Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first movie in the beloved franchise and was released in 2001. As the title suggests, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) become involved in the search for this object. And when they learn which character wants it more than anyone else, they spring into action.
What is the Philosopher's Stone? Who finds it and how does it affect Harry's first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? There's a lot to know about this compelling and memorable object. And there are many reasons why the storyline surrounding the Philosopher's Stone is one of the best in the entire franchise.
The Philosopher's Stone Is A Magical Ruby Stone
The Philosopher's Stone in Harry Potter is a magical ruby stone that several characters try to get their hands on at various points throughout the story. From what are the Deathly Hallows to Harry Potter getting the Cloak of Invisibility, there are several mysteries in the Harry Potter franchise. The Philosopher's Stone is introduced from the very beginning as a mysterious object that Harry and his friends want to learn more about.
Nicolas Flamel came up with the ruby Philosopher's Stone. If someone has the stone, they can become immortal and drink the Elixir of Life. This is what makes the stone so attractive... especially to one evil character in particular who is determined to benefit from it in a terrifying way.
Which Harry Potter Characters Find The Philosopher's Stone?
Several Harry Potter characters look for the Philosopher's Stone. After Tom Riddle turns into Voldemort, he has many evil plans throughout the franchise, and he searches for this object. He wants to abuse the stone's powers so he can form a new body through this stone. Of course, this isn't something that any of the other characters can allow to happen. The stakes are high and Ron, Hermione and Harry spring into action, which is fun to watch.
In Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone, Ron, Harry and Hermione find out that Fluffy has the stone. They think that Severus Snape is looking for the stone so he can help Voldemort have a body. It turns out that Quirinus Quirrell (Ian Hart), one of the Defense Against The Dark Arts teachers, is the one who has been seeking out the philosopher's stone. This is a surprising revelation and also an interesting one. It's one of the first hints that Snape might care more than he seemed to at first. Snape is a layered and well-developed character and there is more to him than meets the eye.
Quirrell and Harry battle each other, which is one of the most exciting moments in the first movie in the franchise. It also proves just how powerful Harry Potter is and how he can do whatever he sets his mind to, even if others don't believe that he can. Harry finds out from Dumbledore that the stone is no longer intact because it could get into the wrong hands. Although some aspects of Hogwarts make it a flawed school, Harry does learn a lot here. And it's important to see him face off against Quirrell, who underestimates Harry because of his young age.
While there are some impractical spells in Harry Potter, the magical objects that are introduced throughout the franchise are always fascinating. The Philosopher's Stone is particularly important because it helps Harry experience character growth and learn new things about himself. It also allows him to team up with Ron and Hermione, who become his good friends who he can lean on throughout all the ups and downs of life at Hogwarts.
Harry Potter remains an intelligent and perceptive young wizard in every book and movie. The Philosopher's Stone is a meaningful part of the story because it allows Harry to go on an incredible journey. He learns how to trust his gut instincts, and he realizes that he's stronger than he thought. It's definitely satisfying to see Harry victorious here and the ending of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone sets up the rest of the franchise perfectly.
What Is The Sorcerer's Stone In Harry Potter?
Sometimes the Philosopher's Stone is referred to as the Sorcerer's Stone. Bloomsbury published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 1997 in the U.K. and Scholastic published the novel in 1998 in the U.S. However, when the book came to the U.S., it was called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Some fans thought that it would have fine to keep the title the same.
The stone remains the same in both books. And like Voldemort's forbidden name, the Philosopher's Stone remains one of the most unforgettable parts of Harry Potter.