Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: 5 Big Differences Between the Book and the Movie
Here are 5 big differences between the book “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and the film by Chris Columbus in 2001.
The work of adapting a book to the screen always requires making drastic choices. It was the responsibility that fell on the shoulders of screenwriter Steve Kloves, who was tasked with laying the foundations for the Harry Potter saga on the big screen. Here are 5 stark differences between Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone book vs movie!
Prologue or not prologue
The book: Harry Potter at the Sorcerer’s Stone opens with the Dursley family, their daily life, then Vernon who goes to work. On his way and during the day, he meets a tabby cat staring at him, people with capes, does not see the owls flying above the city, hears about the “Potters”, is called “Muggle”… Then Dumbledore finds McGonagall and Hagrid and drops Harry off at the Dursleys. The Movie: Chris Columbus opens with Dumbledore turning on the street lights of Privet Drive, then welcoming Minerva McGonagall to join him. Then Hagrid arrives and together they drop young Harry on the Dursleys’ porch, then Harry is woken up as the Dursley family leaves for the zoo.
Harry’s eyes
The Book: Harry is described as having the green eyes of his mother, Lily Evans, who became Potter when she married James. The film: The very young Daniel Radcliffe was to have the green eyes of the character, until on his first day of filming, the team discovered – with the young actor – that he was having an allergic reaction to the lenses. In order not to lose an entire day of filming with many extras (the scene at the Hogwarts train station), it was decided that Harry would have Daniel’s blue eyes. Moreover, Geraldine Somerville, who plays Lily Potter, also has blue eyes … A change made in all coherence.
The Potter/Malfoy Encounter
The book: The encounter occurs in Diagon Alley. In a drawling voice, Draco (described as “a pale-faced boy with a pointed nose”) meets Harry at Madame Guipure’s, as they are having their robes made. Draco is the first to mention the existence of quidditch to Harry, as well as the Hogwarts house system. Malfoy is already elitist and calls Hagrid “savage”. The movie: The two children meet for the first time at Hogwarts and Draco attacks Ron.
Severus’ Potions
The book: During their explorations of the basements of Hogwarts in search of the philosopher’s stone, Harry, Ron and Hermione must face various tests including those of the potions of Severus Snape. While flames are in front and behind them, the children are faced with a riddle and seven color potions. 3 are poison, 2 are wine, one allows you to pass through black flames without danger and one dashes into purple flames. Hermione manages through the logic of her mind to find the solution. The film: The scene is cut during editing (it appears in the bonuses of certain DVD editions). As it is, Hermione is much more passive in the face of the trials of the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone.
Who kills Quirrell?
The book: Harry Potter at the Sorcerer’s Stone opens with the Dursley family, their daily life, then Vernon who goes to work. On his way and during the day, he meets a tabby cat staring at him, people with capes, does not see the owls flying above the city, hears about the “Potters”, is called “Muggle”… Then Dumbledore finds McGonagall and Hagrid and drops Harry off at the Dursleys. The Movie: Chris Columbus opens with Dumbledore turning on the street lights of Privet Drive, then welcoming Minerva McGonagall to join him. Then Hagrid arrives and together they drop young Harry on the Dursleys’ porch, then Harry is woken up as the Dursley family leaves for the zoo.
Hagrid, a true friend
The Book: In the last chapter, Hagrid sent owls to all of Harry’s parents’ friends to share the photos that were in their possession. He made an album of it which he gives to the young wizard. The latter, who had no image of his parents, is deeply touched, to the point that words fail him. The movie: Hagrid doesn’t have that very touching moment with Harry. However, there is a scene of emotion between the two characters during their goodbye on the platform of Hogwarts station.
