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Rating:  - Really, this is a one-star production
The version with Charles Laughton is still unavailable on dvd and the Ian Richardson one is cost-prohibitive. So, after doing some searches on different versions of this movie, I decided on this particular version-- since Patrick Stewart is definitely one of my favorite actors.
He really doesn't disappoint here. He's excellent, as expected, and brings depth and empathy to the role of the Canterville Ghost.
However, everyone else in this production is more than bad. They are horrid.
Neve Campbell, in particular, can't act. She's a one-note actress and I'm surprised that nobody has told her to go take some acting lessons. She does this great tentative, unsure-of-herself, little girl smile thing, then she stops smiling (as if she's not sure a smile is appropriate), then she'll smile again-- just a bit. UGH! Talk about annoying. Maybe this was a good thing for that character she played on the tv show, but it's not good in feature films and it's not good if that's all you see her do. And, it is. I've seen her in a few other films, and she plays every single role the same way. Have you ever seen her break into a wide grin? Give a hearty laugh (a guffaw, even?)? No-- because she can't act. She can only shyly smile, stop smiling, give a hint of another smile, lick her lips tentatively, and repeat.
So, because she has so much on-screen camera time, I can't give this film too many stars. And, because there are other people who also can't act in this film, I can't give the film too many stars.
The little brothers were alright- not too cute, but cute enough. They didn't have big roles, however. The father was horrible! If not exactly a one-note actor, he's a two note actor, maybe. He wasn't given a great script, granted, but he delivered his lines fairly flatly. Yes, he was "angry" when he delivered the lines, but not with depth. And, at one point, he had to kneel and cry into his wife's body. Oh, he didn't pull that off well, at all.
The script was terrible. Yes, Sir Canterville's dialogue was perfectly fine. But the story line for the rest of the film was asinine. The kids can see the ghost. The parents can't and the dad thinks the daughter is making it all up so that they can leave England (she's just a sullen hormonal teen, I suppose). So, the kids are being haunted and the father is increasingly angry at the daughter, unfairly. Finally, the daughter has the 'ingenious' idea that will force her father to be able to see the ghost, too. This works, but also has some consequences. That's the story-- which would be okay, if they had some actors that could act.
That's what really bothered me about this movie. There are so many actors out there who need jobs and can act. Why use these actors? Why use the dad and Neve Campbell when there are tons of good quality actors who would love to do these roles? It's not as if actors are in short supply!
So, five stars for Patrick Stewart, and so many negative stars for the other actors and the script itself, that it works out to about 2 stars.
Rating:  - Best of Seven?
There are at least seven versions of Oscar Wilde's THE CANTERVILLE GHOST out on DVD as of 2007. Can a slightly-dated, made for TV version really be worth your time and money? Can Patrick Stewart carry the title role as well as or better than Charles Laughton or John Gielgud?
YES!
The role requires the Ghost to be a Shakespearean and Stewart is a natural as the ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville, and Elizabethan Lord caught in limbo, ever regretting the involuntary manslaughter of his beloved.
Of course, the ghost encounters a modern American tenant of his manor. The daughter and her brothers discover that Sir Simon is more bluster than horror and set out to lift the curse.
Good supporting cast overcomes so-so production values. Good on-site locale helps.
A great follow-on to this DVD would be the classic 1930's campy drama 'The Ghost Goes West,' where a US grocery magnate buys a Scottish castle--with ghost, of course.
This version of THE CANTERVILLE GHOST has just the right blend of wit, romance, and pathos. Go for it!
Rating: - A classic
This is a classic story in true Oscar Wilde wit and flair. It's both hautning 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.
Rating:  - Patrick Stewart makes this production.
I have seen a couple of other versions of The Canterville Ghost, but neither of the two can TOUCH this version with Patrick Stewart. As one who started in and loves Shakespearean acting, Patrick Stewart lends to the Ghost a sorrow-filled, yet hopeful mood... Choose this one of any version out there. You WON'T be disappointed!
Rating: - Wonderfully entertaining
Patrick Stewart's portrayal of the ghost was delightful and poignant and he wove into his role some Shakespeare which added depth. Neve Campbell was also exceptional as the young child who believed and shed her tears for the ghost's release.
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