In this post, we are going through the deleted and unreleased scenes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. That includes the deleted scenes found on the home media releases, clips from behind the scenes documentaries and trailers, as well as scenes from the script.
The Prisoner of Azkaban movie was released in 2004. It was directed by Alfonso Cuarón and Steve Kloves wrote the screenplay.
The third instalment in the Harry Potter franchise does not have an extended cut available. When the Ultimate Editions were announced in 2009, it was said that they would include the theatrical and extended version of the films. This is true for the two first movies but for reasons unknown they didn't continue with this for the rest of the series.
Be sure to check out the Deleted & Unreleased Scenes from Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets as well.
Going back to Hogwarts
Harry asks if the Knight Bus is dangerous
The first cut scene is a line from Harry when he is riding the Knight Bus. In the International Trailer, he asks Stan Shunpike if the Knight Bus is dangerous. Stan says it isn't dangerous as they haven't had any accidents in about a week.
The Knight Bus Spins
The next deleted scene is from the Bonus Features on the home-media releases. This scene shows Harry riding the Knight Bus and it is driving at high speed. As they approach a turn the bus starts to spin uncontrollably. Harry then gets flung in the air and has to hold on to a pole to not injure himself.
Ron’s new wand
When Harry meets Ron and Hermione in the Leaky Cauldron, Ron tells Harry about their trip to Egypt. He also mentions that he got a new wand and this line was not featured in the film.
The Trio greets Neville on the train
In the script, the trio greets Neville when they are on the train. This happens before they enter the compartment where Lupin is sleeping.
Lupin awake as the Dementor enter the compartment
Lupin was originally going to be awake and have flames in his hands as the Dementor enter the compartment. The flames sputter when the Dementor come through the compartment door.
Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Defence Against the Dark Arts
Dumbledore's Dialogue about Flaming Kiwi Cups
In Dumbledore's welcome speech, we can read in the script that he was supposed to talk about how much he was looking forward to the feast and especially the Flaming Kiwi Cups. He notes that it is "treacherous" for those who sported beards, like himself.
Boys Dormitory alternate scene
In the script, the scene after the feast in the boy's dormitory is very different from how it is in the movie. The script describes Harry looking at the photograph of his parents and Ron asking him if it's good to finally be home again. We then cut to a shot outside of Hogwarts showing the dementors before we close in on Harry who continues to stare at the photo.
In the movie, Harry and his friends are having fun eating candy that makes them sound like animals. This is quite a drastic change in tone compared to the script.
Hagrid swats at a bird
This deleted scene is an extended version of a transition scene in the movie. In this scene, we see a bird flying through the grounds of Hogwarts before meeting Hagrid. Hagrid tries to hit the bird, but it manages to fly away. Eventually, the bird is killed by the Whomping Willow. The part where Hagrid tries to swat the bird away does not feel right because he has such a huge love for all creatures. So I am alright with them cutting that part out of the film.
Extended Divination Scene
The Divination Scene was supposed to include some moments and dialogue from the book. The script includes Professor Trelawney saying to Parvati that she needs to beware a red-haired man, foreshadowing her miserable Yule Ball date with Ron. She also predicts that someone will leave the class forever in spring. Professor Trelawney foretells that Neville will break his teacup and therefore asks him to take a blue cup instead of a pink since they are her favourite.
Lavender Brown dialogue in Divination
Lavender Brown was supposed to have some lines of dialogue in the Divination class. In the script, she is the one who explains the meaning of the Grim while in the movie the lines are given to Bem.
Lavender Brown in Divination
Bem in Divination
Giant Squid in the Black Lake
The Giant Squid was supposed to appear during the scene where Harry rides Buckbeak over the Black Lake.
Vampire Boggart in Bikini
Jamie Waylett, who played Vincent Crabbe, revealed in an interview with HPANA that they filmed a scene with Seamus Finnigan's boggart. His boggart is a Vampire and it was supposed to take off its cape to reveal a woman in a bikini. Read the full interview here.
Can you tell us anything about what deleted scenes may be on the DVD? They cut so much from all the movies. At the last launch party they showed a blooper reel put to music. I had to eat trifle for three days and I hate trifle. I was sitting with Tom and Josh and I just turned and threw up into the bowl. Tom and Josh jumped out of their seats. A very funny scene which should be on the DVD (but may not be) - there is a scene with Devon [Murray; Seamus Finnigan] in Lupin's class where Dracula (his boggart) takes off his cape and it's a woman in a bikini. She starts dancing because Lupin is playing music, and we all start dancing and Malfoy just hits me like I'm a dog or something. The conga line was funny, that was cut out too.
