Watch The Canterville Ghost

The Canterville Ghost is a heartwarming and enchanting family movie that is based on the classic story by Oscar Wilde. The film stars Phillip Hinton as Sir Simon de Canterville, a ghost who has haunted Canterville Chase, his ancestral home, for more than 300 years. The story begins when the Otis family, an American family, moves into Canterville Chase. The family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Otis and their four children, Virginia (Joanna Moore), Washington (Robyn Moore), and twins Oliver and David. The Otis family is portrayed as a modern family who do not believe in ghosts, unlike the English countryside people who claim that the Canterville ghost is real.

Despite Sir Simon's best efforts to scare the Otis family, they remain unfazed. The ghostly tricks that worked on previous inhabitants of Canterville Chase, fail to frighten the modern, technology-driven family. Sir Simon is initially bemused by the family's no-nonsense attitude towards the supernatural, but he is intrigued by Virginia's kindness and sensitivity towards him.

As the story progresses, Virginia, the oldest Otis child, befriends Sir Simon, and the two form a heartfelt relationship. Virginia learns about Sir Simon's unhappy life and how he has been cursed, unable to leave the estate until he atones for his sins. Sir Simon sees Virginia as his only hope for redemption, and the two work together to lift the curse and set him free.

The film offers a delightful mix of humor, drama, and romance that makes it appealing to both children and adults. It also showcases Wilde's wit and wisdom, weaving his message of compassion, redemption and the power of the human spirit in a delightful family-friendly way.

Visually, the film is stunning, with the gothic architecture of the mansion and the beautiful countryside backdrop adding to the film's hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. The special effects and computer-generated imagery used to create the ghostly apparitions and other supernatural elements are seamless and evoke a strong sense of other-worldliness.

The acting in The Canterville Ghost is excellent, with Phillip Hinton's portrayal of Sir Simon being particularly impressive. Hinton's commanding presence in his role as the cursed ghost is both haunting and touching, evoking a feeling of sympathy and sadness. Joanna Moore as Virginia also delivers a moving performance, capturing the character's kindness and compassion while helping Sir Simon find redemption.

Overall, The Canterville Ghost is a charming and uplifting movie that is ideal for family viewing. The film's themes of compassion, redemption, and human kindness are as relevant today as when they were first penned by Oscar Wilde. The movie offers a perfect blend of humor, romance, and supernatural elements that will entertain and delight audiences of all ages.

The Canterville Ghost is a 2002 fantasy movie with a runtime of 50 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.