Peter Plunkett (Peter O'Toole) is the owner of Castle Plunkett, a gloomy castle set in the Irish countryside. In order to get the money-hungry Brogan family off his back, he decides to advertise the castle as the most-haunted place on the Emerald Isle (with the hotel staff doubling as the spirits)!.

Among the cynical tourists that arrive are Jack (Steve Guttenberg) and his valium-guzzling wife Sharon (Beverly D'Angelo); a scientist of the paranormal (Martin Ferrero), his wife (Connie Booth) and their children; the chaste Brother Tony (Peter Gallagher) and the sexy Miranda (Jennifer Tilly).

The "ghosts" are soon discovered to be fake, thus enraging the REAL ghosts of the castle who decide to make a little mischief for themselves! Jack finds himself falling in love with the elusive Mary Plunkett (Daryl Hannah), while Sharon is unwittingly courted by Mary's husband, the dead Martin Brogan (Liam Neeson).

Director Neil Jordan envisioned a "Midsummer Night's Dream"-type atmosphere for this film with partner-swapping and people being seduced by other-worldly beings. However, producers soon had other things in mind and significantly re-edited the movie to their own vision. Cast members came from the set complaining that the producers had enfuriated Jordan with their antics, forcing him to walk off the project.

However, the film is a constant delight, and this long-awaited DVD release will surely be relished by fans of the film.

The DVD includes both the widescreen and full-frame versions of the film as well as the trailer.


Indescribably funny   April 4, 2004
 15 out of 16 found this review helpful

To save his castle from becoming an attraction in Malibu, Peter Plunkett (Peter O'Toole) came up with a scheme to turn the castle into castle most haunted in the area. Unknown to him is that the castle is haunted and visitors are really really really going to find out just how haunted it is. And if that is not enough Martin Brogan (Liam Neeson) had warts, his feet stank, and he squished.

Be sure to purchas the MGM DVD and not the poor quality Video Treasures VHS


Fabulous Phantoms!   November 23, 1999
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Despite the critics views, I love this movie.... Peter O'Toole is wonderful as a titled Irishman trying to keep his family castle by infesting it with home-made ghosts (the castle staff) to attract an international, phantom-following clietele. A bickering couple from America (Steve Guttenberg and Beverly D'Angelo) discover that there really are authentic ghostly denizens of the castle (Liam Neeson and Daryl Hannah--- he murdered her 200 years before in a fit of jealous passion, and they are doomed repeatedly to reenact the event)-- Steve Guttenberg falls for Daryl, and Liam is randy for Beverly D'Angelo. Peter O'Toole's relationship with his dear old deceased Dad-- wonderful... Entertaining(at times hilarious!), engaging and original; A Might-Have-Been-Great, but still WAY Entertaining movie--- and one I was lucky enough to find on video!


A Modern Midsummer Night's Dream!   February 26, 2000
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Neil Jordon has recreated the aura of Shakespeare's classic and set it within a beautifully haunting castle (whose exterior is the exquisitely picturesque Dromore Castle in Ireland's County Limerick). Here, the clash of cultures, Irish and American, and mortality, alive and Undead, are intricately woven with the comedy of conflicting personal interests -- and all set amidst the castle's dusty-and-dilapidated, labyrinthine passageways; passageways which inevitably lead to fulfillment and renewal. How could the professional film critics not see the enchantment! For those who are, at heart, a youth again, looking expectantly on a new day's adventure, or an adult, who knows the excitement of true love conquering limitless boundaries, this movie is for you. It is equal to any comedy written by the English Bard!


A good laugh and definitely better than critics make out.   July 15, 1999
 7 out of 10 found this review helpful

Peter O'Toole tries to pay his way by turning his beautiful Irish castle into a haunted tourist attraction. The staff dress up in sheets.

If you are British, you are most likely to love the Irish and hate the Americans that visit. If you are American, you will most likely not understand the Irish... I am British!

The ghosts are fabulous, if you are in the frame of mind to have a laugh! Watch the dialogue when O'Toole's 'operating'. Don't miss a word. He's awake and extremely convincing. Great tearful acting when he tries to hug his father who is a ghost. If you're fond of O'Toole, you will certainly enjoy this. If you hate him, stay clear. Though you will appreciate his constant suicide attempts while moaning Shakespeare - and egg him on!

What I found particularly clever was the fact that more and more ghosts appear without you noticing a change. When the film is over, go back to the beginning and you will be shocked how quiet and devoid of ghosts the castle is!

Overall, High Spirits is there for amusement. No point in analysing the storyline. Simply ignore the Americans' mariage problems... it is a good excuse to go and make a cup of tea. Great special effects team!