The Canterville Ghost (1990 TV Movie) User Reviews

Classical Ghost Story in a Classical Form

[theatrum-1 · 7/10 · 17 November 2006]

The Canterville Ghost is a animated adaptation of the famous story by Oscar Wilde, English writer, poet and essayist. This version tells closely the classical story of the uneasy communication between old English ghost and progressive American family. This movie is very pleasant because it has nice retro stylization (like other movies by Al Guest), all things are clear and lucid. The space of the old castle has a mysterious atmosphere but there is no sign of ugliness etc. The work with the fear is witty, but not dreadful. (So this movie is convenient to children.) The characters are apposite and their voices are suitable(especially Daniel Reardon and Aiden Grennell).

Ghostly fun

[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.