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The Qualities of the Philosopher’s Stone
by Raphaël Sanglard
A lot of movies inspired by books become a huge success, but only a few make it to the category of cult movies. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a very clever movie in that every element creates a very strong and lasting impression: a complete universe, one that we have only dreamed of, is revealed to us. In this essay, you will understand how the plot and the characters of Harry Potter’s first movie have elevated it to a cult phenomenon and a tradition.
The plot of the Philosopher’s Stone is responsible for the great success of the Harry Potter first movie that made it a phenomenon. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a phenomenon is “something that is extremely successful often because of special qualities or abilities.”¹ Initially, the viewer is immersed into a magical universe. The fine details and the atmosphere of the new setting are main elements that hook the audience right away with, for instance, the outing at the zoo where Harry realizes he can converse with a snake and the letter of acceptance to Hogwarts School delivered by Hagrid where Potter finds out he is a wizard. To summarize, the main events of the Philosopher’s Stone are so striking and so attractive that we want to commemorate them: this is tradition in the making.
The characters are the first to be immortalized and set the path to tradition. As Hillel Italie writes in the Washington Post: “Like Star Wars and Star Trek, it is the story of how a work of popular art becomes a world of its own ‒ imitated, merchandised, and analyzed, immortalized not by marketers, but by fans.”² In truth, the Philosopher’s Stone and its compelling characters are so popular that they have become themes in parties and events. People will show at birthdays or anniversaries as Hermione or Dumbledore. Moreover, Potter’s costumes are still the most popular for Halloween.
Finally, the plot of the movie is the foundation upon which a very attractive fantasy world is built thus becoming a real phenomenon and the characters are so impactful that fans feel the urge to simulate them thus creating a real tradition around them. As Harry manages to escape from his dreadful life condition in the Dursley household, it elevates, inspires and sends the message to all fans that they, too, can rise above mediocrity.
¹ Phenomenon. In the Cambridge Dictionary. Find at https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/phenomenon
² Italie, H. (2007). Potter Reaches Cult Phenomenon Status. In the Washington Post. Find at www.washingtonpost.com
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