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August 21, 2024
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | Book and Movie Differences
Learn about the main differences between the book and movie adaptations of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets broken down chapter by chapter!
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Chapter 1: The Worst Birthday
Movie |
Book |
The movie begins with the Dursleys getting ready for the Masons. |
The story starts on Harry's birthday, when he notices Dobby hiding in the bushes nearby. |
During the summer, Harry is assigned Dudley's spare bedroom. |
Harry had already been given Dudley's spare bedroom before he departed for his first year at Hogwarts. |
This does not occur. |
Harry is forbidden from saying the word "magic," yet he still attempts to frighten Dudley. He didn't inform the Dursleys that he wasn't allowed to use magic outside of school. |
Chapter 2: Dobby’s Warning
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Dobby](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Dobby_664042fd-7d7e-47a4-a712-aa51cfdd97e7.jpg?v=1720180436)
Movie |
Book |
Dobby is bouncing on Harry's bed. |
Dobby is seated calmly on Harry's bed. |
Dobby avoids mentioning Voldemort. |
Dobby suggests that Voldemort might be responsible for the troubling events expected to occur at Hogwarts. |
Dobby accidentally drops the cake on Mrs. Mason's head. |
Dobby accidentally drops the cake in the kitchen, causing it to explode all over Harry. |
The Masons depart due to the incident with the cake. |
The Masons depart after Mrs. Mason, who is frightened of owls, spots one delivering a letter. |
Vernon installs bars on Harry's window. |
Vernon instructs a worker to install bars on Harry's window. |
No dreams are depicted. | Harry experiences a nightmare where he imagines himself trapped inside a zoo cage. |
Chapter 3: The Burrow
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Burrow](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_The_Burrow_f01e0a6b-133f-4eda-a6a2-4b92548c5d4a.jpg?v=1720180382)
Movie |
Book |
Harry packs his trunk and Hedwig into the flying car. Vernon, awakened by the noise of the bars breaking, grabs Harry's leg and tumbles out of the window, landing in the hedges below. |
Fred and George sneak in and pick the lock to Harry's bedroom and the cupboard where his trunk is hidden. Harry nearly forgets Hedwig, whose screech wakes up the Dursleys. All three of them attempt to restrain Harry and end up hanging out of the window. |
This is not stated. |
On their way to the Burrow, one of the Weasleys suggests that Dobby might be a servant of the Malfoys. |
This does not occur. |
Mrs. Weasley tasks them with de-gnoming the garden, and they teach Harry how to toss the gnomes out. |
Chapter 4: Flourish and Blotts
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Broken Glasses](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Harry_Broken_Glasses.jpg?v=1720180354)
Movie |
Book |
Arthur inquires from Harry about the purpose of a rubber duck. |
Arthur questions Harry about escalators. |
A similar deleted scene is included, but it is not present in the standard version of the movie. |
Harry catches Draco and his father negotiating a sale with the owner of Flourish and Blotts. |
Hermione fixes Harry's glasses. |
Mrs. Weasley fixes Harry's broken glasses. |
Arthur and Lucius engage in a heated verbal argument. |
Arthur Weasley gets into a physical altercation with Lucius Malfoy. |
Gringotts does not appear in the scene. |
Harry and Ron visit Gringotts to access money, and Harry feels guilty about the wealth he possesses. |
Chapter 5: The Whomping Willow
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Whomping Willow](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Whomping_Willow.jpg?v=1720180329)
Movie |
Book |
While using the flying car to reach Hogwarts, Harry and Ron narrowly avoid being hit by the train, and Harry almost falls out of the car. |
This does not occur. |
Filch discovers Harry and Ron and escorts them to Snape's office. |
Snape locates them and brings them to his office. |
This does not occur. | Harry and Ron enjoy sandwiches in Snape's office, while McGonagall informs Ron that Ginny has been sorted into Gryffindor. |
Chapter 6: Gilderoy Lockhart
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Professor Lockhart](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Professor_Lockhart.jpg?v=1720180290)
Movie |
Book |
The howler message transforms into lips and delivers a direct message. |
The howler message is not depicted as transforming into lips, and its message is significantly longer. |
The howler tears itself apart once its message is delivered. |
