This castle is very exciting, and I love the way LEGO did the playability. This castle is not that detailed as the 2010 version, but it's still awesome. You also can't complain about the number of minifigs which we get in this model. This set includes 9 minifigs in total. It comes with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Hagrid, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, a knight statue and a ghost who is supposed to be Peeves. The bags in this set are numbered for an easy build.

The build is awesome, and the whole castle is very sturdy. We get a boat, a little gate, a building with a big room where the students and teachers are eating which has got a chimney, a place where you can hide the ghost behind the rock on the top of the chimney, a box where you can hide some stuff have the inside and a sviwel card which shows you a picture of Dumbledore. We also get a flag which has a sticker for the house gryffindor and the house slytherin on each side. You also can hide some stuff under Dumbledore's chair.

The other building has a library and the room for the gryffindor with the picture which is supposed to be the entrance. This picture is a sticker which you have to put on a sviwel wall piece. There's also a spiral stair, which is nice about this set. I really can't complain about the stuff which we get in this set.

All in all, this set is a great set and I would HIGHLY recommend you to get this. You can find this set on eBay, BrickLink and Amazon for sure. Here is the link where you can check out the full gallery I made for this set on my website: www.klokriecher.de


Videos I made of this set:

Stopmotion

Review

Speed Build

The largest set of this original line of Harry Potter lego sets definitely afford great playability, buildability and hours of fun for those who love a good set to look and pose. Great tricks and hidden compartments, height and width and detail make this a must have set for any lovers of HP!

Build

The build is simple mainly a stacking kinda job, which I found relatively harmless as you know it'll create something pretty spectacular. You start with the small castle bridge in which the boat sails beneath, nothing taxing. Secondly you build small owlry and what seems to be a small classroom featuring a folding out staircase (I wish there was a stopper that would fix the stairs in one position when extended). The classroom features a bookshelf that tips, a desk with storage for a small book; and a clever fireplace with rubber band mechanism that when turns reveals a transparent chest with jewels; it's really charming!
Third stage of the build is my favourite section, it has the revolving Fat Lady panel, a balcony, the revolving knight statue with hidden jewel and a pulley system that when used opens a secret key safe (another great trick). In the tower above the observatory with telescope is super cool.
The next stage of the build is the great hall. It's pillars, arches and gargoyles make this feel really grandiose and capture the essence of the hall with its floating candles and smart revolving banner. The hidden compartments within this section again offer really nice playability, along with gadgets such as the crystal ball, letter and holographic chocolate frog card add some HP magic .

Minifigures

Classic yellow faced minifigures with the core characters make this set feel right. You can add others in as your collection builds to make this more comprehensive. The uniforms of the students are all matching which I appreciate, and the three professors feel the right choice, Snape with his glow in the dark face is a nice touch. Lots of animals complete this set nicely and add character. Peeves ghost is really plain and boring and is the worst minifig in my opinion, the knight is by far the standout minifigure! Super cool armour!

Pros:

Playability, hidden compartments, mechanised gadgets, the knight. Core minifigures.

Cons:

Peeves, stairs could do with a stopper to stop them spinning. Other than that. Love this.

This set is a very memorable and instant classical set that is truly a Masterpiece. It is a set that I love dearly and is very close to me as all of the Harry Potter sets are, It was also the very first Hogwarts Castle, And one of the best renditions of Hogwarts Castle ever created. The thing that I love about the classical LEGO Harry Potter sets is that the designers were thinking about the Magical feeling, the Enchantment and the true Harry Potter feeling. Many people disagreed and disliked the fact that many of the original LEGO Harry Potter sets had strange colour combinations, gaps and no walls however that's what made them so unique and magical. Some sets Indeed had large gaps however they resembled Windows, or ease of access to the set. Personally having large clustered walls wouldn't look very nice or interesting in my opinion, and everyone would be expecting to same old build through every set. In a way I think the designers had the Number 1 priority of making the sets Magical, Enchanting, Mysterious and Fun. That's what I love about this set is that it has all the Magic, Enchantment, Mysteries, Warmth and Fun within.
Released in 2001 to coincide the Blockbuster release of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone (Sorcerers Stone for the U.S), it contains 682 Pieces, 8 Mini-figures and 3 Sections of Hogwarts Castle. I managed to get this set of Ebay.com.au for $250 AUD In a New Sealed Box in Excellent Condition and I can strongly say it was definitely well worth the money for this Incredible set.