If you look very closely while watching the movie, you will see that Seamus stands behind Ron in line to practise "Riddikulus" on the boggart. However, after Ron it cuts straight to Parvati, skipping Seamus entirely.
Another fun fact is that a vampire boggart is also mentioned in the script, however, there it is the boggart of Parvati instead of Seamus. We can also read that Dean Thomas' boggart is the giant cobra, while in the movie this is given to Parvati. This means they probably changed the boggart scene around while filming or in post-production.
Hogsmeade
Harry and Lupin talks about Hogsmeade
While Ron and Hermione are in Hogsmeade, Harry talks with Professor Lupin at the Hogwarts Bridge. In the script, their conversation was extended with them talking about Hogsmeade. Lupin tries to downplay how he felt about Hogsmeade the first time he went to make Harry feel better but he later admits that he thinks it's a wonderful place.
Harry Receives Sneakoscope in the Great Hall
This deleted scene shows Harry, Ron and Hermione discussing Ron and Hermione's visit to Hogsmead. Ron says he loved the visit, especially Zonkos Joke shop. Hermione on the other hand tries to downplay how much fun they had as not to make Harry jealous. Ron gives Harry a pocket Sneakoscope, an item that lights up and spins when someone untrustful is around.
Sir Cadogan Asks for the Password
Here we see Sir Cadogan guarding the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room. Dean Thomas notes that Sir Cadogan was given the job due to none of the other portraits wanted it after what happened to the Fat Lady. Neville says that the password is constantly changing so he has begun noting them down on a list.
Snape remarks on the note during Defense class
Draco Malfoy draws Harry being struck by lightning on a piece of parchment and passes it to him during Snape's Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Believing it is made by Harry, Snape remarks that the drawing is not of the quality of Picasso. Snape also tells him that he has to deliver his homework on time like the rest of the class unless he dies during the Quidditch. If he does he need not hand it in.
Harry approaches the One-Eyed Witch Statue with the Map
After being given the Maurader's Map by Fred and George, Harry sneaks into the cellar at Honeydukes. He was originally going to be shown entering the secret passageway with the One-Eyed Witch Statue. Harry uses "Dissendium" on the statue to open the secret passage and we see Harry going underground to the entrance of Honedukes.
Giant Squid breaking the Ice
The Giant Squid was supposed to break through the ice on the Black Lake in the transition to spring. This scene is also found in the concept art for the film.
Sirius Black Attack
Sirius Black Attack in the Gryffindor Dormitory
The scene where Sirius Black enters the Gryffindor Dormitory and attacks Ron and Scabbers is included in the script. The scene begins with Harry in his bed studying the photo of his parents, while the other boys are sleeping. We get some shots outside in the Hogwarts Grounds to raise the tension. It cuts to the seventh floor where the camera moves slowly towards the entrance of the Gryffindor Common Room. Cut to the boy's dormitory, where Harry's Sneakoscope turns on and begins to shriek. Harry sees only the silhouette of the man with the nife who attacks Ron. Harry screams that everyone needs to get out and the attacker darts past him and escapes through the window. Harry notes that the silhouette leaps with an animal's grace before it vanishes. Hiding from the attacker, Ron pokes out from under his bed to ask if he is gone.
McGonagall Lectures Students about the Password
This deleted scene shows the aftermath of Sirius Black's attack in the Gryffindor Boys Dormitory. Professor McGonagall doesn't believe Ron is telling the truth about Sirius Black attacking him. She then asks Sir Cadogan if he let in Sirius Black, and he answers that he certainly did. Black had all the passwords for the whole week written down on a note. McGonagall then turns to Neville and asks if it always has to be him who messes up. She then orders them off to bed again, as Black no longer is in the Castle. Hermione and Ron argue over Scabbers and Crookshanks before Ron goes up to bed. The scene ends with Hermione sitting down beside Harry, who has an intense look on his face. Harry is angry that Black merely were inches away from him and he didn't do anything about it.