The howler erupted in flames. |
This does not occur. |
Lockhart suggests that he knows more about fixing the Whomping Willow than Professor Sprout. Later, Lockhart lectures Harry about the appropriateness of giving out autographs when Collen requests one. |
This is not part of the story. |
Justin Finch-Fletchley attempts to befriend Harry during Herbology class. |
Lockhart dives right into the lesson, but the quiz is featured in a deleted scene. |
Lockhart administers a test based on his books to the class, featuring questions such as "What is my favorite color?" |
The Pixies cause chaos by breaking windows and damaging a skeleton dragon exhibit. Everyone flees the scene, and Lockhart rushes to his office. Hermione uses a spell to freeze all the Pixies in place. |
The Pixies cause mayhem while students, including Lockhart, take cover under their desks. Neville almost lands on top of Lockhart in the chaos. Hermione manages to freeze a few of the Pixies to try to regain control. |
Chapter 7: Mudbloods and Murmurs
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Hermione Angry](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Hermione_Angry.jpg?v=1720180226)
Movie |
Book |
Hermione understands the meaning of "Mudblood" and explains it to Harry |
Hermione is unfamiliar with the term and it's Ron who explains its meaning to her and Harry. |
Chapter 8: The Deathday Party
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Surprised](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Harry_Surprised.jpg?v=1720180193)
Movie |
Book |
In a deleted scene, Harry discovers a letter that Filch dropped, labeled with the words "Kwikspell" on it. |
Harry discovers a Kwikspell course in Filch's office and learns that Filch is a Squib. |
The Deathday Party is not featured in the movie. Instead, Harry hears voices during detention with Lockhart and later discovers Mrs. Norris after the incident. |
Nearly Headless Nick invites Harry, Ron, and Hermione to his Deathday Party. Afterwards, Harry hears mysterious voices and discovers Mrs. Norris nearby. |
Chapter 9: The Writing on the Wall
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Writing on Wall](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Writing_on_Wall.jpg?v=1720180146)
Movie |
Book |
The teachers speak with the trio in the corridor. |
The teachers converse with them in Lockhart's classroom. |
The message is inscribed using blood. | The message is written in red paint. |
Chapter 10: The Rogue Bludger
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Scared Quidditch](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Harry_Scared_Quidditch.jpg?v=1720180102)
Movie |
Book |
Hermione discovers the recipe for Polyjuice Potion in an ordinary book. |
Hermione has to get a note signed by Lockhart so they can get the book from the restricted section. |
On a sunny day, the Bludger chases Harry as he races Malfoy for the snitch. |
The Quidditch match happens on a rainy day and Harry catches the snitch before Malfoy notices it. There is no chase scene. |
The entire team, plus Harry’s friends, are in the Hospital Wing to see Harry and Madam Pomprey demands that they get out of her way. |
Ron and Hermione are with Harry in the Hospital Wing. When the team shows up to check on him, Madam Pomprey kicks them out. |
Chapter 11: The Duelling Club
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Dueling Stance](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Harry_Dueling_Stance.jpg?v=1720180074)
Movie |
Book |
This does not occur. |
The trio creates a commotion in Potions class to secretly obtain ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion from Snape's stores. |
The duel between Harry and Malfoy is the only one that happens. |
Everyone pairs up with partners. Hermione and Milicent end up in a scuffle, during which Milicent puts Hermione in a headlock. This incident allows Hermione to retrieve hair from Milicent's robes for the potion. |
The Rictusempra spell sends the opponent flying backward. |
Rictusempra is a charm that causes a tickling sensation. |
In a deleted scene, Harry overhears people whispering about him. |
Harry overhears Ernie, Justin's friend, talking to Hannah. Ernie suggests that Harry intends to harm Justin. |
Harry speaks Parseltongue, and to the audience, it sounds like hissing noises without conveying the actual meaning of what Harry thinks he is saying. |
When Harry speaks Parseltongue, the audience hears it from his perspective, understanding his words. However, Harry learns from his friends later that to them, it sounded like mere hissing noises. |
Nearly Headless Nick is seen as vertical, white, and emitting smoke when he is petrified. |
