‘The Canterville Ghost’ - an animated fun film for all

Category: Movies

 

When Oscar Wilde penned his now-classic story of “The Canterville Ghost” he probably never imagined it would be produced as an adorable animated feature for the entire family. This newest version is absolutely adorable with fun characters playing out the classic storyline.

It is truly a delightful animated movie based on the classic tale. 

Sir Simon de Canterville has been haunting his family home for 300 years, making everyone who moved in go absolutely mad with fear. But he never counted on the American Otis family moving in. They don’t scare easily. As a matter of fact, they don’t scare at all. Simon is no match for the parents, along with their teenage daughter Virginia and their two young sons who happen to cause chaos wherever they go. 

There are plenty of fun antics throughout the story as the two boys do their best to make things crazy around the house. And Virginia falls in love with the Duke of Cheshire, to her social-climbing mother’s delight. England never knew a family quite like this before.

The country home of Canterville Chase is being updated by Hiram Otis to include electricity. Yes, electricity will change everything in this dark house. After all, it is the beginning of the 20th century so as far as Hiram is concerned, this old mansion deserves some sprucing up, ghost or no ghost.

But exactly why is Sir Simon de Canterville still lingering on the property? Why has he not ascended, or gone to wherever people go when they leave their mortal bodies? That question is answered in the story and with the help of Virginia, Sir Simon finally learns how to love once again and not “haunt” the mortals. He is (Spoiler Alert) finally reunited with his long-departed wife and the evil that has haunted the house and its gardens is finally vanquished. And all it took was a brave young American girl.

This is a fun family film with cute animated characters. It is filled with some entertaining antics and is the classic tale turned into a fun animated adventure for the whole family.

The original story by Oscar Wilde was published in 1887. According to Directors Kim Burdon and Robert Chandler,
“The Canterville Ghost is a comedy of manners, a clash of cultures, a tale of redemption and love, but most of all it is a witty romp filled with humor and laughter …. with a perfect happy ending. One of our great writers of children’s fiction has created a magical story about a family invading the space and life of a grand old house … a house whose occupant just happens to be a ghost. With this fairytale, we are making the leap into animation, benefitting from all the visual and storytelling possibilities that only animation can bring to such a story.” 

With twists and turns throughout, this film is a fun new addition to Halloween viewing.

Voicing the characters are Stephen Fry (Sir Simon de Canterville), Hugh Laurie (Grim Reaper aka the Gardener), Freddie Highmore (The Duke Henry Cheshire), Emily Carey (Virginia Otis), David Harewood (Hiram Otis), and Meera Syal (Lucretia Otis).

The Canterville Ghost opens in theaters October 20, 2023. It is rated PG by the MPA for thematic elements, peril, and some violence.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.