The Haunted Mansion (2003)

November 26, 2003

November 26, 2003

The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 American supernatural horror comedy film directed by Rob Minkoff and written by David Berenbaum. Loosely based on the Disneyland attraction of the same name, the film stars Eddie Murphy as a realtor who, along with his family, becomes trapped in the titular building. Terence Stamp, Wallace Shawn, Marsha Thomason and Jennifer Tilly appear in supporting roles.

The film was released in the United States on November 26, 2003, by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The film received negative reviews from critics but performed well at the box office, grossing $182.3 million worldwide against a $90 million budget. Despite its initial reviews, the film has developed a cult following over the years. Another film adaptation directed by Justin Simien was released in 2023.

Storyline

Successful realtors Jim and Sara Evers live in Louisiana with their young children, Megan and Michael, but Jim's workaholic ways begin to alienate him from his family. After missing his and Sara's wedding anniversary to pursue a lead, Jim tries to make amends by planning a vacation to the nearby lake. Sara is subsequently contacted by the residents of Gracey Manor about negotiating a sale. Eager to make the deal, Jim has the family stop at the mansion on their way to the lake, where they meet the owner, Edward Gracey, and his servants; butler Ramsley, maid Emma, and footman Ezra.

When a thunderstorm floods the nearby river, Gracey lets the family stay at the mansion for the night. Ramsley takes Jim to its library to discuss the deal with Gracey, but he becomes trapped in a secret passage. Gracey gives Sara a tour of the mansion, discussing his past and the death of his "grandfather" after the supposed suicide of his lover, Elizabeth Henshaw. The Evers children follow a spectral orb to the mansion's attic and find a painting of a woman resembling Sara. Emma and Ezra soon appear and identify the woman as the late Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, Jim meets Madame Leota, the ghost of a gypsy whose head is encased in her crystal ball. He runs into Emma, Ezra, and his children and returns to Leota for answers about Elizabeth's likeness to Sara. It is revealed that the mansion's inhabitants are ghosts, cursed a century ago by Elizabeth and Gracey's untimely deaths, that can only enter the afterlife when the couple is reunited; Sara is believed to be Elizabeth's reincarnation, though Leota cautions that things are not as they seem. She sends the Evers to the mansion's cemetery to find a key that will reveal the truth about Elizabeth's death. In a crypt beneath a mausoleum, Jim and Megan find the key, but inadvertently disturb its undead occupants. The duo narrowly escape with help from Michael, who overcomes his arachnophobia when they are locked in.

Leota then leads them to a locked trunk in the attic, in which Jim finds a letter that Elizabeth wrote to Gracey, revealing her intent to marry him and indicating that she was murdered. Ramsley then appears and it is revealed that he murdered Elizabeth to prevent his master from abandoning his heritage, as he believed their relationship was unacceptable. To hide the truth, Ramsley detains the children in another trunk and literally throws Jim out of the mansion, subsequently enchanting it to keep him at bay. As Gracey and Sara rendezvous in the ballroom, she is confused when he asks if she recognizes him and insists she is Elizabeth. The room then fills with dancing ghosts as Gracey reveals his true colors, but Sara denies being Elizabeth and flees to her room. Gracey starts to have doubts, but Ramsley insists that Sara is Elizabeth and will eventually remember as he then blackmails her into marrying Gracey in exchange for her children's safety. Encouraged by Leota, Jim breaks in to the mansion, rescuing the children and stopping the wedding. He then gives Elizabeth's letter to Gracey, who furiously confronts Ramsley, who rages at his master's apparent selfishness for loving Elizabeth and summons wraiths to attack the group. However, with the truth revealed, a demon emerges from the ballroom's fireplace and drags Ramsley down to Hell. He attempts to take Jim with him, but Jim is saved by Gracey.

Sara collapses, having been poisoned by Ramsley during the wedding ceremony. The spectral orb appears and, possessing Sara, is revealed to be Elizabeth, who could only be freed from her spectral form once the truth was revealed. She and Gracey reunite as Sara is revived. With the curse lifted, Gracey gives the Evers the deed to the mansion and departs to Heaven with Elizabeth and the mansion's inhabitants. Afterwards, the Evers set off for their intended vacation, accompanied by Leota and a quartet of singing busts that Jim and the children encountered in the cemetery.

Also See

Movie Trailer

  • The Haunted Mansion (2003) (Trailers)

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