# Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003 "2001-09-16T19:02:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/1 "2001-09-16T19:02:44Z")
Let me be the first to start a thread at Cafe Society with the intention of looking forward to this movie. It comes out in exactly two months now. Has anyone seen the new pictures from the newest edition of Vanity Fair? They are to die for! There aren’t many movies I get psyched for at this level, but this is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/2 "2001-09-16T19:08:31Z")
I just started reading this to my 8th graders. They like it much better than _Fellowship of the Rings_. I’m kind of hoping that I can take them on a field trip to see the movie, as this town is so small, it lacks a movie theater. ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/3 "2001-09-16T19:30:17Z")
I have a feeling the love thing in the Fellowship movie is going to ruin it for me… and why did they change it to ‘Sorceror’s Stone’? I mean, the Philosopher’s Stone was a distinct part of (one I don’t know) mythology. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/4 "2001-09-16T19:51:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Speaker for the Dead \* > \*\*I have a feeling the love thing in the Fellowship movie is going to ruin it for me… and why did they change it to ‘Sorceror’s Stone’? I mean, the Philosopher’s Stone was a distinct part of (one I don’t know) mythology. \*\* Because the American edition seriously outsold the British edition and the American edition had the dumbed-down “Sorcerer’s Stone” in the title. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/5 "2001-09-16T21:25:51Z")
The book’s title was changed because, as I understand it, the publishers felt that the term “philosopher’s stone” wouldn’t be meaningful to an American audience, so they changed it. The movie, on the other hand, is to be released in two different versions, according to [this page at UpcomingMovies.com](http://www.upcomingmovies.com/harrypotter.html): one for British audiences, and one for American audiences, with every “philosopher’s” scene reshot with “sorcerer’s” in its place. I want to see how they deal with something that bothers me: the first book mentions quite often that Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, went to Hogwarts and even met Harry’s father there. Hence, she should be a witch. Yet, in the three following books, much is made of the fact that Harry was born of one magical and one non-magical parent. I bet in the movie they’ll remove all references to Lily attending Hogwarts to make the rest of the series fit… ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/6 "2001-09-16T21:47:32Z")
**Max Torque** said: > [@](#): > > I want to see how they deal with something that bothers me: the first book mentions quite often that Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, went to Hogwarts and even met Harry’s father there. Hence, she should be a witch. Yet, in the three following books, much is made of the fact that Harry was born of one magical and one non-magical parent. I bet in the movie they’ll remove all references to Lily attending Hogwarts to make the rest of the series fit… This isn’t a problem. I’m re-reading the first book in preparation for the film, and it’s dealt with there. Lily wouldn’t be the first person born of Muggles to attend Hogwarts. Hermione’s parents are Muggles. It’s the magical abilities of the child that allow them entry into the school. Being a wizard or witch is not necessarily genetic, such as being Irish or blue-eyed. I don’t recall if Lily’s background is brought up in the first book, besides the fact she attended Hogwarts, but her sister (Harry’s aunt) is obviously not a witch. Hagrid does tell Harry that his (Harry’s) parents were two of the finest students in Hogwarts. Her ability to attend there is not an issue, because, Muggle-born or not, she is a witch. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/7 "2001-09-16T21:53:40Z")
I didn’t know who they would cast as Professor Snapes but when I heard it was Alan Rickman I went “Yeah!” Now I wonder why it wasn’t obvious to me he was perfect for the part. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/8 "2001-09-16T22:30:25Z")
As has been mentioned, Lily was a Muggle-born witch, just like Hermione. A ‘Mudblood’ as some of the less tolerant wizards/witches (Such as the Malfoys) call them. ISTR that that was a good part of the reason Valdemort hated the Potters. (There’s a great deal more to the situation, of course, but that would be major spoilers for the later books.) ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/9 "2001-09-17T20:29:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baker \* > \*\*I didn’t know who they would cast as Professor Snape but when I heard it was Alan Rickman I went “Yeah!” Now I wonder why it wasn’t obvious to me he was perfect for the part. \*\* I have been trying to picture all the characters in my mind. Harry, of course, is easy - he appears on the books’ covers - but Snape was a little more difficult. I pictured him looking handsome in a dark, almost gloomy kind of way. He’d be the kind of guy to use his charms to get what he want and then leave you in the cold; but I guess that’s Slytherin for ya, huh? I was thinking someone along the lines of [Anthony Higgins](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Higgins,+Anthony), the bad guy from _Young Sherlock Holmes_, but Rickman is just as good. Nobody’s big enough to play Hagrid properly, but I thought of [Brian Blessed](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Blessed,+Brian), who played Prince Vultan, leader of the Hawk Men in _[Flash Gordon](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0080745)_: big, loud, heavily accented, and bushy beard. For some reason, I keep crossing Neville Longbottom and _The Simpsons’_ Ralph Wiggum in my mind… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/10 "2001-09-17T20:37:27Z")
