Box-office magic as Harry Potter aims to sink Titanic
February 20, 2002

Tara Womersley

THE film Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone, based on JK Rowling’s first book about the schoolboy wizard, has been named as the second biggest box-office hit of all time after taking £650 million.

Figures show that the movie, which stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, has overtaken The Phantom Menace, the Star Wars Movie released in 1997.

However, the film, whose cast also includes Robbie Coltrane as the friendly giant Hagrid, has as yet failed to come near the No 1 slot which remains held by Titanic. The romantic blockbuster, starring Leonardo diCaprio and Kate Winslet, has grossed around £1.3 billion since its release in 1997.

The Phantom Menace, starring Ewan McGregor, has taken just over £645 million at the box office.

Alan Horn, the president of Warner Brothers, which made the Harry Potter film, said of the box-office figures: "This is a remarkable achievement.

"We’re extremely proud that audiences around the globe have embraced Harry Potter so enthusiastically, and we thank all of the fans for their passion and support."

However, despite its success in revenue from ticket sales, the tale of Harry Potter’s escapades at the Hogwarts School for up-and-coming wizards has for the most part been snubbed when it comes to recognition from awards.

The movie failed to receive a BAFTA nomination for best film, and when the Oscar nominations were unveiled last week, only its technical achievements were recognised.

The film is believed to have cost £90 million and Harry Potter merchandise, ranging from toys to T-shirts, has also proved a profitable money-spinner. When it was released, Ms Rowling expressed her delight by saying the characters really did "look as I'd imagined they would inside my head".

She said she was very relieved that the film had been so faithful to the book and described the cast as her "dream choice of actors".

She said she had initially turned down many film offers, but had changed her mind when she became convinced that Warner Bros would retain the spirit of her books .

The next Harry Potter instalment, The Chamber of Secrets, is already being filmed.

Kenneth Branagh, 40, will play Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, a part for which Hugh Grant was also considered.

Others British actors to appear include Richard Harris as Prof Dumbledore, the headteacher at Hogwarts, Maggie Smith as Prof McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Prof Severus Snape and John Cleese, who plays Nearly-Headless Nick.

The Philosopher’s Stone was written by JK Rowling, 36, who fiercely guards her privacy, in cafes around Edinburgh.

The author married in a secret ceremony at her home, Killiechassie House, Perthshire, on Boxing Day to Dr Neil Murray, 30.

Ms Rowling, who separated from her first husband shortly after her daughter’s birth, met Dr Murray, a hospital locum from Edinburgh, last year.

Dr Murray, whose father and grandfather worked at the family veterinary practice in Huntly, where his mother is also a teacher, had recently separated from his first wife, Dr Fiona Duncan, when he met the writer.

Ms Rowling has strongly denied that she is suffering from writer’s block, after reports that she is having trouble to produce the fifth book in the Harry Potter series.

Source: The Scotsman