The Haunting of Margam Castle (2020) - full transcript

We found that certain
personality traits

play an important role

in heightened
extrasensory perception.

This list of characteristics

seems to increase
the success rate

in an experiment of this nature.

And what are the
characteristics?

Positive believe in ESP,

practicing a mental discipline

such as meditation
and artistic ability.

And what's the
average success rate



for Ganzfeld experiments?

We have a hit rate
of just over 32%.

The participants have always
been varied in ability.

As Annie said, "Those
who have the compatible

"characteristics
always perform better

"than those who don't."

Dean Michaels, an
unexpected pleasure.

Geez, it's like some kind

of surrealist
nightmare in there.

Poor saps.

They're being
paid for the study.

Oh well, that means
you can torture them

as much as you like.

I'd like to see
you and Dr. Barron



in my office when you're done.

Fine.

What's that?

That has teeth.

The kind of bite I need
to bring more funding in.

Are we struggling?

Let's cut to the chase,

your department budget
is going to be slashed

unless we have more
exciting research

to present to investors.

Is that really true, Dean?

I mean what kind of
scientific research

is exciting to a layman?

The kind that brings
publicity and glamor.

Most of your findings
are derivative research

done in the 70s and 80s,

and that's not in enticing
to people with deep pockets.

This is the sort of thing

your department
should be focused on.

Margam Castle?

Yeah, it's a place in Wales.

You ever heard of Wales before?

Yeah.

Good, because I want
you both to go there,

conduct some experiments,
collect data,

all the stuff you guys live for.

And then what?

We're going to present
your findings to the media,

generate a bit of publicity
for this institution.

It'll be a lot easier
to attract funding

when we have a cause celebre

with the university's
name attached to it.

Are you serious?

Would you rather have
your budget slashed?

Are those the only options?

Look, federal and state
funding is pitiful

for a university of our
size, you know that.

We rely on those extra
dollars from wealthy donors.

Media coverage for
something we're involved in

will pique their interest.

So...

what are we supposed to say

to the media when we get back?

Oh, talk about the
ghosts you've seen.

Of course, it'd be even better

if you captured one on camera.

What if we don't see anything,

are we supposed to lie?

Lying is such a strong word.

Let's call it embellishment.

So even if we don't encounter

anything of a
supernatural nature

you still want us
to come back here

and tell the press we did?

Do you like your job, Holzer?

Yes.

This is a good way to make sure

you still have
one next semester.

Do we understand each other?

I guess.

You know all that stuff

that Michaels fed us back
there is bull, right?

You think?

Yeah, there's
always some ulterior motive

with that guy.

He's probably the one
who wants the publicity,

he loves the limelight.

You've never
seen eye to eye.

I bet he's
getting a kick out of

giving me such a
shitty assignment.

It may not be so bad.

Staying in some dank old castle

in the middle of
nowhere? Please.

I'm all for it.

I got thermal imaging cameras

and electronic voice recorders

I'd love to use in a place
with that much history.

Probably a lot of
residual energy in there.

I think we could get some
interesting readings.

If nothing else it'll be fun
to take the team overseas.

You guys ever been to the UK?

- No.
- Nope.

Do you want to?

- Yeah.
- Why not?

See Annie.

Look if you're not
gonna do it for me

at least do it for the kids.

Michaels didn't give
me much of a choice, did he?

Do they have Wi-Fi in Wales?

You know, Brent, I think
you should be focused

on more important things.

Like what?

You need to look the
part of parapsychologist

when we go over there.

Maybe, get a haircut.

Actually what you
need is a big coat.

Castles are freezing.

Yeah, that's for sure.

Holy crap, this
place is a shit hole.

It's no worse than
some places back home.

Well, I've been
to the UK a few times

and there's one thing
you guys gotta know

about the Brits it's...

They have
fucked up teeth?

Nice.

Well, some do but no.

It's that they are absolutely
obsessed with the weather.

Anytime you talk with a
Brit they'll bring it up.

