The Canterville Ghost (1985 TV Movie) User Reviews

Excellent film

[BarrysGirl · 16 November 2002]

I was given this film as a gift from a friend who knows that i am a huge Barry Van Dyke fan, and i have to say that both myself and my little girl sat and watched it, and we really enjoyed it, but with it being only 56 minutes long it was not enough time to get into the plot, just as you were starting to enjoy it, it suddenly ended, more time was needed.

But above all, i have to say i throughly enjoyed it, and have watched it a staggering 23 times since i first had it.

Only worth it for the housekeeper's peripatetic accent.

[leekier · 2/10 · 14 June 2021]

Mrs Unmey's accent, which wandered the length of the U. K. before crossing the Atlantic and then swinging back and forth between the various different countries, is the most amusing and exciting aspect of the entire film.

I'm guessing this is made for TV/video film as it's fortunately very short. The acting isn't bad, it's just not very good. All wit and humour has been sucked out of the original story and all unpleasantness removed to leave a dull and saccharine mess.

Haunting

[CountVladDracula · 8/10 · 28 September 2007]

This is a classic story in true Oscar Wilde wit and flair. It's both haunting and funny. It's a fairy tale for all ages. In this story a young American girl helps to free the tormented spirit that haunts an old English castle. It's very well written and a beautiful tale for all ages. It's too bad this wasn't the best adaptation.

The best adaptation of The Canterville ghost, in my opinion, has to be the version with Patrick Stewart as the ghost, it was made for television in 1996. Though set in the 1990s it's very true to the book. The worst adaptation of the Canterville ghost, in my opinion, is the version set in 1944. It had been turned into blatant war propaganda and was almost unrecognizable, it's plot having nearly nothing at all to do with the original story by Oscar Wilde, which is a true classic.

Nostalgia abounds

[anniewhitcomb-06675 · 10/10 · 15 January 2020]

I love love love this adaptation! It's cheesy and adorable and one of my favorite childhood movies. The sweetest little girl befriends an old sweet curmudgeon of a ghost!

My Favorite Canterville Ghost of All!

[calmom55 · 10/10 · 24 September 2022]

Not all the acting is great, and the film quality is a bit fuzzy, but still my favorite version! I fell in love with the 1947 original, in black and white with Robert Young and Margaret O'Brien, when I was about ten years old (in the early 60s) land have watched all the other versions since then which were okay but this one is my favorite. My opinion is that everyone should see all versions, but my opinion is also that in the end, this is the best. Or the second best, I do still love the Robert Young version. Why can't Hollywood come up with a newer version of these movies that are as romantic as these?

If you like this, you will love The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, another black and white ghost story, with. Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. One of the best love stories of all time.