The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Spencer S

  
  An inviting and star crossed film about a love that dare not speak its name, and some semblance of a ghost story. There isn't anything too supernatural or strange about this film, but it is about the loss of what could have been, an inviting subject since one of the paramours is… More
  An inviting and star crossed film about a love that dare not speak its name, and some semblance of a ghost story. There isn't anything too supernatural or strange about this film, but it is about the loss of what could have been, an inviting subject since one of the paramours is dead. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, it stands as a period piece about an always lonely widower with a daughter and servant who move to a secluded cottage in England. Inhabitating the cottage already is the wrongfully slandered sea Captain Gregg who haunts the house after not accepting his own demise. The film warrants sincere love from watchers as we see Mrs. Muir battle her conscience, heartbreak, and tries to be strong against her in-laws and the decisions she must make though they keep her isolated from the outside world. Though truly a ghost story about the captain, it doesn't ultimately center on the dear departed Gregg. There are some interesting scenes where special effects are used to open and close windows, doors, and all manner of lights switching on and off. This leads to a good bit of humor, which is where Rex Harrison shines through. His exceptional humor and briny performance come off as the learned man of the house, while also being brash and roguish. Though their romance comes off as stilted and strange in truth, the actual story and breadth of time it takes for the ending to come about was heartbreaking to watch, as Mrs. Muir is left to her own ends and finds little truth in her life or in the captain's death. Gene Tierney is also a beautiful addition to the cast. She is so prudish and sweet tempered, yet she doesn't wait to be pushed around by her family, or for that matter a ghost. Though she is certainly strong, there is little to be done about her own happiness and life, as the only person for her is actually dead. Though the last twenty minutes peter along slowly, it was a sufficient buildup to show the complexities of Mrs. Muir's situation and her choice in her own happiness. I absolutely loved the adorable give and take between the two leads, the moments of humor demonstrated mostly from Rex Harrison, and the performances, even from the little girl. It was a beautiful film, if not a tad campy and the characters somewhat petulant at times.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Strange and even a bit silly at first glance, then it turns enchanting, dreamy. hauntingly beautiful. A misty night, with the sea side and the waves clashing, in front of Gene Tierny's angel face and backed by Bernard Herrmann's gorgeous music score, and I could die happy.

• Tim S

  
  A predictable but heartfelt love story. You can see the ending coming a mile away, but it doesn't make the story any less enthralling.

• AJ V

  
  A good cast, and an unique story, brings you romance and excitement. I liked this movie, it was good.

• Mark H

  
  Beautifully filmed, old fashioned escapism about a widow who begins a new life in a recently purchased house and discovers the previous owner has not completely left. Classic romance is emotionally engaging in a way that only a movie of the 1940s can be. Gene Tierney radiates… More
  Beautifully filmed, old fashioned escapism about a widow who begins a new life in a recently purchased house and discovers the previous owner has not completely left. Classic romance is emotionally engaging in a way that only a movie of the 1940s can be. Gene Tierney radiates sophisticated beauty and Rex Harrison inhabits his role convincingly as the old salt. Some shrewd supporting work from George Sanders as an author who is also taken with the young woman. Classic veteran director Joseph L. Mankiewicz directs with polish and flair. A real throwback to a more innocent era. If the ending doesn't move you, please see a doctor.

