Amusing spooky drama in the English countryside with Patrick Stewart and Neve Campbell
An American family moves into a huge manor north of London where the teenage daughter (Neve) discerns a ghostly presence (Stewart) while romancing a young duke (Daniel Betts).
A television production, "The Canterville Ghost" (1996) is based on Oscar Wilde’s humorous short story from 1887 and is one of the more faithful film adoptions (amongst many), just updating the story to modern times and omitting the eldest son, Washington, as well as making Virginia about 18 years-old, rather than 15.
It’s an entertaining family fantasy with a haunting edge in the mold of “The Watcher in the Woods” (1980/2017). You could call it G horror or PG horror and there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the story’s good. It’s akin to a Nancy Drew mystery set at a castle-like manor in Britain.
Neve was 21 during shooting, almost 22, and does fine as the intelligent protagonist, although I could take her or leave her. Meanwhile Stewart was keeping busy before doing his second TNG movie. He makes the specter sympathetic.
The movie runs 1 hour, 32 minutes, and was shot at Knebworth House, which is located 30 miles north of London.
GRADE: B/B-
