Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone

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Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
Video: Warner Bros: S022658. Time: 146 minutes plus about 10 minutes of alternative scenes. Price: Ł10.99 - it varies so shop around. Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grant and Emma Watson, not to mention a troop of some of great British thespians.

check out websites: www.warnerbros.com and www.harrypotter.com

I’d be the first person to admit I haven’t got around to reading JK Rowling’s books.

So many books, only one lifetime and you’re seeing about 80% of my current reading here in the review roadtests. With all the hype around about this film and it falling under our remit, watching the video seemed inevitable.

In many ways, this is a very stylish film cross-blending an imaginary UK with an even more imaginary school for trainee witches.

Orphaned baby Harry Potter is left with his relatives until he is the right age to be enrolled at the school. By then, his relatives have been treating him rather cruelly - where’s child welfare when you need them? - and try to avoid the continuous invitation letters that bombard their house.

All this is forgotten when Harry finally gets to the school and makes new friends and enemies and has his first adventure protecting the philosopher’s stone. Into this mix is the witches equivalent of the Buckingham ‘Jennings’ boarding school stories.

This is not demeaning the film. I was a great fan of ‘Jennings’ when I was young and I’m sure that it’s hitting a similar chord in today’s youngsters. Kids who feel isolated feel a bond with such characters.

The massive sales amongst today’s kids probably indicates that isolation is increasing rather than the opposite. If nothing else, it looks like Rowling’s material is getting kids reading and talking again which is no mean feat.

The more adult cast tend to be more cameo than big scene. When the credits rolled, I was surprised to see John Cleese mentioned cos I didn’t spot him playing one of the ghosts. As the other adults roles are going to expand over the following films, no doubt we’ll see more of their talents beside Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman and Richard Harris.

With Industrial Light and Magic providing the effects, it is a credit to director Chris Columbus that he’s got a film that will have lasting appeal and likely to be on the Christmas TV film circuit for a long time to come.

Another not demeaning comment as it means we could be spared having the ‘Wizard Of Oz’ out every year for a change. Even my Mother likes the film and wants to see it again to spot things she missed the first time. Can’t get a better accolade than that, can you?

GF Willmetts

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