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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

Directed by Chris Columbus•2h 32m•Published Apr 19, 2022•Episode length 3h 33m
Episode 118 - Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone
AdventureFantasy

Top cast

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Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe
Harry Potter
Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint
Ron Weasley
Emma Watson
Emma Watson
Hermione Granger
Richard Harris
Richard Harris
Albus Dumbledore
Tom Felton
Tom Felton
Draco Malfoy
Alan Rickman
Alan Rickman
Severus Snape
Robbie Coltrane
Robbie Coltrane
Rubeus Hagrid
Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith
Minerva McGonagall
Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths
Vernon Dursley
Ian Hart
Ian Hart
Quirinus Quirrell

Director

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Chris Columbus
Chris Columbus
Director
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Overview

Harry Potter has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house his whole life. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard—with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he learns to harness his newfound powers with the help of the school's kindly headmaster, Harry uncovers the truth about his parents' deaths—and about the villain who's to blame.

Show notes

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We know about the Philosopher's Stone. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ethan, and Georgia as emerging from the cupboard under the stairs to talk about the 2001 franchise beginner, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (don't say Sorcerer's) Stone. We're being distracted by special effects in…

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We know about the Philosopher's Stone. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Liam, Ethan, and Georgia as emerging from the cupboard under the stairs to talk about the 2001 franchise beginner, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (don't say Sorcerer's) Stone.  We're being distracted by special effects in the wand shop as we discuss:

  • What Spielberg reportedly wanted to do to the film if he got in the director's chair
  • Who was the first choice of composer over John Williams
  • Georgia lets us know some of the differences between the books and the film (although only when it pertains to plotholes)
  • We talk Dumbledore 1.0 vs. Dumbledore 2.0
  • Ian compares this film franchise to another that you might not think there's a link between only to find out, there just might be
  • We discuss our personal histories with the films
  • Ian discovers he can do a strong impression of one of the characters, just not the one he thought
  • In our first ever "BFE Post Credit Scene" we welcome Reverend Bruce, and his daughter, Bonnie as we turn the clock back to 2001 and discuss some of the issues the evangelical church had with this film in North America and talk about some rather obvious Christian imagery in the franchise
  • Whether or not Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone is the Best Film Ever.

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We are extremely thankful to our following Patrons for their most generous support:

  • Rev Bruce
  • Juleen from It Goes Down In The PM
  • Lina Oberholzer
  • Ensign Ian Davies
  • Chris Pedersen 
  • Katie McRae
  • Duane Smith (Duane Smith!)
  • Randal Silva
  • The Yeetmeister
  • Nate The Great

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Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Timestamps for this episode:

  • 0:00 - Opening Banter
    5:40 - Reflections & Corrections
    9:05 - Shoutouts
    13:45 - Deep Dive
    2:30:00 - Endgame
    3:12:50 - BFE Post-Credit Scene with Reverend Bruce & his daughter, Bonnie