Ah, you've got to love the Harry Potter movies. The boy wizard's big screen adventures feature more A-list thesps than Judi Dench's birthday party, more sharp intakes of breath than the World's Best Gasper competition and more magic tricks than Debbie McGee's experienced in 20 years of marriage. And, guess what, there's a fifth film on its way. Hurrah! But what if you haven't seen the Harry Potter movies yet? What if you don't quite understand what the fuss is all about? Well, worry not, because DS is here to help you. Read on to find out exactly what Daniel Radcliffe got up to before he decided to show off his magic wand on the London stage.


Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

When was it released? November 2001

Who starred in it? Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Richard Harris

What happened? Harry Potter (Radcliffe) is a quiet orphan who lives with his Uncle Vernon (Griffiths) and Aunt Petunia (Shaw). On his eleventh birthday he’s greeted by a mysterious stranger - the huge, hairy Hagrid (Coltrane) - who tells him that he’s actually a wizard. Harry learns that Lord Voldemort, an evil conjuror, murdered his parents and attempted to kill him too. Hagrid invites Harry to study at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, an offer which the lonely orphan accepts against the wishes of his disapproving relatives.

Sadly, Harry’s first term at Hogwarts isn't as stress-free as he hopes. The pre-pubescent wand-wiggler soon discovers that Voldemort, who’s been in a state of near-death for the last decade, is aiming to achieve immortality by acquiring the Philosopher’s Stone, a magical mineral which grants its owner eternal life. Harry, along with his new friends Hermione Granger (Watson) and Ron Weasley (Grint), must overcome several obstacles – passing a three-headed dog, playing a deadly game of Wizard’s Chess – to thwart Voldemort’s bid to get his grubby mitts on the stone.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

When was it released? November 2002

Who joined the cast? Kenneth Branagh, Miriam Margolyes

What happened? Harry returns for his second year at Hogwarts, but his beloved school is in a state of shock. The Chamber of Secrets has been reopened and a grotesque monster is stalking the castle, petrifying pupils as he patrols the corridors. According to legend, the Chamber of Secrets was built by Salaza Slytherin - a wizard who was blessed with the ability to talk to snakes - and can only be opened by his heir. Rumour spreads that Harry is the heir because he displays a peculiar aptitude for Parseltongue, the language of the hissing, slithering critters.

Tension mounts at Hogwarts when a mysterious message appears on the wall, declaring that Ginny Weasley, Ron’s younger sister, has been kidnapped and imprisoned in the Chamber of Secrets. Harry uses his cunning, his conjuring skills and his chutzpah to break into the Chamber, where he meets Tom Riddle, an enigmatic stranger claiming to be a “memory”. However, Harry soon discovers that Voldemort - whose real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, an anagram of ‘I am Lord Voldemort’ - imprinted his memory in an enchanted diary to continue his evil deeds when he reopened the Chamber. His dastardly plan? To rid Hogwarts of non pure-blood wizards like Hermione.

Tom Riddle’s memory grows more powerful as it sucks life from Ginny. Using its new strength, it attempts to kill our bespectacled hero by setting the monster loose again. However, a phoenix belonging to Dumbledore (Harris), Hogwarts’ esteemed headmaster, comes to Harry’s rescue and together they slay the monster. Harry stabs the diary with one of the monster’s fangs, vanquishing Tom Riddle’s memory forever and bringing Ginny back to life.