Potter fans prepare for movie magic

Today is the day children all over the world have been waiting for as Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone - one of the most eagerly anticipated films of all time - gets its worldwide premiere.

The adventures of the young wizard, who has bewitched millions through the books of JK Rowling, will finally be brought to life on the big screen at a star studded screening in London.

Thousands of fans, young and old are expected to pack into Leicester Square, to catch a glimpse of the stars who have brought the spell binding books to the big screen.

They include 12-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane, who stars as friendly giant Rubeus Hagrid and Alan Rickman who plays the sinister Professor Snape.

The all-British cast will be joined by around 2,000 lucky celebrities and fans who will sit down in a specially decorated Odeon Leicester Square for the first official showing of the film.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone tells the story of a young orphan who escapes the clutches of his bullying Aunt, Uncle and cousin to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Joined by a host of colourful and magical friends he learns the art of wizardry allowing him to take revenge on the evil Voldermart responsible for the deaths of his parents.

JK Rowling’s four Potter books have sold millions worldwide captivating readers across the generations.

The film, which is directed by Chris Colombus and cost around £100m to make, is packed with magical special effects.

Filmed at locations around the UK including Oxford University, Alnwick Castle and Winchester Cathedral, the movie has already proved a record breaker at the box office before it has even opened.

It has attracted the biggest ever advance ticket booking with Odeon selling 200,000 tickets, its most ever, and Warner Village making 140,000 reservations.

Odeon has dedicated 225 of its total 599 screens across the UK to Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and has trebled its call centre staff to deal with the huge demand for tickets.

One of the few people to have already viewed the film is the author Rowling, who gave the screen adaptation of her creation the thumbs up.

‘‘I’d say a week from seeing the film I was very excited and the closer the viewing came, the more frightened I became to the point that where I actually sat down to see film, I was terrified because it was way too late if bits were wrong.

"If Snape hasn’t got long blond hair or whatever. But at end of the film I was happy,’’ she said.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone opens on general release on November 16.