Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 parents guide

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Parent Guide

Although it is true these stories have always been about the battle between good and evil, the depictions of darkness seem to be deepening while the bright spots really haven't expanded.

Overall B-

With Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) becoming increasingly powerful, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Hermione (Emma Watson), and Ron (Rupert Grint) are afraid to begin a new school year. Based on the seventh book in J.K. Rowlings' popular series, this movie covers the first portion of the novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Release date November 19, 2010

Violence C-
Sexual Content C
Profanity B
Substance Use B+

Why is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

Run Time: 145 minutes

Official Movie Site

Parent Movie Review

As the final tome in J.K. Rowling’s franchise comes to the big screen, executives at Warner Brothers Studios made the decision to present her tale in two parts. Considering the size of the book, this choice seems a good one—if not for the increased profit potential, then at least to prevent too lengthy of a sit in the theater! Fans of the series will also appreciate the extra time this approach affords moviemakers to adapt the finer details of her plot.

With each installment in the series, Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) circumstances have become increasingly dire. Now, the death of Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) has the young wizard’s life in even more danger. So instead of preparing to return for his seventh year at Hogwarts School, Harry’s friends are attempting to help him find a safe hiding place. Yet despite their heroic efforts, bloody injuries and some fatalities still result.

Meanwhile, the power of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) continues to grow. Infiltrating the Ministry of Magic, his followers are able to move forward with their plans to remove all but the pureblooded from the ranks of the world of witches and wizards. However, that is merely one task on the Dark Lord’s agenda. On the top of his list is killing Harry, and then there is a scavenger hunt of some sort, the mystery of which even Hermione hasn’t been able to unravel.

Concerned he is putting the welfare of his sympathizers at risk, Harry determines to work alone to stop Voldemort—until Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) insist on coming along. The trio knows of just one way to defeat the Dark Lord: by destroying the seven horcruxes into which he has placed a piece of his evil soul. The problem is, Harry and his friends are only aware of the identity of three of the objects (and two of those have been taken care of already). Perhaps clues to the others (as well as some idea of whatever it is Voldemort is looking for) lie in the gifts bequeathed to them from Dumbledore.

What began as a children’s novel in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has grown in complexity of story structure and character development over the years and series. The movies have followed suit with greater technical achievements and performances. While this may please book and movie enthusiasts, parents should be aware the content might be maturing faster than the audiences lined up to see these spell-casting heroes. Without a doubt, this edition of the occult-set saga takes violence to the highest level yet. Along with the by-now-expected action sequences of magical weapons showdowns, spectacular crashes, explosions and demonic creatures, this movie features far more emotionally disturbing images. Characters are tortured and their contorted bodies seen, flesh is cut and pleas are heard. Deaths and injuries occur resulting in explicit wounds with excessive blood shown. Moments of peril are more frequent, suspenseful and frightening.

Although it is true these stories have always been about the battle between good and evil, the depictions of darkness seem to be deepening while the bright spots really haven’t expanded past portrayals of friendship and teamwork. Add to that a sensual teen kiss (where an imagined portrayal has the couple appearing to be naked, even though bare backs and shoulders are all that is seen) as well as themes of racial supremacy and genocide, and families may be pretty certain this cauldron is conjuring up a brew fit mainly for older viewers.

Directed by David Yates. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint. Running time: 145 minutes. Theatrical release November 19, 2010. Updated

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1
Rating & Content Info

Why is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 rated PG-13? Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

Violence: Depictions of torture include characters being verbally threatened, forcefully interrogated, held in contorted positions, heard screaming and pleading, having their flesh cut and imprisoned in dungeons. A woman is fed to a snake. Characters are depicted with bruises, bloody and graphic injuries, as well as torn flesh. Characters are intentionally injured and/or killed. Property is damaged. Action violence includes explosions, crashes, weapon use, magical spells and chases by demonic creatures. Dead and unconscious bodies are shown. Characters are in constant peril and often have to fight for their lives against evildoers, magical enchantments, and natural elements. Jump scenes, frightening images, scary transformations and emotionally traumatic events are portrayed.

Sexual Content: A sensual scene shows an imagined and partially obscured teenaged boy and girl kissing   they appear naked and their bare backs and shoulders are seen. A male body is momentarily shown wearing a woman’s bra. A boy strips down to his underwear. A girl’s bare back is seen in an unzipped dress. Couples kiss on a few occasions.

Language: A few mild profanities and terms of deity are used.

Drugs and Alcohol: Characters use magical potions. Alcohol is served at a wedding.

Other: The story includes themes of racial supremacy and genocide, as well as depictions of the occult.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 Parents' Guide

What parallels can you find between this movie and the book upon which it is based, and Hitler’s Nazi Germany? Why do you think authors and moviemakers “borrow” ideas from real life?

Harry is reluctant to have his friends help him because they may get hurt. Although this is commendable, is it wise? Is there really “safety in numbers?” Is it ever better to work alone?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 movie is April 15, 2011. Here are some details…

On November 8, 2011, Warner Bother’s studio is releasing: Harry Potter: The Complete 8-Film Collection (also known as Harry Potter- Years 1-7)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 releases to DVD and Blu-ray on April 15, 2011. Warner Brothers Studios will aslo be releasing a Harry Potter Years 1-7 Collection.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 is available in the following packages:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1—Combo Pack (Blu-ray / DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

- Exclusive sneak peek of an opening scene from the final film.

- Maximum Movie Mode: Join host Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) and several walk-on cast & crew guests to unravel the mysteries of the Dark Lord’s past and discover the keys to his defeat before it is too late,

- Focus Points: The Last Days of Privet Drive, Hagrid’s Motorbike, Amazing (or) Magical Tents, Deatheaters Attack Cafe, Creating Dobby and Kreacher, Godric’s Hollow, The Harry And Nagini Battle, The Frozen Lake and The Return of Griphook

- On the Green with Rupert, Tom, Oliver and James

-The Seven Harry’s

-Dan, Rupert, and Emma’s Running Competition

-Additional Scenes

-WaterTower

- Music Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Behind The Soundtrack

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1—Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital Copy)

- All of the above mentioned features are included.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (DVD)

-No bonus extras mentioned.

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