Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (DVD 2004)

Based on J. K. Rowling's book, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" covers the boy wizard's third year at Hogwarts and hit the big screen in 2004. The film opens at Privet Drive with the end of the summer holidays approaching. The previous summer, at the start of the Chamber of Secrets, Harry had been blamed by the Ministry of Magic for a spell performed by Dobby the House Elf in Dursley's house. This summer, Harry panics as he accidentally casts a spell on Uncle Vernon's thoroughly obnoxious sister. Knowing he's in trouble, he decides to go on the run - but, following a bumpy ride on the Knight Bus, the Minister for Magic corners him at Diagon Alley. Harry is somewhat surprised to be let off, given the trouble he got into the previous year - but relieved all he same.

The Magic Community seems to be much more concerned with a very dangerous criminal called Sirius Black, the first person to escape from Azkaban (the wizard prison). He had been sent there after being found guilty of murdering thirteen people - twelve of them muggles - with a single curse about twelve years earlier. Widely believed to have been a big supporter of Voldemort's, the rumour is he's hunting for Harry. As a result, some Azkaban guards (terrifying creatures, known as Dementors) have been posted at Hogwarts for the protection of the pupils and staff.

Harry is, once again, joined by Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts. There's a bit of trouble between Harry's two friends, however. Much of that is caused by Hermione's new pet Crookshanks - a crazy cat, who seems determined to kill Scabbers, Ron's rat, at every opportunity. This year's Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, is Professor Lupin who - like the Dementors, the three friends meet him for the first time on the Hogwarts Express. Despite the fact he dresses rather shabbily and gets strangely ill from time to time, Lupin actually seems to know what he's doing. He also proves to be highly popular with the majority of pupils, particularly Harry. There are a couple pf other new teachers introduced this year - one of them is Hagrid, who has taken over the Care of Magical Creatures class. Unfortunately, his first lesson leads to a bit of trouble with a Hippogriff. Another is Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher - who seems to be a bit of a crackpot. In their first lesson, she somehow picks out the Grim (a death omen) from Harry's tealeaves. Harry probably wouldn't have been too worried, only he'd already seen something of a death omen just as he was boarding the Knight Bus.

The movie is very enjoyable, though a good deal darker than I had imagined. Despite the criticism I've heard of their performances in the previous films, I thought Daniel Ratcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were very good in their roles. (Draco, Harry's arch nemesis, would've stolen the show had his role been any bigger : Tom Felton plays the part of a strutting, arrogant, little twerp superbly. One of the most enjoyable scenes came when Hermione puts him firmly in his place). Professor Trelawney was also an enjoyable addition, played by the barely recognisable Emma Thompson. (Her ex-husband, of course, was also once on the teaching staff at Hogwarts : Ken Brannagh played the part of Gilderoy Lockhart in "The Chamber of Secrets"). For fans of the Stone Roses, meanwhile, Ian Brown stops by the Leaky Cauldron for a quick drink. The film's effects are hugely impressive.

BUY IT , WATCH IT , LOVE IT!

The magical world of Harry Potter returns to our screens again. But unlike its previous incarnations, this time it has a soul.

Harry Potter and his wizard pals are back for a third term at Hogwarts. The school is buzzing with the news that the dangerous and enigmatic wizard Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is searching for Harry. Black is believed to be responsible for leading Lord Voldemort to Harry's parents and ultimately to their murder.

The ominous Azkaban guards - the Dementors - are posted at the school to protect the students from Black, but they seem more interested in probing Potter's mind than searching for the escaped prisoner. Harry is taught to conjure a Patronus Charm as protection from his tormentors by the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Lupin. But Lupin hides a dark secret of his own...

A confrontation between Harry and Black is inevitable, but when they finally do the young wizard is shocked by revelations about his parents that cause him to question exactly who his friends really are.

Director Alfonso Cuaron has taken over the helm of the huge Harry Potter empire and chooses to sail in a different direction to his predecessor Chris Columbus. Fittingly, as the children mature the themes become more adult. Gone is the innocence of the previous two years as the trio examine the meaning of relationships. Harry Potter is now an angst-ridden teenager trying to come to terms with what life has dealt him.

Cuaron has given Hogwarts a much more atmospheric feel where fears are hidden among the shadows created by his moody lighting. A genuine sense of dread is created as the Dementors circle their victims, sucking out their souls. That's not to say that the film doesn't have its lighter moments. Hagrid can always be relied on to bring a bit of comic relief but even his relationship with Buckbeak, a half horse, half eagle breed known as a Hippogriff, has hidden messages on loyalty.

The CGI work is all top notch - from the shape shifting Knight Bus and swirling Dementors to the increasingly impressive Hogwarts Castle. Sir Michael Gambon has stepped seamlessly into Dumbledore's shoes but it's the new characters including Emma Thompson as the short-sighted Professor Trelawney and Dawn French as the Fat Lady that bring added interest to this now familiar world.

It will be a sure-fire hit of course, but unlike many of the other blockbusters out there, this one actually deserves to be. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a wonderfully crafted piece of cinema that doesn't dumb itself down for a younger audience and therein lies the secret of its success. The Harry Potter franchise has just grown up.

My daughter did have all harry potter films but lost this 1 when we went away so i decided 2 look on ebay.I found 1 straight away & won it at a very good price,I recieved it within a couple of days & my daughter was very happy.

