There was only one film that mattered in 2001. No, not Lord of the Rings, but Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone. The reviews have been varied, but while some have slated it as a poor adaptation the overwhelming verdict on ciao is that this was a classic in our time. I’m inclined to agree.

Harry Potter is dumped on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle as a baby after the unfortunate death of his parents. He grow up being bullied and mistreated by his guardians and his spoiled cousin, Dudley, but is essentially just like any normal 10 year-old boy, or is he? It would appear not, for one day (Dudley’s birthday) he has the fortune of being able to visit a zoo, the only real excursion he’s ever been on. While there he has to put up with his horrible cousin but is amazed when a snake appears to respond to his words and talks to him. At this juncture Dudley knocks Harry to the floor and in a releasing of his rage Harry somehow manages to free the snake and trap Dudley behind the glass; an inexpliquable occurrence blamed on Harry that lands him many weeks of being locked in his bedroom (if you can call it that, for it is only a small cupboard under the stairs). Young Mr. Potter has no friends (because Dudley hates him and nobody wants to defy Dudley’s gang) and never gets to go anywhere (except once to the zoo) so is incredibly surprised when he receives a letter, amazingly addressed to Mr H. Potter, The Cupboard Under The Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging. Regrettably Harry does not open the letter until he goes back into the kitchen, when his horrible cousin wrestles it from him and gives it to his uncle. Harry’s guardians are horrified and send him and Dudley out of the room, before burning the letter. But lo and behold, you’ve guessed it, another letter arrives the following day and Harry’s uncle starts acting very strangely indeed; in fact he is so fearful of the letters that he takes the rather drastic action of boarding up the letterbox . In response more letters arrive the next day, through various cracks and open windows and the next day hundreds arrive and pelt Harry’s uncle, but still Harry is prevented from reading one.

On the train to Hogwarts he meets the rather dense but likeable Ron Weasley and the incredibly precocious swot Hermione Granger, who are to become his best friends at Hogwarts and are in the same house as him Gryffindor (there are three other houses). He also meets the sneering, unpleasant Draco Malfoy who from the start becomes Harry’s arch-enemy, matters being compounded by his being in the nasty Slytherin house. Over the course of the year Harry is to struggle through transfiguration lessons with Professor McGonagall, defence against the dark arts with the stammering Professor Quirrel, history of magic with Professor Binns, herbiology with Professor Sprout, charms with Professor Flitwick and of course Potions with the nasty, spiteful, unfair Professor Snape (who is entirely coincidentally head of Slytherin house)! Then there is the mystery of the forbidden third floor right-hand corridor and little does Harry know what immense adventure lies down there, while all the while he is learning the way of the wizard world and growing up, playing quidditch (the wizard sport) and using his father’s invisibility cloak to discover the remarkable Mirror Of Erised.

~The Wizards and Witches~

Others such as Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), Richard Harris (headmaster Albus Dumbledore) and Alan Rickman (the evil Professor Snape) put in excellent, convincing yet amusingly stereotypical performances and special praise must go to Robbie Coltrane as the gamekeeper Hagrid who puts in a delightful performance as a delightful character. The small parts are equally strong but impossible to analyse and overall the acting does justice to the plot; the young actors in particular excel themselves in their very prestigious and potentially overawing roles.

This is one bewitching potion that even Severus Snape can’t call useless, and if you’ve see the film (or’ve read the book) you’ll see that that’s saying something! The plot is sensational, the acting of a very high standard and the effects equally fantastic. The story is enjoyable for all the family; a gripping thriller for the kids (probably age about 7+) and an equally gripping but light-hearted bit of fun for adults (probably age about 14+). It definitely works on two levels, testimony to J.K. Rowling’s imagination and writing skills and Colombus’ skill as a director. A definite recommendation to just about all; I’ve yet to here of anyone who dislikes it, although those who have a phobia of snakes (e.g. my Mum) may wish to close there eyes for the first ten minutes… this should not detract too much from the enjoyability of the whole. Happy viewing!