who was the better dumbledore reddit

reddit.com › r › harrypotter › comments › 16g5mq0 › whos_the_better_dumbledore

Harris was perfectly dumbledore as intended by the books when he was gentle. If he could show a scary angry performance, hes 10/10 Answer from iSephtanx on reddit.com

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › who was the better dumbledore?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Who was the better Dumbledore?

January 2, 2017 -

Richard Harris or Michael Gambon. Please help me settle a vicious ongoing argument

Top answer

1 of 5

Richard Harris was the best dumbledore for the first movies but i wouldn't see him in the order of the phoenix or the half blood prince... Both actors have their qualities !

2 of 5

Richard Harris fit the character much better, but he didn't have the energy to pull of Dumbledore from the later books.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › who’s the better dumbledore?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Who’s the better Dumbledore?

September 11, 2023 - From HBP onwards, he was the kind, gentle, and calm Dumbledore from the books – closer to Harris' portrayal. I do wonder how it would've been like had Gambon played him from the beginning in the first two as well? ... Richard Harris was the ...

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › which dumbledore do you prefer?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Which Dumbledore do you prefer?

January 17, 2023 - Harris’ Dumbledore fit Columbus’ Potter, and Gambon’s worked better for everyone else. ... The one from the first 2 films because dumbledore never seemed like someone who would shout or get angry.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › which actor do you think portrayed dumbledore the best?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Which actor do you think portrayed Dumbledore the best?

September 26, 2023 -

[ sequel to my post from yesterday ]

Richard Harris
Michael Gambon
Jude Law

Top answer

1 of 91

1376

Richard Harris looked exactly how I pictured Dumbledore when I first read the philosopher’s stone

2 of 91

446

Richard Harris, hands down. He’s exactly like I imagined Dumbledore when I read the books. People often say he could not have portrayed Dumbledore’s powerful side, but disagree. When Quirrell announces the troll in the dungeons, and everyone is panicking, he bellows ‘SILENCE!’ and that always gives me goosebumps. He sounded pretty damn powerful and intimidating to me, and had he been healthy for the rest of the films, I wholeheartedly believe he would have been able to put that energy into his performance in later films. I have to say, though, that Michael Gambon really redeemed himself for me in HBP. Had he portrayed Dumbledore with that calmness from PoA, I would have loved him. But I really didn’t like his erratic energy in the first three films he did.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › the first dumbledore was better than the second

r/harrypotter on Reddit: The first Dumbledore was better than the second

October 29, 2022 -

I always liked the first Dumbledore who played in the very first movie sorcerer stone and chamber of secrets because it felt that his character was more believable and someone who actually displayed love and mentorship to Harry and also looked like someone who has more wisdom as he spoke in such a calm manner but after he passed and another actor went and played the role, it seemed like the second one didn't had that similar charm as he behaved much grumpier and sometimes arrogant which is not what I'd expect from an old experienced wise man.

Top answer

1 of 5

I liked Richard Harris as Dumbledore too, but I don’t think he could’ve done the dueling as well as Michael Gambon did.

2 of 5

I’ll be honest, I’m ok with it. The actor died, so we can’t change it, but I just couldn’t picture him doing the action scenes in the 5th or 6th movies

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › the original dumbledore way way better in many ways, but was he a better dumbledore?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: The original Dumbledore way way better in many ways, but was he a better Dumbledore?

February 8, 2015 -

Okay, so the title is messed up. heres what i'm trying to say.

The original Dumbledore played by Richard Harris was definitely the how anyone who read the books would imagine Dumbledore to be. The whole x ray eye vision was portrayed nicely.

However, what do you guys think about Harris' Dumbledore in the later books if he had lived? Michael Gambon was great in the Ministry Duel and that Severus Please scene.

Most of the time I couldn't even hear what Harris was saying. And I hated that stupid pony tailed beard of Gambon. Dumbledore was supposed to be majestic and powerful wizard, not a filthy hanging robes snatcher.

