the canterville ghost 1996 film

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The Canterville Ghost

1996, Comedy, 1h 37m

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Ginny Otis (Neve Campbell) is a teenage girl who moves to England with her family to inhabit creaky old Canterville Hall. She lobbies for her father to send her back home, and is even more adamant when she encounters a ghost and an inexplicable bloodstain. But when Ginny befriends the ghost, Sir Simon de Canterville (Patrick Stewart), and meets the attractive Duke of Cheshire (Daniel Betts), she decides she wants to stay and help Sir Simon escape his centuries-long curse.

Genre: Comedy

Original Language: English

Director: Syd MacCartney

Producer: Robert Benedetti

Release Date (Streaming): Mar 28, 2016

Runtime: 1h 37m

Sound Mix: Stereo

Cast & Crew

Patrick Stewart

Sir Simon de Canterville

Neve Campbell

Virginia "Ginny" Otis

Edward Wiley

Cherie Lunghi

Lucille Otis

Ciaran Fitzgerald

Raymond Pickard

Washington Otis

Donald Sinden

Daniel Betts

Francis,Duke of Cheshire

Syd MacCartney

Robert Benedetti

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The Canterville Ghost

Film details, brief synopsis, cast & crew, sydney macartney, edward wiley, neve campbell, daniel betts, cherie lunghi, donald sinden, technical specs.

A contemporary version of Oscar Wilde's novella. The late (16th century) Sir Simon becomes the most frustrated ghost in all of England when he just can't seem to scare a modern American family with reappearing bloodstains, clanking chains and midnight howls in a haunted castle.

Patrick Stewart

Raymond pickard, ciaran fitzgerald.

Leslie Phillips

John allenby, robert benedetti, brian bilgorri, howard burden, elaine burt, peter butler, malcolm j christopher, dennis dovington, brian fassett, mark fitzgerald, david e fluhr, yvonne heeks, peter hutchinson, stephanie kaye, lynn kressel, barry langley, denis lewiston, david minty, chad owen mochrie, david moroni, peter mullins, jay ostrowski, simone reynolds, julie robinson, brent shields, brian simmons, paul martin smith, ernest troost, karen mayeda vranek, gary wasserman, burt weinstein, richard welsh, oscar wilde, miscellaneous notes.

Aired in United States January 27, 1996

Released in United States on Video May 28, 1996

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The Canterville Ghost (1996)

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When a teenaged girl moves to England, with her brothers and parents into the ancient Canterville Hall, she's not at all happy. Especially as there's a ghost and a mysterious re-appearing bloodstain on the hearth. She campaigns to go back home, and her dad, believing the ghost's pranks are Ginny's, is ready to send her back. But then Ginny actually meets the elusive 17th-century Sir Simon de Canterville (not to mention the cute teenaged duke next door), and she sets her hand to the task of freeing Sir Simon from his curse.

Sydney Macartney

Robert Benedetti

Top Billed Cast

Patrick Stewart

Sir Simon de Canterville

Neve Campbell

Virginia 'Ginny' Otis

Donald Sinden

Cherie Lunghi

Lucille Otis

Leslie Phillips

George, Lord Canterville

Daniel Betts

Francis, Duke of Cheshire

Edward Wiley

Ciarán Fitzgerald

Full Cast & Crew

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The Canterville Ghost

Patrick Stewart (Sir Simon de Canterville) Neve Campbell (Virginia 'Ginny' Otis) Joan Sims (Mrs. Umney) Donald Sinden (Mr. Umney) Cherie Lunghi (Lucille Otis) Edward Wiley (Hiram Otis) Leslie Phillips (George, Lord Canterville) Daniel Betts (Francis, Duke of Cheshire) Ciarán Fitzgerald (Adam Otis) Raymond Pickard (Washington Otis) Paul Brightwell (Vicar)

Syd Macartney

When an American family moves into a haunted mansion in England, the family's teenage daughter could be the key in fulfilling a prophecy and finally set the house's ghost free.

