Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
One of the most popular books of modern times, J.K. Rowling's
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has been vividly
brought to life in this spectacular film adaptation. Director
Chris Columbus serves Rowling's work with admirable fidelity-no
small surprise, given Columbus' track record in the genre of
fantasy adventures. (As a screenwriter, Columbus penned the scripts
for Gremlins, Goonies, and Young Sherlock Holmes).
Harry Potter is a distinctly British story, and Columbus
also wisely opted to film the story in the UK with an all-British
cast. This pays off fabulously, with a convincing verisimilitude
which could never have been achieved if made in Hollywood.
The story begins when Harry Potter, an 11-year-old English orphan
who was raised by his cruel aunt and uncle, is one day inundated
with letters from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry soon discovers that he is no ordinary child, but is a gifted
sorcerer, and he is soon off to the Hogwarts School where he
embarks on an exciting and sometimes perilous adventure.
The story works on many levels, and is among those rare films
which appeals both to children and adults. Part of its effectiveness
lies in the character of Harry himself, whose early plight strikes
a familiar chord, particularly in those of us with a taste for
fantasy. All children feel isolated and alienated at some point
in their life, and to discover, in the midst of that loneliness,
that you are a powerful wizard and be granted an escape from
a painful (or just plain mundane) childhood is a common fantasy
of youth. A worthy successor to the likes of L. Frank Baum, C.S.
Lewis, and Roald Dahl, Rowling evokes that longed-for childhood
dream-the elusive, enchanted otherworld accessible only to the
favored few who are worthy and willing to believe.
This is also one of the best-cast films I have ever seen, and
with every actor perfectly in tune with the character they portray.
Some of the finest performers of our time are featured, such
as Maggie Smith (as Minerva McGonagall), and Richard Harris (as
Headmaster Dumbledore). Alan Rickman offers a shady and menacing
interpretation of Severus Snape, and the rotund Robbie Coltraine
was born to play Rubeus Hagrid. Cameos include appearances by
John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander, and by John Cleese, who proves he
has not lost his comedic touch in the part of Nearly Headless
Nick.
The younger actors also prove every bit as believable as the
veteran performers. As Harry, Daniel Radcliff carries the lead
role-a tough job for a young actor, but he is vibrantly believable
in the part. A tangible chemistry is at work between Radcliff
and Emma Watson (as Hermione Granger), and Rupert Grint (as Ron
Weasley), and the three prodigies make an appealing triumvirate
of mischief-makers.
It is difficult to pick out the best elements of the film, for
there are so many. The Quidditch match is a particular highlight,
as two opposing teams mount their broomsticks and swarm about
in a kind of aerial soccer match, complete with self-guiding
balls. The troll sequence is another highlight, at once frightening
and funny, as Harry races to save Hermione from the horrible
monstrosity which has wandered into the ladies' room. The climactic
chess game is also a riveting sequence, as chess whiz Ron risks
his life trying to manipulate the giant chess pieces so that
Harry can get through to save the day.
The film also boasts of a wondrous and dynamic score by the great
John Williams, who uses a whimsical, euphoric, and slightly macabre
waltz as the primary motif of the score, evocative of magic and
childlike innocence; Williams' music actually furnishes much
of the film's atmosphere of enchantment.
It is clear that everyone involved with the making of this film
was having the time of their lives during its production, and
that enthusiasm infectiously touches the audience as well. In
short, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a stupendous
achievement, and one destined to take its place among classic
films for children of all ages.
Paul Andrew MacLean
© 2001 
Shelton CT 06484 USA
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LadyJanet@RenaissanceMagazine.com