In the fourth book in the 'Harry Potter' series, our hero battles the demons of his past again...only this time,
they are more real than ever.
The Triwizard tournament is being held at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Through a twist of fate, Harry Potter becomes a contestant and is forced to battle dragons, merpeople and survive the challenge of a dangerous, magical maze. At the same time, a new teacher arrives at Hogwarts. Is he a friend to Harry?
Or does he have motives we are not aware of? Why is Ron angry with Harry?
And why is Harry having nightmares about the return of Lord Voldemort?
The following is a study guide to the film adaptation of the novel.
A scene by scene analysis allows students to appreciate not only the story of the 'Goblet of Fire' but also the particular film techniques used to bring the story to the big screen.
Scene Analysis
Opening Credits / The Manor
1. The opening scene takes place at night. There is a close up on a gravestone bearing images of skulls and bones. A snake slithers out of the stone. The graveyard is in the foreground and the manor is in the background. An extreme long shot is used to show the location of the caretaker’s house in relation to the manor. A light is on in the caretaker’s house. He is making tea. He sees a light on in the manor. ‘Bloody kids’, he mutters. He walks to the manor and uses his keys to open the door. The only light seems to be coming from the torch he is carrying.
a) What mood is set by the story beginning with a scene at night time? What images in this scene unsettle you the most? How is the audience meant to be feeling by the time the caretaker arrives at the manor?
b) When you saw the manor, what did you think about the people who may have lived there?
c) Listen to the music in this opening scene. How does the music add to the atmosphere and the way the audience is meant to be feeling?
2. A point of view (POV) shot is used as the caretaker walks up the stairs and looks down the corridor. The caretaker sees two people in the room at the end of the hall and he hears a third person speaking. Looking closely, we can see the arm on the chair looks deformed.
a) In this room, where does the light appear to be coming from?
b) What clothing are the characters wearing?
c) A giant snake slithers past the caretaker and enters the room. What is the caretaker’s reaction when he sees the snake? How do the people in the room react when the snake enters?
d) The snake slithers up onto the chair and appears to be speaking a strange language. The person in the chair appears to understand what the snake is saying. How can this be?
e) The figure in the chair says he wants to give their guest ‘a proper greeting’. A green blast erupts as he chants the killing curse and the high pitched sound of the shrieking teapot echoes through this scene and into the next one where Harry Potter is lying in bed. Why do you think a close up of the teapot is used at the end of the scene? What might it symbolize?
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