Nearly Headless Nick appears floating horizontally and appears blackened when petrified.. |
Filch discovers Harry shortly after Justin's attack |
Peeves discovers Harry after Justin's attack. |
Chapter 12: The Polyjuice Potion
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Trio Polyjuice Potion](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Trio_Polyjuice_Potion.jpg?v=1720180046)
Movie |
Book |
Harry spots the Sorting Hat on a shelf in Dumbledore’s office and questions whether he's been placed in the correct house. |
In Dumbledore's office, Harry puts on the Sorting Hat and questions whether he was sorted into the correct house. |
The trio drinks the potion together, and the transformation is more bearable this time. |
The trio each drinks the potion in their own stalls, and the transformation is described as agonizing. |
Harry and Ron's voices remain unchanged. Harry's poor eyesight persists, and he is caught by Malfoy while wearing his glasses. |
Harry and Ron's voices change to match Crabbe and Goyle. Additionally, Harry's eyesight improves. |
These details are absent from the movie. However, Malfoy has a package that is not mentioned in the book. |
Malfoy shows them an article about Arthur Weasley's inquiry and the Ministry. He mentions Dumbledore's fondness for Muggle-borns and mocks Colin Creevy. |
Chapter 13: The Very Secret Diary
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Tom Riddle's Diary](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Tom_Riddle_s_Diary.jpg?v=1720180007)
Movie |
Book |
Professor McGonagall teaches about the Chamber of Secrets in class. |
Professor Binns, the History of Magic teacher, discusses the Chamber of Secrets during class. |
This does not occur in the movie. |
In the book, Professor Lockhart organizes a Valentine's Day breakfast. |
Harry discovers the diary in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. |
Harry receives a Valentine and Malfoy attempts to steal Tom Riddle's diary. Harry uses a spell to disarm Malfoy and is reprimanded by Percy |
The ink inside the diary is dark black. |
The ink in the diary is red, resembling blood. |
Harry finds himself on the Grand Staircase, where he witnesses Myrtle's body being carried away. Tom Riddle speaks to Dumbledore, who discusses the possibility of the school closing. |
When Harry is transported into the past, he finds himself in the Headmaster's office where Professor Dippet reads a letter from Tom Riddle. Dippet informs Tom about the potential closure of the school. Tom then briefly converses with Dumbledore. |
Chapter 14: Cornelius Fudge
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Cornelius Fudge](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Cornelius_Fudge.jpg?v=1720179968)
Movie |
Book |
McGonagall personally approaches the team, and they appear less distressed. |
McGonagall cancels the Gryffindor-Hufflepuff match using a megaphone, and the team reacts with disappointment. |
There is no reference to Ginny behaving oddly in the movie. |
Ginny attempts to confide in Ron and Harry about her secret. Throughout the book, it is noted that Ginny behaves strangely whenever there is an attack. |
This character is not part of the story. |
Penelope Clearwater, a Ravenclaw student, is turned to stone. |
The line about the rooster's crow being fatal to the Basilisk is not included. However, earlier in the film, Hagrid bursts into Dumbledore's office holding a dead rooster. |
Hagrid's roosters are killed. There is a line stating that "the crowing of the rooster is fatal to the Basilisk." |
Chapter 15: Aragog
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry and Ron Scared](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Harry_and_Ron_Scared.jpg?v=1720179935)
Movie |
Book |
Harry and Ron observe the spiders departing from Hagrid's Hut and decide to track them as they venture into the forest. |
They first spot the spiders while in Herbology class one day. They then wait until everyone is asleep to sneak out of their dormitory. |
Ron is deeply frightened of spiders and remains scared throughout the entire journey. At one point, he even remarks, "Why couldn't we follow the butterflies?" as they venture further into the forest. |
Ron has a fear of spiders but shows considerable bravery. It's worth noting that Ron's comment about following butterflies isn't found in the book. |
Harry and Ron discover the lair by themselves. |
Harry and Ron fail to evade capture and are dragged into the spiders' lair. |
Chapter 16: The Chamber of Secrets
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Chamber Enterance](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Chamber_Enterance.jpg?v=1720179902)
Movie |
Book |
Harry and Ron eavesdrop on the teachers in the corridor and witness the writing firsthand. |
