Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6043 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-11-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 136 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá También, director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book, considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry in a bid for revenge. This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-growing Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves), The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. --Jeff Shannon

Synopsis
In this adaptation of the third book in J.K. Rowling's best-selling series, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends Hermoine (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), must face the dangerous convict Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who has ties with their enemy Lord Voldemort. The spectacular fantasy-adventure action of the earlier movies (SORCERER'S STONE and CHAMBER OF SECRETS) is once again presented here, as Alfonso Cuaron lends his unique directorial style to recreating Rowling's magical story on celluloid. A scarier, darker story than the first two, this one concerns the mystery behind why Sirius Black is tracking Harry Potter. Slowly Harry and his friends unravel the clues, and learn secrets about Harry's parents that had all along been hidden from him. Meanwhile, because the deranged Sirius poses a threat to all students at Hogwarts, the school enlists a group of daunting black ghosts called Dementors to stand guard. These flying ghouls have a powerful effect on Harry and frighten him to his core. Yet even these chilling obstacles don't dampen the spirits of the youthful wizards, who meet Buckbeak--a giant flying hawk-horse creature, welcome a new dark arts teacher (David Thewlis) and a new divination teacher (Emma Thompson), and are still determined to beat the rival Slytherin team in Quidditch. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN offers a visually stunning interpretation of the revered book, and will thrill viewers with its special effects, it's penetrating John Williams score, and its superb performances.

Customer Reviews

The Best Yet!
A lot of people are less than enthusiastic about Alfonso Cuaron's take on The Prisoner of Azkaban, and I must admit that I too was a little displeased at first. There are some interesting--some would say unnecessary--changes to the geography of Hogwarts (a new location for Hagrid's cabin, and the clock tower in the front of the school, for instance), as well a whole new directorial style that perhaps threw some people off.

But it seems to be the creative license taken with the plot that has caused the most discomfort for die hard fans of this imaginative and playful series. This movie is easily the least faithful to the letter of the book so far, and many fans can't seem to get past that.

I say it is least faithful to the letter, but in spirit it is right on target. This is the story where Harry begins to really delve into his past, learning more than he ever knew about his parents. This is facilitated by the appearance of Professor Lupin, an old school chum of Harry's father, and the escape of Sirius Black from Azkaban, who's relationship to Harry I shall not divulge for those few who have been in a coma for the last several years.

In essence, this is a coming of age story, and Cuaron really hits the nail on the head in this respect. His treatment of Harry's reaction to learning the connection between himself and Black is brilliantly played (I love the shots filmed from under the invisibility cloak in the Three Broomsticks), and Harry's relationship with Lupin was also spot on. And let's not forget the clever asides displaying Ron & Hermione's budding romance (surely you can see that one coming?!).

The casting, as usual, seemed to have tapped into the collective imagination of the fans. Who better to play Professor Trelawney than Emma Thompson?! Pam Ferris actually WAS Aunt Marge and Gary Oldman played the dissheveled, slightly mad Black to a "T". It's like they were plucked straight from my mind and placed on the screen.

To top it all off, the entire atmosphere of the series has taken a turn for the better with this movie. As much as I love the first two films (and I love them dearly), they now seem a little rigid in comparison. Cuaron really captured the playfulness of Rowling's books. Whether it was the Whomping Willow batting a bird out of the sky to signify the coming of autumn or Hermione wondering aloud about how her hair looks from the back, this film at times seemed to be winking at the audience.

This also came across in the musical score, once again brilliantly composed by John Williams. From "Aunt Marge's Waltz" to "The Knight Bus," Williams deftly captured the mood of Cuaron's film, and it seemed to me that he opened things up a little and had a bit more fun this time around. I cannot recommend the soundtrack enough for those who listen to this brand of modern-day classical music.

There's only one real problem with this DVD (not the movie itself), and it's the same problem I had with the previous two: where is the director's commentary?!!! I'm dying to get the inside scoop on these films, but so far have been denied in this respect. Hopefully we'll eventually get some Special Director's Cut 6 1/2 Year Anniversary Edition or whatnot, although I'd rather they rewarded their loyal fans by including the commentaries in the initial releases.

So to all those who were disappointed with this take on Harry Potter, watch it again and see what you think upon further review. It took me a couple of viewings to really appreciate what Cuaron has done with this film, so don't give up on it before really giving it a go. It is, as Ron would say, "bloody brilliant!"

Hmmmm.....
I went to see this film at the cinema with high expectations...and was sadly disappointed. The film is beautifully shot, with some impressive scenery, but the story is not worth talking about. I have read and enjoyed all of the Harry Potter books so far, and particularly Prisoner of Azkaban, as this is the point at which the characters start to grow and the story gets darker. Frankly, if I hadn't read the book, I would have been mystified by the plot of this film. I have never understood why some directors take a perfectly good story, add completely pointless bits, and cut out others that are essential. There was absolutely no mention of Sirius, James, Remus and Peter having been friends at Hogwarts, and although there is a shot of Harry and his stag Patronus, there is no explanation. The ending of the film is disjointed and muddled, and yet the time could have been taken to explain clearly if some of the more pointless scenes from the beginning had been removed. The 'werewolf' was frankly laughable, and was I the only person that found Lupin severely creepy?! Michael Gambon was good, as was to be expected, but again, the direction was jerky and muddled - Dumbledore appeared from time to time, said something incomprehensible, and disapeared. There was a certain similarity with Chinese fortune cookies.
The thing that really surprised me was that there was any hair gel left in the world after they had 'made up' their young cast. When did Harry's friends go all indie??
Several questions about the castle itself: a) where did that pendulum come from? b) where did that covered walkway come from? c) when did Hagrid move house? and d) Since when is Hogwarts on the edge of a valley? The Whomping Willow seems also to have uprooted itself overnight.
There was little development on any of the main themes. Snape was virtually absent from this latest offering, which I believe is a shame, as Alan Rickman is a wonderfully sinister figure, although he does bear a certain resemblance to Trent Reznor after the pies. I think that the next film may be difficult to make after this, as somehow, in all the scenery, the plot ran away and no one noticed.

Better than the other two?
As an avid fan of the Harry potter books of course i will have seen all three films. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this film, although not perfect and not as good as the book, is much more exciting and truer to the story than the first two films. It is obvious to see from watching the film that there has been a director change as this film is so different. The whole feel of the film, although much darker, is more magical and exciting mainly due to the SFX and obviously the way it is directed.
This film is a fantastic film to watch with all the family. However parents must be warned that the Dementors are a little frightning and may upset young children and, if you're anything like myself, you too. But don't worry as long as you've got a pillow to hide behind you will enjoy this film and anticipate the arrival of the next one.