7 Harry Potter Moments That Are So Much Better In The Film
6. Hermione Punches Malfoy In The Face
In a universe where children learn to perform magic in an enchanted castle, fly to school in a bewitched Ford Anglia and triumph over an evil, dark sorcerer, it speaks volumes about Rowling’s characterisation of Draco Malfoy that seeing a teenage boy whacked in the face may be the most enjoyable moment of them all. But enjoyable as it may be in the book, it’s just that bit better in the film.
The strike in question comes in Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban after Malfoy’s actions see poor Buckbeak sentenced to execution. And when the central trio – Harry, Ron and Hermione – catch the much-maligned Malfoy making light of the situation, it all becomes too much for Miss Granger.
On the page, it reads:
“Harry and Ron both made furious moves toward Malfoy, but Hermione got there first - SMACK! She had slapped Malfoy across the face with all the strength she could muster. Malfoy staggered.”
She slaps him. And he staggers. And it's fine. But in the film, Hermione holds her wand to Malfoy’s throat and makes him squirm. Then, as she turns away from him as if to leave and a triumphant grin begins to curl in the corner of Draco’s mouth, Hermione turns on her heel and punches Malfoy square in the face, he crumples in a heap and his cronies have the pick him up off the ground.
A slap just does not have the same impact as a full-force punch to the nose and a stagger is much less satisfying than seeing the foul, loathsome, greasy young man fold like an accordion. This classic Potter moment is at its most classic in the movie adaptation.