Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers (WGA):

J.K. Rowling (novel)
Steve Kloves (screenplay)

Release Date:

16 November 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Let The Magic Begin.

Plot:

Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Plot Keywords:

Wizard | Friend | Witchcraft | Birthday | Letter

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 46 nominations

Cast

Richard Harris	...	Professor Albus Dumbledore
Maggie Smith	...	Professor Minerva McGonagall
Robbie Coltrane	...	Rubeus Hagrid
Saunders Triplets	...	Baby Harry Potter
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Harry Potter
Fiona Shaw	...	Aunt Petunia Dursley
Harry Melling	...	Dudley Dursley
Richard Griffiths	...	Uncle Vernon Dursley
Derek Deadman	...	Tom - Bartender in Leaky Cauldron
Ian Hart	...	Professor Quirinus Quirrell
Ben Borowiecki	...	Diagon Alley Boy
Warwick Davis	...	Goblin Bank Teller / Professor Flitwick
Verne Troyer	...	Griphook the Goblin (as Vern Troyer)
John Hurt	...	Mr. Ollivander
Richard Bremmer	...	He Who Must Not Be Named

Also Known As:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Canada: English title) (International: English title) (UK)
Harry Potter (USA) (working title)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (USA) (alternative title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some scary moments and mild language. (also 2009 extended version)

Runtime:

152 min | 159 min (extended version)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | South Korea:All | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | India:U | Malaysia:U | USA:TV-G (Disney Channel) | USA:TV-PG (ABC Family) | USA:PG (certificate #38522) | Hungary:14 | Italy:T | USA:PG (certificate #45582: 2009 extended version) | Argentina:Atp | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Québec) | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:6 (w) | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:PG | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 (original rating) | Sweden:7 (re-rating) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | Greece:K-13 | Netherlands:MG6

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Alan Rickman was hand-picked to play Snape by J.K. Rowling.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Harry arrives at Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall announces that the Sorting Ceremony will begin "momentarily". In UK English, momentarily means "for a moment" (i.e. briefly), and a Scottish witch as pedantic and precise as McGonagall would never use the American meaning of the word ("in a moment" or "soon"), even though the American meaning might be well understood. Then again, given that the otherwise equally pedantic Snape says "less" when he means "fewer", it could just be that the teaching staff's use of English is just as sloppy as it is in schools all over the muggle world.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Professor McGonagall: [as a cat] Mraow!
Dumbledore: I should have known that you would be here, Professor McGonagall.
[Professor McGonagall transfigures into her human self]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Getaway: (#15.7)" (2006)

Alohomora - of the magical world...

I watched this movie first time when I was left with no choice. My expectations were extremely low as I always wondered if Harry Potter books were over-hyped. How-ever after watching the movie it did make me a Harry Potter movie fan. And needless to say - this continues to remain my favourite of HP series. That brings to a point here.... the effect of expectations over a movie. True, expectations reduce joy.

Without going into the story I would certainly say Chris Columbus churns out a perfect pot-pourri of emotions, suspense and magic, delivering something appealing to all ages.

Every character brought to life on screen has done justice and leave an impression on you. Particularly notable performances by Emma Watson and Alan Rickman.

CGI are in plenty and made good of. The Quedditch game is picturised amazingly. The wizard's chess is treat to eyes.

Let's hope that the forthcoming HP series carries the similar magical touch.