Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
Overview
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus, the first installment in the Harry Potter film series. The film is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by J.K. Rowling. The film follows Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), an 11-year-old boy who discovers that he is a wizard. He has been living with his cruel aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, who have told him that his parents died in a car crash. He learns that his parents were actually murdered by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, and that Harry survived Voldemort's attack, leaving him with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. He is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he is sorted into Gryffindor House. He befriends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). The three of them discover that the Sorcerer's Stone, an object that grants immortality, is hidden in Hogwarts. They must protect it from Lord Voldemort, who is trying to return to power. The film is a magical, whimsical, and heartfelt introduction to the world of Harry Potter. It features an all-star British cast, including Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, and Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was a massive critical and commercial success, earning over $1 billion worldwide. It was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. The film launched one of the most successful film franchises in history.