• First L

  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS: A film that starts off so strongly can only go downwards, but The Ghost and Mrs. Muir takes a nosedive in the last half hour that nearly ruins the film. The big twist surprise is quite predictable and the ending that is telegraphed (literally)… More
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS: A film that starts off so strongly can only go downwards, but The Ghost and Mrs. Muir takes a nosedive in the last half hour that nearly ruins the film. The big twist surprise is quite predictable and the ending that is telegraphed (literally) years in advance takes far too long to get to. I find the notion that a woman as vivacious and full of life as Mrs. Muir should spend the last 40 or 50 years of her life waiting to die, just so she can be with her beloved "ghost" more offensive than romantic. It's a cruel twist on a charming and novel film. But let's go back to the beginning. Mrs. Muir is a strong-willed lady who's been recently widowed. She and her daughter are living with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law when Mrs. Muir decides she's had enough of the two and decides to strike out on her own. She settles on an old house that has been uninhabited for quite some time and is on the market at a rather cheap price. The reason for the cheap price is obviously that a ghost haunts the premises. Mrs. Muir however, isn't one to be put out by any spectral inconveniences and moves her family in despite the warnings from the real estate broker. It isn't long before the ghost (of the old sailer who built the house) and she are having it out, face-to-face. The ghost, realizing he's come head-to-head with a stubborn (yet very comely) female, decides to compromise and let her stay. This leads to a bizarre friendship, to say the least. Things go awry when a pushy writer begins poking around, trying to sweep Mrs. Muir off her feet. The ghost captain can only stand aside and watch as his beloved Mrs. Muir runs aflutter at the gentleman's attention. Once Mrs. Muir realizes her mistake, it's too late, and she's doomed, not to be haunted, but to be non-haunted (if such a thing is possible?). What starts off as a cute and funny premise eventually gets bogged down in a morass of unromantic dillusion and disallusioned romance. I found it to be sad, but not in the way most people find it.

• Randy T

  
  When you think of filmdom's strangest romances, what are the first movies that come to mind? <i>Harold & Maude</i> maybe? <i>Sunset Boulevard</i> perhaps? How about a film where an attractive and vivacious young woman moves into a house on the seashore… More
  When you think of filmdom's strangest romances, what are the first movies that come to mind? <i>Harold & Maude</i> maybe? <i>Sunset Boulevard</i> perhaps? How about a film where an attractive and vivacious young woman moves into a house on the seashore and falls in love with the cantankerous ghost of a sea captain that haunts her new home? As strange as it may sound, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir is one of the all-time great love stories. This is a script that could have easily turned out corny and ridiculous but instead has a class and charm that will forever anchor it as a true Hollywood classic.

• Arash X

  
  A romantic ghost story Sometimes sappy but that's ok

• Jennifer X

  
  This is just sweet. Rex Harrison redeems himself in my eyes with this splendor. Gene Tierney is capable of subtly making every role her personal own. I think I like Mankiewicz better when he's screenwriting, but ahh this a good movie.

• William S

  
  A beautiful and quite surreal love story. I have a bit of a problem with Rex Harrison. He tends to shout ALL the time and he is a bit of a ham - apart from the odd exception (his deeply human Caesar in the mess that was CLEOPATRA, stood head and shoulders above all the dirge and… More
  A beautiful and quite surreal love story. I have a bit of a problem with Rex Harrison. He tends to shout ALL the time and he is a bit of a ham - apart from the odd exception (his deeply human Caesar in the mess that was CLEOPATRA, stood head and shoulders above all the dirge and kitsch which all sinks into mediocraty when he's not around anymore) But here, his performance is spot on - his gruff and occasionally quite aggressive manner is more to do with the character's vulnerability and so feels more tender and poignant instead of arrogant and pompous. I'm with Gene Tierney on this one - I would fall in love with him too! Tierney is great casting also (as usual, under the right director, she gives a luminous performance) - capturing perfectly her character's steely veneer of independence - it slowly falling away as she falls under Daniel's spell. Poor George Sanders doesn't get much of a look-in in a very small and quite pointless role. But other small roles are quite enjoyable - I particularly enjoyed Robert Coote as Mr Coombe - a British character actor usually typecast as caricature bumbling idiots, but here, he is quite warm and funny. The pursed-lipped and resentful in-laws are a delight as well - the scene where Lucy tells them to "push off!" is wonderful. As ever, Herrmann's score enriches the story's emotional depth - which reaches a heavenly crescendo in the incredible ending as our hero and heroine disappear hand in hand into eternity! Amazing.

• xGary X

  
  Despite the presence of the lovely Gene Tierney, this stiff backed and dreary period fantasy romance is really rather dull, and the ghostly element to it seemed irrelevant.

Read all 11 featured audience ratings