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When a hotelier attempts to fill the chronic vacancies at his castle by launching an advertising campaign that falsely portrays the property as haunted, two actual ghosts show up and end up falling for two guests.

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writer:

Neil Jordan
1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter O'Toole ... Peter Plunkett
Donal McCann ... Eamon
Mary Coughlan Mary Coughlan ... Katie
Liz Smith ... Mrs Plunkett
Tom Hickey ... Sampson
Tony Rohr ... Christy
Hilary Reynolds Hilary Reynolds ... Patricia
Isolde Cazelet ... Julia
Little John Nee Little John Nee ... Gateman (as Little John)
Steve Guttenberg ... Jack
Beverly D'Angelo ... Sharon
Jennifer Tilly ... Miranda
Peter Gallagher ... Brother Tony
Martin Ferrero ... Malcolm
Connie Booth ... Marge
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Storyline

When Peter Plunkett's Irish castle turned hotel is about to be repossesed, he decides to spice up the attraction a bit for the 'Yanks' by having his staff pretend to haunt the castle. The trouble begins when a busload of American tourists arrive - along with some real ghosts. Among the tourists are married couple Jack and Sharon. Sharon's father holds the mortgage on Castle Plunkett, so she's hoping to debunk the ghosts. Jack, on the other hand, after meeting pretty ghost Mary, is very eager to believe. Can there be love between a human and ghost? Jack and Mary are going to try and find out. Written by April M. Cheek <Aravis2713@aol.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A Hauntingly Funny Comedy! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Liz Smith was cast at short notice after the original choice, Beryl Reid, was too ill to work. See more »

Goofs

There's no explanation given as to why Mary and Martin would repeat the murder scene twice in one night, as we see when Jack stumbles upon them. Everywhere else in the film, Mary implies that she was killed once a night. See more »

Quotes

Mrs. Plunkett: Good morning, darling!
Plunkett Senior: Good morning dear! Well, our son is an idiot!
Mrs. Plunkett: We've known that for years, haven't we, darling?
Plunkett Senior: Well, this time he has surpassed himself. The ghosts are furious!
Mrs. Plunkett: Why?
Plunkett Senior: Well, they've heard that that Jim Brogan fellow is going to move the castle to Malibu!
Mrs. Plunkett: Oh, how nice! All that sunshine and all those movie stars!
Plunkett Senior: No respectable ghost would live in California!
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Crazy Credits

The end credits show the cast under three headings, first 'The Irish', then 'The Americans', and finally 'The Ghosts' See more »

Alternate Versions

There exists a print of this film that was Neil Jordan's original vision of this movie. It contains a much more serious tone than the theatrical release, and is much more of a fun mystery. There is a lot more footage of Liam Neeson's character, and the ghosts are allowed to have much more of a plot, than in the theatrical release. Rumor has it, that when the studio saw this cut, they had no idea how to market it, so they had it re-cut against Neil Jordan's wishes (he was allegedly locked out of the editing room at this point). There was a shortened version of this cut available on video in Japan. See more »

Connections

Featured in Century of Cinema: Ourselves Alone? (1995) See more »

Soundtracks

Chantilly Lace
Words and Music by The Big Bopper (as J.P. Richardson)
Performed by The Big Bopper
Fort Knox Music Inc./Trio Music Co., Inc.
Administrated by Hudson Bay Music Inc./Glad Music Company
Courtesy of Polygram Records
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User Reviews

 
It is genuinely funny, the script is witty and the actors superb.
13 October 2000 | by claire.walkdenSee all my reviews

Maybe I have a warped sense of humour (or just a very British one) but I laugh every time I see this film, and I've seen it well over a 100 times over the years. It is genuinely funny, the script is witty and the actors superb. This is one of my all time favourite rainy day films. No matter how times I watch it there are still little things I'd not noticed or things I'd forgotten happen. I strongly suggest getting this film out next time it's raining and you're stuck indoors, and if anyone from the BBC is reading, please put it on next bank holiday!!


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Details

Country:

Ireland | UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1988 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

High Spirits See more »

Filming Locations:

County Limerick, Ireland See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,308,250, 20 November 1988

Gross USA:

$8,578,231

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,578,231
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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