Philosophers Stone Film: The Perfect Intro to a Franchise +The Importance of a Director(Video Essay) 

Chris Columbus is one of the directors that I look up to and that inspired me to pursue a career in filmmaking. On top of the actual Video Essay, consider this as sort of my tribute and thanks to a man that inspired me. Hope you guys enjoy the video!

It’s not a Harry Potter video essay without Movieflame mentioning his hate of Mike Newell 😂

Me: GoF wasn’t so bad Movie flame: GoF sucks and Mike Newell sucks as well Me: Yes, indeed

If Mike Newell made this movie: Hogwarts is in Brazil, Wands are made of metal, Hitler is the headmaster, Computers are used to study, quidditch is played with a basketball, the stone is made of the infinity stones, and an airplane takes them to hogwarts.

Columbus: Brought the magic of the book into the big screen Alfonso: Darkened the series to prepare us for the dark times in Harry Potter Newell: Umm...What is Harry Potter? David: Ended the series perfectly.

Mike Newell: **throws Goblet of Fire book like the most ungreatful man** This book is twice bigger than any other. Order of the Phoenix book: *hold my prophecies*

“Mike Newell......didn’t completely ruin the films” ARGUABLE 😂😂😂

17:44 I think the reason they made Ron the panicky one during the devil’s snare scene is because the potions riddle chamber was cut, which in the book is where Hermione gets her moment to shine. In the film there are only three chambers: devils snare, the winged keys and the chessboard, and each of the trio takes the lead role in one of them. It makes that whole sequence in the film much more balanced

I feel a totally different feel. Atmosphere in HP 1&2. It makes me watch them a thousand times and still feel fresh. And that nostalgia

I agree with you about how Ron was done dirty in the films. In the books Ron was the character that could explain things to the other 2 as they were both raised by muggles.

Let's not forget that Chris Columbus did Home Alone, so his experience with child actors really showed. He really was the perfect choice. Additionally, he picked John Williams who also worked with him on Home Alone to do the music for Harry Potter, and I think we can all agree that music was absolutely perfect.

The only “problem” about casting Emma Watson is that she grew up to be so beautiful Hermione completely outshone Ginny and Fleur (who are supposed to be prettier in the books).

Imagine if Alfonzo and Chris just filmed all the movies together.

Harry Potter wasn’t only a part of my childhood, it was my childhood. Nothing can ever top it ever

anyone obsessed with his videos too?

I feel like the reason they made Hermione the character that gets them out of the first task at the finale is because they cut the scene where Hermione helps right before the room where Voldemort was waiting. So every character has his or her moment in the finale

I lived half of my life in England and I call it Philosopher's stone. He lived his life in America so he calls it the Sorcerer's stone. Why does it matter so much and why so much hate towards him? I know this originated in England but let's just accept our differences. To add, it's his channel. Allow him to be who he is.

17:48 Thank you so much for acknowledging this. They did Ron sooo dirty in the movies. He's one of my favourite characters but in the movies he was almost another person. I'm glad tho that Rupert is a great actor and that he gave us the best Ron we could get.

Wish i could rewatch all the films for the first time again!

Being a child care worker, I loved seeing Chris with the child actors. I can't imagine how daunting being a adult actor is on a Harry Potter movie, but a kid!? Thats a lot of stress to put on a child, but he made it fun for them. He might them feel comfortable. He was patient. I love him

the shot at 5:26 is the most cinematic shot in the series, it is a masterpiece which to this day high budget movies cannot replicate. The one where the ships move towards Hogwarts and we see it for the first time

This was excellent man, well presented!

The first two films are my favorite in the series because you can really feel the magic and whimsy, and I think Chris Columbus helped bring that out in the children in their first roles. Seeing the footage of him calming them down before shooting is so wholesome!

honestly, the harry potter movies had the best movie soundtracks of all time A window to the past- Slaps Lily's Theme- A boP Harry in Winter - A work of art I could go on...........

Did anyone else notice that when Harry was getting introduced to becoming a seeker, he held the snitch and when it flew away Harry was able to keep his eye on it while Oliver lost it. That showed how Harry was perfect for a seeker.

Getting into filmmaking made me realize how many great films from my childhood had Chris Columbus behind them, the man is an absolute underrated legend.

