High Spirits Movie Download

4 / 10

It hasn’t aged too well, let’s be honest
HIGH SPIRITS is one in a plethora of ’80s-era comedy spook shows, accompanied by the likes of HAUNTED HONEYMOON, GHOSTBUSTERS, and THE ‘BURBS. This is the least of those mentioned, purely because it’s not particularly funny. If you like watching actors overact like crazy and run around like headless chickens all over the set then maybe this film is for you, but I prefer a little more restraint in my comedies. HIGH SPIRITS is an odyssey of dated effects work, slapstick gags, and a convoluted ghost romance plot that doesn’t really go anywhere.

The plot is straightforward stuff indeed, with the owner of an ailing hotel in Ireland (Peter O’Toole, phoning it in) deciding to turn his business into a haunted castle in order to drum up some trade. The story then follows the misadventures of a busload of American tourists who soon discover that the castle is populated by some very real ghosts that don’t take kindly to their trespassers.

As is usual with these ’80s comedies, the cast is an involved bunch and one of the best things about the story. I’m no fan of Daryl Hannah, but Liam Neeson is fun in an early role as a ghost, and Steve Guttenberg is a dependable lead type. Beverly D’Angelo is very funny as his wife, but it’s people like Martin Ferrero, Connie Booth, Peter Gallagher, and Jennifer Tilly who are among the funniest members of the supporting cast. A shame they’re not utilised to better advantage.Read More