The controversial film Harry Potter and the Scorcerer's Stone opened to sold out audiences at the Little Theatre this weekend. Based on the first book in author J.K. Rowling's series, the film and book have come under heavy criticism from hard-line Christians who warn that it's use of magic and wizardry can lead to a dangerous fascination with such practices.

But despite those views the Child Wish charity used the first screening as a fundraiser and the consensus seemed to be that the movie was " great".

I spoke to several children after the screening on Friday night but was unable to get them to elaborate much beyond "it was great" or "really very good".

I took my young cousin Ade Brown who scolded me for showing up only five minutes before the film was to begin because I had him "really worried " that I "was not going to show up". " I really need to see this movie," he told me, with some urgency in his tone.

When the film began, he sat as I do, with my back comfortably against the back of the seat but as it progressed he moved to the seat's edge and leaned forward. His mouth fell open and it was clear he was captivated by the story.

Ade has read all of the books in the Harry Potter series and kept me appraised on when scary sections were imminent. From time to time he would bury his head in his jacket whispering to me that I would soon be scared. And he would chant to himself that what was happening on screen was not real. I offered to take him home but he laughed and asked me if I was "completely crazy".

Afterward feeling himself an expert on the subject he told me that the film was faithful to the book, although a leaf that was to be on Harry's wand was not really shown. Ade described the film as "exciting" and said he would be going to see it again.

Eleven-year-old Chris Mapa said it was "very scary" but his friend ten-year-old Connor Mclaughlin summed up the comments I got from other children. "It was very good. Very, very good." he said.

Cathy Stovell