I’ve heard that their going to make two versions of the Harry Potter movie. One British and one American. How come? How much you wanna bet the British one will be better? 
There are two versions of the books aren’t there?
I’ve only heard of the British version of the movie.
There is a press report here:
http://www.cinemenium.com/harrypotter/
from about a year ago saying that there will in fact be two versions of some scenes, one for the US and one for the UK. For the US, those scenes will refer to the “sorcerer’s stone,” while the UK scenes will say “philosopher’s stone” – the original title.
From this report, I can’t see how one would be any better than the other. The rest of the film will be identical in the US and the UK.
I have both book versions, and the differences are slight. In the UK, quidditch is played on a pitch, and in the US, played on a field. I’m not sure the changes were necessary in either the book or the film, but they don’t affect the plot in any way.
Delphica is one hundred percent correct. All the other books, though they have minimal similar alterations, will not need to be doubly adapted when made into movies, as terms like Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire are somewhat more universal 
Actually, the movie changes wouldn’t have been done at all if the book’s name hadn’t been renamed in America. In fact JK Rowling actually regrets the change now - at the time she was new to the whole publishing game and somewhat agreeable to more things than perhaps she needed to be.
I found it offensive that Ms Rowling (or her publishers) thought that American readers were so stupid as not to know what the Philosopher’s Stone was, or to think that such a title would drive away American readers.
Two nations separated by a common language, indeed.
It is not uncommon, of course, for movies to be renamed in different countries. It is, however, pretty stupid to think that specific scenes need to be re-shot because American audiences won’t understand some British words.
I remember reading that some of the terms changed in the books were things like chaing lorry to truck, and scones to muffins.(or something like that)
I have also heard that they are making the first two films now to have the second done in case of an actors strike.
Finally, I would like to go on record that I personally feel that the American title is better than the British title for the first book.
Now I will run and hide.
I got your back, Dex. I was so incensed by the name change that when I decided to get onboard with the Harry Potter phenomenon, I ordered Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone from amazon.co.uk instead of from a US vendor, so I’d get the book in the original idiom.
I’ll buy the rest of the books that way too.
Reminiscent of ‘The Madness of George lll’ which was based on the stage play ‘George lll’ but renamed, IIRC, because the film makers were worried the US public wouldn’t see the third of a series without having seen the earlier two.
I’d think it highly unlikely this was a decision made by Rowling or her publishers – much likely to be part of the deal struck with those who originally bought the movie rights.
Just a wag but maybe they thought “sorcerers” more likely to attract the ‘ire’ of some fundie publicity seeker in the US (think of a phrase including “kids”, “boycott” and "Millions of $ down the swanny) ?
Madness of King George III = UL
http://www.snopes2.com/movies/films/george.htm
Not completely unfounded, but the story itself is untrue.
Point taken, Telemark !
I didn’t see the UK version of the first book, but when I ordered the Goblet of Fire in advance, I was a little disappointed that they didnt use the same cover art that appeared on the Amazon website. Turns out it was the cover used in the UK and was IMHO way better.
I know exactly what you mean, Dex. When I read the book, I didn’t know of the UK title. When I got to the part where they were describing it, about halfway through, I exclaimed “So why didn’t they just call it the Philosopher’s Stone in the first place?!?”. I mean, I haven’t a clue what a Sorcerer’s Stone is; the title was meaningless to me.