7/10
A Romance From Beyond the Grave
5 October 2014
In 1900, a young widow (Gene Tierney) finds her seaside cottage is haunted...and forms a unique relationship with the ghost (Rex Harrison).

While not the most celebrated film of its era, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" has a few accolades to its name. The film received a 1947 Academy Award nomination for Cinematography, though it did not win (and rightly so). The American Film Institute (AFI) has included it among its lists, including "100 Passions" and nominations for "Film Scores" and "Fantasy Film".

The horror aspects are very light, despite taking place in a haunted house. A realtor and some nosy in-laws are scared off, but for the most part the ghost of the captain is just salty, not actually violent or malicious. He is somewhat possessive, though, forcing Mrs. Muir to go decades without any romantic pursuits.

In some ways, this film might be dated and may not appeal to today's audiences. Whether or not Mrs. Muir is a strong woman is hard to say, and the way the maid is treated is rather insulting. But it is not a bad movie, and a good example of the early directing talents of Joseph Leo Mankiewicz, who would go on to make "All About Eve" (1950). (Incidentally, Mankiewicz had previously directed Gene Tierney in "Dragonwyck" alongside Vincent Price.)
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