Starring: Daniel Radcliffe and more
Director: Chris Columbus
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC
Rated: PG
Studio: Warner Home Video
Video Release Date: May 28, 2002
VHS Features: NTSC format (US and Canada only. This VHS will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about VHS formats.) Color, Closed-captioned, NTSC
TM & (c) Warner Bros.
Harry Potter Publishing Rights (c) J.K. Rowling
Over 5 minutes of Never Before Seen Footage
From IMDb: Quotes & Trivia
ASIN: B00003CXI0
Editorial Reviews
Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas
Description
In this enchanting film adaptation of J.K. Rowling's delightful bestseller, Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and posseses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. He learns the high-flying sport Quidditch and plays a thrilling game with living chess pieces on his way to face a Dark Wizard bent on destroying him. For the most extraordinary adventure, see you on Platform 9 3/4!
Customer Reviews
Not perfect, but enjoyable!, July 31, 2003
Reviewer: ryan allen abshire from Louisiana
While this movie's sequel is better, the original is still highly entertaining and enjoyable. It is a good family film. That will make you laugh, gasp, and if you're sensitive, cry.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, July 30, 2003
Reviewer: Klestrob44 from Denver, CO USA
Good movie- HORRIBLE DVD. Warner Bros. insisted on making the second disk, which has tons of special features, inaccessible until you play little mini-games. I have no problems with mini-games, especially if they're based on Harry Potter, but even afterwards, there seemed to be a glitch in the DVD so I couldn't access the deleted scenes.
Now the only reason to buy a 2-disc, rather expensive set, would be to access the special features on the 2nd disc which you paid for. Unless you have a top-of the line DVD player, you will NOT be able to access the deleted scenes, unless you have a DVD-ROM drive and download some type of patch to confuse the display scene selection.
Anyway, about the rest of the DVD, I have to recommend it because it is the only version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone out currently, and it still quite good. I had no problems with the feature, or the whole 1st disc for that matter. I would recommend buying this DVD, in fact, just because on the Chamber of Secrets DVD, it has the same design layout; and if you like that sort of thing, it's nice to see similar DVD's together.
As for the movie, it's of course based upon the book that sold extremely well after the 3rd one came out, and word of mouth. The movie follows suit, with a record at the box office. If you are worried that it will ruin your perception of Hogwarts, and the books, don't watch it; because it might and could ruin your own little vision of things. Chris Columbus does NOT stray from original material, this movie is exactly like the book, even some scenes have names of chapters from the book. The actors are pretty good, but since there is so little time to see teachers, we hardly get to Flitwick and Snape other than a few moments.
So if you are hardcore, die-hard, for the deleted scenes, and seriously need to see them otherwise you will go beserk, I would rent the DVD first to see if your DVD player is capable of playing them. Otherwise, it's just a pretty well assembled DVD (the parts that work) and the movie is a very good one to own.
would have gotten 5 stars if it werent for daneil radcliffe., July 29, 2003
Reviewer: A 12-year old viewer
He is such a horrible actor. i cant even stand it. but despite danny-boys attemps this wasnt a bad show. Its bnot that daneil was a ba actor. i belived mr radcliffe to be harry potter but it was like harry potter knew there was a camera on him.
harry potter and the philosopher's stone, July 25, 2003
Reviewer: An 11-year old viewer
i think that this movie is a very good movie,but anit that good but good.i like it when hermione comes out at the first time,she was well rude but i like it.in this movie theres some sad,happy,scary bits that make me like this film.its very good indeed.the first time i saw this movie,i thought it will be very boring,but when i've finished watching it,i think it was quite good.
(i really want this to be 4 and a half star,but i dont know how to do it)
Review, July 24, 2003
Reviewer: Keltie C from Canada
I likd this movie. It was a little morbid for little children, but nonetheless. I think it JUST hit the point of the book. It's nice to put a face to a name, but thats really all this film did. Aside from the nice settings, this movie wasn't that great. I also have all the books and the other movie. I'm not like this avid fan of Harry Potter but I just have this thing where if I have a part of a collection, I have to have it all, for my life to be complete.
GREAT ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE CHAMBER OF SECETS SEE IT NOOOOWW, July 24, 2003
Reviewer: A 12-year old viewer
I love this show. This is a great show. Heres the main idea. Harry Potter is an abused boy and one day he goes to a school to learn how todefy the laws of hysics dubbedf "magic". Now I know what your thinking but its not evil magic. UIts just fun like if you tell a little kid that the tv or you can wiggle your ears with magioc. Not like evil. anyway its great. Its fun and awesome. poop.
Let me put it this way, July 22, 2003
Reviewer: A 12-year old viewer
When I walked into the theatre I expected
to see anthor boring poitntless sci-fi or fantasy shows that they would over rate and hold conventions for. But I was dearly wrong. The only thing I didn't like about it is that people just sick up for daneil radcliffe because he plays harry potter. he cant act. other than that it was great.