Customer Reviews

The Canterville Ghost

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is extremly well done. the scenery shots are magnificent. The story is a wonderful variation on several old ghost/haunting stories combined with a new twist. Great family film.

A delightful,playful adaptation of Oscar Wilde's story. Entertaining and moving as well as satisfying. Enjoyabole for the whole family.

The first time I saw this movie, I was enjoying a night alone in my house. I turned on the t.v., expecting to see a very different movie, and instead, I was surprised with a wonderful adaptation of what had been a favorite story of mine when I was a little kid. Patrick Stewart is wonderful as the tormented ghost, I fell in love with the "boy-next-door", and you find yourself rooting for Neve Campbell, and hoping her father will change for the better. I will definately be looking for this movie later.

Patrick Stewart's portrayal of the ghost was delightful and poignant and he wove into his role some Shakespeare which added depth. Neve Campbell was also exceptional as the young child who believed and shed her tears for the ghost's release.

This movie was better than John Gielgud version (matter of opinion)but both are well worth buying! Both are heart warming and moral valued so if you want to OWN 2 great movies? Either one or both will do. I give both movies 5 out or 5 stars no matter how many times they are watched!

Patrick Stewart does his usual stellar job of taking what could otherwise be an indifferent film, with really kindof a sappy script, and turning it into pure art. The breadth and depth of his talent amazes me ceaselessly, and in this vehicle he travels easily from the roar you could hear in the nosebleed seats at the back of the theatre, to moments of incredible intensity and intimacy. It's a sweet story, once you get past the almost inevitable Hallmark family interaction formulae; truth be told, I found myself moved nearly to tears more than once, and all because of Patrick Stewart's performance.

See this movie if for no other reason; it's reason enough.

There are at least seven versions of Oscar Wilde's THE CANTERVILLE GHOST out on DVD as of 2007. Can a slightly-dated, made for TV version really be worth your time and money? Can Patrick Stewart carry the title role as well as or better than Charles Laughton or John Gielgud?

YES!

The role requires the Ghost to be a Shakespearean and Stewart is a natural as the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville, and Elizabethan Lord caught in limbo, ever regretting the involuntary manslaughter of his beloved.

Of course, the ghost encounters a modern American tenant of his manor. The daughter and her brothers discover that Sir Simon is more bluster than horror and set out to lift the curse.

Good supporting cast overcomes so-so production values. Good on-site locale helps.

A great follow-on to this DVD would be the classic 1930's campy drama 'The Ghost Goes West,' where a US grocery magnate buys a Scottish castle--with ghost, of course.

This version of THE CANTERVILLE GHOST has just the right blend of wit, romance, and pathos. Go for it!

This is a great version, although I absolutely loved the one with Sir John Gielgud, he is fantastic, such a regal presence. Patrick Stewart, wasted his talents on the Star Trek series.
Wish they would put the Gielgud one out on DVD

I have seen a couple of other versions of The Canterville Ghost, but neither of the two can TOUCH this version with Patrick Stewart. As one who started in and loves Shakespearean acting, Patrick Stewart lends to the Ghost a sorrow-filled, yet hopeful mood... Choose this one of any version out there. You WON'T be disappointed!

This is the kind of movie that my mother likes to watch, so I assumed the usual- a cheesy family film that would have silly plots and poor acting, BUT this movie doesn't fit that mold. I was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. Sure, it still has the cheesy family-oriented subplots (I thought the whole "rational explanation" bit was a little overplayed), but overall it's a very cool story and the acting was VERY good. Patrick Stewart was excellent, projecting just the right amounts of kindness and woe (alongside his mischevious midnight hauntings), Neve Campbell was very good (as usual) and I am now a very big Daniel Betts fan (too bad he hasn't done very many movies). It's a feel-good story- I highly recommend this movie!