Customer Reviews

Canterville Ghost [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is such a wonderful movie! I was 6 when it came out in 1986 and in all these years have worn out the VHS tape that we had.

Now, we don't even have a VCR and I wish the studio would release it in DVD format. I'd buy it in a second.

First off, I want to point out that this is not the 1944 black and white version of The Canterville Ghost that starred Charles Laughton that a previous reviewer mistook it for but is actually the video tape for 1986 color made for television remake that starred John Gielgud as the ghost and Alyssa Milano from Who's The Boss, Melrose Place and Charmed as a young girl who befriends him when her family inherits the house in which he haunts. The movie also stars Ted Wass who plays Alyssa's father and if you ever watched the sitcom Soap which spoofed soap operas you may remember him as Danny. This is a cute movie and I would really like to see this put on DVD!

A young Alyssa Milano stars as Jennifer Canterville, a young girl who is being transported from the life she knows into a strange new home in a new country with a new family. Jennifer's father, Harry, played by Ted Wass (who would later star in the popular tv show Blossom) has a new bride and decides to take over their family estate, the Canterville Castle.

When the new Cantervilles arrive, strange occurances immediately ensue. Hummel, the butler, is hung from a chandalier and loses the luggage, a ghostly apparation appears on the stairs and warns the family to leave or be sorry, and a mysterious spider interrupts the new couple's intimate moments! The family is informed that the Ghost of Sir Simon Canterville (played tremendously by Sir John Gielgud) haunts the castle to ensure that no one takes possession of his home. None of the family, except Jennifer, believe the story that their new home is haunted.

Being a young, naive youngster, Jennifer is immediately enthralled with the idea that there is a ghost in the castle. One evening she follows him to his chambers, where he does his best to scare her to no avail, leaving her instead smiling. She tells Sir Simon that she is not scared of him, instead she wants to team up with him to scare her parents out of the castle so that she can return to her old home. Sir Simon and Jennifer then become friends, causing many exciting twists and turns, including Jennifer helping Sir Simon find eternal peace. Sir Simon and Jennifer's meaningful relationship make this made-for-tv movie a quick and enjoyable watch.

I was 5 or 6 when I first watched this film, and still enjoy it today. I puchased this vhs copy, which I'm glad I did, since there is no dvd version available and now the vhs is out of print. I hope that this film is made available on dvd soon, as it is a family film that would be enjoyed by many!

This movie is in demand! Why on earth don't they re-release it!
We want this movie digitally remastered and available on DVD!

I don't remember this movie ever hitting the Theaters, but it is GREAT! There are three popular actors in it: John Gielgud as the "Canterville Ghost"; Ted Wass as the decendent who inherits the haunted castle and his daughter, played by a very young Alyssa Milano.

The American family headed by Ted Wass' character, inherits the castle and moves in. Shortly thereafter, they encounter "The Ghost". Alyssa Milano's character befriends the cranky old "Ghost" and they plot to run off Alyssa's new step mom. The story line contains several humourous scenes and also involves a mystery for Alyssa to solve. She must solve a riddle in order to help the "Ghost" to escape from this world and go to his eternal rest.

This movie would be a great movie for children 10 and above, as well as adults looking for some lighthearted entertainment.

I saw this film on English Tv when I was 6 I loved it and for about 5 years we had half of it on tape though I could still remeber all of it, I eventually got it and I must say it is fantastic and I will always be A fan of Sir John Gielgud, I would recomend this wonderfull film to anyone I met. I have wanted this video for over 15 years but it hasalways aluded me, until now. At Last I have a copy even if it is American and does not play properly on my English video recorder, I would never part with it for anything in the world.

This is a wonderful video. I agree...please, please release this treasure on DVD!

Wow! It has been 20 years since this movie came on the tube and it is still the best. I first saw this movie when I was 10 and managed to tape it- thank goodness because 15 years later I have never seen it again-ANYWHERE. I was just looking on Amazon and found it-not on dvd of course- but I grabbed it. Even if this movie cost me $[...] I would still buy it. There is no other ghost story around that touched me quite like this one.
You already know the plot-family moves into a castle and the little girl meets a ghost who wants them out of the house at ONCE. The ghost is cranky and has a cold and thinks that the little girl is so annoying-until she starts to applaud him for his efforts in getting them OUT of the house.
Ok, so the movie hasn't been released on dvd. That happens. Get yourselves a vcr and order it because they most likely will never re-release it and the price can only go UP. It features spiders,the dad from Blossom, a young Alyssa,great special effects for that time and possible the best ghost story young children can actually appreciate as well as adults-20 years later.

The Canterville Ghost WAS my childhood..I have watched it so much and never tire of it..the quotes from the movie are like those from Starwars..me and my brother would constantly use them. "Deeds of blood..Murder! Walk abroad" I never knew Alyssa Milano was Jennifer until recently..this really is a great cast..Guildgud (sp) is the unrivalled star and makes the movie for me. He is superb..he really puts in depth to his character. Turning him from a tyrant, to a sad ghost with hints of comedy thrown in. I don't think it's that scarey..I was 8 when I first saw it..I was more scared my 'Polterguiest' at the time..but when you're a kid scarey movies are the best movies to watch. Everyone should own this and everyone should watch it. It's a classic.

Ok, Ill keep it short and sweet. I have searched for this film for 10 years. Our found it about a week ago because of friend of mine said she had it. Id checked all tv stations and video stores and no one has it in Australia. It was once on TV in Oz in 1988 and my mother and grandmother both taped it but I told them to tape over it because I was so scared of it so I dont recommend it showing it to little people. John Gielgud brings magic and experince to the ghostly role and the effects, alhough not Titanic style, still make my spine chill to this day. well done John...oh and Alyssa is very cute and sexy, I am 15!