The sky could be a light
gray or a dark gray

or any sort of gray in between

and they will speculate
about when it's gonna change

like, well like
they're meteorologists.

And then, when the
sun does come out,

it's like it's
the second coming.

We should
grab a bite to eat

before we go to the castle.

Yeah, good
idea, I'm starving.

Let's order.

All right love, what you after?

Some menus would be great.

There you go.

What's Welsh Rarebit?

Oh well, that's a classic
dish around these parts.

It dates back to the
late 18th century.

And it was originally
called Welsh Rabbit.

So it's rabbit then?

No, no there's no rabbit in it.

No.

So why was it
called Welsh Rabbit?

Oh, I don't know.

You know what these
chefs are like,

they give all sorts of fancy
names and stuff, don't they?

What's in it then?

Well, so you got lump of cheese.

You got eggs, milk, pinch
of salt, pinch of pepper,

you blend it all together,
chuck it on some bread,

stick it in the oven,
bake it, cheese is melted

and you can do a variety
of things with it too.

Put a fried egg on it

and then it becomes
a buck rabbit.

Or, better still, you can
stick a tomato with it

and it becomes a Blushing Bunny.

It's funny name, isn't it.

But I'll level
with you here love,

it's really posh cheese
on toast, all right?

I'm sold, I'll
have one of those.

That is the only thing I
understand on the menu,

so me too.

Why not, I'll have
one of those too.

Another one here.

Well, looks like Welsh
Rarebit for all of us.

Good choice. Hey!

Idris, make that
five Welsh Rarebits!

No need to shout.

I'll do it now in a minute.

So where you lot from then?

New York.

America, eh?

I never been there myself

but I've heard it's all right.

Yeah, we like it.

So what do you do?

What are you doing here?

We're parapsychologists.

Headshrinkers, is it?

No, we study
paranormal phenomenon.

We're spending the
night at Margam Castle.

Oh no.

No, you don't wanna go up there.

Really, why?

Many say it's cursed.

Well, a lot of
places have a legend.

Oh no.

No.

This is more than a legend.

If you had any sense
you'd turn back.

Stay away from the castle.

Oh Jesus, you too.

They've laid dormant
for many years

but now they are awakening.

Yeah, okay, thanks a lot.

Who are "they"?

They're waiting for you.

They've always been waiting.

Which one of you is in charge?

I am.

Right.

My name is Enos,
I'm the caretaker.

I'm Annie Holzer.

Good to meet you.

Hi, Dr. Daniel Barron.

Doctor?

What's a doctor want to
spend the night here for?

Oh no, I'm not a medical doctor.

I got a minor in parapsychology

while earning a
bachelor's degree

in psychology at
Franklin Pierce.

We're just here to
do some research.

What are you researching?

We're investigating claims

of paranormal sightings
in the building.

There's been plenty of
those down the years.

Hey, do you get any
phone signal around here?

No.

No Wi-Fi either, I guess.

Nothing like that.

How come?

Well, there are no
phone masts for miles.

Locals don't like
to get too close.

Yeah, we met a few
of them earlier.

They were bit twitchy
about this place.

With good reason.

I'll be
back in the morning.

All the best to you.

You're not
gonna give us the tour?

Oh, I'm sure you can
find your own way around.

He didn't wanna stay too long.

Yeah, this place sure
does spook everyone.

Holy shit.

It's like something
out of Dracula movie.

Pretty creepy, right?

Speaking of which what's
with the new fatigues?

Oh, Annie said, "I
should look the part."

Yeah, but the waistcoat?

Dude, she wanted you to
look like a parapsychologist

not fuckin' Aladdin.

Too much?

Just a little.

But the haircut's
good though, right?

Sure, if you came here
to sell insurance.

You know, you're mean
when you're sober.

Well, speaking of which.

Is that weed?

Keep your voice down.

Where'd you get it?

I have my sources.

How the hell did you
get it on the plane?

You really
don't wanna know that.

