The Canterville Ghost (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Sydney Macartney

Writers (WGA):

Oscar Wilde (short story)
Robert Benedetti (teleplay)

Release Date:

27 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Drama | Fantasy

Plot:

Adaption of the famous Oscar Wilde tale about a young American girl that helps a British ghost find rest and forgiveness.

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Castle | Supernatural | Kids And Family

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Patrick Stewart	...	Sir Simon de Canterville
Neve Campbell	...	Virginia 'Ginny' Otis
Joan Sims	...	Mrs. Umney
Donald Sinden	...	Mr. Umney
Cherie Lunghi	...	Lucille Otis
Edward Wiley	...	Hiram Otis
Leslie Phillips	...	George, Lord Canterville
Daniel Betts	...	Francis, Duke of Cheshire
Ciarán Fitzgerald	...	Adam Otis
Raymond Pickard	...	Washington Otis

MPAA:

Rated PG for some haunting moments.

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Knebworth House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Anasazi

Quotes:

Virginia 'Ginny' Otis: When a gentle girl can win a prayer from out the lips of sin/when a child gives up tears and the baron almond bears/when the silent chapel bell sounds the ghostly sinners knell/then shall all the house be still, and peace shall come to Canterville.

Movie Connections:

Version of Bhoothnath (2008)

A family film in the truest sense - a delight for everyone

This is a little gem of a movie, with lush sets and surprisingly good special effects, in a truly English (as opposed to a Disney/Mary Poppins British) setting and an attractive cast. Patrick Stewart brings the full weight of his Shakespearian background to bear, and creates a tragic and tender ghost, never lapsing into bathos or slapstick. Neve Campbell as the heroine is convincing as a brave, warm-hearted girl embarking on a gentle romance with the well-cast Daniel Betts. Kids will love the ghostly capers, teenagers and older family members will enjoy Ginny and Francis getting closer together, and empathise with the father-daughter conflict, and more mature watchers will be moved by the sad history of Sir Simon. A three-hanky movie. The only fly in the ointment was the entirely wasted presence of Joan Sims and Donald Sinden - "ham" really should have been off the menu in their case, but at least we don't have to see much of them.