Box/Contents/Instructions:

The Box is 57cm Long, 38cm Tall and 6.8cm Thick. It contains the usual offerings you find on a LEGO Box like the Red LEGO Insignia. All around the Box, it is covered in the Hogwarts Stone walls. On the back of the Box there is 3 Alternative Sets which you can build from the back of the Instructions. There is also many images of the features in the Castle and an Image of all the Philosophers Stone sets together. On the side of the Box there is the usual Trademarks, Licensed Agreements, Future References and where the Components are made, For this particular set it says Made in Denmark however in small writing it says (Textiles made in China) which isn't on any of the other Philosophers Stone sets or Chamber of Secret sets they all are Made in Denmark only or Denmark and Switzerland. So I presume they made the Textiles in China for a bit of a cheaper option considering the size of the model and the popularity it had at the time. That's one thing I love about LEGO is that it's Quality European Manufactured. At the front of the Box there is a flap which enables you to flip the flap up and see numerous images of Hogwarts. On the top part of the flap there is an image of Harry, Ron and Hermione in the Year 1 Hogwarts Boats looking at Hogwarts in the distance. There is also numerous images of Accessories in the set and other techniques and Illustrations of the Castle. The Bottom flap shows the entire set and what it contains inside. It shows the Mini-figures, Accessories and the 3 sections of the Castle. The bottom flap is actually stuck on with 4 long pieces of sticky-tape which is the way you open the set. By cutting the sticky-tape with a knife (In-case you want to keep the Box in good condition for future reference) then lifting the flap stuck on you will find everything inside waiting to be built hehe :). There is 6 Bags which are numbered so the Building Experience will be neat and more simple. There is also a very small sticker, which is a picture of Albus Dumbledore on a sort of Metallic Chrome Background, and when you tilt it to the side and back and fourth there's a sort of Rainbow effect and he reappears much clearer. This sticker I found in the Instruction Booklet when I picked the Instruction Booklet up it slid out so be cautious. And last of all the 69 Page Instruction Booklet, 80 Including the Illustrations at the back.

Mini-figs:

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore more commonly known as Professor Dumbledore: Dumbledore features his usual bushy Grey eyebrows and Warming, Touching, Kind and Caring sparkling eyes with Shiny Half Moon Spectacles. He also has a simple smile but that is covered from his long Grey beard. With his Grey beard he has long Grey hair and when put all together you just wanna cuddle him hehe. Dumbledores Torso features Rich Purple Robes with Gold decorations most of which is covered by his Beard. His pants are Purple and have a bright green rope attached with what seems to be some Gold accessories attached to it and some more Gold decorations which are the same as the ones on his torso. And last but not least his Purple Cape.

Professor Rubeus Hagrid: "Keeper of Key's and Grounds at Hogwarts". Hagrid features his Large Black usual Bushy Hair and beard. Which features a small opening for his Mouth. He has very Kind, Calm Black eyes and thick Black eyebrows. He also has a simple smile underneath his Bearded Mustache. His Body features one entire Custom piece. He has a thick Chestnut Coat that is opened near his Chest so you can see his other Brown and Reddish Brown clothes. He also has a large Brown belt with a Big Silver buckle holding the belt together. He has large Brown movable arms with his Brown hands. And last but not least his large Brown Boots. Hagrid is a wonderful Mini-fig and when fully constructed, you just wanna cuddle him hehe.

Professor Severous Snape: Snape features Greasy Oily long Jet Black Hair. He also features a Glow in the Dark Head that has suspiciously raised Black eyebrows, An eye that seems to be Twitching or giving someone the evil sly death look and the other eye slightly more opened than the other eye, though still looking evil and curious. He also features a very strange puzzled type of angry mouth. His Torso features a Dark Purple Suit that is outlined in Silver. He features Grey hands to match his Grey Glow in the Dark head, Black pants with a Dark Purple pattern on his pants with the Silver outline (Identical to the pattern on his Torso) and a Black Cape resembling his Robes. (Although Snapes Mini-fig and character give an Evil and Sly perspective he is actually a very admirable and almost sad character. I will not tell you why because that would Spoil the Series, However for people who have read the Books and do know what I mean I hope others who haven't read the Book find more about Snapes character trust me after you find out more you your perspective might change, Mine certainly did)

