ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
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November 19, 2001

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE -- A MOVING STAIRCASE TOO FAR?

A personal view by Martin Saunders, Premier Christian Radio, England
Special to ASSIST News Service

LONDON, ENGLAND (ANS) -- "The most eagerly-anticipated movie event of the year" is a term thrown around far too liberally in film marketing circles these days. Nevertheless, in the case of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the slogan is justified beyond doubt. J.K. Rowling's series of books is nothing less than a phenomenon, with millions of fans, young and old, all over the world. The mere announcement that the first novel was to be filmed was enough to send those fans into frenzy. Now, the unprecedented response to the release of one-seventh of the Harry Potter legacy has been enough to see box office records tumble and toy shop shelves empty.

As most people with eyes and ears will know by now, Harry Potter is a boy wizard, who during the course of his education at Hogwart's school of wizardry, falls into all sorts of (literally) magical adventure. He learns how to cast spells, how to repel "the dark arts," and even how to fly on a racing broomstick, and uses his expertise in an on-going battle with an evil wizard, Voldemort. By his side are two friends, Hermione and Ron, and a gentle giant, Robbie Coltrane's brilliantly played Hagrid, who join him as he navigates his way past three-headed dogs, giant trolls and the wizard equivalent of Rollerball. So in a nutshell, it's your run-of-the-mill buddy-buddy comedy wizard thriller.

Before even addressing the spiritual aspect of the film, it is important that we ask an even more important question. Is the film actually any good on a superficial level? The answer, as might be hoped for considering the amount of money that it cost to put together, is a resounding yes. The acting, from an all-British cast, is startlingly good, especially from the marvelously pantomime Alan Rickman, as Harry's potion teacher Professor Snape. The sets and costumes are as lavish as the tourist-board-friendly locations; the orchestral score a must for filmgoers and classical music listeners alike. And thankfully, despite his dubious pedigree, director Chris Columbus has performed a marvelous act of contortion in editing down what was a finished four-hour film. The plot is as faithful to Rowling's original as time can allow, and as a result we end up with a masterpiece of children's fantasy.

Unfortunately, the review cannot end there. Before I went to see this film, I was fervently clutching my lucky rabbit's foot, hoping that the storm of disapproval created by various Christian commentators was only really fit or a teacup. Christians need to be aware of the culture, and wherever possible, should try to participate in and understand it. Harry Potter is about as popular as culture gets in 2001, so the church needs to know as much about it as the screaming, sticker-swapping, action-figure buying rest of the world does. Whether that extends to taking our young children along to see it however, is a matter for some debate.

Even the most liberally minded soul cannot deny that the Harry Potter story deals explicitly with Witchcraft. Children see Harry learning spells, and whilst he does fight evil with them, he also uses them for more menial tasks. He uses his magic to help him in the sporting arena for instance, and to play a prank on one of his enemies. It is perhaps this aspect of Harry Potter that should be of most concern - the apparent legitimization of witchcraft and wizardry in a child's everyday life. Teen magazines in the UK already contain "Spooky" sections, where children can learn spells to help them tidy their room, or silence their teacher. Harry Potter is therefore a large doorway to the occult, and if we lead children to it, there is a possibility that they may nudge it open.

The film also presents two other areas of concern. Firstly, and perhaps surprisingly, the language used in the film is at times rather strong for a "children's film," and quite unnecessary. Secondly, the film is extremely frightening in places. The depiction of Harry's evil nemesis, Voldemort, is straight out of a horror film in the Hellraiser league, whilst the murder of Harry's mother, the giant snarling monster hidden in the vaults of Hogwarts, and the shadowy danger of the dark woods outside it are all the stuff of nightmares.

This film is a genuine Parental Guidance affair. It is advisable that, however laborious it may sound, parents go to watch the film, or at least read the book on which it is based, before they let their children become involved. It is unquestionably a gray area text - a fine movie with some dark content hidden among the light. And whilst I'm a huge advocate of culturally relevant Christianity, Harry Potter may be a moving staircase too far.

Martin Saunders can be contacted at martin.saunders@premier.org.uk. 

Note:  Dr. Ted Baehr of MOVIEGUIDE ® has produced a free guide to Harry Potter.  You can request a copy from Movieguide@compuserve.com.

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