Cinematic Crash Course

Pottermania: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – 7.5/10 IMDb

As mentioned in last month’s “Tuesday Top 10: Heroes” post, the book-to-film adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s exceptional Harry Potter series are at the top of my all-time favourite films list! This series has always been the standard I base all other book-to-film adaptations off of, as the characters, storylines, and settings of the wizarding world in the books is excellently portrayed on screen.

Also, as all hardcore HP fans know, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is releasing in November. Therefore, I have chosen to reread the seven book novel series and will be releasing an individual post for each adaptation throughout the summer! These “Pottermania” posts will differ from previous CCC “Book-to-Film Adaptations” as they are for HP fans who have already seen the films and/or read the books and are looking to relive the magic!

Just as a short refresher … this is the film that little 11-year-old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds out he’s not a regular boy but a wizard. Also, he is the sole reason that the Wizarding World came out of the dark ages as he defeated an evil wizard as a baby! You’d think that would be a lot to take in as a child but with the help of the gigantic kind-hearted Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) Harry heads to Diagon Alley gets himself a wand, owl, robes, and other supplies and then ships off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In no time at all he has two best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), as well as a mortal enemy Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Harry is sorted into Gryffindor, becomes the youngest Quidditch seeker in a century, learns some spells, and how to play wizard’s chess!

Things take a turn after the trio accidentally come across a three-headed dog protecting a trap door. They figure out it’s guarding the Philosopher Stone, and end up suffering detention as a result of the methods (constant visits to Hagrid’s hut) used to gather their discovery. After their visit to the dark forest they soon conclude that Voldemort needs the stone to come back and believe that the unfriendly Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) is going to steal it. The three decide they have to steal it first so they puzzle their way through several “protection” tasks and get Harry to the end where he faces off against … Professor QUIRRELL!! So, Quirrell not Snape, has secretly had Voldemort on the back of his head the entire semester. After Harry burns him to ash by touching him (special mother’s love skin), he and the crew are awarded much needed points for Gryffindor (yay Neville!), so they not only save the world but win the House Cup!

Now that we’re all on the same page, I’m going to dive a little bit deeper into my favourite parts of the film as well as any major plots changes from the book!

Favourite Quotes

1. “Now if you two don’t mind, I’m going to be before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed – or worse, expelled!” – Hermione Granger

2. “Harry, no way! You heard what Madam Hooch said. Besides, you don’t even know how to fly … what an idiot!” – Hermione Granger

3. “Lucky we didn’t panic.” – Ron Weasley “Lucky Hermione pays attention in Herbology.” – Harry Potter

4. [Calmly] “Sorry about that” – Hagrid [Picks door up slams it back into place]

5. “I think we’ve had a bad influence on her.” – Ron Weasley

6. “Stop stop stop! You’re going to take someone’s eye out. Besides, you’re saying it wrong. It’s LeviOsa, not LeviosAR!” – Hermione Granger

7. “I was most unfortunate in my youth to come across a vomit-flavoured one, and since then I’m afraid I’ve lost my liking for them. But, I think I could be safe with a nice toffee … Mm, alas, earwax.” – Albus Dumbledore

8. “I checked this out weeks ago for a bit of light reading.” – Hermione Granger “This is light?” – Ron Weasley

9. “You’re a wizard, Harry!” – Hagrid

10. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points, to Mr. Neville Longbottom.” – Albus Dumbledore

   

Bonus Items

As usual I have included a few extra items for those who read all the way too the end! The first is a link to the magical online portal of Pottermore, the second is a hilarious Buzzfeed article, and a video of all the deleted scenes from the film!

Join Pottermore to get sorted into one of the HP houses, practice spells, create potions, and compete for the House Cup!

https://www.pottermore.com

Also, I had to include the article below which is a hilarious sequence of tweets and film descriptions by a Buzzfeed writer who watched  Harry Potter for the first time and noted all of the best parts throughout his experience!

https://www.buzzfeed.com/danieldalton/wood-4-wood?utm_term=.orNmX9LwM#.yt3O6NQW2

Lastly, don’t forget to check out all the deleted scenes from the first film in the link below!

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