High Spirits (film)
| High Spirits | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Neil Jordan |
| Written by | Neil Jordan |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Alex Thomson |
| Edited by | Michael Bradsell |
| Music by | George Fenton |
Production company | Vision PDG |
| Distributed by |
|
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Countries |
|
| Language | English |
| Budget | $15 million [1] |
| Box office | $8.5 million (US) |
High Spirits is a 1988 fantasy comedy film written and directed by Neil Jordan and starring Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah, Beverly D'Angelo, Liam Neeson and Peter O'Toole. It is an Irish, British and American co-production.
Set in a remote Irish castle called Dromore Castle, County Limerick, High Spirits is a topsy-turvy comedy with thematic leanings towards Ireland's rich folklore regarding ghosts and spirits, where the castle starts to come to life with the help of such denizens.
Plot
Cash-strapped Peter Plunkett has converted his ancestral home, the dilapidated Castle Plunkett, into a bed and breakfast. Owing money to an Irish-American businessman named Brogan, Plunkett attempts to turn the castle into "the most haunted castle in Europe" for the tourist trade. Inspired by his mother's stories about the castle being haunted, he and his wacky Irish staff set about creating ghostly costumes and effects for their first group of American guests.
Initially annoyed by the inept "hauntings", the American guests soon discover that Castle Plunkett's real ghosts have taken umbrage at being cheaply exploited and have staged a full-scale paranormal event.
Two ghosts, Mary Plunkett and Martin Brogan, become romantically entangled with two of the American guests. When Jack Crawford inadvertently interrupts the "loop" of the ghostly couple's murder/suicide by getting in the way, Mary becomes enamored of him; when Martin becomes aware of his surroundings, he falls in love with Jack's wife, Sharon. This romantic twist becomes the main focus of the plot.
Cast
- Daryl Hannah as Mary Plunkett Brogan
- Peter O'Toole as Peter Plunkett
- Steve Guttenberg as Jack Crawford
- Beverly D'Angelo as Sharon Brogan Crawford
- Liam Neeson as Martin Brogan
- Jennifer Tilly as Miranda
- Peter Gallagher as Brother Tony
- Ray McAnally as Plunkett Senior
- Martin Ferrero as Malcolm Clay
- Connie Booth as Marge Clay
- Donal McCann as Eamon
- Liz Smith as Lavinia Plunkett
- Mary Coughlan as Katie
- Ruby Buchanan as Great Aunt Nan
- Isolde Cazelet as Julia
- Aimée Delamain as Great Granny Plunkett
- Tom Hickey as Sampson
- Krista Hornish as Wendy Clay
- Little John as Gateman
- Preston Lockwood as Great Uncle Peter
- Paul O'Sullivan as Graham Clay
- Hilary Reynolds as Patricia
- Tony Rohr as Christy
- Matthew Wright as Woody Clay
Reception
The film received negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes it has a 31% rating based on 16 reviews.[2]
Home media
Scream Factory released the film on Blu-ray Disc in 2015.[3] It was packaged as a double feature with Vampire's Kiss on February 13, 2015.[4] The film was released on Blu Ray from Final Cut on August 24, 2020 in the UK.
See also
References
- ^ Jones, Alan (1989). "High Spirits". Cinefantastique. Fourth Castle Micromedia. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ "High Spirits (1988)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
- ^ “VAMPIRE’S KISS” / “HIGH SPIRITS” Double Feature
- ^ Vampire’s Kiss / High Spirits (Blu-ray Double Feature)
External links
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1988 films
- 1980s fantasy comedy films
- 1980s ghost films
- American fantasy comedy films
- American haunted house films
- British ghost films
- 1980s English-language films
- Films scored by George Fenton
- Films directed by Neil Jordan
- Films set in castles
- Films set in Ireland
- British fantasy comedy films
- Irish fantasy comedy films
- Palace Pictures films
- TriStar Pictures films
- 1988 comedy films
- 1980s American films
- 1980s British films
- English-language fantasy comedy films