Inside U.K. Harry Potter craze sweeps across U.K. By Richard Payne	フレームで見る  英文をプリントする  脚注をプリントする
英国のハリー・ポッター熱 額に稲妻型の傷を持ち、眼鏡をかけた少年ハリーの、魔法学校での冒険を描いた「ハリー・ポッター」シリーズ。映画は英国で11月16日に公開され、大ヒットとなっています。今週は、本国イギリスで起こっているさまざまなハリー・ポッター現象を紹介します。

The Harry Potter craze is sweeping across the U.K. like one of the mini wizard's magical spells, and whether you're young or old, everyone's gripped.

During the first screenings, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" made a box office record of £16 million (¥2.8 billion) in Britain, the country in which the film was made. It's expected to beat the total amount of money taken for the hit film "Titanic."

The film, which cost a massive£100 million (¥17.8 billion) to make, brings to the screen the story of an 11-year-old boy, Harry, who discovers that he possesses magical powers. He attends Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and experiences a num ber of adventures with his friends.

So what has been the reaction to the long-awaited release? Well, it seems whatever their preferred style of film, cinema-goers are hailing it as a magical masterpiece, even though it is two and half hours long Ethat's about an hour longer than many other children's films.

Ten-year-old George Carter certainly didn't find it too long. "I've read all the books and I could hardly wait to see the film. I was so excited the night before that I couldn't sleep. It was fantastic. It was quite a lot like I thought it would be. It didn't spoil the books for me at all. It's the best film I have ever seen. It's too difficult to say what bits I liked best because I loved it all. I want to go and see it again soon."

George's 8-year-old sister Sarah also enjoyed it. "I did find it a bit scary at times. I didn't like the dog with three heads. That was really frightening. I had to hide my eyes when that came on. But I really liked Hagrid because he's really kind to Harry."

The whole Harry Potter craze has been quite remarkable. The books on which the film is based have sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and have been translated into over 30 languages. In the U.K., it has encouraged many young people to read more books. A survey by a reading charity revealed that up to 70 percent of children who had read a Harry Potter book said it encouraged them to pick up other novels.

Mother Jackie Newman, whose son John has read all the books, said, "I think it's fantastic. John preferred watching videos and playing on the computer to reading books but now he's reading a lot more. He was so thrilled by the Harry Potter books."

And it's not just the film and books that are doing well. Amazingly, opticians are reporting a boom in business. This effect of the film couldn't have been predicted by anyone before it hit the screens. Many young fans are keen to get a pair of glasses to wear, so that they can look like their hero Harry who wears spectacles.

Suddenly, in school playgrounds across the country, spectacles are cool. Opticians say anything that encourages previously reluctant youngsters to have eye tests is good news. I, too, wear glasses and it was hard sometimes to do so when I was little. If only Harry Potter was around when I was younger!

With Christmas coming, top of many children's present list is, of course, anything to do with Harry Potter. The books are flying off the shelves almost as fast as they can be stocked. Harry Potter dressing-up costumes are also proving popular. It seems every child wants to be seen wearing a black cape and a wizard's hat. Unfortunately, demand is outstripping supply and many shops have run out already.

But it's not all only good news surrounding the film. There are fears it might encourage children to want to own owls as pets. Harry's pet is a large white Snowy Owl called Hedwig. Wildlife experts in the U.K. have warned that owls do not make suitable pets and are urging parents not to go out and buy one for their child this Christmas.

The Harry Potter phenomenon has even been discussed by MPs in the House of Commons in London. It has been suggested that the phenomenon should be used to attract more tourists to the U.K. Of course, the film is packed with special effects to make the locations look even more magical, but many fans from all over the world may want to travel here to visit the locations where the movie was filmed. These locations include some of the most famous and beautiful places in Britain, including Oxford University, Alnwick Castle and Winchester Cathedral.

The tourism industry in this country needs a big boost after a miserable summer. Foot-and-mouth disease, which affected sheep and cattle, closed many touristic places and the attractions lost a lot of money as a result.

With filming on the second movie already having begun, it seems Harry Potter's success will grow and grow, with more people all over the world being left spellbound by the young wizard and his magical friends.

Shukan ST: Dec. 7, 2001

(C) All rights reserved