AHK Cinema · Movie Review
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2001 Dir. Chris Columbus 152 minBest for CEFR B2
Discover the magical world of Harry Potter, where a young boy's journey to self-discovery and friendship begins. Directed by Chris Columbus, this film is a must-watch for anyone who loves adventure, fantasy, and coming-of-age stories.
Things You Didn't Know
6 hidden details
1
Casting Story
The casting process for the film was extensive, with over 40,000 children auditioning for the role of Harry Potter. Daniel Radcliffe was ultimately chosen for the part, and his performance earned him widespread recognition.
2
Hidden Detail
The Hogwarts castle in the film is a combination of real-life locations, including Alnwick Castle and Gloucester Cathedral. The production team also built sets and used special effects to create the magical world.
3
Behind Scenes
The film's budget was around $125 million, and it took over 6 months to film. The cast and crew worked tirelessly to bring the magical world to life, and their hard work paid off with the film's massive success.
4
Magic Effects
The special effects in the film were created by a team of over 100 artists and technicians. They used a combination of practical effects, such as prosthetics and makeup, and digital effects to create the magical creatures and spells.
5
Score Composition
The film's score was composed by John Williams, who is known for his work on other iconic films such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The score adds to the film's magical atmosphere and has become iconic in its own right.
6
Book Adaptation
The film is an adaptation of the first book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The book was published in 1997 and became a bestseller, leading to the creation of the film and the rest of the series.
The Takeaway
The takeaway from this film is that it teaches viewers about the importance of friendship, courage, and the power of believing in oneself. For English learners, it's recommended to watch the scene where Harry first discovers his true identity as a wizard with subtitles. This scene is rich in vocabulary and emotional depth, making it an excellent choice for learners to practice their listening and comprehension skills.
The Learning Pack
Watch this film. Speak better English by Sunday.
Vocabulary, idioms, cultural context, and one scene broken down for shadowing practice.
Vocabulary (16)
wizard
earlya person who has magical powers
"Harry Potter is a young wizard."
prejudice
middlea preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience
"The wizarding world has a lot of prejudice against non-magical people."
rivalry
middlea state of competition or opposition
"The rivalry between Harry and Draco is intense."
meticulous
latepaying great attention to detail
"The director was meticulous in his attention to detail."
visuals
latethings that can be seen
"The film's visuals are stunning."
special effects
latetechniques used to create a particular effect in a film
"The film's special effects are impressive."
pacing
latethe speed at which a film or story moves
"The film's pacing is well-balanced."
chemistry
middlea natural attraction or rapport between people
"The chemistry between the actors is undeniable."
believe
middleto have faith or confidence in something
"Harry believes in himself and his abilities."
courage
latethe ability to do something that frightens one
"Harry shows great courage in the face of danger."
power
middlethe ability to do something or to make things happen
"Harry has the power to make magic happen."
identical
earlyexactly the same
"The twins are identical."
owls
earlybirds used for sending messages
"The students use owls to send letters to their families."
broomstick
middlea stick used for flying
"The students learn to fly on broomsticks."
Quidditch
latea sport played on broomsticks
"The students play Quidditch on weekends."
Slytherin
middleone of the four houses at Hogwarts
"Draco is a Slytherin student."
Idioms & Expressions
to make a name for oneself
to become well-known or famous
When Harry becomes famous in the wizarding world
to get on someone's nerves
to annoy or irritate someone
When Draco and Harry argue
to have a lot on one's plate
to have many responsibilities or tasks
When Harry is learning to navigate the wizarding world
to be in someone's shoes
to be in someone else's situation or position
When Harry and his friends are trying to understand each other's perspectives
to take something with a grain of salt
to be skeptical or cautious
When Harry is learning to navigate the complexities of the wizarding world
Cultural References
British boarding schools
In the UK, it is common for children to attend boarding schools, where they live and study away from home. Hogwarts is a fictional example of such a school.
Magic and fantasy
The concept of magic and fantasy is a common theme in British literature and culture. The Harry Potter series is a prime example of this.
Quidditch
Quidditch is a fictional sport created by J.K. Rowling. It is a combination of rugby, soccer, and other sports, played on broomsticks.
Hogwarts houses
The four houses at Hogwarts are named after their founders: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Each house has its own values and traditions.
Scene Breakdown for Shadowing
around 00:42:00
Harry: 'I'm going to go to Hogwarts!' Hagrid: 'You're a wizard, Harry!' Harry: 'A wizard? Me?' Hagrid: 'Yes, you're a wizard, and you're going to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'
This scene is a great example of how the film introduces the magical world to the audience. The vocabulary used is rich and descriptive, with words like 'wizard' and 'witchcraft'. The dialogue is also engaging, with a clear exchange between Harry and Hagrid. For learners, this scene is an excellent opportunity to practice shadowing, as the conversation is fast-paced and natural-sounding. Learners can try to repeat the lines after the actors, paying attention to their intonation and pronunciation.
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