Harry Potter Film Series: A Box Office Giant with Flaws
Based on J.K. Rowling's beloved books, the Harry Potter film series has become the fourth highest-grossing franchise of all time, accumulating a staggering £6.18 billion in worldwide profits. The movies launched the careers of child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. However, despite the magic of Hogwarts, the muggle world of filmmaking is not immune to errors. Over the years, fans have identified several glaring mistakes that made it to the big screen, and no amount of wand waving can fix them.
Nearly 20 years have passed since the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. To commemorate the occasion, the Daily Star has compiled a list of the most notable blunders spotted in the Harry Potter films.
Harry Plays Musical Chairs
One of the biggest errors in the first film, Philosopher's Stone, involves a continuity slip-up during a feast scene in the Great Hall. Harry is seen sitting on two different sides of the table. Initially, he appears on the right-hand side, across from Hermione. In the very next shot, without any time passing, he is suddenly seated next to Hermione on the left-hand side, beside Ron's brother Percy. How Harry navigated the lengthy table in mere seconds remains a mystery.
Film Crew Spotted in Scene
In Chamber of Secrets, during the memorable duel between Harry and Draco Malfoy in Defence Against the Dark Arts class, a cameraman can be seen filming behind a row of students. The scene features Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh) being knocked to the floor by Snape, who then grabs Malfoy by the scruff of the neck. In that moment, the camera crew is inadvertently visible.
Hermione's Feet Go Missing
In Order of the Phoenix, Hermione is lifted by the giant Grawp, Hagrid's half-brother, in the Forbidden Forest. She musters the courage to scold him, and he puts her down. However, due to a CGI error, Hermione's feet disappear entirely from the shot, making it appear as though she is floating.
Robes Gone Wrong
In Deathly Hallows Part II, a flashback shows Harry's parents, Lily and James, being sorted into Gryffindor. When Lily joins James and Sirius at the Gryffindor table, James and Sirius are already wearing Gryffindor ties. According to the sorting ceremony rules, they should be wearing plain black robes and neutral ties like Lily.
Broken Pot Inconsistency
In Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry and Hermione use the Time-Turner to rescue Sirius and Buckbeak. To distract Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge and the executioner, Hermione throws a rock at a vase, smashing it. However, one shot shows the vase shattered into many pieces, while another shot reveals only a single piece broken off. The damage is inconsistent between shots.
Angry Dumbledore
One of the most infamous blunders occurs in Goblet of Fire, when Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) rushes to Harry, grabs him, and shouts, "Did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?" This departure from the book, where Rowling describes Dumbledore asking "calmly," has become a meme and a point of contention among fans.