Trio arguing on a slope
From photos taken on the set, we know that they filmed a scene on the slope before Hagrid’s Hut. We know Ron and Hermione argue about Scabbers and Crookshanks as we find this scene in the script. They are angry at each other because Ron claims the cat has killed his rat, something Hermione denies. Ron tries to get Harry on his side, but he is unwilling to enter the argument as he already has enough on his mind. Ron snaps back telling him that people could die by being his friend. The mood changes within the group but they continue down to Hagrid to hear how Buckbeak’s hearing went.
There is a similar scene in the movie that replaces this scene. Ron and Hermione argue in the Clock Tower Courtyard instead of at the slope. The dialogue is also changed slightly since the Sirius Black attack was cut from the movie.
Extended Divination Scene when Hermione Leaves Class
When Hermione storms out of the divination class Lavender Brown was supposed to mention that Professor Trelawney's prediction about someone leaving the class forever came true. Trelawney answers that on certain occasions she takes no joy in her gift of prophecy. The dialogue was probably cut because the mention of this prediction was cut from the film.
Ron and Hermione’s Awkward hug
IGN got to interview Robbie Coltrane on the set of Prisoner of Azkaban. He revealed that they shot a scene where Hagrid forces Ron and Hermione to hug. You can read the full interview here.
Q: Well we read that...
COLTRANE: Well there's quite an interesting piece today where they have to hug. Hagrid insists that Hermione and Ron have a hug. Because they've been fighting all year, you know. So they hug and they [makes retching noise]. So you know, so, that's the only problem with 11-, 12-year-olds. Moments like that.
The script reveals that the scene also includes Hagrid forcing Harry and Ron to shake hands, as they have not been on good terms after their argument on the slope. The hug between Ron and Hermione is described as the most awkward hug Hogwarts has ever seen.
Two Places at Once
Hermione watching her hug with Ron
Harry and Hermione go back in time by using the Time-Turner. They make their way to the pumpkin patch outside Hagrid's Hut. Here they watch as Ron and Hermione embrace awkwardly. Harry finds it funny, but Hermione is analyzing the hug with great fascination.
There is no good footage of the awkward hug between Ron and Hermione. However, if you look closely in the window of Hagrid's Hut, it looks like Ron and Hermione embrace each other. This is found in the scene where Harry and Hermione hide behind the pumpkins.
Hermione breaking out Sirius
In the movie, the scene where Hermione and Harry break Sirius out of the prison cell is quite short. It was supposed to include Hermione trying out different spells to open the cell, before blasting it open with Bombarda. To add tension to the scene Snape and Fudge were making their way to the top of the tower. Harry, Hermione and Sirius manage to escape just in time to avoid the Potions Master and the Minister.
Sirius Black different dialogue
Sirius conversation with Harry at the Clocktower Courtyard is changed in the movie. In the script, Sirius tells Harry that he must trust himself and that he will be surprised how often he can find the answers in his heart.
In the movie, this conversation is about James and Lily. Sirius remarks that Harry looks just like James, except the eyes of course. He says it's cruel that he got to spend so much time with them and Harry so little. He ends by saying you can always find the loved ones in your heart.
Harry and Hermione joking in the hospital wing
After sprinting back ut the Clock Tower, Harry and Hermione see Dumbledore exiting the Hospital Wing. They talk briefly with him before entering the Hospital Wing just in time to see themself go back in time. Ron lying in his bed is completely bewildered by this. Hermione and Harry joke that it's too much to tell Ron at the moment since he has always been the nervous type.
In the movie, Harry jokes that no one can be in two places at once. This amazing GIF was made by HPStuffs on Tumblr.
Lupin’s Office
Harry's conversation with Lupin in his office was a little longer in the script. There they talk about Harry's Patronus and it was a stag. Lupin explains that James used to transform into a stag to keep him company when he transformed into a werewolf. He also tells Harry that there are a lot of stories about James and Lily, but Harry will get to know his parents by getting to know himself.
Ending scene
In the final scene of the movie, Harry was supposed to joke that the Firebolt was defective. Harry tells the gathering crowd that it is only a broom, but they all moan in disappointment. He then winks to Ron and Hermione and declares it the fastest broom in the world before he jets off in full speed.
That was every deleted and unreleased scene from the Prisoner of Azkaban movie. If I have missed any scenes, feel free to share it in the comment section or contact me.
