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Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
2001
American director Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE) brings the magic of British author J.K. Rowling's beloved best-selling fantasy novel to life in "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone". Eleven-year-old orphan Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds his world turned upside down when he discovers that, like his deceased parents, he .. Read more
| Starring | Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane |
|---|---|
| Director | Chris Columbus |
| Genres | Children, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone
American director Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE) brings the magic of British author J.K. Rowling's beloved best-selling fantasy novel to life in "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone". Eleven-year-old orphan Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds his world turned upside down when he discovers that, like his deceased parents, he is a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With fellow first-year students Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) by his side, Harry's adventures begin in the rambling castle that is Hogwarts. Vivid special effects make Hogwarts' magic a reality with paintings that come alive, staircases that move themselves, friendly ghosts, and fast-paced Quidditch (the school sport) matches in which students zoom around on their flying brooms. Mixed in with the miracles of Hogwarts are its dark hidden chambers and secrets, which Harry and his friends encounter as they embark on a quest to keep a treasured powerful object from falling into the wrong hands. Staying true to the book with this film adaptation, Columbus follows Rowling's story to the tiniest detail, making it a special treat for readers who were smitten with the novel. Radcliffe is especially engaging as Harry, infusing him with a believable sense of wonderment. The star-studded cast also includes Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Robbie Coltrane.
| Starring | Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Zoe Wanamaker, Richard Griffiths, Ian Hart, Warwick Davis, Fiona Shaw, John Cleese, Julie Walters, Sean Biggerstaff, Tom F |
|---|---|
| Director | Chris Columbus |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 32 mins Blu-ray: 2 hrs 27 mins HD DVD: 2 hrs 27 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Big Adventures |
| Genres | Children, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 11 May 2002 Blu-ray: 12 Nov 2007 HD DVD: 12 Nov 2007 Production year: 2001 |
| Format | DVD |
Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (2001)
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Critics' reviews (2)
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With millions of Harry Potter books sold around the world, this CGI-packed fantasy adventure is more than just a big-budget movie adaptation — it's a cultural phenomenon. Twelve-year-old Daniel Radcliffe makes a likeable Harry, the boy wizard who's whisked off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is charged with finding the gem of the film's title. A scene-stealing Robbie Coltrane is among a host of familiar adult faces who breathe life into JK Rowling's charming characters — though some such as John Hurt and John Cleese only make cameo appearances. To criticise at all feels like an act of isolationism and yet there is a lack of emotional core — Harry's orphan status fails to move — and, at two-and-a-half hours in length, the movie is surely too long for the younger fidgets. However, this faithful rendition of the inaugural Potter book demonstrates that the franchise is in safe, sensible hands — writer Steve Kloves (The Fabulous Baker Boys) and director Chris Columbus (Home Alone) were both on board for the first sequel The Chamber of Secrets the following year.
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A curious mish-mash of fairytale, myth, fantasy and British public school ritual Ð all that seems to be missing, regrettably, is Billy Bunter and the girls from St. Trinian's. Some splendid production design adds visual interest to the bland proceedings,
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Most helpful member's review
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58 out of 105 people found this review helpful
Wingardium leviosa!
'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' is the ocular introduction to a world that so countless individuals have previously fallen in love with in print.
The acting provides sincerity to the movie, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith and Richard Harris all perform magnificently, and the younger actors are astonishingly first-class.
The weakest characteristic of the film is its pacing and flow. Several of the sequences feel lack coherence, principally in the first half of the film. They play as a best-of-the-book mishmash rather than a focused story. This results in some sluggish elements in an already extensive movie.
Essential character information that allowed readers of the book to deduce who the baddie was before it was exposed, has been misplaced. Not only does that exclusion remove some of the fun of the story, but it presents sizeable plot holes in the centre of the movie. Obviously a ‘must see’ for all Potter fans, but not so much for the film perfectionist
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- JediSi
- Posted 02 Sep 2007 20:13
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Let the Magic Begin!
This is the first film in the Harry Potter series where we are introduced to Harry and his friends Hermione and Ron, the groundsman Hagrid and the Headmaster of Hogwart's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, Albus Dumbledore. We also meet the dreadful Dursleys, the unpleasant Malfoy and the antagonistic Professor Snape. Badly treated by the Dursleys Harry is showing signs of strange powers when he starts getting letters from someone but uncle Dursley is not going to encourage the boy's strangeness and attempts to stop the delivery. He fails and Harry is whisked off to be outfitted as a student Wizard by Hagrid. Not knowing anything about his parents Harry is startled by the reverence shown towards him when he is introduced. Another of Harry's talents is unearthed at Hogwarts when he's introduced to the game of Quiddich. But there are evil acts at the school as well as the delights of making friends and teachers to take against. Richard Harris, as Dumbledore, takes on a role that is almost a complete antithesis of the roles that gained him such a reputation in the seventies and does it with consummate skill. The special effects were effective in conveying the magical nature of Hogwarts and its surroundings. I particularly liked the moving staircases :-). The first sight of Hogwarts from the lake was truly magical. It was also quite fun seeing all the famous actors who had parts both large and small; Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Richard Griffiths as Harry's uncle and Robby Coltrane as Hagrid etc.
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News and features
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Harry Potter scene voted best movie moment
- 09 Apr 2009
A scene from the first Harry Potter film has been voted the best moment in movie history. The scene, from 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, shows the boy wizard discovering platform nine-and-three-quarters at Kings Cross train station in London before setting off for Hogwarts school for the first time. The moment beat out competition from Dick Van Dyke's classic rooftop chimney sweep's dance in 1964 musical Mary Poppins, in the poll by the Oreo cookie brand. Read more
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