Scene Deconstruction

Watch this scene first, then continue reading.

There are a few main themes in this movie (and all the others as well as the books) that are shown well in this scene. They are Good Vs. Evil, Loyalty, Friendship, and most of all Love. You are being told by Neville that Love and Friendship are the main themes (didactic), but as for the other themes you have to figure them out yourself (active). I'll explain some ways to figure them out in the following paragraphs.

These themes are shown in the dialogue more than anything. But there are a few crucial elements that can't be ignored.

First of all let’s talk about line. The director, David Yates, decided to make a line behind Voldemort (‘bad’ guy) with his Death Eaters (army). This ‘line’ could be taken a few different ways. In one way you can see the ‘wall’ of people—you wouldn’t want to attempt to get past them. The way they are standing creates a long line all the way across the shot so that you aren’t really sure how many of them there are and if they just might win the battle. But in contrast to that, the lack of a line for the ‘good’ people leaves you unsure of the number as well. You aren’t sure how many people are hiding behind the walls of the castle. The use of line touches on the Good Vs. Evil theme I mentioned before.

The other main element that is a good example of Love, Friendship and Loyalty is movement. The way the ‘bad guys’ move is very contrasted by the movement of the ‘good guys’. Let’s get the bad guys out of the way first. Throughout the movie, Voldemort hasn’t showed any affection or even touched someone without a look of disgust on his face. So when he hugs Draco (who is a whole different story) it is a sort of release—you see him as silly and vulnerable. The way Draco moves, you get the idea, subconsciously that he is a good guy deep down. He isn’t so quick with his movements and he doesn’t jerk around either. His movements are more in affinity with Neville’s, who is a ‘good guy’. Their movements are more thought-out and smoother than the opposing side.