The Canterville Ghost Details

A Wilde ghost story

At first sight this seems to be a Childrens Film Foundation movie made in the late 50's or 60's. An American family with a teenage daughter who didn't want to leave home anyway, and two younger brothers who revel in anything with a bit of history or is it mystery, lease Canterville Hall from the owner who seems pleased to stay in London rather tham his ancestral home. It soon becomes apparent that this is a ghost story, but it it is one that is more enjoyable than many others. Part of this is may be due to the orginal short story by Oscar Wilde that this is based on. Part of it may due to the excellent casting and some very good performances by the actors. It is a surprise to find that it was made in 1996, it has a 'they don't make them like they used to' feel about it. If your ear is attuned to Shakespeare then you will soon recognise lines from the Bard when the ghost, played by Patrick Stewart - who else, starts to have a real presence in the film. However it is not only Shakespeare that can write in that style, so can Oscar Wilde. It is easy to treat this film as a silly ghost story where we can see what is coming, but if you let yourself go with it, it really works. Oscar Wilde has got the psychology just right, a teenager who could well be behind poltergeist manifestations, a blood stain cleaned up and replaced by oil paint when we see she is an artist, there are many little touches like this. I found it a charming film. I hope you enjoy it too.

JG

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Canterville Ghost

Not a bad movie but I do prefer Patrick Stewart in his Star Trek gear