Are we not going to talk about his name is *CHRIS COLUMBUS*

I feel the same, Hermione is not that smart in books as she's in the movies and Ron is not as dumb in books as he's in the movies.

Sad that he wasn't passionate about the PJO films. They would've been amazing. I've always loved both these series.

"He knew that the entire future of the film series rested on his shoulders". If only Chris Columbus treated the Percy Jackson books with as much respect as the Harry Potter books......

Columbus is the director that shaped a lot of movies. HP was the first book series that was turn into a movie. Then we got Twilight and Hunger Games. He deserves every praise in the world. He made a whole generation love reading and watching movies at midnight.

This movie came out when I was like 10 years old and I literally cried when it showed Hogwarts for the first time. I can't remember ever being in such awe in a movie theater ever, it was so magical.

*Mike Newell: I had to read a 256 page book to prepare for a movie!* *James Cameron: I had to dive 12,500 feet (3.8 km) in the Atlantic Ocean to prepare for a movie!*

Great comparison to Percy Jackson. I wish there was the same kind of passion put into that movie franchise as with Harry Potter.

These film essays are fantastic and super interesting. Keep up the great work!

I personally prefer Richard Haris as dumbledore , he was perfectly casted. May he rest in peace 😔

newell:the goblet of fire is so long! hey bro i read it in 3rd grade

12:08 “well...he didn’t ruin the series completely” 😂😂😂😂

So this dude thought he had the right to call you ignorant and say that he hates a certain nationality because you called a movie the name that you've become used to, things all over the world go by different names, so is he gonna get pissed over that too? Like if I say shopping cart he finna blow up at me and tell me that its a buggy or it's nothing? Don't listen to this fool bro, he's more ignorant than you'll ever be. I respect you bro, the amount of research, detail, and effort you put into your videos is astonishing, keep up the amazing work.

very well explained. I think the reason Hermione was the one to shine in the devils snare scene was because Ron got his smart and brave moment in the next challenge. They had to leave some challenges out so I think it was fair to give each character their moment.

Last time I was this early, the Marauders were bullying Severus:p

Harry Potter and Percy Jackson both are my fav. Series. I really wished Percy Jackson was made well to being true to original source material...

I completely agree about "The Percy Jackson" movies and how they were a HUGE disappointment (I'm a HUGE Percy Jackson fan and had high hopes that were crushed by the film adaptation of the books).

Anyone calling you an ignorant American for saying "Sorcerer's Stone" can get bent. It wasn't any of the readers from America who decided to alter the title, it was a decision between J.K. and whoever else she worked with to publish her books in the U.S. so if they wanna bitch at anyone they should be bitching at J.K. herself and her publishing team. It's also been explained ad nauseum the reason behind the title alteration and it's not something any rational person has a issue with. You do a great job in your videos so if I were you I'd stop worrying so much about the people insulting you over something so trivial, they aren't worth wasting your thoughts on and you definitely shouldn't change your words or behavior to suit them. Great video as always, MovieFlame, stay awesome!

Just to prove a point as to how important the first aspect of a storyline is Harry Potter--well built and adapted, good world building and competent actors. Eragon- literally none of the above

00:27 Damn oliver shay calm down. No one killed you 😂

I love how Chris found these kids who didn't have any obvious talent but all three of them grow up to be legendary actors is2g

Mike Newell: “It’s this thick” That man did not do good in school if he can’t read a book with 636 pages

John Williams did an excellent job with the music. The scene where Harry was under the cloak in the restricted section gave off an eerie vibe which made it creepy when I was younger.

Did you know that recently, six hours of previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage was uploaded to RU-vid?

J.K Rowling called it the "Philosopher's Stone", which is more inline with the mythology surrounding it (the alchemic substance).

Morgan: Chris Columbus: Was chosen to set the universe in place Alfonso: The one to darken the series David Yates: Finish the series Newell: ....... ....He didn't ruin the series completely....

The philosophers stone is my favorite Harry Potter movie. Keep up the great work movie flame!

