High Spirits (1988)

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writer (WGA):

Neil Jordan (written by)

Release Date:

18 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Romance

Tagline:

He's an American. She's a ghost. Vacation romances are always a hassle.

Plot:

When Peter Plunkett's Irish castle turned hotel is about to be repossesed, he decides to spice up the...

Plot Keywords:

Ghost | Demon | Zombie | Nun | Lingerie Slip

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter O'Toole	...	Peter Plunkett
Donal McCann	...	Eamon
Mary Coughlan	...	Katie
Liz Smith	...	Mrs. Plunkett
Tom Hickey	...	Sampson
Tony Rohr	...	Christy
Hilary Reynolds	...	Patricia
Isolde Cazelet	...	Julia
Little John	...	Gateman
Steve Guttenberg	...	Jack Crawford
Beverly D'Angelo	...	Sharon Brogan Crawford
Jennifer Tilly	...	Miranda
Peter Gallagher	...	Brother Tony
Martin Ferrero	...	Malcolm
Connie Booth	...	Marge

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:S | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:L | Spain:T | USA:PG-13 (certificate #29466) | Argentina:13 | West Germany:12 | Australia:M | UK:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Dromore Castle, Askeaton, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland

Company:

Palace Pictures

Trivia:

Liz Smith was cast at short notice after the original choice was too ill to work.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: During the final dance sequence, Beverly D'Angelo accidentally knocks Daryl Hannah's hand making her spill her champagne on the floor. Daryl briefly makes a face before continuing the dance.

Quotes:

Jack: I'm dead. So this is what it feels like. Like a hangover.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Scary Movie 2 (2001)

A charming haunter with Peter O'Toole in VERY High Spirits!

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!