About The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is a 2003 American fantasy comedy horror movie directed by Rob Minkoff and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film centers around a workaholic estate agent, Jim Evers, who is dragged into a spooky and strange situation when he and his family stumble upon a grand but dilapidated mansion. Their situation worsens when they discover the mansion is haunted by deceased souls, notably the ghost of Master Gracey, the mansion's late owner. Efforts to escape from the mansion and the eerie occurrences form the crux of the story.

Making / Production

The film is based on Disney's theme park attraction of the same name. It was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Andrew Gunn and released on November 26, 2003. Director Rob Minkoff, known for his previous work on The Lion King (1994), helmed the project, infusing it with a balanced mix of comedy, horror, and adventure.

Actors

• Eddie Murphy as Jim Evers: Known for his comedic prowess, Murphy's performance brings much-needed levity and humor to the otherwise spooky backdrop of the mansion.
• Terence Stamp as Ramsley: Stamp plays the eerie and manipulative butler character, adding a level of sophisticated menace to the plot.
• Marsha Thomason as Sara Evers: Thomason plays the wife of Jim who becomes entwined in the mansion's haunted history.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is based on a Disney theme park attraction, The Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1969.
• Disney originally planned this movie to be a lot more scary, but opted for a funnier approach when Eddie Murphy was cast.
• The movie includes several references to the original park attraction, including the singing busts and Madame Leota, the fortune teller seer.

Quotes

• Jim Evers: "Can we just sell this house and come home?"
• Ramsley: "Even the dead need to be served."
• Master Gracey: "She was my life, my heart."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score is composed by Mark Mancina, known for his work in action and adventure films.
• The song "Spirits of the Dead" sets a haunting mood throughout the film.
• "Happy Haunts" is a catchy song that humorously contrasts with the eerie vibes of the mansion.