High Spirits (film)

Infobox Film
name = High Spirits


caption = "High Spirits" original theatrical poster
director = Neil Jordan
producer = David Saunders
Stephen Woolley
writer = Neil Jordan
starring = Peter O'Toole
Steve Guttenberg
Beverly D'Angelo
Daryl Hannah
Liam Neeson
Jennifer Tilly
John Nee
music = George Fenton
cinematography = Alex Thomson
editing = Michael Bradsell
distributor = TriStar Pictures
released = November 18, 1988 (USA)
runtime = 99 min.
rating = PG-13 (US) / 15 (UK)
country = Ireland / UK / USA
awards = 1 nomination
language = English
budget = Unknown
gross = $8,578,231 (USA)
preceded_by =
followed_by =
amg_id = 1:22405
imdb_id = 0095304

"High Spirits" is an 1988 comedy film directed by Neil Jordan.

Set in a remote Irish castle, "High Spirits" is a topsy-turvy comedy with thematic leanings towards Ireland's rich folklore regarding ghosts and spirits.

Plot

Peter O'Toole is Peter Plunkett, the owner of a dilapidated Irish castle which acts as a bed and breakfast supplying the only employment for the local villagers. Owing money to an American businessman, Plunkett has the idea to turn the castle into "The most haunted castle in Europe" for the tourist trade. He and his wacky staff of Irish characters set about creating ghost costumes and effects for their first group of American lodgers.

At first annoyed by the inept hauntings, the American guests (including Steve Guttenberg, Beverly D'Angelo, Connie Booth and Jennifer Tilly) soon get what they paid for as the genuine ghosts of Castle Plunkett take umbrage with being cheaply exploited and stage a full scale paranormal event.

Two of the castle's ghosts, Mary Plunkett and Martin Brogan (played by Daryl Hannah and Liam Neeson) become romantically entangled with Guttenberg and D'Angelo's characters. This romantic twist is the focus of most of the plot.

External links

*