2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New 2008 Dvd release in USA, January 14, 2009
This review is from: The Canterville Ghost (DVD)
I caught this on PBS, and while it seems to have a light Disney feel to it, it was still pretty entertaining. The 'modern' American family (especially the terrible twins) versus an Old World weary ghost is both a fun and sad contrast. While penned by Oscar Wilde, the plot and humor reminds me of Twain.
There are many filmed versions, and I don't know if this is the best, having only seen the 1944 Charles Laughton film. In that one, the story was about confronting cowardice and radically changed 'for the war effort'(WWII propaganda), with dated slapstick humor. While viewers like that movie for other merits, it has almost nothing to do with the original story which this movie faithfully depicts.
The out-of-print BFS Carlton dvd looks and sounds the same as the vhs; the change in media is the only improvement, making it more convenient if you only have a dvd player.
While I haven't watched the new release (and thus can't comment on it's dvd quality), it is available in a 3-dvd set:
The British TV Family Collection: Three Historical Period Classics.
Still relatively expensive since you're buying 3 dvds, but much cheaper (and new, not used) than the resellers.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fairy tale, August 27, 2007
This review is from: The Canterville Ghost (DVD)
This is a classic story in true Oscar Wilde wit and flair. It's both hautning and funny. It's a fairy tale for all ages. In this story a young American girl helps to free the tormented spirit that haunts an old English castle. It's very well written and a beautiful tale for all ages.
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