psiekier, I LOVED Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan. Loved the whole movie, corny as it is. I first saw it Dec. 6, 1980. The reason I can give you such an exact date is that that morning I had done something VERY stupid(too long a story to tell) and had been very depressed all day. Went to the movie to distract myself and came out feeling a whole lot better. Flash Gordon won’t win any awards, but it’s fun! Did you see Brian Blessed with Kenneth Branagh in Henry V, and Much Ado Nothing, or as Augustus in I, Claudius? Geez, I’m hijacking so I’ll shut up now. What does anyone think about Richard Harris as Dumbledore, or Maggie Smith as McGonnagle? Actually, Maggie is perfect in style for the role, but I think her character was younger, more like early middle age. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/11 "2001-09-17T21:25:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baker \* > \*\*Actually, Maggie is perfect in style for the role, but I think her character was younger, more like early middle age. \*\* McGonagall is in her seventies. Wizards and witches live much longer than Muggles, something Harry doesn’t realize yet. Anyone read **Goblet of Fire**? Here’s who I picture for Mad Eye Moody: Michael Gough’s character in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow. Anyone agree? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/12 "2001-09-17T21:26:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baker \* > \*\*I didn’t know who they would cast as Professor Snapes but when I heard it was Alan Rickman I went “Yeah!” Now I wonder why it wasn’t obvious to me he was perfect for the part. \*\* I’m worried that Rickman is too old to play Snape, who is the same age as Harry’s parents would be…I get the impression from the books that he’s in his mid 30’s. The 56 year old Rickman just seems kind of old for the part. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/13 "2001-09-17T22:58:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DAVEW0071 \* > **This isn’t a problem. I’m re-reading the first book in preparation for the film, and it’s dealt with there. Lily wouldn’t be the first person born of Muggles to attend Hogwarts. Hermione’s parents are Muggles. It’s the magical abilities of the child that allow them entry into the school. Being a wizard or witch is not necessarily genetic, such as being Irish or blue-eyed.** Well, I understand that, but I could swear that the later books make much of the fact that Harry was born of “a wizard and a Muggle”, the same as Voldemort. Despite her parents being Muggles, Lily would be no more a Muggle than Hermione, just a “mudblood”. Hermione’s parents are Muggles, but she is not. I’ll have to check to be sure, but I could swear they refer to Harry’s parents specifically as “a wizard and a Muggle.” ---
**Author:** ![JessEnigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@JessEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessEnigma)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/14 "2001-09-17T23:10:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Captain Amazing \* > \*\* > I’m worried that Rickman is too old to play Snape, who is the same age as Harry’s parents would be…I get the impression from the books that he’s in his mid 30’s. The 56 year old Rickman just seems kind of old for the part. \*\* Eh, call it premature aging. All of the stress and everything. Most of my teachers seem to have the same problem-- and they don’t even have all of that extra Voldemort baggage or that extreme hostility. We’re reading this first book for my French class (the French version, of course). My teacher’s a huge fan. Terribly fun, really. jessica ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2001, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/15 "2001-09-17T23:11:46Z")
If Lily Potter had the power to protect her baby from Valdemort, she’d have to be a powerful witch; even moved by mother-love and desperation, as a Muggle she couldn’t throw a spell to divert a killing curse and have it bounce back on You-Know-Who. ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/16 "2001-09-18T00:17:45Z")
The fourth book, _Goblet of Fire_, makes a point of creating parallels between Voldemort and Harry. Voldemort’s mother was a witch, as was Harry’s. Voldemort was brought up by Muggles, just like Harry. The main difference is that Voldemort’s father was an out-and-out Muggle, unlike James Potter, Harry’s father. James was Head Boy at Hogwarts in his day. Lily was Head Girl, so my guess is that she was a very powerful witch. (After all, it looks like Hermione’s going to get that spot, and Muggle-born or not, she’s one of the most powerful witches in the school.) The third book, _Prisoner of Azkaban_, introduced Harry to his father’s friends - Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. I’m wondering if the next book will bring in Lily’s friends. It’ll be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/17 "2001-09-18T01:33:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cyn \* > \*\*If Lily Potter had the power to protect her baby from Valdemort, she’d have to be a powerful witch; even moved by mother-love and desperation, as a Muggle she couldn’t throw a spell to divert a killing curse and have it bounce back on You-Know-Who. \*\* The way I understand it, with the exception of Dumbledore, that even powerful witches and warlocks were pretty ineffective against Voldemort. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/18 "2001-09-18T02:08:45Z")
I can’t wait for this movie, I am so excited. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas. It looks awesome, I wish my nephew was old enough to enjoy it, but at four it would probably just scare the crap outta him. Ah well, I guess I’ll have to drag the hubby (he will be the hubby by the time it comes out). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/19 "2001-09-18T02:51:21Z")
**phouka** , I skimmed right past your post, after seeing the first few words. There weren’t any spoilers there, were there? Not all of us have read _Goblet of Fire_ yet. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2001, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003/20 "2001-09-18T14:22:33Z")
Yes, please, keep the spoilers to a minimum in this thread. I only own the first three books, and have only read the first two. Alan Rickman often looks young for his age. With careful make-up (including a jet-black wig) I’m sure he could easily be made-up down to Snape’s mid-thirties range. Does anyone know if contracts have been signed for the _second_ movie? It seems like a very safe bet that the first movie will do well, and then think of it: they can make one movie a year, with the same cast, and each year the actors playing Harry and the other Hogwarts students will really be a year older, like they’re supposed to be. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harry-potter-and-the-sorcerers-stone/82003.md?page=2)