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Canterville Ghost

A wonderfully charming 1996 TV version of Oscar Wilde's haunting tale of love, romance, and a painful curse.

After murdering his wife, because he thought she strayed from their love, Sir Simon Canterville ( Patrick Stewart), has been banished for eternity to his own castle dungeon. Centuries lonesomely and tiresomely pass for this sad soul who is cursed to roam the nights, haunting his ancestral castle while days are spent cooped up in the very dungeon that caused his final departure into the world of dark oblivion.

An American family take up residency for three months in the castle riding on the coattails of their genius father's scientific studies. Hiram Otis ( Ed Wiley) has been assigned to continue his studies at a renowned university. His wife Lucille ( Cherie Lunghi) has brought over their three children Adam (Ciaran Fitzgerald), Washington ( Raymond Pickard) and Ginny ( Neve Campbell).

Pride and exhilaration is shown on all their faces, except on Ginny's, who clearly has no intention of showing a positive attitude or remote interest for the reason behind the move; she misses her friends and her moodiness is apparent.

The care takers of the castle, Mr. Umney ( Donald Sinden) and Mrs. Umney (Joan Sims), have great tales to tell of the castle's haunted history, including the famous blood spot that has never been removed. Of course Ginny's father doesn't believe in what he can't scientifically prove, so the ghost stories don't impress him in the least. But it does the kids, especially Ginny.

Ginny meets the ghostly haunter who frightens her out of her bedroom. She and her brothers are the only ones to see him and dad feels this is Ginny's way of getting the family spooked, in order to leave the castle and return home.

Ginny realizing her father isn't going anywhere soon, tries to keep focused by painting. One day a young handsome lad named Francis ( Daniel Betts), who happens to be a Duke, approaches the castle and takes a moment to introduce himself. Not only does this gent believe in the haunting, but has witnessed the ghost. The two start to form a friendship, that has the potential of growing into something more beautiful, if Ginny can open her heart to it.

One night Adam and Washington set-up the ghost by tricking him into thinking their is another ghost in the castle, in order to get back at him for all his wicked frights and creepy sounds. Because of the mayhem brought into the castle by her brother's prank and the ghost's anger, Ginny is openly blamed by her parents and they are planning on sending her home to stay with relatives.

Ginny is so upset for she doesn't want to leave the castle, nor be blamed for the serious trouble caused by Sir Simon. She is also feeling the strong need to help this sad ghost find his way back to a peaceful resting place.

Now Ginny will travel into the dead land of cursed souls to profess her belief in Sir Simon Canterville, in hopes of retrieving his soul back to him. But time is short.

Patrick Stewart is breathtakingly fierce, as he is heartbreakingly sad. This is an incredibly rewarding look into this actor's great ability for capturing your heart.

Neve Campbell was lovely and sweet, with just the right amount of cranky attitude, gentleness, courage and warmth.

A super cast brought much enchantment to this beloved story. A great family movie that would be especially spooky to watch on a stormy night.

The Canterville Ghost is fresh and stylish, leaving a lasting impression to haunt itself within for a long, long time to come. A truly magical and tearfully happy story of love conquering all.

Written by: Lynda Dale MacLean

Reviewers Rating: 7
Reader's Rating: 8.36
Reader's Votes: 19

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