/rant

Top answer

1 of 5

Harris' Dumbledore was great, but I don't think he'd be able to pull off desperate and powerful Dumble from the later installments. Gambon's one, despite some script issues, was awe-inspiring. He really looked and felt like a most powerful wizard in the world.

2 of 5

I have so much respect for Gambon's Dumbledore because of this scene the only problem is that Gambon was made not to show Dumbledore's warmth, since I don't think it was his idea and that he would have any issues with it.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › which dumbledore actor did you think was better and why?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Which Dumbledore actor did you think was better and why?

March 10, 2016 - Dumbledore was supposed to be calm at all times, Michael gambon failed to imbibe that in his portrayal ... Richard Harris did a spectacular job of bringing to life the true Dumbledore J.K. Rawlings created in her books.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › michael gambon's dumbledore was the best

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Michael Gambon's Dumbledore was the best

July 23, 2022 -

So, I've been a Harry Potter fan since the first books came out, and since then I have obviously had some encounters with people who had read the books and watched the films. One thing they always seem to say and agree with is that Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is bad and far worse than Richard Harris'. Now, I disagree. Though in some ways, Richard Harris' calmness and tranquility makes him a good Dumbledore, I actually think Michael Gambon's energy is what makes him even better. In the books, Dumbledore was always described as being energetic and jovial, and that's exactly what Gambon is! Harris could have never performed the Voldemort fight nearly as well as Gambon imo, amongst many other important scenes like the one in the cave. (Obviously there were some weird moments: HARRYDIDYAPUTYOURNAMEINTHEGOBLETOFFIAH), but I place that responsability upon the writers.

Please tell me your thoughts!

P.S: Sorry if it's too long the post, it's the first one I do on Reddit so I havent got the hang of it yet :)

Top answer

1 of 5

I respectfully disagree and also agree haha. But this is only my humble opinion, and I think you make some very good points. I think Harris managed the playful Dumbledore with the twinkle in his eye perfectly, but I agree that he would have struggled being the "bad ass" Dumbledore. That is where Gambon shined. I just think Gambon was too cold and serious compared to the Dumbledore in the books. In my honest opinion, I think neither of the actors were a perfect fit for the true book Dumbledore. It is a very hard character to cast. Come to think of it, that would be a good post, what actor would you cast as Dumbledore if you could? The first person that pops to mind is Stephen Fry.. but maybe I'm being biased because I love his characterisation of Dumbledore in the Audiobooks 🙂

2 of 5

If you combined the two you would end up somewhere closer to the book Dumbledore. If I had to pick a favourite I would probably choose Gambon because as you said, his energy is closer to book Dumbledore. Saying that, Jude Law does a better job than both the other two.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › who’s the best dumbledore: richard harris or michael gambon?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Who’s the best Dumbledore: Richard Harris or Michael Gambon?

December 1, 2021 - I was so upset when Richard Harris passed. I wasn’t pleased with Gambon when I initially watched Prisoner…I was like oh no, not gonna work…but I think he did really good in the later films.

Find elsewhere

Google Bing Mojeek

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › who is the best dumbledore? richard harris or michael gambon

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Who is the best Dumbledore? Richard Harris or Michael Gambon

February 29, 2024 - Am I the only one that loved Michael Gambon as Dumbledore? It seems like that. The way he made Dumbledore so emotional and we could actually tell his feeling. So yes in my opinion, Gambon was an overall better actor and a better Dumbledore.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › hot take- michael gambon was a much better dumbledore than richard harris

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Hot Take- Michael Gambon was a much better Dumbledore than Richard Harris

December 1, 2022 -

I just rewatched all the movies and it’s clear to me that Gambon was much better as Dumbledore. He had a gravitas about him. He could be sincere, but also had a hint of dangerousness about him. Plus his voice is badass. Harris on the other hand seemed only feeble and wise. I guess my argument would be that Gambon is better as the series went on because I can’t imagine Harris (RIP) being as commanding in darker times. I mean seriously- imagine him dueling at the Ministry with Voldemort.