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When a teenaged girl moves to England, with her brothers and parents into the ancient Canterville Hall, she's not at all happy. Especially as there's a ghost and a mysterious re-appearing bloodstain on the hearth. She campaigns to go back home, and her dad, believing the ghost's pranks are Ginny's, is ready to send her back. But then Ginny actually meets the elusive 17th-century Sir Simon de Canterville (not to mention the cute teenaged duke next door), and she sets her hand to the task of freeing Sir Simon from his curse.

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The canterville ghost.

1996 Directed by Sydney Macartney

When a teenaged girl moves to England, with her brothers and parents into the ancient Canterville Hall, she's not at all happy. Especially as there's a ghost and a mysterious re-appearing bloodstain on the hearth. She campaigns to go back home, and her dad, believing the ghost's pranks are Ginny's, is ready to send her back. But then Ginny actually meets the elusive 17th-century Sir Simon de Canterville (not to mention the cute teenaged duke next door), and she sets her hand to the task of freeing Sir Simon from his curse.

Patrick Stewart Neve Campbell Joan Sims Donald Sinden Cherie Lunghi Leslie Phillips Daniel Betts Edward Wiley Ciarán Fitzgerald Raymond Pickard Paul Brightwell

Director Director

Sydney Macartney

Additional Directing Add. Directing

Barry Langley Jerry Daly

Producers Producers

Patrick Stewart Robert Benedetti

Executive Producers Exec. Producers

Brent Shields Richard Welsh

Writer Writer

Robert Benedetti

Original Writer Original Writer

Oscar Wilde

Casting Casting

Lynn Kressel

Editor Editor

Paul Martin Smith

Cinematography Cinematography

Dennis C. Lewiston

Production Design Production Design

Peter Mullins

Art Direction Art Direction

David Minty

Composer Composer

Ernest Troost

Costume Design Costume Design

Howard Burden

Signboard Hill Productions Anasazi Productions

Releases by Date

27 jan 1996, 03 oct 1996, 01 jan 2020, releases by country.

• Theatrical 6
• Theatrical U

92 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★ 2

Spooktober III: The Haunting of the Blood October

Ben Kingsley... I mean... Patrick Stewart stars in this adaptation of Oscar Wilde's popular short story.

I haven't watched many renditions of the story, but I have a feeling a lot was changed to make it more kid-friendly. In light of that, I was shocked by how dark and tense the scene was where Virginia a pre-SCREAM (the picture would not be released until 11 months later that year) Neve Campbell and Sir Simon (a Stewart showing off his Shakespearean and dramatic skills, which fits the kind of character Simon is) discuss the afterlife and hell. The rest of the acting is adequate, but like the cinematography and other technical aspects, it isn't particularly memorable.

All in all, a good adaptation of the literary classic that children and parents will enjoy in equal measures.

TODAY SCHEDULE In Search of the Last Action heroes In Search of Tomorrow Magic Moments The Canterville Ghost

Review by AJ ★★★

Surely, the most famous of Neve Campbell's films from 1996 ( Scream, The Craft, The Canterville Ghost ).

Say what you want about the quality of The Canterville Ghost , anything that has Neve Campbell being angsty, Patrick Stewart acting like he's in a Royal Shakespeare production, and a brooding, drafty castle is comfort cinema for me.

Neve Campbell #1

Review by Cptn_Sumi 🚀 ★★★ 7

Patrick Stewart makes everything watchable.

Review by Ian Kemper ★★½

The synopsis of this made for TV film wants you to think it's about a family moving into an English castle that is haunted by an emotionally tortured ghost that continously spouts iambic pentameter until a teen girl befriends him and helps him transition to the afterlife through forgiveness for him and his forgiveness of himself.

And it is about that, for sure. I'm not about to debunk the premise of a pretty straightforward movie. But...

