At The Movies: The Canterville Ghost
Well this was a great, light-hearted, enjoyable, animated start to 2024!
The lovely country manor Canterville Chase has had many short-term residents, who have all been spooked out of the house by the resident ghost of Sir Simon de Canterville (voiced by Stephen fry) who has haunted the home for over 300 years.
It is the turn of the 20th century when it is bought by the modern-thinking Otis family from Boston. They have been warned about the haunting and the twin 10-year old boys are relishing meeting the ghost. However, the first to encounter Sir Simon is their teenage daughter, Virginia (Emily Carey, House Of The Dragon). Wanting to return to America, she encourages Simon to do his best to terrify her family.
Simon believes he is losing his touch when Virgina’s parents, Hiram (David Harewood, Blood Diamond) and Lucretia (Meera Syal), are equally unaffected by his scare tactics! Meanwhile, Virginia saves a bumbling horse-rider who turns out to be their neighbour Sir Henry Cheshire (Freddie Highmore) who is a Duke.
Things fire up a bit when the Otis’ start having guests around. The first being the vicar and his wide – who is a self-appointed ghost catcher. When Sir Simon realises that Henry is a Cheshire – the feud between their families dating back hundreds of years – Henry is banished from Canterville Chase by Simon.
Simon is under strict orders from Hiram and Lucretia to not disrupt a banquet they are holding for local dignitaries. All is going well until Henry turns up – mainly to see Virginia. All hell breaks loose, and everything looks doomed for the Otis family!
On their first day in the house, Virginia discovers a book about the history of the mansion left on her bed. As she delves into the contents, we learn more about the fate of Sir Simon and why he appears to be stuck in the house for eternity. How far will her curiosity take her?
You really need to go and see how it all turns out! This movie will appeal to all kids – young and old (like me!) and is definitely one of the best animated films I have seen in recent years.
Movie Review by John Glennie
Rating: PG
Runtime: 88 minutes
Screening in Cinemas from 11th January