Top answer

1 of 5

I can understand the idea that Michael Gambon is a more interesting Dumbledore to watch on the big screen, or that he is a more believable person to take on Voldemort than the Richard Harris version, but when I read the books, I picture Dumbledore being much more aloof, carefree, and laid back. To me, Richard Harris captured this beautifully. The version Michael Gambon portrayed was far more intense than the Dumbledore from the book. So if you are basing this opinion solely on the movies and not on the books, I can see your point. But if you are basing it on which actor better captured the book version of Dumbledore, I am voting Harris every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

2 of 5

Gambon had the energy level you’d expect from Dumbledore. As good as Harris was, I think he played it a little too regal.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › 1 and 2 dumbledore vs 3-8 dumbledore? i prefer the original actor. what do you think?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: 1 and 2 Dumbledore vs 3-8 Dumbledore? I prefer the original actor. What do you think?

May 27, 2023 - Itd be very hard making 1st Dumbledore a secretive, manipulative bitch he is. Second one is more mature Dumbledore for sure ... Harris 100%. Not even close. I do think Gambon over time settled in to the role better, but Harris is much more like who I imagined Dumbledore to be when I read the books - before the movies were out.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › which dumbledore do you prefer: richard harris or michael gambon?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Which Dumbledore do you prefer: Richard Harris or Michael Gambon?

September 6, 2021 -

I prefer Richard Harris’s Dumbledore. He’s just like the book Dumbledore with the calm and collected personality and voice and also he always wears his glasses.

And while I like Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore too, he wasn’t entirely fitting, due to several reasons:

Not always wearing the half-moon glasses
The well-known “HARRY! DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE?! and also other bits of shouting
The beard being tied
Other moments that didn’t match things with book Dumbledore

The only good thing I can think of regarding Gambon’s Dumbledore is that he is more energetic than Harris’s.

Top answer

1 of 64

176

I prefer Gambon. For one, all of the things you didn't like about his performance were either decisions made by the costume department or the director (in the case of the meme line). But my reasoning is simply that he feels more like the cold and calculated Dumbledore of the later books which is the more interesting Dumbledore to me. See, Harris' Dumbledore was a sweet frail old man. I can't see him betraying Harry, fighting off inferi, searching for horcruxes, dueling Tom Riddle, etc. I think the biggest thing people forget is that the Dumbledore we see in the first few books is not really Dumbledore, it's Dumbledore through the eyes of a naive child. Harris played that perfectly, but that version of Dumbledore doesn't span 7 books. Surely, at least by book 5 Harry sees a different side of Dumbledore. One that ignores him and leaves him helpless in his mind. I just can't see Harris' portrayal from the first two movies doing that. Especially when it gets to the last few movies. People love to use the excuse that Gambon "didn't read the books". Sure, he didn't. But he's just the only Adult actor who actually said one way or another, as far as I'm aware. Did Richard Harris read the books? What about Maggie Smith or Alan Rickman? Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. But it really doesn't matter.

2 of 64

The real question is, would Ian McKellen have been the best casting choice over Harris & Gambon? I think yes. Was he available? Probably not, due to LOTR. But I truly believe he would’ve hit all aspects of Dumbledore’s character perfectly.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › unpopular opinion about dumbledore

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Unpopular opinion about Dumbledore

August 3, 2023 -

Often I see people saying that Richard Harris was a better Dumbledore than Michael Gambon.... That Richard Harris had some playful/goofy charm to him while Gambon was colder and didn't really fit the role like Harris would have. I have to disagree. I think Harris perfectly fit the lighter theme in Harry Potter 1 and 2. And as the series progressed and got darker I absolutely revered the strong presence and epic skill,power, and knowledge of Gambon's Dumbledore. Yet again I never saw Harris in a position to portray his own power so I might be wrong. What is your take on Dumbledore in the movies? R.I.P to both amazing actors. Their legacy will live on forever.