Wait Chris Columbus directed Percy Jackson? Bruh.... i loved those movies even if they werent the same as the book in anyway shape or form but like damn he got Harry Potter really well done sad he couldnt do the same with Percy Jackson

Its great to see that even after so many years of the books and the movies you continue to put so much effort into bringing quality content on this timeless franchise and presenting them in such a wonderful manner .... RESPECT MAN!!!!!

Even though my favourite Potter director is and will always be Alfonso Cuaron, I respect Chris Columbus immensely and this video is such a beautiful tribute 💛

3:04 WE DO NOT SPEAK OF THOSE FILMS!!!!

You still love Harry Potter after all this time? * a l w a y s *

Even though I completely agree that the rest of the films turned Ron into the comic relief character, I think what the first film did (with the Devil's Snare scene) was actually really clever. In the book, the path to the Philosopher's Stone has more challenges than in the film, which allow for each character to show their strengths. In the adaptation, they kept just three (after Fluffy the cerberus, of course): in the Devil's Snare, they show Hermione's strengths, which are studying and spellcasting. In the next scene with the winged keys, they show Harry's flying skills, who catches the key needed to open the door. And in the final challenge, Ron proves his dexterity, strategic talent and courage as well, with the chess scene. Ron wins the game and is not afraid of sacrificing himself. Even Dumbledore himself in the end awards him points for playing the "best chess game" in all of Hogwarts' years. So, I disagree that the Philosopher's Stone film does Ron dirty, as the Devil's Snare scene is needed for Hermione to show her own abilities. However, as I said in the beginning, I totally agree that Ron ended up being amost the most useless and needlessly dumb of the three in the rest of the series, especially after the third one. Anyway, that is my take. To anyone that actually went through all this, thank you for your time and hope you are doing well, especially these days!

The Philosopher’s Stone was and always will be my favourite Harry Potter film, everything was perfect, the cast, the sets, everything, it really captured the spirit of the book to a T

What about John Williams music for the movie.

Genuinely love how much effort you put into these. Legend 🙏

Couldn't have said it any better. The stuff Chris did is often overlooked in my opinion. It's insane hwo much he had to create on film. He has done an absolutely fantastic job creating the Harry Potter world on screen. And we won't ever get a better director again. I always loved about this film how faithful it was to the book, and how perfect the casting was for the characters. Liek Richard Harris as Dumbledore couldn't be more perfect. And the child actors also did an amazing job considering their age and the experience they did or actually didn't have. Still one of the best and of my favorites in the series and the book always was as well.

I love when Chris said Rupert don't smile

The picked the best director to bring this book to film to life. He kept it magical when it needed it to be and he kept it as true to the books as possible. Also keeping him on for CoS was great also. But its was very important to kick off the movie series off in his vision. It kept these films in a serious tone with a perfect show in introducing the characters that bleed into CoS. Columbus knocked it out of the park. Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets are still movies I can watch at any point if on tv. I agree with u Goblet of Fire just had me pulling my hair out! GoF was my favorite book and that director took a piss on it in every way. As soon as the Quidditch Worldcup was not shown I knew we as fans of the books were in trouble... Chris Columbus.. ur a saint and a scholar for treating my treasured books of my childhood and my adolescence and respecting it to the big screen... /rant 😎👍👍😁

0:57 Look, Harry's a superb seeker, but he can't even catch a single letter from 100 letters flying around him. It's just a joke you explaining people out there 😉

It blows my mind how much detail was put into making this movie. The German RU-vidr Coldmirror makes an amazing podcast called Harrypodcast. In each episode she analyses 5 minutes of the philosophers stone. Before that I never noticed all the small details. Makes me love this movie even more.

i love these videos. after work i crawl in bed and i put this on before i sleep. nothing i’m subscribed to puts out consistently good content like this. i never was bored in a single one. the quality and the effort he puts in i really appreciate that.

Fred and George: *sees Ron and man named peter sleeping together on marauder’s map* Also Fred and George: *doesn’t mention it at all* Edit: oml I got 29 more likes than I thought I would

Couldn't agree more about Ron's character. They practically made him a sidekick. By the way, I love your Video Essays. I'm waiting for HP 7.1 my favorite from the movie series

Really loving these essays. Keeping aside the love for the series, you're teaching so much about film making. Thank you ✌🏽

When ur called an ignorant American for paying attention to the majority of ur audience

Would you consider making a video essay of The Lord of The Rings series as well? I really like your videos and would love to hear your opinion on The Lord of The Rings Franchise books and movies.

