The Opening Scenes of Harry Potter and the Philosophers...

The Opening Scenes of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring In recent years the fantasy genre has undergone a huge revival. Whereas it was once reserved for childrens books of fairy tales, fantasy in both literature and film alike is increasingly becoming a more mainstream genre, enjoyed by people of all kinds. ==================================================================== Fantasy films are probably the most frequently stereotyped genre of all. They tend to involve things such as Dark Lords, magicians, quests and otherworldly creatures. But only when all these are believably portrayed are they interesting films. Fantasy films that†¦show more content†¦Fantasy films have the element of surprise- the viewer can never predict exactly what is going to happen next. Although The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring uses this traditional stereotype (and dont forget, it was the tale that set the stereotypes!) Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone begins in a nice row of thoroughly modern little terraced houses with neat little lawns and cars in every driveway. The scene is set during the night and everything is very quiet. The street lights provide a misty feel to the place- until an old man (whom we have just watched walking down the road) rather dramatically puts most of them out using a small device not entirely unlike an ornately car ved lighter, thus providing an ethereal glow for the ensuing conversation. The most immediate questions that spring to mind are What is that Put-Outer? Why on earth would the man want to put the street lamps out? and What exactly is this eccentric-looking old man doing in a nice, normal place like this Privet Drive anyway? This last question was definitely intended by the producers of the film, as throughout the opening scene the film makes comparisons between the typical objects and behaviour expected, and those shown in this scene. The opening to The Fellowship of the Ring does not, strictly speaking, actually have a setting. It is comprised mostly of