Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

An ancient prophecy seems to be coming true when a mysterious presence begins stalking the corridors of a school of magic and leaving its victims paralyzed.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers:

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

Stars:

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 13 wins & 43 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Radcliffe	...	Harry Potter
Rupert Grint	...	Ron Weasley
Emma Watson	...	Hermione Granger
Richard Griffiths	...	Uncle Vernon
Fiona Shaw	...	Aunt Petunia
Harry Melling	...	Dudley Dursley
Toby Jones	...	Dobby (voice)
Jim Norton	...	Mr Mason
Veronica Clifford	...	Mrs Mason
James Phelps	...	Fred Weasley
Oliver Phelps	...	George Weasley
Julie Walters	...	Mrs. Weasley
Bonnie Wright	...	Ginny Weasley
Mark Williams	...	Mr. Weasley
Chris Rankin	...	Percy Weasley

Storyline

Forced to spend his summer holidays with his muggle relations, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) gets a real shock when he gets a surprise visitor: Dobby (Toby Jones) the house-elf, who warns Harry against returning to Hogwarts, for terrible things are going to happen. Harry decides to ignore Dobby's warning and continues with his pre-arranged schedule. But at Hogwarts, strange and terrible things are indeed happening. Harry is suddenly hearing mysterious voices from inside the walls, muggle-born students are being attacked, and a message scrawled on the wall in blood puts everyone on his or her guard, "The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies Of The Heir, Beware".

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Plot Keywords:

invisibility cloak | basilisk | killing a monster | child protagonist | sequel | 

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Taglines:

The second year begins November 15

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for scary moments, some creature violence and mild language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first name of the character of Salazar Slytherin is based on the former Portuguese dictator Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, as it was in Portugal, and namely in the city of Porto, where J.K. Rowling had the idea and wrote her favorite parts of the first Harry Potter book.

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Goofs

Hermione is unable to leave the washroom due to turning into an anthropomorphic cat from drinking the Polyjuice potion, having added hair Millicent Bulstrode's cat to her potion instead of Millicent's own hair. However, an intelligent student like Hermione ought to be able to distinguish human hair from cat hair. Cat hairs are typically tapered narrower towards their roots, while human hairs are typically equal length from root to tip.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Hedwig wants to be let out of her cage]
Harry: I can't let you out, Hedwig! I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school. Besides, if Uncle Vernon...
Uncle Vernon: [yells] Harry Potter!
Harry: Now you've done it.

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Crazy Credits

The character "Mr Borgin" is listed in the end credits although he does not appear in the movie. He appears in two additional scenes on the DVD.

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Alternate Versions

German theatrical version was cut (the Willow tree bashes the car three times less, Ron being attacked by a spider in the car, close up of a bone in the dungeons, Harry being pursued by the Basilisk, Harry uses the tooth only once to kill Voldemort, the death of Voldemort, the death of the Basilisk) to secure a "Not under 6" rating. Additionally some dialogue was changed (when Harry hears the Basilisk at the beginning, it says "I will get you" instead of "I will kill you"). This version was released on DVD & VHS in Germany and Austria but not in Switzerland where the uncut version was released (resulting in high exports to the two other countries). The uncut version of the movie was rated "Not under 12" and was shown on TV and released on Blu-ray.

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Connections

Referenced in Parks and Recreation: Smallest Park (2011)

User Reviews

That bit of magic returns

The second installment seems to carry on where the first left off. All previous characters return and then some!! The grandiose majesty of Harry Potter continues with new tricks, new delights and little treats that can be taken for granted. At times I find the Harry Potter world has so many wonderful things happening at the same time that you tend to overlook the smaller things (ergos the Weasley's residence and the great Hall) The Chamber of Secrets is a darker tail but is well within the tolerances of most children's ability to handle. The creatures are excellent, the overall story is easy enough to follow, though some aspects have to be explained to younger children.

What does get annoying is that constant overused Daniel Radcliffe cheesy smile. It wears on the sensibilities after a while like sharp finger nails scraping down a blackboard. Overall though, Chamber of Secrets is a solid good natured magical movie only slighter less pleasing than the first.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Warner Bros.

Country:

UK USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Filming Locations:

Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$88,357,488, 17 November 2002

Gross USA:

$262,450,136

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$879,596,271

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

161 min 174 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX SDDS (8 channels) IMAX 6-Track 12-Track Digital Sound DTS (DTS: X)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1