Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Books make all wishes come true. Just select the kind of life you want and pick a book with that theme. I, being a 13-year old, was more than excited to start a journey into the world of magic. And I began this journey with HARRY POTTER and THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE.
As a book lover, I kind of fail to understand how people can choose movies over books. You just miss out on all the details, the inside jokes and the sweet moments which never get to go on the big screen. They are the sweet nothings that linger on in your mind long after you’ve kept aside the book. They make you smile they make you sigh, in fact, they make all the difference.
On the other hand, movies create a readymade canvas on which pictures are painted for everyone to see. There may not be enough space for all the intricacies, yet, a well-made movie is a delight to watch. Not only is it entertaining, it is also a great time saviour for many.
After having read The Philosopher’s Stone two times and after having watched the movie three times, I think I can do justice in bringing out a comparison between the two.
THE APPEARANCE
Throughout the movie, we get to see a lot of faces with different features. But reading the book gives those tiny little details about them. We get to know them intricately, connecting us to the characters on a deeper level than the movie ever can. It is needless to say that the movie has given us some timeless characters but books make me add a little more colour to them and I love it!
THE STARTING
Though the movie has a pretty theoretical start with Dumbledore, McGonagall and Hagrid dropping off Harry, the book starts by explaining in detail, the household of Dursleys which is Harry’s foster home. The book gives us a brief about how exactly the trio ended up leaving Harry Potter on the steps of his aunt and uncle’s house- a good elaboration for a comprehensive initial thrust.
But that does not mean that the movie is some kind of a ruthless abridged version. On the contrary, it has some adorable scenes, one being the emotional moment where the massive Hagrid carries the little Harry. One almost falls in love with Hagrid’s tender yet mighty character played onscreen by Robbie Coltrane. In the movies Harry discovers the truth about his parents later on when he is with Hagrid. BUT in the book Hagrid exposes the truth about Harry’s parents murder when he goes to take him from his toxic relatives.
DIAGON-ALLEY
Harry leaves with Hagrid to go to Diagon-alley, a place where he would find all the required magical supplies. Here, we get introduced to Draco Malfoy, one of the many loved characters of the franchise. In the book we see Harry and Draco having a short conversation where Draco ends up showing dislike for Hagrid and muggles. This leads to Harry finding him less appealing and leaving the shop without even giving a proper introduction. In the movie however we witness the classic scene of Draco roasting Ronald Weasley and later getting a savage reply from Harry, leaving him speechless.
THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS
Though I prefer the book, nothing can beat this movie scene where Hermione is introduced. The way she walks in the cabin where Ron and Harry are sitting sets the pace for a friendly adventure. This scene has a whole different fanbase and I live for it! One really needs to see the movie to understand what I am saying!
THE FORBIDDEN FOREST
We see a major difference in this scene. In the movie we see that Hagrid gets accompanied by Harry, Hermione, Ron and Draco whereas in the book Ron is left behind as he is in the hospital wing after being bit by Hagrid’s secret dragon. In place of Ron we see Neville accompanying the rest. For anybody who has read the book and is then watching the movie, these changes become baffling. But, it gives you another chance to go back to the book, read all over again and check. Might sound like a tedious task to some, but not to me.
THE TRAPDOOR
When the golden trio enters the trapdoor, they are greeted by a bunch of challenges. Although there is one extra challenge mentioned in the book, but, the sets created in the movie are simply out of this world and they sure enough make up for any dropped challenges. Here, the book would lead the less imaginative ones in a dreary world. But the movie leads you to a world full of a myriad of mysteries that are absolutely mind blowing. I myself could have never imagined such amplified and exhaustive scenes- full marks to the movie!
HARRY MEETS VOLDEMORT
The last scene includes Harry Potter meeting Voldemort for the first time after he killed Harry’s parents. Once again, the readers would have met Voldemort in their own unique way but the animation created in the movie is par excellence and people all over the world now understand how Voldemort had clung on to Quirrel. It is a haunting image that had my eyes popping out. I am sure that Voldemort has given sleepless nights to many- all courtesy to the movie.
OVERALL
Being first in the Harry Potter thriller series, The Philosopher’s Stone stands out as a remarkable piece of vivid imagery which has been further strengthened by the stunning visuals presented in the movie. Be it the main characters, the Hogwarts Castle or the mysteriously magical settings, the movie can be given full marks for creating an imaginary world where many crazy readers like me meet and discuss the various possibilities that might lay in store in the alleyways and bylanes of the enigmatic Hogwarts Castle.
This book by JK Rowling, no doubt, gives us details that we crave for and leaves us wanting for more. At the same time, the crewmanship put together by Warner Brothers brings alive each and every place making Hogwarts a breathing reality.
So, if you just want to be introduced fleetingly to the story, watch the movie. But, if you are my type, go forward and read the book after watching the movie so that you can fill up your canvas to the full, inking in all the spaces here and there and weaving a tapestry that is incredibly magnificent!
Writer : Monal Haryal
Grade : 9 (Year 2021)
Place : Gurugram, India
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