In the opening film in the franchise, children Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The perfectly cast Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.
A brilliant adaptation of J. K. Rowling's spellbinding novel, the film is a who's who of British acting royalty, including (but in no way limited to): Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) and Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid.)
Year 1 invites you to take an exciting trip on (now iconic steam train) The Hogwarts Express, visit the bustling Diagon Alley and experience the (quirky) Sorting Hat (expertly voiced by Leslie Philips.) There's a giant troll, a three headed dog, and a competitive Quidditch match (with CGI that's sadly starting to show its age.)
The baddie is well hidden (unless you've read the book) and there's memorable, quotable dialogue throughout.
Tom Felton is good as pint-sized nemesis, Draco Malfoy. Richard Harris is superb as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (a role he was born to play.)
Expertly directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone, 1990), this is a journey worth taking again and again.
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SCREENPLAY BY: Steve Kloves. RUNNING TIME: 152 minutes. CERTIFICATE: PG. UK / USA.
Known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in America.
