High Spirits

American tourists descend on Castle Plunkett in the hope of seeing real-life ghosts; unfortunately, they are unimpressed as the 'ghosts' are provided by the staff, and it is done unsuccessfully. Fortunately, the real spirits aren't too far away.

One of the films of my childhood, I grew up watching it. It's very quirky, very zany, and very funny. The acting is sometimes a little patchy, but Peter O'Toole and Liz Smith more than make up for it.

Set in Ireland, there are a number of stereotypes, but who cares? Who doesn't love a bowl of Whiting Bisque or a story about the snakes being driven out?

Some of the special effects look very basic; they weren't exactly sophisticated when the film came out, but they do have a certain charm. I first saw this movie when I was 10 or so. I remember the scenes with the nuns gave me a few nightmares as a child.

This film seems largely forgotten, but it deserves to be regarded as a cult classic. It is never repeated these days; it deserves to be for O'Toole alone.

9/10.

This 1988 comedy about an Irish hotelier who decides to market his castle based on rumors that it's haunted is sadly underrated on IMDB. OK, it's a farce, which few Americans appreciate; and yes, there are some gags that don't work; and yes, Daryl Hannah turns in one of her lesser performances. But there are another dozen actors/actresses in the cast who are wonderful comedians, led by Peter O'Toole--who's as funny as he's ever been--and including Beverly D'Angelo, Steve Guttenberg, Jennifer Tilly, Peter Gallagher, Connie Booth, and Liam Neeson. I've watched it three times over the years, and every time I've thought it was funny. Worth a look.

I agree with Claire Walkden. High Spirits is just the tonic for a blustery afternoon or an evening by the fireplace.

The setting is authentic and O'Toole is at the top of his form. The wonderful mother (who tipples) is married to a ghost, AND SHE STEALS EVERY SCENE SHE'S IN!

People who don't like this film are trying too hard to make it into Shakespeare. This is not Macbeth. High Spirits is to be taken with a grain of salt and enjoyed.

Liam Neeson and Beverly D'Angelo are wonderful together! Just the difference in their height is hysterical.

Some of the jokes are a bit labored and I could have done without the ghost-buster, but he was very funny with his fried hair!

Not a great film, but a genuinely funny one and O'Toole is priceless!

If you can forgive the less-than-ideal acting by some of the other cast, Peter O'Toole once again shows why he's one of the greatest actors in the English speaking world. From the scene where he's trying to hang himself while arguing with his mother, to where he meets his ghost-Dad, O'Toole is hilarious as the bumbling, scheming drunk Irish fool who is desperate to keep the family castle in family hands.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Peter O'Toole is wonderful as are the remainder of the actors. This movie is part of my DVD collection.

It's a screwball comedy about what people will do to try to save their livelihood, marriages, etc. Some of the situations that the characters find themselves in are a bit corny; however, they are still funny. It's also somewhat of a ghostly movie. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending.

If you've ever lived in England, Ireland, or Scotland, the characters in this movie will remind you warmly of those people.

It is a movie that you can sit down with the family and some popcorn and enjoy.