But what I watched had my mind going in some much more subtextual realms, i.e. there's some subtly shady shit going on here. But first for some brief context, this came out in '96, so the same year as two very influential movies of…

Review by abbytron ★★½

I must admit I kind of enjoy Neve Campbell's style of acting, which I can only really describe as "pretending you are freezing cold." No one can ever take that from her, which kind of makes it a strength in an odd way? Lacey Chabert and Jennifer Love Hewitt did it too, but I am not as convinced that they are more than mildly cold. Patrick Stewart definitely provides the strongest acting here, obviously. He plays every role like it is the most important role of his life. This is not a masterpiece by any means but I liked it enough.

Review by ruby 🔪 ★★★

when i die i hope i too am befriended by neve campbell and we recite shakespeare before she helps lay me to rest and i am at peace forever knowing she loves me and will look over my rotting corpse

Review by elvisch ★★★★½

CUNTERVILLE GHOST!!!!!

i am SO jealous. i wish i could • cry into patrick stewarts chest • give him a little smooch on the cheek • hold his hand

FINALLY WATCHED THIS!!!!!!! PATRICK STEWART IS SO CUNTY IN THIS!!! AS ALWAYS! HAD FUN!

additional notes • bella swan core • wanted to gut punch the dad • brrr so galt • OASCHKOID

Review by niv 🐻 ★★★½

crazy i thought I'd hate the kids the most but the worst character really was the father

Review by BriAnimator_ ★★★

Neve Campbell 😍

Review by Freyr ★★★

Night #58 of Hooptober X .

Cute little ghost story. Neve really was busy that year haha.

Review by •°Ash°• ★★★

can't believe Neve Campbell owns the year 1996

Review by v🧷ck ★★★

Neve having a line saying she’s not afraid of scary movies felt like a break in the 4th wall

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Watch The Canterville Ghost

• 1 hr 31 min
• 6.1   (2,704)

The Canterville Ghost is a comedic family film from 1996, directed by Sydney Macartney and based on the classic story by Oscar Wilde. The film stars Patrick Stewart as the ghost, Neve Campbell as Virginia Otis, and Joan Sims as Mrs. Umney. The plot revolves around the Otis family, who have just moved from America to the English countryside, and inherit the Canterville estate. Upon arrival at the estate, they are warned by the estate's caretaker, Mrs. Umney, about the ghost that has been known to haunt the place for over 300 years. However, the Otis family (particularly the father, played by Ian Richardson) are too practical to believe in ghosts and dismiss Mrs. Umney's warnings as superstition.

The Canterville ghost (played by Patrick Stewart) is a ghost who has been cursed to haunt the estate for eternity until he performs a good deed. He has tried to scare away every occupant of the estate for the past 300 years but has failed to do so, which has only added to his misery.

The Otis children, especially Virginia (played by Neve Campbell), are fascinated by the ghost and decide to set out to solve the mystery and see if they can help him in some way. As they try to interact with the ghost, they come to realize that he is not entirely scary but rather a tragic figure, who has a past that they can relate and empathize with.

As the story progresses, we see the interactions between the ghost and the Otis family become more complex, especially as the ghost becomes romantically interested in Virginia. They also discover the tragedy that the ghost has been carrying for hundreds of years and find a way to help him lift the curse.

Throughout the film, there are plenty of comedic moments, especially with the ghost's attempts to scare the family, his interactions with Mrs. Umney, and the Otis family's practical approach to the situation. The humor is understated, and not slapstick, making it approachable for audiences of all ages.

The cast is excellent, most notably Patrick Stewart as the ghost, who brings a depth and nuance to the character that is seldom seen in comedic ghost stories. Neve Campbell holds her own as the curious and compassionate Virginia, while Joan Sims perfectly captures the snooty and superstitious Mrs. Umney.

The film's pacing is also well done, with a good balance between the comedic moments and the emotional arcs of the characters. There is a strong sense of atmosphere, with the English countryside setting adding to the film's charm.

