'Harry' ticket sales set to soar

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Advance booking sales for Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone are set to soar this week as rave reviews from Sunday's world premiere gave the film a magical opening.

Among the stars who turned out for the world premiere of the Harry Potter film in London was Daniel Radcliffe who shines in the lead role.

Afterwards the audience, critics and stars all pronounced the film a success, guaranteeing a further boost to record ticket sales for the November 16 opening in Britain and the United States.

About 5,000 of fans cheered as the big names from showbiz joined the cast for the first screening of "Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone" at London's Leicester Square on Sunday. In the U.S. the film will be titled "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."

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Some of the crowd, dressed in cloaks and wizards' hats, had begun queuing seven hours before the Odeon cinema doors opened.

The film is designed to appeal to both adults and children.

Many of the well-known names turning up wanted to be seen at one of the most eagerly awaited films ever to hit the big screen, while others just wanted to get in the good books of their children hooked on Potter mania.

Among the all-British cast members who arrived on Sunday were John Hurt, who plays wand shop owner Mr Ollivander; Robbie Coltrane, who plays giant Hogwarts groundskeeper Hagrid; and Julie Walters, who plays the part of Ron's mother Mrs Weasley.

Coltrane told reporters he was delighted to be a part of the Harry Potter phenomenon and that he had been blown away by the reception he had received. "They all started shouting 'Robbie, Robbie!' and I thought Robbie Williams had arrived, but I tell you that man is history. I am the new kid on the block," he joked.

Coltrane is currently on screens in the United States in a very different film, the dark interpretation of the Jack the Ripper story, "From Hell," with Johnny Depp.

Other guests included Sting, Cliff Richard and the Duchess of York who arrived with her two daughters, the princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

The duchess, who has written children's books herself, said after seeing the movie: "It is brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the girls loved it."

Rowling, the author of the books, which have now become a worldwide phenomenon, selling more than 100 million, looked relieved as she left the cinema.

She gave the huge crowd a thumbs-up and said: "It went wonderfully. I am so pleased, everyone seems to love it." The 12-year-old star of the film, Daniel Radcliffe, said: "I woke up last night at 3 a.m., 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., and although I am very nervous I am also extremely excited and happy today."

The adventures of the young wizard has bewitched millions through the books.

About 2,000 celebrities and fans sat down in a specially decorated cinema for the first official showing of the film. The Odeon cinemas of London, particularly those in the Leicester Square and Haymarket theatre district near Piccadilly Square, are large houses traditionally used for major premieres.

"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 in studies at the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.

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

British writer J.K. Rowling's four Potter books have sold millions of copies worldwide, captivating readers across the generations.

The Warner Bros. film, which is directed by Chris Columbus and cost about £100 million ($145 million), according to the Internet Movie Database -- is packed with special effects.

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

It has attracted the biggest-ever advance ticket booking with the Odeon chain of theatres selling 200,000 tickets, the company's most on record, and Warner Village making 140,000 reservations.

Odeon has dedicated 225 of its total 599 screens across the U.K. to "Harry Potter" and has trebled its call-centre staff to deal with the huge demand for tickets.

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