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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Chris Columbus (2001)

146min
PG Certificate
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Review

Our Score
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. Eleven-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 blood red stone 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 over 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 demonstrated that the franchise was 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.

Summary

An orphaned boy endures a miserable childhood, until he discovers he has magical powers and enrols at a special school for young wizards. However, his suspicions are aroused by a sinister teacher who seems to be up to no good. Fantasy adventure, adapted from the first of JK Rowling's books, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman and Richard Harris.

Cast & Crew

Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe
Ron Weasley Rupert Grint
Hermione Granger Emma Watson
Rubeus Hagrid Robbie Coltrane
Prof Minerva McGonagall Maggie Smith
Prof Severus Snape Alan Rickman
Prof Albus Dumbledore Richard Harris
Prof Quirrell Ian Hart
Uncle Vernon Dursley Richard Griffiths
Aunt Petunia Dursley Fiona Shaw
Nearly Headless Nick John Cleese
Madame Hooch Zoë Wanamaker
Mr Ollivander John Hurt
Mrs Molly Weasley Julie Walters
Goblin bank teller / Professor Flitwick Warwick Davis
Mr Angus Filch David Bradley (2)
Draco Malfoy Tom Felton
Dudley Dursley Harry Melling
The sorting hat (voice) Leslie Phillips
Lily Evans Potter Geraldine Somerville
The fat lady Elizabeth Spriggs
Griphook Verne Troyer
Director Chris Columbus
see more

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Warner BrosGuidance: May be edited for violence.Available on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 16 Nov 2001
Drama Children's
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