Overall, The Canterville Ghost is a delightful film that is sure to entertain audiences of all ages. It is a family-friendly ghost story that balances humor and heart, making it a perfect choice for a cozy movie night in.

The Canterville Ghost is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.

• Genres Drama Family Fantasy
• Cast Patrick Stewart Neve Campbell Joan Sims
• Director sonar
• Release Date 1996
• MPAA Rating PG
• Runtime 1 hr 31 min
• IMDB Rating 6.1   (2,704)

The Canterville Ghost (1996) Stream and Watch Online

Watch 'the canterville ghost' online.

Yearning to watch ' The Canterville Ghost ' in the comfort of your own home? Finding a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or watch the Sydney Macartney-directed movie via subscription can be a challenge, so we here at Moviefone want to take the pressure off. Below, you'll find a number of top-tier streaming and cable services - including rental, purchase, and subscription alternatives - along with the availability of 'The Canterville Ghost' on each platform when they are available. Now, before we get into the fundamentals of how you can watch 'The Canterville Ghost' right now, here are some details about the Anasazi Productions, Signboard Hill Productions drama flick. Released January 27th, 1996, 'The Canterville Ghost' stars Patrick Stewart , Neve Campbell , Joan Sims , Donald Sinden The PG movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 32 min, and received a user score of 60 (out of 100) on TMDb, which assembled reviews from 45 top users. Want to know what the movie's about? Here's the plot: "When a teenaged girl moves to England, with her brothers and parents into the ancient Canterville Hall, she's not at all happy. Especially as there's a ghost and a mysterious re-appearing bloodstain on the hearth. She campaigns to go back home, and her dad, believing the ghost's pranks are Ginny's, is ready to send her back. But then Ginny actually meets the elusive 17th-century Sir Simon de Canterville (not to mention the cute teenaged duke next door), and she sets her hand to the task of freeing Sir Simon from his curse." 'The Canterville Ghost' is currently available to rent, purchase, or stream via subscription on FILMRISE, Peacock Premium , Tubi TV, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Peacock .

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The great perennial “The Canterville Ghost” based on a serialized 1887 short story by Oscar Wilde is back in the form of a “Downton Abbey”-esque, animated tale of an American family traveling from Boston to England and finding itself in a manor house haunted by a 300-year-old ghost. The film is notable for reuniting Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie of “Jeeves and Wooster” fame. Fry, giving his vocal instrument a Boris Karloff-twist, voices the ghost Sir Simon de Canterville, who was bricked up in a portion of the house and left to die three centuries earlier.

Upon her arrival, Virginia Otis (an excellent Emily Carey of “House of the Dragon”), whose scientist father Hiram (David Harewood) calls her “Pumpkin,” comes across a history of “Canterville Chase” text and digs in. Her father wants to install modern electricity in the old manor. Her mischievous younger brothers Louis and Kent (a delightful Jakey Schiff and Bennett Miller) seek hijinks wherever they can find it. Virginia’s mother Lucretia Otis (Meera Syal) wants very much to fit in with local society and plans a dinner party.

Portraits of terrified previous owners of Canterville Chase adorn the walls in a very Harry Potter sort of way. We hear of a prophecy concerning a massive, dead almond tree. Before long, we meet the spectral Sir Simon in chains and spooking up a storm. Unfortunately, Sir Simon, who likes to quote Shakespeare, does not scare the Otises very much. Virginia almost ignores him. The boys play football (American-style) with his head. Sir Simon, who disappears in puffs of smoke, is decked out in green tights, blue boxers, a gold tunic and a big, ruffled collar. He wants to know why Virginia wears “breeches.” She explains that they are “riding breeches” and promptly rides out to meets her rather hapless love interest Henry Fitz Humphreys, the Duke of Cheshire (a fun Freddie Highmore). Eventually, we learn that Sir Simon was suspected of murdering his beloved wife Eleanor (Elizabeth Sankey). Virginia takes on the task of lifting the curse upon Sir Simon.