Harry and Ron are concealed in a wardrobe when they overhear the teachers in the Staffroom discussing the final message and deciding to appoint Lockhart to find the Basilisk |
During their confrontation with Lockhart, Harry and Ron aim their wands at him, causing him to drop his own wand. |
They cast the disarming charm on Lockhart and toss his wand out of a nearby window. |
Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Tom Riddle](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Tom_Riddle.jpg?v=1720179875)
Movie |
Book |
After being blinded, the Basilisk relies on its keen sense of hearing to locate Harry. |
After being blinded, the Basilisk uses its sense of smell to track down Harry. |
The Basilisk pursues Harry through tunnels, and eventually, Harry climbs onto the statue of Salazar Slytherin and manages to stab the Basilisk. |
Harry's encounter with the Basilisk unfolds swiftly, and he does not climb onto the statue during their confrontation. |
The Sword of Gryffindor materializes from the hat lying on the ground. |
Harry puts on the hat and requests assistance. Suddenly, the sword falls out, accidentally hitting Harry on the head. |
Harry repeatedly stabs the diary, causing Tom to burst into a blinding light. After Ginny awakens, Fawkes heals Harry. |
Fawkes heals Harry's arm, and then Harry destroys the diary with a single decisive stab. Tom Riddle writhes and then vanishes. |
Fawkes transports everyone out of the cave's mouth. The scene transitions to Dumbledore's office. |
They find themselves back in Myrtle's bathroom and proceed to McGonagall's office. |
Chapter 18: Dobby’s Reward
![Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Dobby Arms Crossed](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0400/9767/7479/files/Harry_Potter_and_the_Chamber_of_Secrets_Dobby_Arms_Crossed.jpg?v=1720179811)
Movie |
Book |
Harry and Ron find themselves in Dumbledore's office. |
Harry and Ron are in McGonagall's office, where Arthur, Molly, and Dumbledore are also present. |
This sequence is not depicted in the movie adaptation. |
Dumbledore awards them 200 points each for saving Ginny. |
There is no mention of what happens to Lockhart. Dumbledore sends Ron with papers to mail to ensure Hagrid’s release from Azkaban. |
Dumbledore requests Ron to escort Lockhart to the hospital. |
Harry chases after Lucius and confronts him in the corridor. |
Harry faces off against Lucius in Dumbledore’s office, with the headmaster also present. |
Harry places a sock inside the diary, and then he gives it to Dobby. |
Harry places the diary inside a sock. When Lucius throws the sock, Dobby catches it. |
Excluded. |
Gryffindor emerges victorious in the house cup competition. |
Hermione embraces only Harry. |
Hermione embraces both Harry and Ron in a hug. |
Hagrid explains that he's late because the bird carrying his release papers got lost. |
This occurrence is absent in the book. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the major differences in Dobby’s portrayal between the book and movie?
+In the book, Dobby's warning includes mentioning Voldemort and causing chaos with a cake. The movie simplifies this, omitting Voldemort and featuring a different cake incident.
How does the movie depict the Whomping Willow differently from the book?
+The movie includes a dramatic scene with the flying car narrowly avoiding a train and Harry almost falling out, which is not in the book. The book focuses more on the aftermath in Snape’s office.
What changes were made to the Deathday Party scene in the movie?
+The movie omits the Deathday Party entirely. Instead, it includes Harry hearing mysterious voices during detention, which leads him to find Mrs. Norris.
How does Hermione’s knowledge of "Mudblood" differ between the book and the movie?
+In the book, Hermione knows the term "Mudblood" and explains it to Harry. In the movie, it’s Ron who explains the term to Hermione and Harry.
What is different about the Polyjuice Potion scene in the film?
+The movie shows the trio drinking the potion in one go with less discomfort, while the book describes a more painful and lengthy transformation process with Harry and Ron’s voices changing.
How does the film alter the Basilisk confrontation compared to the book?
+The movie has Harry climb onto the statue of Salazar Slytherin to fight the Basilisk and shows the sword falling out of the hat. The book depicts a faster, more straightforward battle.
What notable scenes are missing from the movie adaptation?
+Key scenes omitted include the Sorting Hat’s brief appearance in Dumbledore’s office, the Kwikspell course discovery, and Penelope Clearwater’s petrification.
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