Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels/Harry Potter task force/Notability/Differences/GoF

With the Goblet of Fire novel almost twice the length of Prisoner of Azkaban, the writers and producers were forced to severely limit the scenes and concepts that made the transition from page to screen. Director Mike Newell described the problem as one of "compressing [a] huge book into the [en]compass of a movie." This was achieved by "putting aside" all the components of the novel which did not directly relate to Harry and his journey. Even producer David Heyman admitted missing many of the scenes which were removed. In particular, the gameplay at the Quidditch world cup was removed for timing reasons, leaving an abrupt temporal jump which some reviewers considered awkward or "rushed". Heyman also regretted the removal of S.P.E.W., Hermione's Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare – this omission was continued in the following film.

As in Prisoner of Azkaban, most of the classes shown in the book were removed, only the single lesson where Alastor Moody demonstrates the Unforgivable Curses making the final cut. Goblet of Fire is also the only film adaptation not to begin in Privet Drive; after the opening sequence, Harry awakens at the Burrow on the morning of the Quidditch World Cup. Other scenes are shortened and amalgamated to include only the most essential plot details; the three Death Eater trials Harry witnesses in the Pensieve are merged into one short sequence, and all of Sirius Black's lines are condensed into a single fireside conversation.

In addition to large slices of the school year, many characters, such as Barty Crouch Senior, Rita Skeeter and Amos Diggory, were severely reduced in scope, or removed altogether, such as Ludo Bagman and Winky and Dobby the house-elves. An extremely minor character change that caused outrage amongst fans concerned Hermione's appearance at the Yule Ball. In the novel, she wears a periwinkle blue dress with her hair in a tight bun; the costume department fitted Emma Watson with a pink dress made from twelve metres of chiffon, and set her hair in loose curls. Although Watson loved the dress enough to "want to take it home with [her]", it upset some fans who criticised this departure from canon.

While the three tasks of the Triwizard tournament generally remained true to the original novel, certain adaptations were included for dramatic effect. The first task, whilst contained entirely within the stadium in the original book, is extended into an extensive chase scene through the Hogwarts buildings and grounds. The second task was almost entirely faithful to the novel, although the Grindylow attack was moved to the end of the sequence as the effects of the Gillyweed wears off. Because Dobby is not present in the film, Neville instead gives Harry the Gillyweed, as was Barty Crouch Junior's original plan in the novel. For the third task, the scene giving the champions advance warning of the maze was removed, as were all of Harry's preparations for it. In the film, the maze itself is devoid of the magical creatures and enchantments that were present in the book; instead, Dumbledore warns the contestants that "people change in the maze. Find the cup if you will, but be careful not to lose yourself". Krum, visibly under the Imperius Curse, still attempts to attack Cedric (although with the Killing Curse rather than the Cruciatus Curse) but in the film version Fleur is not attacked by Krum – instead, she is seen being throttled and absorbed by the magical hedges, which are another addition for dramatic effect.