Also in the film’s remarkable voice cast are Imelda Staunton as the cook and housekeeper Mrs. Umney, Toby Jones as the local vicar The Reverend Chasuble and Miranda Hart (TV’s “Call the Midwife”) as a inventive, ghost-chasing friend of the Reverend. Laurie has less to do as the voice of Death.

Directed by Kim Burdon (“Fireman Sam”) and Robert Chandler (TV’s “Boy George: One on One”), this “Canterville Ghost” is not the first animated adaptation of Wilde’s story, which has been adapted many times before (there was a 1970 Soviet animated film, believe it or not).

The role of Sir Simon has been previously played by Patrick Stewart and John Gielgud. The most famous adaptation was the 1944 American feature film, starring a wonderful Charles Laughton as Sir Simon, Robert Young as an American WWII soldier, child actor Margaret O’Brien and Una O’Connor. A 1966 ABC TV movie musical of Wilde’s story featured Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Michael Redgrave and music by “Fiddler on the Roof” songwriters Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. This latest “Canterville Ghost” might not be the best. The computer-generated animation is not exactly inspired. The hit-and-miss screenplay boasts a “ghostbusters” joke. But like Noel Coward’s much adapted “Blithe Spirit,” “The Canterville Ghost” is always welcome.

(“The Canterville Ghost” contains mature themes and swashbuckliing)

“The Canterville Ghost”

Rated PG. At Apple Cinemas. Grade: B+

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The Canterville Ghost Review: A Banner Animated Adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Classic Story

Sir Simon's (Stephen Fry) ghost fails to scare an American family from his English estate, but gains an invaluable friend (Virginia Otis).

Oscar Wilde's classic short story gets a banner animated adaptation with an all-star voice cast of venerated British actors. The Canterville Ghost will have children and adults delighted from the first frame. I was literally laughing out loud within minutes. A few tweaks to the story adds depth, heart, and a thrilling climax that resonates. The film wows the eyes with beautiful backgrounds and settings. There are also a sprinkle of slightly scary moments to give the youngest tykes a welcome fright. The tale of a 300-year-old apparition comically failing to scare an American family out of his treasured home has never been better.

The Otis family arrives from Boston to a late 1880s English countryside estate with vastly different expectations. Hiram (David Harewood) and his wife, Lucretia (Meera Syal), are ecstatic to have gotten such a deal on the elegant property. They couldn't have cared less about rumors of a ghost or the fact that previous owners had been driven mad. The upstart Yankees plan to show the stuffy Brits the marvels of modern technology. Their hellion twin sons, Louis (Jakey Schiff) and Kent (Bennett Miller), can't wait to start trouble. But teenage daughter Virginia (Emily Carey) still stews from the move. What's she going to do in the middle of nowhere?

Sir Simon de Canterville (Stephen Fry) lurks behind the walls ready to terrify. He was cursed to roam Canterville Chase for eternity and made quick work of those who dared to enter his abode. Sir Simon's trademark wails, screams, and near translucent appearance doesn't get the expected response to say the least. He flees nearly traumatized from his first taste of Louis and Kent's antics. Sir Simon's efforts with their parents are equally frustrating. He's scolded and admonished before being shooed away with medicinal tonics.

Stephen Fry as Sir Simon

Virginia is the only Otis genuinely intrigued by Sir Simon. She finds a book about the history of Canterville Chase and the tragic circumstances that doomed him. He's also fascinated by the upstart girl who wears "pantaloons," can expertly fence, and rides horses like a cavalry soldier. They become unlikely friends until a hated neighbor enters the equation.

Virginia heroically saves the Duke of Cheshire (Freddie Highmore) from plunging off a cliff. The shy and sweet nobleman becomes enamored with the young American beauty. This thrills Virginia's parents who crave to be a part of snobby British society. But the nascent romance infuriates Sir Simon who hates the Cheshire family for what they did to him. He redoubles his efforts to evict the interlopers.