What more can be said? Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban is fantastic and so true to the books. Any Harry Potter fan will love this film its full of mystical creatures,magic,comedy and emotion. One of my all time best films. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

These films are all excellent and i've loved watching them all and i can't wait for the next one but 2009 is a long time to wait ;0(

All of them so far have been a wonderful successful. The storyline and plots have been great fun to follow.

A must watch but for me the books are always gonna be miles better as it feels like while reading them your one of the gang at hogwarts ;0)

But my kids loved the films so thats all that matters to me.

I'm a huge fan of harry potter, and this is one of the best.

Harry Potter, although you may think that it's a repetitive story line is in fact the opposite. Very well written and played by the cast, you are drawn into this movie and made apart of it. One that you can watch with all the family over and over again.

One of the best set of films that are ever likely to be made.

Saw the film at the cinema and wanted a copy to watch again at home and so that other members of my family could wathc it too, special effects in the film are excellent and get better with every film

I had deliberately avoided seeing the films of the J. K. Rowling books because, in general, I don't enjoy seeing someone else's interpretation of a book that I enjoyed. I can only conclude that I produced the films myself in an unconscious state, because they are so completely what I imagined.

My husband wanted to see them, because he thought they might be suitable for our son (4),and he wore me down until I bought him the lot, and then curiosity overcame principles and I watched them all, incidentally losing two nights' sleep to do it.

I think it would be a very personal decision for an adult as to the 'accuracy' of the films, because we all saw different things when we read the books. I still don't want Peter to see them until he has read, or listened to the books, and (call me old fashioned) until he is able to distinguish between the tenets of our Christian faith and harmless occult-fantasy. I don't go along with the Church leaders who think that children shouldn't read them or see the films because they are corruptive: they are well thought-out moral tales, dramatically presented in the films with believable human characters who just happen to inhabit a parallel world where a different physics applies. But I do belive strongly that children will be corrupted if they adopt any set of values because they are being parented by the media in the absence of strong, age appropriate messages from their parents and educators, and for this reason I do not think the film is at all suitable for children under 10, who will probably enjoy it all the more for waiting.

Exciting, superbly acted by the young cast and not in the least hammed up by the old guard, Hogwarts perfect beyond belief and Robbie Coltrane an institution of monumental proportions. Only one gripe - I had expected Sirius to be a super dish, but prhaps he is, to a younger audience?

I have been asked to write a review about my purchase, not the seller (who refunded my money, no questions!) but unfortunately the DVD which was brand new turned out to be faulty and would not play for more than 10 mins. So what we saw was good but alas, didn't get to see it all. I think the title speaks for itself being a Harry Potter film. It was bought as a stocking filler for our 5 year old son, shame! We are now off to buy another one for him!!

An Excellent DVD. We had to buy this as a replacement for a previous one that my son accidently broke!!.
A great film for all the family and another brilliant adventure by JK Rowling.

A very well balanced family film for all. Has been enjoyed by as young as 4 up to over 64. Has delighted young ones by the thoughts of being magical and how they too can be wizards and witches in their worlds.

My son 5yrs was hooked by the first two films. Having watched this, I found it a little too dark for his age and therefore decided not to show him it.

I didnt find it as captivating with respect to imagination as the first two.
In fact so bored I havent yet finished watching it. Great Shame.

all i can say is that Harry Potter and the prison of Azkaban is a brilliant film. its is even better than the last one. they just keep getting better and better!

I CANT FAULT THESE FILMS AT ALL THIS FILM WAS GREAT MY KIDS LOVE IT IM YET TO BE BORED WATCHING ANY OF THEM AS THEY HAVE THEM ON ALOT ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY FIRST COME OUT

This third installment of the Harry Potter films is as good as its prequals, though if you have read the books, you may be slightly dissapointed. Like the first two films, it changes certain aspects that you may feel really needed to be there, though if you are a Harry Potter fan - watch it! With great new characters and a brilliant story line from JK Rowling, you are in for a treat!

If you have read the books you couldn't possibly give this film a good review.
I can understand that they can't fit a whole book into the length of a film, but they have altered BIG chunks of the plot in order to make it fit and obviously cut some scenes out, as in parts it makes no sense!

Use your imagination and read the books they are so much better

This is a good film for the older potter fans. There are however several scary 'nightmare' situations and creatures for the younger brothers or sisters who may want to watch as well. Best that mum and dad watch it first to see if the scary parts are suitable. For older kids it continues the exciting fast paced feel. A great family film and a must for potter fans.Great extras on the extra disc of Sir Caddagon.

for the kids cheaper then at the shop and brilliant quality,,one more stocking filler from santa.to buy the boxset of the five films costs 40.00.ive bought two films at the moment for 4.20 altogether.brilliant

THE PURCHASE OF THIS MOVIE, REALLY EXCELLENT, IS FOR STUDY OF COMPREHENSION OF THE LANGUAGE ON THE PART OF STUDENT. I AM EXTREMELY ENCHANTED WITH THE PURCHASE

Amazing film, full of enchntments and magic of the wizarding world, seeing the boy harry potter on his continuing time at hogwarts school of witch craft and wizardry. stunning special effects and amazing storyline, this is deffinatly a film the whole famili will enjoy time and time again!!

The film is a good film, though is not so true to the book. Lots of things are in different orders, such as the end. The end isn't very good. However, I still love all things Harry Potter, ergo, this is a must have!

It was what it said it said it was going to be i was very please with the service and the comunication from this seller. the time in which the item took was also very satisfiying

Its a fantastic film and in my opinion the bestone t o date. You can tell there was a change of directors at this point, the books are fabulous, the best Ive ever read, and this film better depicts the books