"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s (Philosopher’s) Stone": Summary Page

The Movies > Sorcerer's Stone Overview

Second Teaser Poster
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PRODUCTION SUMMARY

Rating: PG, for "some scary moments and mild language" (Motion Picture Association of America).

Running Time: 2 hours, 33 minutes (153 minutes).

Release date (USA and UK): 16 November 2001

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures (division of AOL Time Warner)

Production: Main filming, September 2000 to April 2001; some filming also occurred in summer 2001

Locations: All in Great Britain. They are Leavesden Studios (some interiors, Diagon Alley); Alnwick Castle; Goathland Railroad Station, Yorkshire; Oxford University; Gloucester Cathedral; Durham Cathedral; Christ Church College; Old Harrow School, London; Lacock Abbey; Village of Bracknell, Berkshire County; Australian High Commission Building/Australian House Bank, London; The King's School, Gloucester; King's Cross Station, London; London Zoo.

Director: Chris Columbus

Producer: David Heyman/Heyday Films

Writers: Steven Kloves (screenplay); J.K. Rowling (source novel)

Full production crew list is here.

German market poster #3
The third teaser poster, German version. The German says "A journey beyond your imagination," and "In the theater 22 November."

THE CAST
Harry Potter – Daniel Radcliffe
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore – Richard Harris
Assistant Headmistress Minerva McGonagall – Dame Maggie Smith
Professor Severus Snape – Alan Rickman
Ron Weasley – Rupert Grint
Hermione Granger – Emma Watson
Uncle Vernon Dursley – Richard Griffiths
Aunt Petunia Dursley – Fiona Shaw
Dudley Dursley – Harry Melling
Draco Malfoy – Tom Felton
Sir Nicholas “Nearly Headless Nick” de Mimsy-Porpington – John Cleese
Madam Hooch – Zoë Wanamaker
Professor Filius Flitwick/Goblin Teller – Warwick Davis
Rubeus Hagrid – Robbie Coltrane
Argus Filch – David Bradley
Peeves the Poltergeist (voice) – Rik Mayall (ROLE CUT IN FINAL MOVIE EDIT)
Sorting Hat (voice) – Leslie Phillips
Professor Quirrell/Lord Voldemort voice – Ian Hart
Mr. Ollivander – John Hurt
Dean Thomas – Alfie Enoch
Seamus Finnigan – Devon Murray
Neville Longbottom – Matt Lewis
Oliver Wood – Sean Biggerstaff
Molly Weasley – Julie Walters
Percy Weasley – Chris Rankin
Fred Weasley – James Phelps
George Weasley – Oliver Phelps
Ginny Weasley – Bonnie Wright
Lee Jordan – Luke Youngblood
Gregory Goyle – Joshua Herdman
Vincent Crabbe – Jamie Waylett
Terrence Higgs – Will Theakston
Katie Bell – Emily Dale
Marcus Flint – Scott Fearn
Adrian Pucey – David Holmes
Pansy Parkinson – Katharine Nicholson
Lavender Brown – Kathleen Cauley
Griphook – Verne Troyer
Fat Lady – Elizabeth Spriggs
James Potter – Adrian Rawlins
Lily Potter – Geraldine Somerville
Tom (Leaky Cauldron owner/manager) – Derek Deadman
Dimpled Woman on Train (witch with snack cart) – Jean Southern
Diagon Alley boy – Ben Borowiecki (he's excited about the Nimbus 2000)
King's Cross Station guard – Harry Taylor
Baby Harry Potter – the Saunders triplets
Firenze – Ray Fearon
Ravenclaw student (Terry Boot) – Kevin Lee
Hogwarts student (uncredited) – Adam John Blendick
Lord Voldemort – Richard Bremmer
Lord Voldemort stunt double – Joss Gower
Lord Voldemort stunt double – Theo Kypri
Hedwig the Snowy Owl – Gizmo, Ook, Kasper, Oops, Swoops, Oh Oh, Elmo and Bandit
Goblin – Rusty Goffe
Goblin – Mike Edmonds
Goblin – Peter Burroughs
Goblin – Raymond Griffiths
Fat Friar – Simon Fisher-Becker
Grey Lady – Nina Young
Bloody Baron – Terence Bayler
Alicia Spinnet – Leila Sutherland
Angelina Johnson – Danielle Tabor
Susan Bones – Eleanor Columbus