Related: Fry and Laurie Reunite in Trailer for The Canterville Ghost Horror Comedy

The Canterville Ghost accentuates an already clever narrative with smart additions. Virginia's demeanor, dialogue, and actions show her refusal for complacency. She craves a world of excitement and adventure, not debutante balls. But every tough nut cracks sooner or later under the right circumstances. The Duke of Cheshire isn't just a handsome face with a title. He proves to be kind and courageous, and embraces Virginia's rebellious streak. Their romance becomes integral in a tense third act.

New story elements also include a hilarious riff on Ghostbusters . The Reverend Chasuble (Toby Jones) has a specter-chasing wife (Miranda Hart) obsessed with capturing Sir Simon. She straps on a proton pack wannabe that would give Egon Spengler (RIP Harold Ramis) a raised eyebrow. Her gadgets are just a tip of the iceberg. Hiram fancies himself an inventor with plans to electrify Canterville Chase. The theme of modern life overtaking dated customs and thinking is present throughout.

A Sweet Romance

Stephen Fry reunites with his sketch show partner Hugh Laurie as the most formidable of adversaries. He portrays Death as a gardener who clips our stems when the mortal coil ceases. Virginia's investigation of a mysterious proverb to free Sir Simon brings our gallant heroine to Death's doorstep. Let's just say those fencing lessons were worth every penny. There's surprising angst to an ending that's easily the darkest part of the film. The Canterville Ghost isn't all giggles when lives and destiny are at stake.

Related: The 12 Best Animated Movies of 2022, Ranked

Directors Kim Burton ( Fireman Sam ) and Robert Chandler ( The Amazing Maurice, The Deep ) pay incredible attention to small details. The film's backgrounds are amazing. Everything from the rural landscape to the Canterville Chase interiors are noticeably distinct. They also change animation styles when giving important background information to frame Sir Simon's dilemma. His exposition is told in brilliant 2D cut-outs like a puppet show. This varies how you see the film, so the following scenes seem even bolder. The Canterville Ghost gives behemoth competitors like Pixar a run for the creative money. It's visually breathtaking. It's obvious that significant artistry was involved in the production.

The Canterville Ghost is a production of Align, Melmoth Films, Space Age Films, and Sprout Pictures. It will be released theatrically on October 20th from Blue Fox Entertainment and Shout! Studios .

In Theaters

The canterville ghost.

• Action/Adventure , Animation , Comedy , Horror

Content Caution

• October 20, 2023
• Emily Carey as Virginia Otis; Stephen Fry as Sir Simon de Canterville; Hugh Laurie as The Grim Reaper; Freddie Highmore as Henry; David Harewood as Hiram Otis; Meera Syal as Lucretia Otis; Jakey Schiff as Louis Otis; Bennett Miller as Kent Otis; Imelda Staunton as Mrs. Umney; Toby Jones as Reverend Chasuble; Miranda Hart as the Ghost Catcher

Home Release Date

• December 5, 2023
• Kim Burdon; Robert Chandler

Distributor

• Shout! Studios; Blue Fox Entertainment

Movie Review

Most people would run as fast as their legs could carry them if a moaning ghost dragging chains began strolling through their new house.

But the Otises aren’t most people.

Hiram Otis brought his family to the English manor Canterville Chase from America to expand his electric lightbulb business. And his wife, Lucretia hopes to get in with England’s nobility.

Unfortunately, Sir Simon de Canterville, the ghost who’s been haunting the old mansion for the past 300 years, doesn’t want them there. He just wants to live out his miserable existence in solitude.

Turns out Hiram and Lucretia’s daughter, Virginia, is of the same mind as Sir Simon. She never wanted to move to begin with. But maybe if they work together, she and Sir Simon can frighten the Otis parents into returning stateside.

That is, if they can convince Hiram and Lucretia that Sir Simon is the raving murderer he’s rumored to be and not just an unfortunate spirit in need of some lubricant for his rusty chains.

Positive Elements

The Canterville Ghost (both this film and the short story by Oscar Wilde on which this is based) is a tale expounding upon the virtues of love and forgiveness.

