Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (movie)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (released in the United States and India as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) is a 2001 fantasy movie directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, based on  1997 novel of the same name.

Plot

One night, Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, professors at Hogwarts, with Rubeus Hagrid deliver orphaned infant named Harry Potter to his remaining relatives, the Dursleys. 

Ten years later, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) begins receiving strange letters by owls. He and his relatives escape to an island from intrusive letters. There appears Hagrid and informs Harry that he is wizard and his parents are wizards too. Harry has been accepted into Hogwarts. Harry'll also find out that his parents were killed by all-powerful wizard Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort couldn't kill Harry, thus Harry is well-known as "The Boy Who Lived".  

Harry enters King's Cross station to board a train to Hogwarts, where he meets  Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). After arriving at school the students gather  in the Great  Hall, where the first-years are sorted by the Sorting Hat among four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Harry is placed  into Gryffindor despite the fact that the Sorting Hat offers him Slytherin where Voldemort studied. 

At Hogwarts, Harry begins learning magical spells, plays Quidditch.  One night the stair cases change paths leading Harry, Ron and Hermione to the forbidden floor of Hogwarts. There is a giant three-headed dog named Fluffy which guards the Philosopher's Stone, as it turns out later. Harry suspects that the Poisons teacher Severus Snape  is trying to obtain the stone to return Voldemort to physical form.    

One day Hagrid reveals to Harry, Ron and Hermione that Fluffy will fall asleep if the music is played to him. The trio decide to find the stone before Snape does. They discover an already asleep Fluffy and face a series of obstacles before Harry find the stone.    

After getting past the tasks, Harry find out that the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Quirinus Quirrell was trying to claim the stone. Snape had been protecting Harry all along. Quirrell removes his turban and reveals a weak Voldemort living on the back of his head. Harry becomes the possessor of the stone with magic. Voldemort  attempts to bargain the stone from Harry in exchange for reviving his parents. Harry refuses. Then Quirrell attempts to kill Harry. Quirrell is killed after Harry burning his skin, reducing Quirrell to dust. Suddenly Voldemort's soul rises from the ashes and passes through Harry, causing Harry is knocked unconscious.      

Harry recovers in the school's hospital wing. Dumbledore explains him that the stone is destroyed and his friends are safe. He also reveals the cause of defeat Quirrell by Harry: because of his mother Harry has love-based protection from Voldemort.       

Harry, Ron and Hermione are rewarded with house points for their heroic performances. Harry returns home for the summer, happy to finally have a real home in Hogwarts.

Production
Producer David Heyman searched for a children's book for well-received adaptation.  His staff decided that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was a "cool idea". Heyman suggested the idea to Warner Bros. In 1999, Rowling sold the company the rights to the first four Harry Potter books for a reported £1 million.

Casting 
J.K.Rowling insisted that the cast be kept British.  Susie Figgis was appointed as casting director, working with both Columbus and Rowling in auditioning the lead roles of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Music 

John Williams was selected to compose the score.

Distribution

Promotion
The first teaser poster was released on 1 December 2000.

Release 
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone had its world premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 4 November 2001.

Reception

Critical response

Awards 
Philosopher's Stone received three Academy Award nominations. The film was nominated for seven BAFTA Awards.

References

2001 movies
2000s fantasy movies
2000s adventure movies
American fantasy movies
American adventure movies
British fantasy movies
British adventure movies
Harry Potter 1
Movies based on books
Harry Potter 1