Some love him, while others strongly swear that Harry Potter is nothing special. However, it cannot be denied that the story of the young wizard has become one of the most recognizable stories around the world. It is hard to find a person who would not know who Lord Voldemort or Albus Dumbledore is, especially when the author of the series currently has more wealth than Queen Elizabeth II herself. Harry Potter has permanently entered contemporary pop culture, attracting both younger and older viewers.
Although the premiere date of the first film is commonly considered to be November 4, this date applies to pre-premiere screenings. The film was widely available to viewers from November 16, 2001. In Poland, the premiere took place on January 18, 2002. The Philosopher’s Stone introduces the viewer to the world of magic. We meet here then an 11-year-old boy who is being raised in the home of his relatives. However, he does not have good contact with them, and therefore he spent his childhood alone, with a constant feeling of being different. Uncle not only does not like Harry, but openly shows his dislike of the boy. On his birthday, Harry’s whole world turns upside down. He learns that he is a young wizard and will soon begin a new, magical phase of his life.
The film was directed by Chris Columbus, known for such productions as Home Alone Kevin or Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Steve Kloves, who was helped by Rowling herself, was responsible for the script, explaining how the world of magic works. In the main roles we could see Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Richard Harris (Professor Dumbledore), Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell), Alan Rickman (Professor Snape) and Robbie Coltrane (Rubeus Hagrid). The film quickly turned out to be an international success and garnered 5 awards and 40 nominations, including an Oscar.