Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore?

[Amish Trooper]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Harris, for all the reasons previously stated.

Yep yep.

 

[Probe Droid]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Harris, Harris, Harris!

I'm not a Harry man, haven't read a single book, but after admiring Harris for so many years despite uncountable crap films, to see him in him in his old age landing such a prestigious role that ultimately may define his career, or at least to introduce him to a new generation, was wonderful. Loved him in the first few films (I'm partial to the first).

To me, it's like Chris Lee in his late 70s (at least) being Saruman and Count Duuku. My favorite, and I'll argue the best film Drac, suddenly having a new career and being introduced to a whole new audience, it's marvelous.

 

[Gryffindor1991]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

I love both. I prefer each over the other for certain reasons. Harris because he seemed more Dumbledore-ish to me. When I saw him, its exactly how I imagined Dumbledore from the books. But he was older and frail unfortunately. Gambon has more sprightly and younger side to Dumbledore. This question is seriously impossible for me to answer clearly and I know this answer makes absolutely no sense! haha

 

[JBLAKE]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

I enjoyed them both and appreciate what each brought to their respective movies harris was perfect for what he did and gambon i could not see another as dumbledore to fill in harris shoes

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Richard Harris seemed more regal. He seemed like someone who commanded greater respect. This also made him seem more formidable. He also appeared more fatherly in his relationship with Harry.

Michael Gambon is a great actor, but his Dumbledore looked like a homeless guy.

 

[Nwerke]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Gambon. Casting Harris was a mistake. Ten years earlier it wouldn't have been, no argument, but by that point in his life his instincts weren't what they once were. When the whimsy and mischief is there it's as great as ever, but there are many scenes which play flatter than a pancake. Of course, that could just be Chris Columbus.

I'd have loved to have seen a ten-years-younger Harris Dumbledore, but absent that, would have preferred all eight movies with Gambon.

 

[JoMamma_Smurf]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Gambon for sure. The way he projects his voice as well as his actions are far more assertive. I just cant see Harris doing the things Gambon eventually did.

 

[Westies14]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Dumbledore never had to do anything very aerobic - his power was not in his muscles, you know? Determination and presence would have sold Dumbledore's abilities in the magic battles.

My issue with Gambon isn't his acting ability or his look - both were fine - but the way that he was allowed to play the part after his initial outing in Prisoner of Azkaban simply was wrong for the character. He was angry, he was frantic. He wasn't mean to Harry, but he never showed him the kindness and love that Dumbledore should have. I feel that without the knowledge of the characters from the books, I would not have understood and felt their relationship for what it was supposed to be. The film versions should not need to rely so heavily on the book's equity.

Dumbledore was secretive, Dumbledore was manipulative. In the books, his plain and genuine caring manner with Harry allows that - you can believe he was trying to protect Harry, and you understand why Harry trusts him despite learning of deception after deception, and in the face of all he learns in the final chapters about his former headmaster. In the films? Sadly, there's no real connection between the two, and Gambon's portrayal of him and a sharp, flustered, angry Dumbledore is central to that problem.

 

[ob1al]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Harris for me. Loved him as English Bob too in 'Unforgiven', plus the multitude of other great roles he played. He was a class act.

Gambon did a good job of stepping into the gig when Harris died, and I admire him for having a crack and bringing something new to the role, but I would have loved to see Harris see the part through to the end.

 

[Shendorion]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Richard Harris seemed more regal. He seemed like someone who commanded greater respect. This also made him seem more formidable. He also appeared more fatherly in his relationship with Harry.

Michael Gambon is a great actor, but his Dumbledore looked like a homeless guy.

I'm for Gambon for exactly this reason. The more conservative members of the wizarding world considered him to be a crackpot ultra-liberal old hippie, and I could understand how they could think that of Gambon's Dumbledore. Harris was too stately, too fancy.

Mind you, I think Harris fit for the first two movies. They're for a younger audience, and things are still very clearly black and white. Harris works as the less fallible, more fatherly character we're shown at that point in the stories. As they go on, though, the characters cease to be strictly divided into good guys and bad guys, and we are presented with a Dumbledore that isn't universally liked or trusted by people who aren't clearly in league with Voldemort. At that point, the story calls for someone a little less Santa Claus and a little more Leonardo da Vinci.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Richard Harris seemed more regal. He seemed like someone who commanded greater respect. This also made him seem more formidable. He also appeared more fatherly in his relationship with Harry.

Michael Gambon is a great actor, but his Dumbledore looked like a homeless guy.

I'm for Gambon for exactly this reason. The more conservative members of the wizarding world considered him to be a crackpot ultra-liberal old hippie, and I could understand how they could think that of Gambon's Dumbledore. Harris was too stately, too fancy.

Dumbledore was gay, so Harris wasnt too fancy, just showing his style, lol.

 

[Goodwolf]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Richard Harris seemed more regal. He seemed like someone who commanded greater respect. This also made him seem more formidable. He also appeared more fatherly in his relationship with Harry.

This. Harris brought the wisdom and gravitas and the sense that he always knew more about what was going on than you did that I always imagined in the books. I actively disliked Gambon at first, although he's grown on me.

 

[ReproMan]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

i preferred harris, something about gambon just didnt work for me to start with, but he's acceptable now

 

[Sparticle]

Re: Richard Harris or Sir Michael Gambon- Who do you think is the "better" Dumbledore

Ahh! What a decision!
Harris played D as I read him in the early books.
BUT Gambon PLAYED Dumbledore as I read him in the later books!

The scene I LOVED was Dumbledore Swirling the fire in the caverns.
I Would have LOVED to see Richard Harris in THAT scene!