Even in his seemingly never-ending despair, Sir Simon recounts the love he had for his wife when she was alive (and that he still has for her even after both of their deaths). And he encourages Virginia to give love a chance.

Interestingly enough, Sir Simon doesn’t think he is worthy of love or forgiveness himself. He blames himself for his wife Eleanor’s death. And he submits himself to a cursed eternity because of this.

However, Virginia refutes this belief, showing Sir Simon that Eleanor’s death wasn’t his fault and that his wife’s returned love for him is enough to conquer anything—even death.

Both Virginia and Sir Simon learn the importance of love and forgiveness. They make sacrifices to help each other as their friendship develops. And they even save each other from certain doom on a few occasions.

Elsewhere, a man learns to let go of a grudge against a family after realizing that the younger generations aren’t like their predecessors.

Spiritual Elements

As obviously noted, Sir Simon is a ghost. And he has a lot of supernatural powers that allow him to torment the residents of and visitors to Canterville Chase. He can walk through walls, teleport, make objects fly and even remove his own head.

But Sir Simon is also cursed . Allegedly, he’s haunted Canterville Chase for the past 300 years as punishment for Eleanor’s death. So far, he’s done a pretty fair job. Up until the Otises arrived, every previous owner had fled the property, and some had even been committed to asylums.

However, in order to break the curse, someone must accompany Sir Simon through an enchanted garden to beg the Grim Reaper for forgiveness for him. (We also hear the Reaper referred to as an angel.) Unfortunately, Sir Simon’s cruel treatment of Canterville’s guests hasn’t exactly garnered him the sort of sympathy necessary to make that happen.

Canterville itself also has some spooky elements (later revealed to be the workings of the Reaper). There’s a crow that magically appears and disappears. A book about Canterville’s history shows up on Virginia’s bed and somehow keeps changing every time she reads it. And writing appears on Virginia’s bedroom window alluding to a prophecy (that is eventually fulfilled).

The Otis family is visited by a vicar and his wife (who calls herself a “phantasmagorical investigator”). The wife uses a variety of tools in an attempt to capture Sir Simon, and she claims that all ghosts are “pure evil.” Sir Simon mocks the vicar, saying, “Forgive me father, for I have sinned” as he tries to scare the man off. The vicar says electric lights are “like magic.” Two ghosts seemingly ascend to heaven.

Virginia’s brothers create a creepy getup of a ghost with a pumpkin head. And the Grim Reaper transforms into a giant skeletal dragon with tentacles at one point.

[ Spoiler Warning ] Several characters eventually make their way into the aforementioned garden via a gate with pearly mist. That gate turns out to be the veil between life and death, causing the living to die as their spirits pass through. Once there, they encounter the Grim Reaper, who has his own set of supernatural skills (shapeshifting, environmental manipulation, and the ability to cause death among the foremost). And the Reaper acts as a sort of godlike being with the ability to condemn souls to an eternity alone or to elevate them to heaven. Two characters die after walking through that gate that. But they’re later revived when the Grim Reaper allows them to return to their bodies on the other side.

Sexual Content

Virginia meets Henry, a local duke, while rescuing him from a runaway horse. (She hops into his lap in order to seize the reins.) When Lucretia spots them together shortly after, she immediately assumes that they’ve formed a romantic attachment. And she encourages the relationship throughout the film, much to Virginia’s embarrassment.

Despite Virginia’s aversion to romance—she believes that marriage would prevent her from having the sorts of adventures she desires—she and Henry nearly kiss several times. And Henry’s attraction to her becomes obvious as their relationship deepens.

The vicar’s wife is intrigued by science and calls Hiram Otis a “man after [her] own heart,” which visibly upsets her husband.

