his portrayal of dumbledore is perfectly fine..
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ucsbguy — 15 years ago(May 26, 2010 08:32 AM)
I don't think they could've chosen a better Dumbledore, people complain about the angryness of the character, however that's not Gambon's fault, that's the Director's fault for scripting this behavior. Gambon is a great actor and has really pulled off Dumbledore well!!
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acefilm1 — 15 years ago(May 28, 2010 09:44 AM)
What REALLY gets me is when people say that he is a terrible actor just because they don't like his interpretation of Dumbledore. I don't mind them not liking his Dumbledore, but to say that he is a terrible actor shows complete ignorence. He is once of the most respected actors in britain.
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citizen_cris — 15 years ago(June 06, 2010 12:18 AM)
I'm part of the group that doesn't like him as Dumbledorebut I don't think he's a bad actor. He's somewhat of a screen legend.
I do, however, take issue with his portrayal of Dumbledore. I'm of the mind that since Harry Potter is such a beloved franchise that the actor who portrays any character should not stray too far from how they are portrayed in the book. I don't believe many liberties should be takenand that is where I find fault with Gambon. I could get past the fact that he had never read the books, and I didn't mind him in The Prisoner of Azkabanbut when he GRABBED Harry in the Goblet of Fire and SHOOK him I realized that he probably didn't understand the character of Dumbledore who was always portrayed as soft spoken and with a twinkle in his eye in the book. Perhaps he was directed to do that, in which case maybe it was Mike Newell who didn't know what he was doing. In any case, I find Gambon's performance off and not true to the character and have since that film.
I hope I've presented my argument appropriately. Also, I do agree that Gambon might be the least of the problems with the most recent films. I forgot the part in Half Blood Prince where the whole thing is a constant love triangle soap opera.
I wish Ian McKellan would have gotten the parthe knows how to be soft and jolly, but also firm when needed.
"It would seem that we're through with the past, but it's not through with us." -
SataiDelen — 15 years ago(July 01, 2010 12:44 AM)
Citizen_cris, I'm with you. Gambon is a good actor, but a HORRIBLE Dumbledore. I cannot get past that he REFUSES to read the books. The other characters read the needed book just before they start filming, so why does he think he's so above doing that in order to understand the part he's playing? Because all it is to him is a paycheck. Absolutely nothing more. Yes, it's a paycheck to everyone else too, BUT, they understand that these are characters that are based off a book, and maybe, just MAYBE they should have some idea of where the books and their characters are heading so that they don't come off looking foolish or stupid. But again, Gambon thinks he's above all of this. Further, you're right, Newell messed up with GOF big time, and I hated Newell's direction.
As for McKellan, from what I understand, he was offered the part after Harris died because those making the movie recognized (like many of the rest of us) that he would have been PERFECT in the role. McKellan however, declined the part because he'd just finished the LOTR movies and he didn't want to become type cast. Understandable, but unfortunate for us. Because I just feel that Gambon SUCKS as DD. -
overwatch17 — 15 years ago(January 25, 2011 11:14 AM)
I gree with the OP, Gambon's portrayal got steadily better as the series went along. I also think David Yates is the one to blame for the recent low quality, not because he removed important scenes, it's because he insists on using arty shots, making some scenes unnecessarily dramatic and therefore removing some of the ex1908citement (the cave scene in HBP and the death eaters attacking the Lovegood house for example).
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vilkrang — 15 years ago(March 24, 2011 02:09 PM)
I'm utterly astounded as to the negative reaction that Gambon has had as Dumbledore.
As far as I'm concerned, although he most certainly has a very caring nature, Dumbledore is a beep BADASS.
Richard Harris just didn't seem to carry any sort of auror of power, I get the impression that his portrayal of Dumbledore would be crushed by Voldemort as soon as look at him.
Richard Harris was more like a kid's film wizard, which is fair enough as at the time I think the series was primarily aimed at kids, but Gambon's Dumbledore seems like a forced to be reckoned with. -
Crowhill — 14 years ago(April 17, 2011 04:34 AM)
I think he's wonderful. Harris portrayed a Dumbledore that was perfectly suitable for the first two films, but as the things took a turn to a more sinister path, it was a wise decision to choose Gambon. He's old and his performance is powerful. He can appear menacing, vital and powerful as Dumbledore, but at the same time can perfectly convey the melancholy harnessed into the character. It just seems that Harris' Dumbledore wouldn't be able to hold a physically exhausting fight with any stronger powers.
So in conclusion, I like him in that part a lot. He's just like I imagined Dumbledore to be - a friendly, humorous, old wizard who could change into a terrifying, powerful figure in an instance. Dumbledore always seemed like a force of nature to me, and Gambon does that just beautifully. Kinda makes me wish he was my grandpa. -
rabbyt1 — 14 years ago(May 26, 2011 07:55 PM)
I do think he is terrible as Dumbledore but I also blame the director and JKR. He's a good actor (though it honestly disappoints me that he hasn't read the books) but his portrayal of Dumbledore is all wrong. I hope in the last movie he does a better job.
A friend of mine told me there is no such thing as a bad actor, just a bad director, and in this case I have to agree!
Oh and btw I do agree with they changed around GOF in the movie and removed the whole story with Winky it did kill that movie- it took out all the mystery imo. -
Mrs_Phoenix — 14 years ago(July 14, 2011 11:53 PM)
I wasn't impressed with Gambon in
The Prisoner of Azkaban
for some reason. But he definitely settled into the role. And he was so wonderful in
Half-Blood Prince
. I agree with what a couple of the posters above said about his handling the strength and power of Dumbledore well but I think he also managed to convey the twinkle in the eye/humour of Dumbledore.
"Would you like the cancer?"
"What?"
"Would you like the can, sir?"