The billion-dollar blockbuster Harry Potter franchise has gripped fans worldwide. It is particularly the soul food for Potterheads and is one of the earliest universes created in the film industry. Spanning over a decade, the series consists of eight fantasy films based on British author J.K. Rowling’s novels. While there are countless iconic moments from the films, fans can’t seem to get over one scene that was deleted from its seventh sequel.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, a scene portrayed The Dursleys, the only living close relatives of Potter who are muggles, departing because Voldemort and the Death Eaters were out hunting for muggles in the real world. However, the family decided to leave Potter behind, which urged his cousin, Dudley to share a heartwarming moment with Potter. The fact that this scene was removed from the original movie did not sit well with the fans.
Harry Potter’s cousin showed empathy
Apart from all the fantastical and horrifying elements, there were moments when fans could resonate with Harry. Hence, fans were displeased when one such moving scene was deleted from the movie. A YouTube video shared the extended scene from the 2010 film that displayed Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, sitting in his tiny room under the stairs of the Dusleys’ residence.
Set in the usual dark and gloomy theme, Harry peeps out his window and sees his uncle Vernon and his son packing up things in their car. As he steps out of the room, Potters stumbles upon his maternal aunt, Petunia, who was contemplating the situation and expressing her remorse for leaving her home of 20 years. Moments before driving away, Dudley realized that Harry was not going with them. Perplexed, Dudley asks his father,
“I don’t understand, isn’t he coming with us?”
Harry’s cousin took the leap and shook hands with him before bidding him farewell. Dudley clarified that he doesn’t feel Harry is a waste of space, as said by Vernon Dusley mostly. The scene ended with Harry left abandoned at the house, while his relatives leave. However, the brief yet special moment with Dudley, is what fans craved in the original film. Consequently, Harry Potter fans were clueless about why the beautiful moment was ever deleted.
Harry Potter fans share their insights
Taking over the comments section of the video, several fans expressed that the scene being cut out wasn’t justified. Rather, it would have added value to the original movie in more ways than one. Here are some of the reactions from fans:
“The fact Dudley is even questioning why Harry isn’t coming with them is great”
“The part when Dudley says “I don’t think you’re a waste of space” and Harry replied “See ya, Big D”, that was heartwarming and no one can deny that. It was the dementor attack that changed Dudley btw”
“You didn’t just lose a mother that night in Godric’s Hollow. I lost a sister” Why did they cut this part out? It’s one of the most moving moments in the franchise…”
“Been almost 10 years, and I still think they should have kept this in the movie”
“That apology from Dudley is better than most in this world. There’s hope for him yet and he gave a little peace to Harry. It’s criminal this is a deleted scene.”
“Dudley’s defiance of his father as he maintains eye contact and steps over the lil barriers always makes my heart start to ache.”
The three-minute scene deeply touched the Harry Potter fanbase. While most can come to terms with it getting snipped out, they feel it could have brought out Harry’s true personality in a better way. More so, his estranged relationship with Dudley and his parents could have ended on a melancholic yet moving note.