Harry James Potter: Harry features his usual Black Messy Hair with Red Scar, Circular Glasses, Brave Sparkling Black eyes, and simple smile. His Torso features Light Grey Hogwarts School Uniform that features a Light Grey V Neck Sweater with Stitching around the Neck, Gold and Crimson Red lacing around the Neck, White curved Collar and Gold and Crimson Red Tie. On the Sweater there is a Gold and Crimson Red Badge with a Gryffindor Lion. He also features various stitching around the bottom of the sweater and various Black lines around his waist resembling how Mischievous, Active and adventurous he is that he can't keep his uniform tidy. And last of all he features Light Grey pants and a Black Cape (Which on one side is pure Black and on the other side has Silver Stars) resembling his Robes. Harry also features a Chestnut Brown Wand.

Ronald Bilius Weasley: Ron features his usual Orange Mopped Hair with Sparkling Black Eyes and Orange eyebrows which one is slightly raised. He features his freckles under his eyes and Quirky smile. His Torso features Light Grey Hogwarts School Uniform that features a Light Grey V Neck Sweater with Stitching around the Neck, Gold and Crimson Red lacing around the Neck, White curved Collar and Gold and Crimson Red Tie. On the Sweater there is a Gold and Crimson Red Badge with a Gryffindor Lion. He also features various stitching around the bottom of the sweater and various Black lines around his waist resembling how Mischievous, Active and adventurous he is that he can't keep his uniform tidy. And last of all he features Light Grey pants and a Black Cape (Which on one side is pure Black however on the other side features Silver Stars) resembling his Robes. Ron features a Light Grey Wand.

Hermione Jean Granger: Hermione Granger features her beautiful curly Brunette hair, Sparkling Black eyes and gorgeous red lips and small black lines next to her lips resembling her smiling. Her Torso features Light Grey Hogwarts School Uniform that features a Light Grey V Neck Sweater with Stitching around the Neck, Gold and Crimson Red lacing around the Neck, White curved Collar and Gold and Crimson Red Tie. On the Sweater there is a Gold and Crimson Red Badge with a Gryffindor Lion. She also features various stitching around the bottom of the sweater and various Black lines around her waist resembling how Mischievous, Active and adventurous she is with Harry and Ron that she can't keep her uniform tidy. And last of all she features Light Grey pants and a Black Cape (Which on one side is pure Black and on the other side has Silver Stars) resembling her Robes. Hermione also features a Light Cream Wand.


Draco Lucius Malfoy: Draco features his Combed Blond Hair, Grumpy and Mean looking face with raised Blond eyebrows, Suspicious Black Eyes and Disgusted sort of Quirky Mouth. His Torso features Light Grey Hogwarts School Uniform that features a Light Grey V Neck Sweater with stitching around the Neck, Emerald Green and Silver lacing around the Neck, White curved Collar and Emerald Green and Silver Tie. On the Sweater there is a Emerald Green Badge that has a Silver Serpent on it. He also features various stitching around the bottom of his sweater and various Black lines around his waist resembling how Mischievous and Sly he is that he can't keep his uniform tidy. And last of all he features Light Grey pants and a Black Cape (Which on one side is pure Black and on the other side has Silver Stars) resembling his Robes. Draco also features a Black Wand.

Peeves was a Poltergeist (An Indestructible Spirit of chaos."Unlike a Ghost" , which was incorporeal, a poltergeist was solid enough to move objects with physical force, and was never once a living human. The latter trait may indicate amortality the condition of never having died and being unable to die, as one was never alive to start) at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Peeves features an Entire Grey Body with a very confused and comprehensive facial expression. His torso features some sort of old fashioned Vest Jacket and completely Light Grey pants. Peeves has been at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since 993 A.D and the only known people to control Peeves is the Bloody Baron and Albus Dumbledore.

I will be splitting the set up into sections because there is a lot to talk about.

First Year's Boats:

You receive one of the First Year Boats that lead all First Year's to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Basically it is a classic Boat with a Black Torch Holder and one Trans Flame piece inside it resembling a Flaming Torch to see where you are amidst the creepy Lake. There is also a small Brown seat for a Student (Malfoy) and a spot for Hagrid to stand, however you can place which ever student you wish in the Boat.

