Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Screenplay Genre: Adventure / Family / Fantasy

Movie Time: 152 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Haggrid visits Harry Potter on his eleventh birthday, much to the dismay of Harry's adoptive muggle family, the Dursleys. Haggrid reveals that Harry will be a great wizard someday and gives him a letter welcoming him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. (00:15:05)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

After arriving at Hogwarts, Harry and the other first year students are brought before the Sorting Hat to be placed in the school houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. When the hat is finally placed on Harry's head, Harry whispers he wants any house but Slytherin. The Hat tells Harry that Slytherin is a house of great power, but sensing Harry's reluctance, places him in Gryffindor along with Ron and Hermione. (00:45:45)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

As the Gryffindor's youngest seeker in 100 years, Harry plays his first Quidditch match against Slytherin. Gryffindor's early lead is quickly whittled away by Slytherin's dirty play, and just as Harry races after the magic snitch his broom mysteriously malfunctions. With Professor Snape and Hermione's help, Harry regains control of his broom and captures the snitch by accidentally swallowing it. As he spits the snitch into his hand, Gryffindor is declared the winner. (1:22:56)  

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

Harry, Ron, and Hermione race to tell Dumbledore that the Sorcerer’s Stone is about to be stolen only to learn from Professor McGonnagal that Dumbledore has been summoned away from Hogwarts by the Ministry of Magic. Convinced that Dumbledore has been tricked, the three decide to undertake the dangerous task of finding the Stone themselves and stopping the would-be thief who they believe is Snape. (1:53:10)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

With the help of Ron and Hermione, Harry passes several magical tests before finally reaching the room containing The Sorcerer’s Stone. Ready to confront Snape, Harry is shocked to find that it is Professor Quirrel who has been after the Stone all along. Harry’s shock turns to horror when he discovers that Quirrel is possessed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: Lord Voldemort. (2:10:05)

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