This is a post about the comedy-horror film The Haunted Mansion which was released on the 13th November 2003. It is inspired by the Disney Parks ride if the same name.

The film begins in an Manor House where the mistress suddenly dies. It then quickly moves on to Eddie Murphy’s character (Jim Evans ) selling a house.

After Jim comes home late for his wedding anniversary celebration he decides to take his wife Sara and their two children Megan and Michael on a weekend trip to a lake house.

Shortly before leaving Sara who is also a Real Estate agent receives a phone call about selling a Mansion Jim overhears Sara on the phone and decides to visit the house on the way to their trip.

Once the family arrives at the Mansion they experience all kinds of adventures and it is revealed that all of the residents of the Mansion are ghosts.

The film ends with all of the ghost residents moving on to the beyond and the Evans family going on a trip to the Florida Keys.

HIDDEN MICKEYS: When Eddie Murphy is running from the flying instruments after speaking to the gypsy all the windows on the doors are in the shape of mickey.

Hidden Mickeys: – when Jim and Sara are at the gate to the mansion, Sara picks up the lock on the gate which is shaped like a Mickey head. – When Ramsley pours the powdered poison in Sarah’s drink, a Mickey forms when the powder and drink mix. – The couch in the library is vaguely shaped as Mickey’s head.

Several references to the Disney theme-park ride include: – the singing busts – the breathing door (even the doorknob is the same) – Madame Leota (and the spectral instruments) – the busts that follow Jim – the ghostly carriage (a prop outside the ride) – the old man and the dog in the cemetery – Master Gracy’s hanging – the ghostly ballroom dancers. – the Raven seen throughout the movie – the hitchhiking ghosts – the hangman – the eyes in some of the walls – morphing pictures in the hallway. – several lines throughout the movie that are also used in the ride’s narration, such as: “Welcome, foolish mortals”, “Final arrangements have been made”, “There’s always my way” – the floating candelabra in the credits – the bride’s dress in the attic – the screeching cat sound effect in graveyard scene – the skeleton’s hands that start to open coffin in the mausoleum – the knights in the hallway attacking Jim – the door knockers heard rapping in the bedroom hallway – the pipe-organ in the ballroom – the clock strikes 13 during the prologue

Much of the movie’s plot is inspired by Phantom Manor, the version of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Resort Paris. Unlike the Haunted Mansions in the other parks, Phantom Manor has a clear storyline of a bride, her lost lover, and her haunting the mansion.

I will rate the film into five categories, lighting, sound, sadness, scariness and Autism friendly. I will also give an overall score.

Lighting and sound categories are in reference to light and sound sensitivity.  As a person with Autism I have both but it is possible to have one or the other and still be a person with Autism.

Lighting: 4/10

Sadness: 2/10

Sound: 4/10

Scariness: 5/10

Overall Score: 15/40

Autism Friendly: Yes

In my opinion this is a lovely lighthearted Halloween children’s film that the whole family can enjoy. The only thing I would possibly improve is the special effects of the film. I remember going on the Disneyland Paris version (called The Phantoms Manor) multiple times as a child and absolutely loving it.