Another fluff: HP fans, who played the better Dumbledore?

[Rajah]

Which Dumbledore did you like better?

Harris (from the Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets) or Gambon (Prisoner of Azkaban)?

 

[Eeyore1954]

I thought Richard Harris captured the essence of Dumbledore from the books, although Gambon had some good moments. I think he will grow into the role. It was good that he did not try to imitate Harris.

 

[cynsaun]

I thought Richard Harris so completely captured Dumbledore. His sparkling blue eyes made his character so much more believable!

 

[jeleebeene]

This is a tough call for me...

I loved Richard Harris, but I also became used to his acting style, his voice etc. So, in my mind, he will always be THE Dumbledore.

Now, Gambon did do a good job - but it will take me awhile to get used to HIS style. It is different, which makes Dumbledore seem different. When you get used to a person playing a certain character, it is hard to switch to automatically liking a new person playing that same character. Hopefully after I see HP #4, I will be warming up to him and his style for the character more.

So, if I am having a hard time dealing with this change, think what will happen if any of the kids are replaced in future HP movies (if a 5th, 6th and 7th movie are made). I just don't think I could handle THAT big of a change!

 

[rascalmom]

Richard Harris! For me it was that voice - warm, deep and authoritative. I was hoping Patrick Stewart would be cast as Dumbledore after Harris's passing.

 

[cynsaun]

Originally posted by rascalmom
I was hoping Patrick Stewart would be cast as Dumbledore after Harris's passing.

That would do it for me, too! Or Sean Connery!

 

[billelissa]

We liked Richard Harris much better as Dumbledore. We also think Ian McKellan would be a real good choice as the Head Master.

 

[piglet too]

Even though I picked Richard Harris, I think Gambon did a wonderful job. Those of us who are HP fans probally would be critical of whomever they picked to replace Harris. Gambon had some real tough shoes to fill, as would of anyone. I think only time will tell how "good" their replacement choice was.

 

[dizneenut]

Richard Harris. He captured Dumbledore completely.

 

[leahannpen]

As much as I liked the "new" Dumbledore, Richard Harris WAS Dumbledore in my minds eye. Although I thought they were both good...I just saw Harris AS Dumbledore. Make sense? LOL!

 

[elgerber]

I thought Gambon did an excellent job, but Richard Harris was perfect!! He was so much more softspoken, which made him seem even more powerful to me. While he can never, ever be replaced, Gambon has filled the shoes quite nicely.

I also thought Ian McKellan would have been excellent, but seeing as that he just played a long bearded wizard type for so long, it might have made it more difficult to be Dumbledore.

Erika

 

[Deb in IA]

Richard Harris, God rest his soul. Gambon was fine, but rather bland in comparison.

Hopefully, as Dumbledore's role becomes meatier in Books 4 and 5, Gambon will have more material to work with.

 

[Winka]

Maybe it's the screenplay but I thought both Dumbledore depictions were just so-so. Rowling's Dumbeldore was a combination of daft and dignified; the screenplay didn't really let Richard Harris display that.



I'd give the edge to the new Dumbledore but I actually voted "neither".

 

[NMAmy]

Richard Harris--I spent the whole movie missing him although Gambon did a fine job.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by rascalmom
I was hoping Patrick Stewart would be cast as Dumbledore after Harris's passing.

I thought of Patrick Stewart for the role also, but was hoping for Peter O'Toole.