Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the US) is the 2001 film adaptation of the 1997 novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling, directed by Chris Columbus. An all-star, all-British cast was assembled around a trio of child actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson (of whom only Radcliffe had any acting experience).

The film was a reasonably faithful adaptation of the book (helped in part by how short Philosopher's Stone actually was) -- entire scenes were reproduced word-for-word, gratifying fans no end. Still, there were inexplicable changes -- such as leaving Peeves the Poltergeist out completely, and substituting Neville for Ron in the The Forbidden Forest scene -- which upset others. Because of the difference in titles between the UK and US (thank you, Scholastic Books), every scene mentioning the titular stone had to be shot twice with appropriate changes in dialogue, resulting in two different versions of the film based on the market it was released in.



Tropes used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) include:

The tropes listed below are those specific to this film or altered from those found in the original book. Please see that page for those tropes common to both versions.

  • Action Film, Quiet Drama Scene: The end, with Harry, recovering from the injuries received after stopping Quirrel/Voldemort, worrying about the condition of his friends and the status of the Philosopher's Stone, and Dumbledore calmly comforting him like a father to his child. Then Dumbledore spots the wizarding candy in front of Harry, and wistfully reminiscing about the first time he tried Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
  • Adapted Out: Peeves. Footage was shot with the late Rik Mayall as the poltergeist, but for some reason it was left out of the final cut.
  • Alternate DVD Commentary: Available for this film from:
  • Artifact of Doom: The Mirror of Erised could count, since its power has led people to waste away and die looking into it.
  • Asleep for Days: Oliver Wood says to Harry that he was knocked out for a week after taking a bludger to the head during his first Quidditch game.
  • Binocular Shot: During the Quidditch match.
  • Chewing the Scenery: Quirrel's "TROLL IN THE DUNGEON!"
  • Diegetic Theme Cameo: Shortly before the climactic pursuit of the stone, Hagrid plays the opening theme on his fife.
  • Drool Hello: The gang is alerted to Fluffy's presence by his drool on Ron's shoulder.
  • Fluffy the Terrible: The three-headed dog, Fluffy, of course.
  • Jittercam: Done very subtly within the first ten minutes: As the thousands upon thousands of letters begin to shoot down the Dursley's chimney, the camera begins to shake rather wildly to indicate that the house is being bombarded by scores of Hogwarts admittance letters.
  • Over the Shoulder Murder Shot: Partial example in this film when Harry, Draco and Fang accidentally interrupt Voldemort's unicorn meal in the Forbidden Forest. He doesn't turn around, but he does look up, and there is blood on his lips.
  • Preemptive Apology: Hermione apologizes to Neville before putting him in a full-body bind.
  • Scenery Porn: Seeing Hogwarts for the first time in Philosopher's Stone, with the camera panning up from the students' point-of-view on the lake.
  • Simple Score of Sadness: During Voldemort's last attempt to kill Harry.
  • Translation Convention: In the first film, the audience hears Harry and the snake both speaking English.


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