The Canterville Ghost (1996)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Overrated and overhyped

Just perfect...

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

I enjoyed the story, and the beautiful English locations used in filming, but the main American characters (especially the parents) really were annoying. The smarmy dad blustered on and on about "physics" and ignored the obvious supernatural events, and the whole family,with the exception of Neve Campbell's character, seemed more or less like the kind of obnoxious, selfish tourists that blunder all over Europe and scream at people for not speaking English. They openly mock the beliefs and legends of the inhabitants of the village (and of the people who've lived in the home for generations) and never apologize for their boorish behavior even after it's been shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that the "ghost stories" were true the entire time. They basically invade a foreign country and then trash it for not being just like home, which is the kind of cultural tantalization Americans are (in)famous for. One wonders why the smug dad doesn't demand that they tear down the house and put up a Holiday Inn and convenience store, so little respect does he show to the area and its inhabitants.I realize when this story was written, the idea of "modern" Americans tackling the problem of a ghost must have seemed fresh and funny. Now, though, the film only highlights why so many other countries hold us in contempt. Indeed, the only sympathetic characters in the film are the ghost and the native British inhabitants; the loud, smug Americans, so arrogant that they fail to see that THEY are the deluded ones who ignore a very real ghost, come across like fingernails on a chalkboard: grating, painful, and woefully out of place.

Truly entertaining film for all the family. Based on the great Oscar Wilde's stories.A typical family composed of two young brat boys, a hot teen girl, and father and mother move to a castle because in the words of the father, it's cheap to live there.Neve Campbell's character is not very happy with the decision to move there because she's dealing with the pains of growing up. Suddenly after they install themselves in the castle's bedrooms, Neve starts to feel a strange vibe and even cannot explain some paranormal events.That's when she becomes friends with the Canterville Ghost played brilliantly by Patrick Stewart who is a very good actor.The chemistry between Campbell and Stewart is intense and enjoyable. It's more of a tender relationship.The movie has the typical t.v. vibe for these kind of movies. The direction is very basic and so are the effects.The art direction is truly good and that's what makes difference.Watch it only if you want to teach your kids or young relatives about Wilde's work.

Neve Campbell plays a young woman who moves reluctantly with her modified family to a new house, new country in an adaptation of the Oscar Wilde story. As with most of Wilde's short stories and fairy tales, there is a moral to learn, but the morals he spoke of challenged contemporary ideas. The film is based at a younger audience, but there is much for the older viewer to enjoy too, as was also the way with his short stories. There has been much debate as to whether they, and his fairy tales were designed for children or adults.The plot follows Neve's character dealing with growing up, life, love with the help of a ghost played by Patrick Stewart. Both leads perform well, with adequate help from veterans and relative newcomers. The film looks gorgeous, but unless you are a big fan of Wilde, Neve or Stewart, you probably won't go out of your way to see it. However, if it is on TV, it is worth watching. 7 out of 10.

There is nothing like an Oscar Wilde comedy, and this movie is nothing like a comedy. The melodrama labors from scene to scene and the comedy is completely absent. In the original story, the humor comes from the Americans who are oblivious to the ghostly traditions of Canterville Chase. The American father even offers some oil to the ghost to quiet the creaking chains. Read the book!