Rent The Ghost and Mrs Muir (1947)

3.9 of 5 from 102 ratings
1h 39min
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Synopsis:
Determined to make a life for herself and her daughter, Lucy Muir (Gene Tierney), a young widow, moves into a cottage overlooking the windswept English coast. She soon learns that it's haunted by the ghost of its former owner, a salty sea captain (Rex Harrison). But the Captain's effort to scare off his new tenant soon develops into a most unlikely love affair. When Lucy runs out of money, the Captain "ghost writes" a book for her based on his life story. Their publishing success, however, brings her the amorous attentions of a man who's still very much alive (George Sanders).
Soon Lucy must decide between the pleasures of the spirit and those of the flesh, and the Captain must choose a course that may haunt him forever.
Actors:
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Directors:
Producers:
Fred Kohlmar
Writers:
Philip Dunne, R.A. Dick
Others:
Charles Lang Jr.
Studio:
20th Century Fox
Genres:
Classics, Drama
Collections:
10 Films to Watch If You Like: Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Top 10 British Actresses of the 1940s, Top 10 Films Turned Into TV Series, Top 100 AFI Passions, Top Films
BBFC:
Release Date:
30/06/2003
Run Time:
99 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 2.0, French Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Italian Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Subtitles:
Dutch, English Hard of Hearing, French, Italian, Spanish
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Full Screen 1.33:1 / 4:3
Colour:
B & W

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Reviews (1) of The Ghost and Mrs Muir

Gothic Fantasy (spoiler). - The Ghost and Mrs Muir review by Steve

Spoiler Alert
31/12/2022

This is the kind of romantic supernatural fantasy which was popular just after WWII. It's set at the start of the twentieth century in England, Hollywood. Gene Tierney is a recent widow, and moves to a picturesque seaside town in order to find herself and escape her oppressive in-laws. There, Mrs. Muir meets the ghost of a sea captain (Rex Harrison) who narrates to her a best selling tale of the oceans.

Maybe in the years after the war, it was likely there would be an audience for a story about a bereaved woman who falls in love with a man who (probably) only exists in her thoughts. And about a widow who must find the strength to go on alone. There are many interesting themes on the subjects of loss, and also the creative process.

But mostly the film is a charming comedy-romance. Rex Harrison is engaging as the salty, barnacled sea-dog. The beautiful Tierney is extremely sympathetic as a woman searching for a second chance in life, which is sadly unfulfilled. When she seeks to re-engage with the world through George Sanders' decadent rake, she is badly let down.

Joe Mankiewicz creates a rich period atmosphere from his studio sets and the shadowy, expressionist photography. And there's a superb score from Bernard Herrmann. Sure, it's a sentimental tearjerker, but there is intelligence and craft too. The stars are wonderful together; they elevate the whole film and make you care, which makes the magical ending a real heartbreaker.

2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.

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