Just backing up here: Yes in the US, the title is Sorcerer’s not Philosopher’s. In fact, I didn’t even know about the Philosopher’s thing until the movie was coming out.
Thank you guys so much for the info! I do appreciate it.
So, now, American kids would be put off by the term ‘philosopher’? I’m with Shadow Warrior here. Um, so Arthur Levine and Scholastic think English 4th graders are running around reading Plotinus and discussing alchemy at a grade level far above their American counterparts? This is all just bizarre.
The book title was changed long before the film was made. The only reason the film title was changed was so that it matched up with the book in the different countries. Here in the UK it’s Philosopher’s Stone, and so it is everywhere but for the US.
Like Max Carnage pointed out, this was the first book, so the publishers weren’t certain of sales like they are now. If their marketing people told them that ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’ would sell better than ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, they change it. As for filming different versions - well, British-made films do that all the time anyway. For example, they often film ‘network TV versions’ for the American market (Four Weddings and a Funeral had a lot of changes for this reason), so it’s not such a big deal.
Good grief. Being an American, & knowing what the Philosopher’s Stone is (it’s in my backyard, under some rubbish), I’m flabbergasted to learn that the actual title of Harry Potter (I) was … Anyway, I never knew this. That changes the whole sound of the title, as ShadowWarrior said.
Either way, I’m not a Rowlingnik, never read the books, don’t plan on it–but that’s so weird.
I read the book several years ago, not knowing what the term “Sorcerer’s Stone” referred to. When I found out what it was, I thought “Why didn’t they just call it the Philosopher’s Stone?” Then, when I learned that “Sorcerer’s Stone” was invented for the Merkin market, I felt insulted.
In the UK, is a “philosopher’s stone” a well-known thing? Or does being a philosopher have some magical connotations? Because neither is the case in the US. The original title doesn’t sound magical at all to my American ears – just wondering if it does to the British ones.
Here’s my line-by-line Birtish/American comparison of the first book:
In Australia (and I would dare to venture, in the UK too), philosopher has the same popular meaning as it does in the US. The book was called “the Philosophers Stone” regardless; a billion kids (I may be exaggerating at this point) ran out and bought it anyway.
Does the Stone in the book turn lead into gold (it’s been a while since I’ve read the book)? Or does the Philosopher’s Stone have properties (that don’t involve turniing lead into gold) that are similar to what the one in the book has? If not, I think Sorceror’s Stone is a better name. I would think calling it Philosopher’s Stone is more like calling Arthur’s sword “Glamdring” instead of “Excalibur”.
Regardless, I don’t think it’s all that important.
Quote from my Merken copy
*" The stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal." *
So the stone can transform lead as well as any other metal into gold, apparently.
I did feel a little under-estimated by the publisher and the name change.
I recall vaguely my early Dungeons & Dragons books containing a listing for a “philosopher’s stone” in the reference section as a magical item. I don’t remember the D&D version of the stone having any “elixir of life” properties, but my memory could be faulty.
As I recall, the stone was ordinary in outward appearance. The stone contained a liquid that could be used to turn metals such as lead or iron into gold. As I recall, the stone’s powers were limited; when the liquid was used up, the stone was just a plain ol’ rock.
Someone who has a DM’s guide or Unearthed Arcana can correct me.