Violent Content

Flashbacks show a killer taking a saw to a bridge’s railing, weakening its structure. Later, a woman drowns after the wood snaps beneath her weight. And after that, the killer frames the woman’s husband for her death, arrests him and then entombs the innocent man alive inside a room, laying bricks in a door frame to seal him inside. (We spot the victim’s skeleton in the present.) We also hear someone was frightened to death, and a man makes several death threats.

Two characters stab each other with swords, but technically, neither was alive, so they’re unharmed. Virginia suddenly loses her breath and falls off a garden wall when the Grim Reaper clips a rose meant to represent her.

Henry almost perishes when his horse starts to run off a cliff (but he’s saved by Virginia). Later, he returns the favor when Virginia nearly drowns after falling through a rotting bridge.

Folks are tossed around by the ghost of Sir Simon. Although he’s clearly just trying to scare people, not harm them, there are still a few close calls as he throws knives, starts a fire and other forms of mischief. Some characters throw objects at each other, hitting their marks. There are several sword fights. And a few characters narrowly escape a fire that would have killed them otherwise. (Henry is injured by a falling chandelier during this scene.)

It’s rumored that a man killed his wife. Many objects are damaged by mischievous or angry characters. A young man repeatedly falls off his horse. Sir Simon is electrocuted after ignoring a warning from Hiram not to touch an electrified object. A couple of characters drive recklessly. A woman faints multiple times. We hear someone lost all their teeth in a riding accident.

There are a few spooky jump scares and mildly frightening sequences.

Crude or Profane Language

There is a singular used of “damned.” There are also a few “darns” and “hecks” tossed around. Some mild insults are exchanged.

Drug and Alcohol Content

Characters drink wine at a social gathering. And it’s clear that one man is drunk as he seeks heavier spirits.

Other Negative Elements

Early on, Virginia is quite rude to her parents for making her move to England. She has a bad attitude about the entire ordeal. And she takes it out on Henry, her younger brothers and Sir Simon (whom she recruits to trick her parents into leaving). Her parents offhandedly attest her bad mood to puberty and largely leave her disrespect unchecked.

Virginia’s younger brothers are troublemakers, constantly lying, tattling and causing chaos. They’re also openly disrespectful to their father. Some teenagers think it’s an important part of their development to disobey their parents.

Sir Simon makes a few outdated sexist remarks. A couple of characters make fun of a man who is going “mad.”

The vicar’s wife states her desire to experiment on Sir Simon if she can capture him.

The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde has always been a tale about love, and how it can conquer anything, even death . And this film takes very few liberties as it attempts to convey that message to a new audience.

The animated version’s darker elements—such as the manner of Sir Simon’s death (he starved after being entombed alive) and the curse keeping his spirit trapped at Canterville Chase—are left largely unchanged. And that’s a bit of a conundrum for wary parents.

And we also need to talk about the film’s spiritual point of view.  God is never mentioned in this tale about life and death. Rather, the timing and manner of death are left to the Grim Reaper. And he also has the authority to determine what happens to a person’s soul once they pass on. (He was the one who cursed Sir Simon to haunt Canterville.)

Those spiritual ideas are obviously at odds with what Scripture has to say about our need for forgiveness from sin being addressed by Jesus’ death and resurrection. That said, the spiritual content here feels closer to something like Dickens’ A Christmas Carol than anything that’s genuinely occult.

The story doesn’t have too many other pitfalls. There’s a single use of “damned,” and though it’s not used as a swear word, younger ears might still hear it that way. Most of the violence is played for humor. And sensual content is wholly absent.

Much like Oscar Wilde’s original intent, the focus on the story is also largely on love. And that virtue, we see, yields kindness, forgiveness and friendships that, perhaps ironically in Sir Simon’s case, last a lifetime.

The Canterville Ghost’s spiritual elements may well make this film a non-starter for some families. (And if that’s the case, the film’s title will probably be the first hint.) But it’s not entirely unnavigable for parents who may wish to share this literary tale about love—and perhaps talk about our true source of forgiveness in Christ along the way as well.

Emily Tsiao

Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.

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The Canterville Ghost (movie, 1996)

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