Eliminated book characters: Piers Polkiss (Dudley's friend); Madam Malkin; Peeves the Poltergeist (will return in Chamber of Secrets); Madam Irma Pince (Hogwarts librarian; played by Sally Mortemore in Chamber of Secrets); Madam Poppy Pomfrey (school nurse; Gemma Jones plays her in Chamber); Hannah Abbott (Hufflepuff); Professor Binns (History of Magic); Justin Finch-Fletchley (Hufflepuff; Edward Randell may play him in Chamber); Millicent Bulstrode (Slytherin); Padma Patil (Ravenclaw); Parvati Patil (Gryffindor); Professor Sprout (Herbology teacher; Miriam Margolyes plays her in Chamber).

OTHER MINOR CHARACTERS GONE: Staff from the zoo; Railview Hotel where the Dursleys flee before the hut on the rock; Mrs. Polkiss.

VIDEO INFORMATION

The DVD and VHS versions of The Sorcerer's Stone will debut in the USA on 28 May 2002, and the UK on 11 May 2002. It will be issued by Warner Home Video. The DVD version will be a "special edition" with two discs with a suggested retail of US $26.99; the UK price (under title Philosopher's Stone) £22.99 (about $32.84 US). The movie can be viewed in anamorphic (also called widescreen or letterboxed) and full screen (or "pan and scan"). Disc 1 will be the movie itself, with options for French or English soundtrack dub or subtitles, and movie trailers.

The VHS tape in the UK will be £16.99 ($24 U.S.), and $16.99 in the US. Sorcerer's Stone DVD cover

Amazon, Digitabits.com and the Leaky Cauldron listed these features about Disc 2 of the DVD:

New footage compiled specifically for the home video release. This includes deleted scenes, such as Aunt Petunia snapping a photo of Dudley in his Smeltings uniform; Seamus Finnigan announcing that his eyebrows have grown back after another explosion; and Neville being hit by a Leg Lock Curse.
In-depth, interactive tour that allows fans to experience Hogwarts as a first year, including the Great Hall and the Gryffindor Common Room.
Visits to Snape’s, McGonagall’s, and Flitwick’s classrooms, where you can discover the "secret" at the heart of the DVD.
Interviews with producer David Heyman and director Chris Columbus, providing insights into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
A visit to Diagon Alley that provides access to Gringotts Bank, Ollivanders (be “chosen” by a wand), and Eeylops Owl Emporium.
An extended lesson in Quidditch with Harry and Oliver Wood that allows viewers to catch a Snitch with their remotes.
Viewers can watch Harry and friends perform a scene in eight different languages.
A visit to the Hogwarts library, which allows users to open a screaming book, catch a clue to the Mirror of Erised, choose video bios of favorite characters and meet the ghosts of Hogwarts.
DVD-ROM features include an enhanced, personalized tour in real time of Hogwarts, including Hagrid’s hut, the Great Hall and Harry’s room. Viewers can look in all directions, as well as view a split screen of forward and reverse views simultaneously.
Unique and exclusive electronic trading cards that allow users to collect and trade online.
Harry Potter game demonstrations that allow players to take on the role of Harry and to navigate through Hogwarts. An additional game demonstration offers users an “activity center” in which they can create their own version of Harry’s world.
Personalized owl e-mails that will allow users to receive Harry Potter updates and information.
A sorting by the Sorting Hat that gives users the opportunity to be assigned to one of Hogwarts’ houses.
Video biographies that will allow viewers to become better acquainted with the Hogwarts faculty.
Downloadable screensavers and Remembralls.

PRODUCTION SUMMARY

VIDEO INFORMATION

OTHER LINKS ABOUT THE MOVIE