Cast
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Peter O'Toole
as Peter Plunkett
Daryl Hannah
as Mary Plunkett
Steve Guttenberg
as Jack Crawford
Beverly D'Angelo
as Sharon Brogan Crawford
Jennifer Tilly
as Miranda
Liam Neeson
as Martin Brogan
Peter Gallagher
as Brother Tony
Martin Ferrero
as Malcolm
Donal McCann
as Eamon
Liz Smith
as Mrs. Plunkett
Mary Coughlan
as Katie
Tom Hickey
as Sampson
Tony Rohr
as Christy
Hilary Reynolds
as Patricia
Isolde Cazelet
as Julia
Crew
Director
- Neil Jordan
Writer
- Neil Jordan
Producer
- David Saunders
- Stephen Woolley
Reviews
Wuchak
**_Over-the-top horror comedy set in a ghostly castle_**
The owner of a dilapidated castle in Ireland (Peter O'Toole) is about to lose it to foreclosure and so turns it into “the most haunted castle in Europe” in order to attract tourists. When the first group of travelers is bused-in to spend the night it turns out that the ancient citadel is actually haunted. The rest of the cast includes the likes of Steve Guttenberg, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Tilly, Liam Neeson, Daryl Hannah and Peter Gallagher.
"High Spirits" (1988) is an outrageous horror comedy in the mold of "The Fearless Vampire Killers" (1967), "The Vampire Happening" (1971), “Young Frankenstein” (1974), “Elvira, Mistress of the Dark” (1988) and “Elvira's Haunted Hills” (2001). It ranks with the best of these even though it failed at the box office.
Director Neil Jordan said that the movie released is very different from the one he shot, pointing out that he was excluded from the editing process of the final cut.
Beverly D'Angelo and Jennifer Tilly are of course highlights on the feminine front, but more shoulda/coulda been done with them (not talkin’ about nudity or raunch). Still, enough was done with them.
The film runs 1 hour, 38 minutes, and was shot at Dromore Castle, County Limerick, Ireland. I’m sure a lot of it was also filmed in the studio.
GRADE: B
Jul 1, 2022
kevin2019
"High Spirits" was a part of the exciting and ever growing renaissance that was taking place within the Irish film industry. And rightly so. It brings some unique and quirky Irish humour brilliantly to life on the silver screen for a much wider audience to wholeheartedly indulge in and thoroughly enjoy. It was amongst an expanding number of productions being produced back then which reached a much higher level of success than in previous times. And why shouldn't it have been so? After all, the Irish had the talent both in front of the camera and behind it to be able to work in any given genre of film and when the results turn out to be of this calibre where the infectious comedic enthusiasm of the cast never wanes and there are some wonderfully wacky set piece sequences loaded with humour which the audience can relish then Irish cinema deserves all the hard earned plaudits and success accorded to it.
Feb 24, 2024
Thematic Analysis
This Fantasy/Comedy/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. High Spirits presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Neil Jordan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1988, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of High Spirits took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $15.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 125 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 65 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 1988, when this film was released:
- MTV launched, changing how music was marketed and consumed.
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While High Spirits shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike FearDotCom, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, High Spirits offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Dazed and Confused and A Guy Thing explore similar territory, High Spirits stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 18, 1988
- Runtime: 1h 39m
- Budget: $15,000,000
- Revenue: $8,500,000
