in Voldemort’s plans, including a significant encounter with Severus Snape, a former ally.
Hagrid: Friend and Mentor
Hagrid is one of the most beloved characters in the Harry Potter series, and his arc in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One is an emotional one. In the movie, Hagrid serves as a mentor and friend to Harry, Ron, and Hermione, and he plays a significant role in the resistance against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
Hagrid’s arc in the movie is centered around his loyalty to Harry and his willingness to fight for what is right. He is a symbol of the resistance against the forces of evil, and his bravery and courage inspire others to stand up against Voldemort and his dark magic.
One of the most poignant moments in the movie is when Hagrid carries Harry’s “dead” body out of the forest. Hagrid’s sorrow and pain are palpable, and his determination to protect Harry, even in death, is a testament to his loyalty and love for his friend.
Neville Longbottom: An Unlikely Hero
Neville Longbottom, a member of Dumbledore’s Army and Gryffindor house, emerges as a brave and capable leader in the absence of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. In the film, Neville is shown organizing secret meetings of Dumbledore’s Army, where he teaches his fellow students defensive spells and strategies to prepare them for the coming war against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
Nagini, on the other hand, is a large and deadly snake owned by Lord Voldemort. She is shown to be a key weapon in Voldemort’s arsenal, used to attack and kill his enemies. In the film, Nagini is depicted as a terrifying and dangerous creature, with the ability to move quickly and strike from unexpected angles. Her presence adds tension and danger to the story, as the characters must constantly be on guard against her attacks.
Towards the end of the film, Neville’s and Nagini’s paths cross in a dramatic confrontation. Neville, having been separated from his friends, finds himself facing Nagini alone. Despite the danger, Neville refuses to back down and bravely engages the snake in battle. Using his newly learned defensive spells, Neville manages to hold his own against Nagini, eventually killing her with The Sword of Gryffindor.
This scene highlights Neville’s character growth and bravery, as well as the importance of his role in the fight against Voldemort. Nagini’s death is also a significant turning point in the story, as it marks the destruction of another one of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, making him vulnerable to attack, since each Horcrux can destroy parts of Voldemort.
Severus Snape: More than Meets the Eye
Throughout the film, Severus Snape’s (Alan Rickman) actions and motivations remain ambiguous, with his true intentions unclear. However, it is revealed towards the end of the film that Severus Snape is actually working to protect Harry and help him defeat Voldemort. This is shown in a scene where Snape meets with Dumbledore’s portrait, where it is revealed that Snape is carrying out Dumbledore’s plan to help Harry destroy the remaining Horcruxes.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One was a massive undertaking for the filmmakers, who had to balance the expectations of fans with the need to tell a compelling story. The movie succeeded in both regards, providing a dark and emotional journey for Harry and his friends that set the stage for the epic conclusion of the series.
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