You’re not an ignorant American. I’m British and I’m used to “the philosophers stone” but there’s no problem with the American alternative. Some people just love to hate :/ loving your videos, keep them up! :)

this channel is everything i ever needed as an MCU expert and a HP newbie

I love your video essays while trying to sleep, I always manage to fall asleep, u got a good youtube voice.

Make another one of these videos analysing the half blood prince as *the most emotional Harry Potter film* Not as the strongest emotion film but the film with the most amount of different emotions It literally felt like a rollercoaster of emotions we felt humor sadness anger loneliness grief and that’s just the tip of the iceberg If you see this I don’t need recognition if you decide to make a video based on what I said I would rather you use what I said to fuel the video because the half blood prince is a pretty memorable movie and I like how you’ve covered the previous three movie videos you did

5:46 man he sounds like a film student or something

9:27 I love how alan rickman is just sitting there waiting for the scene to actually start

These videos are some of my favourite videos on RU-vid. Also you are really good at editing

I can’t get enough of your content man! 😃 so good bro

I’m part of the 4.4% of Canadians. Keep up with the good work👌🏼

I love your movie reviews and all the essays and compilations and lists you make about what is one of my very favourite franchises. They teach me a lot of the franchise that I had previously not been aware of, and my gratitude for that is immense. But in your review of specifically why this is the perfect introduction to the movie-adaptation of the franchise that (literally) set the stage, you have missed a critically important aspect of the movie that not only turned this masterpiece motion picture itself into magic, but also helped to shape the atmosphere and sow the seeds from which part of the success of the franchise has flourished. It is also an aspect that intrinsically harboured the possibility for each of the other movies to be perceived as darker than its predecessor right from the off. The music.

"If I'm ever having a bad day I just turn the movie on" that's basically what I do everytime I'm not feeling well.

I hope he dose Chamber next which was my favorite mainly because of the special effects for the Baskiles

Seriously ur voice is just perfect for telling stories and things like that

This movie is perfect. I will always remember how happy I felt watching it for the first time. It really felt like my favorite book series coming to life.

Great Video! I Love This Franchise SO Much It's So Special to Me and This Movie was The Perfect Start to it all!

Damn I wish Percy Jackson had good movies, they would be amazing, especially the last one. And by the way have you ever considered making Percy Jackson videos? I think they would be really good.

Newell: *almost ruins the series and make my BFF sad*

These videos make me so nostalgic. I grew up on these books. Graduated 2011 when the last film came out and I cried. It was the end of my escape world and end of my childhood. It was so bitter sweet.

In my opinion this is the best movie when it comes to being an adaptation of a book. Now yes, there are better HP movies, but here I can barely think of one big thing that they missed from the book (Snape’s Puzzle) and that wasn’t even THAT big. Everything important is here, also since it’s the first movie, it was the one that most people saw, and when I first saw the beautiful visuals I was so amazed! I love this movie, and although it isn’t even close to the best one, this is still one of the best live action movies of all time. Also 0:26 That’s a big oof

Been waiting for this, liked it before I even watched it! :)

Yeah the set up for the rest of the movies :D Really important. (especially since it's always difficult and troublesome to make movies from books. Always the endless movie vs book discussion)

this was the first DVD i ever got when I was 6 years old. I watched it so many times I’m pretty sure the DVD didnt work anymore and the case was so scratched up it was unrecognizable. I could recite it line by line - I was OBSESSED. this movie immediately transports me right back to my childhood.

Your videos are always such great quality. Impressive

Luv ur vids they make me smile

My rankings for the films would be: 1. Deathly Hallows Part 2 2. Philosopher’s/ Sorcerer’s Stone 3. Goblet of Fire 4. Chamber of Secrets 5. Prisoner of Azkaban 6. Order of the Phoenix 7. Deathly Hallows Part 1 8. Half Blood Prince ALL OF THESE ARE GREAT IN MY OPINION, but I do have my favorites.

I love how Chris is so gentle to the cast

The first book is also my favorite. The descriptions for magic and places in that book is phenomenal, makes me feel I'm in the great hall everytime. I love how they brought that to life