Top answer

1 of 5

Richard Harris was amazing as an actor. In the books Dumbledore is always calm and collected and rarely shows the terrifying opponent side (which makes it all the more impressive) and I'm sure Richard Harris would've pulled that off perfectly. One of my favorite lines in the books is when Harry sees Dumbledore enter angrily into the room with him and Barty Crouch jr disguised as mad eye. "At that moment, Harry fully understood for the first time why people said Dumbledore was the only wizard Voldemort had ever feared. The look upon Dumbledore's face as he stared down at the unconscious form of Mad-Eye moody was more terrible than Harry could have ever imagined. There was no benign smile upon Dumbledore's face, no twinkle in the eyes behind the spectacles. There was cold fury in every line of the ancient face; a sense of power radiated from Dumbledore as though he were giving off burning heat." I think Michael Gambon could have done this well too, but he lacked that calm always in control and ten steps ahead demeanor. It's like he was playing Dumbledore more like Gandalf. The movies have my least favorite Dumbledore lines. The infamous semi drunken "dID yOu pUt YeR nAmE eN tHe gObLeT uF FiRe?!?" And a completely made up sequence after they watch slughorns memory where he acts surprised about horcruxes being used. That being said. Michael Gambon epitomized the essence of Dumbledore in the kings cross station after Harry dies scene. Absolutely perfect in every way. As said earlier, r.i.p. to both talented actors

2 of 5

My opinion is that Richard Harris was a good representation of book Dumbledore, while Michael Gambon was movie Dumbledore that kept being changed by different directors.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › who was the better dumbledore, richard harris or michael gambon?

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Who Was The Better Dumbledore, Richard Harris or Michael Gambon?

March 25, 2022 - Gambon had the energy and presence the role needed; the voice was a big part of that. ... Yes!!! People who say Harris are going by looks alone. Gambon was by far the better portrayal of the dynamo genius that is Dumbledore.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › richard harris was the perfect dumbledore and it’s so unfortunate he passed away with just two films under his belt.

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Richard Harris was the perfect Dumbledore and it’s so unfortunate he passed away with just two films under his belt.

June 19, 2022 -

Rewatching HP, after finishing up Fantastic Beasts SOD, and while Michael Gambon did a great job, truly Harris was the Dumbledore of the books AND I could totally see Jude Laws Dumbledore in him (or vice versa). Like the witty behavior, confidence, etc.

Top answer

1 of 5

258

I support this also. Richard Harris was something special and his Dumbledore was very special.

2 of 5

138

Harris was a great Dumbledore in my eyes because he did not emote. He was aloof. And thats what made him dangerous to death eaters and voldy followers. Gambon was good, but he was more like Abeforth than Albus. Gambon was way too emotive while Harris was controlled, poised and always thinking. Precisely how I expected Dumbledore to be. Dumbledore was not this flashy superhero he was a wizard who others knew to be more than the aloof quirky old man who loved lemon sherbets.

reddit.com › r/harrypottermemes › i like michael gambon but richard harris was the perfect dumbledore

r/HarryPotterMemes on Reddit: I Like Michael Gambon but Richard Harris Was the Perfect Dumbledore

August 5, 2024 - Richard Harris was so perfect for the kindlier, grandfatherly tone Dumbledore takes in the first couple books, but I just couldn't picture him saying "yes, the boy must die" as well as Michael Gambon did.

reddit.com › r/harrypotter › which dumbledore do you prefer? i think michael gambon is my preferred dumbledore.

r/harrypotter on Reddit: Which Dumbledore do you prefer? I think Michael Gambon is my preferred Dumbledore.

July 16, 2023 -

Which Dumbledore did you think was the better Dumbledore?

I prefer Michael Gambon, maybe because we've seen more of him in more movies, but I feel like I saw more emotions and a wider variety of things from him.

What do you think? The Richard Harris Dumbledore seemed to be a little more consistently calm to me.

Top answer

1 of 33

It’s a question that’s almost impossible to answer in any meaningful way because the cast change coincides with the change of tone in the series. Fans can only guess how Harris’ performance might have adapted to the changing circumstances. I find the question to be sort of unfair to both Harris and Gambon.

2 of 33

Richard Harris is closer to book Dumbledore.