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Harry Potter Theory

How The Harry Potter Movies DESTROYED Ron Weasley

Harry Potter Theory

Harry Potter Theory

Tv & Film

4.7701 Ratings

🗓️ 30 August 2025

⏱️ 15 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Hey everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. Over the years I’ve done a few videos taking a look at major differences between the book and film versions of different characters, but the focal point in the past has always been more of a “spot the difference” angle. 

This time, the angle is different, and this video will serve as the first in a series of videos examining adaptation injustices: not just what was altered, but who got shortchanged and how those choices warped the character that we grew to love on the page. 

Today, I’m making the case that the films failed Ron Weasley—consistently sanding off his courage, wit, and heart until only a comic outline remained. Basically, Ron got nerfed.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

The following podcast contains audio extracted from videos on the Harry Potter Theory YouTube channel.

0:10.0

Hey everyone, welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory.

0:19.0

Over the years, I've done a few videos taking a look at major differences

0:22.4

between the book and film versions of different characters. But the focal point in the past

0:27.1

has always been more of a spot the difference angle. This time the angle is different and this video

0:32.6

will serve as the first in a series of videos examining adaptation injustices. Not just what was altered, but who

0:40.3

got shortchanged and how those choices warped the character that we grew to love on the page.

0:45.5

Today I'm making the case that the films failed Ron Weasley, consistently sanding off his

0:50.7

courage, wit and heart until only a comic outline remained. Basically, Ron got

0:56.3

nirfed. If you know him best from his character depiction in the book series, then the Ronald

1:00.4

Weasley that you know and love is the courageous, quick-witted, and loyal bestmate of Harry Potter.

1:05.7

He's also the youngest son and sixth child of Molly and Arthur Weasley. And while some of that

1:10.6

remains true for Ron's

1:11.6

character in the films, the majority of what's consistent between the books and the movies

1:15.5

is rather surface level. And if we autopsy many of the adaptation choices made on Ron's

1:21.1

behalf, it's pretty clear that he's downgraded from a co-lead into a sidekick. Yes, Ron is one of

1:26.9

Harry's bestest buds in the movies. and yes, he remains the sixth-born son

1:31.4

to Mr and Mrs. Weasley.

1:33.5

But other than those superficial details, there are many more character-defining qualities

1:37.5

that will either change substantially for the films or omitted completely.

1:42.1

Today I'll be focusing on how on-screen Ron lost the bravery, intelligence,

1:46.4

and heart to define him on the page, and why that loss not only distorts the balance of the

...

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