The Harry Potter Films Didn’t Dig Deeper This Crucial Prophecy

Although the beloved books were brilliantly brought to life in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies, several important details were either omitted or not sufficiently explored.  A thorough explanation of the prophecy that determines Harry’s fate was one of the most important things left out.  The movies acknowledge its presence and use the well-known quote, “Neither can live while the other survives,” but they don’t explore its deeper significance or its background, which leaves out an important aspect of Harry’s journey.

Harry learns that Voldemort is pursuing the prophecy in ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’, which leads him into a trap at the Ministry of Magic where Sirius Black dies.  But despite all of this anticipation, the prophecy itself is hardly discussed.  The movies emphasize Harry’s status as the “Chosen One,” but they don’t make it clear that there were other contenders.

Image Courtesy: Collider

Although they were mostly overlooked in the movies, the prophecy’s beginnings are equally essential to Harry’s tale.  Severus Snape overheard Professor Trelawney’s prophesy during her interview at Hogwarts and partially told Voldemort what he had heard.  The entire series began when Voldemort decided to target Harry’s family as a result.  Since Snape’s actions directly led to Lily Potter’s death and Harry becoming an orphan, his involvement in this incident lends even more depth to his morally complex personality.

 The movies lost a chance to strengthen the emotional impact of the narrative and provide a clearer explanation of Snape’s nuanced motivations by not thoroughly examining the prophecy’s specifics.

–Farheen Ali