Arched Boat Entrance:

This section is fairly small, however it is certainly a nice addition to the Castle. It basically consists of a large Rock formation and an arch which is supporting a small Tower that has some con shaped Roof pieces on top, There is also some small Trans Orange Flames on 2 Brown Cylindrical Pieces at the bottom of the Entrance lighting the way up for the Boats to see. This section is basically a small entrance for the Year 1 Boats to come through into Hogwarts Grounds across the Lake. So as I said earlier fairly small, but a nice addition.

Gryffindor Tower:

Which consists of the: Library/Gryffindor Common Room/Owlery Section/Astronomy Tower:

This section is the tallest section of the Castle and it is very tall. This section includes a large number of sections. It is also has 2 Hinges on it so the Owlery Section and the small fireplace section underneath can swing back and fourth whilst still being connected to the Library/Gryffindor Common Room and Astronomy Tower section.

First Floor:
Small Fireplace section on the bottom floor and Owlery: You start of with a Dark Grey 8 x 8 Base plate followed by 2 small turntable LEGO pieces. You build a Pylon (Pillar) which underneath it has a Yellow Rubber Band which is attached to 2 Turn Tables. The Pylon is on 1 of the Turn Tables so now when you turn the Pylon (Pillar) the Yellow Rubber Band that is attached to both Turn Tables turns the Second Turn Table. Now you build a small Fireplace formation ontop of the spare Turn Table. Behind the Fireplace formation is a Trans-Clear Treasure Chest with 1 Yellowish Green Trans Neon Diamond and 1 Trans-Blue Diamond. So the Idea is when students come along they see an Innocent Fireplace however when you turn the Pillar the 2 Turn Tables spin and the Second Turn Table has the Fireplace on top, so the Fireplace then turns around revealing the Chest full of the secret Rare Diamonds. You then build around this mechanism and above numerous arch formations consisting of Light Grey and Cream and Tan pieces which soon come to a small perch for 1 Dark grey Owl and 1 White Owl (Hedwig) to sit on, this is the Owlery. You then build a small Tower structure which goes over the 2 Owls perched on the Perch so they become concealed and hidden in the Owlery, which is quite cute and cosy haha.

Library: Next to the Fireplace section which is connected to the Library via 2 Hinges. You place one large Dark Grey 8 x 16 Baseplate which you then start building a wall with arched windows and a small arched doorway. You Build a small Bookshelf which has a Green Potions Book, A Red Herbology Book and A Black Dark Sorcery Book. The Bookshelf is actually a tilting mechanism which from the outside allows you to tilt the Bookshelf forwards creating all the Books to fall of the shelf and fall on to the ground. You make a small Brown Table with a Rare Quantum Purple Magnifying Glass suspended in a Light Grey Cylindrical Piece. You also slide a small secret compartment underneath the table which has a very small white Flat Tile with a Small Blue Book on it with small Gold Stars coming out of it. Next to that you build a Spiral Staircase and numerous arched pieces supporting the second floor.

Second Floor:

Gryffindor Common Room: The Second Floor consists of the Gryffindor Common Room and Balcony. You have a Dark Grey 8 x 16 Base plate which at the Left Hand side you place a Light Grey Turning Door which has a Printed Picture of the Fat Lady asking for the Password hehe. You then build a Gryffindor Knight who actually is a proper Mini-figure. You create a small curved wall section and place the Gryffindor Knight on a stand which behind him is a secret Rare Trans-Cyan Blue Diamond. You then build a small Balcony section which I really like. It has a small Trans Fire Flame peice and it has enough room for some Mini-figures to stand and look out of the view or the Enchanting Stars at night.

Third Floor:

Small Mechanism: The third floor isn't much except for a small mechanism that links to the second floor. On the second floor you place a sort of lever or switch. On the Third Floor you build a small secret compartment with 2 Jars on top 1 Red Cylindrical Piece with a Trans-Clear Stud on top and 1 Yellowish-Green Trans Cylindrical peice with a Blue Stud on top both resembling Potions, Jars or Lollie Jars. You then connect a Brown Chain to the top of the Compartment to the Switch on the Second Level. Now when you tilt the Switch on the second level back the compartment lid opens up to reveal a Gold Key which you place in earlier.

