Product 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 first son of two powerful wizards and possesses 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 nine and three quarters!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2017 in DVD
• Brand: Warner Brothers
• Released on: 2007-12-11
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Formats: Color, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish
• Dubbed in: Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 152 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
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

Amazon.com
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

From The New Yorker
J. K. Rowling, having drawn even reluctant readers back to the lonely pleasure of a book, is now witnessing their dispersal; her creation, Harry Potter, has finally arrived onscreen, and with him comes a slew of merchandise and, soon enough, a video game-as if reading did not promise vivid interactions of its own. The movie is exactly what you would expect: spirited, efficient, glazed with effects, and almost servile in its fidelity to the novel. Harry is played by Daniel Radcliffe, who, though a touch too old for the part, fills it with unfazed amiability; more successful still, perhaps, are Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, enjoying themselves as his sidekicks. A roll call of British actors infests the staff at Hogwarts School: Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Alan Rickman, with the already well-built Robbie Coltrane finding fresh girth as the rumbustious Hagrid. The movie takes its time-the director, Chris Columbus, and his screenwriter, Steve Kloves, seem most interested in portraying good companionship-and yet the final half-hour feels rushed and unarousing. Even before the film opened, the grosses were assured, and yet, for all the magic-the broomsticks, the bank staffed by goblins, and the troll in the bathroom-the work itself remains oddly unmagical, grounded in mortal fun. -Anthony Lane
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Great Story
This is the first of a series of very entertaining movies for the family. I look at the movies as something completely different then the books, which makes them both different and both enjoyable.

Viewed with an open mind, this movie is fantastic!
I have to admit that years ago, when the Harry Potter series was first getting its start, I was hesitant as a Christian to get into something that focused so much on witchcraft and wizardry. In the years following, I have learned to be more openminded about such things. Last month, I finally decided to watch the Harry Potter movies.

I was immediately captivated by the movie, and its subsequent sequels. In the month that I have owned the first five movies, I have already watched them all three times.

Yes, the focus of the story is on Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I caution Christian audiences not to immediately dismiss this movie just because of that. Some of you may remember the old Disney movie, "Bedknobs and Broomsticks". This series is no more harmful than that.

The entire movie has a wonderful sense of whimsy to it, created by such things as chocolate frogs, banks run by goblins, candles floating near the ceiling, and the great broomstick-based soccer/polo-like sport known as Quidditch.

The cinematography was beautiful. The Hogwarts sequences had such a warm, colorful, enchanting feel to them. It made me want to enroll at Hogwarts.

The cast of characters is perfect, including such well-known stars as Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and John Cleese. And the acting by everyone was absolutely superb.

The musical score by John Williams is very different from the composer's normal sound, but is still a masterful score.

I say again - watch this movie with an open mind, and you will be amazed and spellbound by this great landmark in fantasy.

I know it's for the kids, but we've enjoyed the series too!
We have all of the Harry Potter DVD's. They are well done and the layout on disc is great. You get extras on the DVD's too. We have all five so far. They always say the movie is never as good as the book... These movies come pretty close! Great stories and awsome special effects!