Fourth Floor:

Astronomy Tower: And last of all the Astronomy Tower. It's basically a Telescope Structure with a Plain Cyan Blue Book which inside it contains a Trans-Blue Flat Tile (Which shows some Gold Stars all over it) in a small formation next to the Telescope. And a large Green Roof structure over the Telescope and a Dark Grey Flag to finish it off.

The Gryffindor Tower is very Tall and impressive when finished. If you didn't understand a section of the set, simply Download the Instructions from Bricklink.com or Peeron.com. Or go to Peeron.com for a complete comprehensive Inventory of the set and all it's pieces.

Great Hall:

This is by far one of my Favourite Parts of the Castle. You start of with 1, 1 x18 and 1, 8 x 8 Dark Grey Base Plate which you connect together to create one large Baseplate. You then build a sort of Rock formation leading to the starting windows of the Great Hall. On the far Right of the Great Hall you Build Dumbledore's Throne which is Purple and Yellow. Underneath his Throne there is a mechanism which allows you to tilt the Throne Forwards and reveals a Plain Grey Key and a Flat Tile with a Brown Sack that has a Black Spider and a Bone with Gold Stars coming out of it. You also build a Brown Table and small Brown Bench which can sit 3 people Maximum. On the Brown Table there is 2 Yellow Goblet Drinking Cups and a Printed Envelop on a Flat Tile piece. You now place the Albus Dumbledore Sticker on a Black Flat Tile and place it on the bench provided. In the middle of the Great Hall you start building a large Fireplace which looks very warm and welcoming. You place 2 Black Flat Tiles which you slid a small compartment on which inside has a Magenta Diamond and a Brown LEGO Tile on top with 4 Orange studs resembling Fire. You place a fully custom Fireplace peice which is attached to a Hinge. Enabling you to open and shut the Fireplace so that Peeves can hide in there. You then place 2 Large Tan Pillars and more numerous arches and window formations. You eventually place 2 Trans-Clear LEGO pieces which at the end of you place 2 Orange Flame pieces resembling the floating Candles. You place more half curved arched pieces which resemble the classic antique roof. Above this you start building the Roof. On the bottom of the Roof you place a Trans-Green Cylinder piece and a Clear Dome over it making it look all strange and abstract, I'm not sure what the Green Piece is sadly. You then place 4 Sloped Light Grey pieces and 2 Black Plates 2 x 2 with Towball which enable you to connect the Roof. The Roof Tiles aren't actually LEGO, they are a Cardboard material which when you receive them (If you buy the set in a New Sealed Box or they owner hasn't Built the set) you will notice 1 hole in both of the 2 Roof Tile Cardboard piece you receive. You push the Carboard out of the Hole so now you have a small hole. You then push the hole over the 2 x 2 Black piece which has a Round Ball type LEGO piece that goes through the Hole, keeping the Roof Tiles secure and Neat. You then finish with some decorative Triangle type Tan pieces, A Cute Black Bat and a small Tower structure on the top of the Great Hall.

A word of Warning:

One thing I noticed in this set is, If you buy this set in New Condition do be a bit Cautious. The Tile Roof pieces are not LEGO so they can get Bent or stained, be very careful. Also the Giant Fireplace piece is extremely vulnerable to scratches considering the front if it is completely glossy and shiny. Also Capes, You can Iron them slightly if they are bent however don't Iron them for to long because if you Iron them for to long the small fabric on the Cape starts to flick out and so you don't have that nice clean cut edge that you have when you get a fresh new cape. So just be cautious and careful when buying this set in Used Condition.

Overall:

Fantastic, Just a Fantastic set. I strongly recommend this set to anyone with full confidence that you will enjoy it. It truly is a Marvelous set and is worth every bit of money paid for, A true Master Piece and Complete Triumph! 5/5

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review.

I win this on my bisthday and is totally awesome!

minifigs: 9/10

Pros:

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Dumbledore, Draco, Snape, Hagrid, Peeves and Hagrid

Cons:

No Minerva McGonagall

The Castle: 10/10

Pros:

Awesome Gryffindor Tower

Great Hall is very detailed

Nice Library

Cons: Gryffindor tower don´t have bed, Unlike 4757

Acessories: 8/10

4 wands, 1 chocolate frog crom, owls, bats, jewels, etc.

Final note: 8/10

End:

A awesome set.