- Oh, sorry.
- Kirk, yeah.

Yeah.

Kirk, sorry
forgot about you dude.

Hello.

Mr. Morgan?

Yes, no please, come
on, call me Hugh, please.

Yeah, we spoke on the phone.

Dr. Daniel Barron.

It's great to put
a face to the name.

This is my colleague

and leader of our research
team, Annie Holzer.

- Annie, how nice to see.
- Good to meet you.

As you can see I
brought somebody with me

I'd like to introduce
you to, Edith Withers.

She's a very well-know
psychic medium.

Fabulous to meet you.

Likewise.

Hi.

So, what do you feel you can
contribute to our research?

Well, I understand your studies

are of the paranormal variety.

That's right.

Perhaps someone who communicates

with the world of the spirit

could be a worthwhile resource.

That's not usually how
we collect our data.

I understand that.

But a different perspective
could be useful.

Okay, let's give it a try.

Oh, thank you.

I've always been
fascinated by this castle.

I hear it has remarkable
residual energy.

What is your objective here,

I mean if you don't
mind me asking you?

Well, like I said on the phone

we're a parapsychology team

just looking to study
and collect data.

I was sort of wondering
whether or not

you had some kind of
specific hypothesis

that you were going to prove?

Nothing specific.

We're open-minded
about the conclusion.

Oh good, I'm so pleased to hear

because you know a lot of people
sort of over-sensationalize

about it, all right?

Shall we
took a look around?

Yeah, that'd be great.

Camera on the north
side corridor is down.

Who hooked that one up?

Aw, shit.

Nice job.

Do you want me to
go check it out?

Don't bother, I'll do it.

Just stay here and
watch the monitors.

Apple polisher.

What?

Well, you jumped right in there

offering to fix my mistake.

What a kiss ass.

Oh bite me.

Forgive my ignorance, Edith

but what is it exactly you do?

I mean I've seen mediums
in movies and things

but I'm guessing
there's more to it.

I act as intermediary between
the world of the living

and the world of spirit.

Right, but are there different
categories of mediumship?

There are usually two
types of mediumship,

mental and physical.

So what kind of medium are you?

I specialize in the
mental side of mediumship.

I walk through a house

and I tune into the residual
energy that's there.

So have you ever been involved

in a investigation
like this before?

10 years ago I was invited

to join a team of ghost hunters

who were investigating
Pendle Hill.

That's where the famous trials

of the Pendle witches
were held in 1612.

Have you ever heard of them?

- No.
- No.

They were the most famous witch
trials in British history.

10 women were
accused and executed

by Matthew Hopkins, the
Witchfinder General.

I found being in Pendle Hill
a most disturbing experience.

Why's that?

When I connected I
realized that the women

weren't practicing
dark witchcraft at all.

They were simply women like me

who were practicing
their skills.

That's what I found
so disturbing.

Had I'd lived in the 1600s,

perhaps I'd have been
burned at the stake.

Have you had any prior
experience in this castle?

I've never been invited to
any events or studies here.

I think the locals would rather
leave this place well alone.

When was the castle
first built, Hugh?

The Talbot family constructed it

over a 10-year period
from 1830 to 1840.

A young man, the Talbot
patriarch, Christopher,

he traveled across
Europe for years

and he returned to
South Wales in 1830.

And he was the one who

redeveloped the
whole family estate.

When was the first report of
supernatural activity here?

Well the whole Talbot family

they lived here until 1941

and then they sold it
to David Evans-Bevan,

good Welsh name.

Anyway he sold it
soon afterwards.

He said, that it was, you know,
too big for what he wanted.

But his relatives said, that
the real reason he sold it

was because he was you
know, very, very disturbed

by all the noises he
heard every evening.

Like children running up
and down the corridors.

And David's son said,
he saw a little girl

darting in and out of rooms

and she was always
wearing Victorian dress.

So are we to assume

that children died
here during that era?

Yes, I think that's
safe to assume.

Hey, do you want me to get
you an aspirin or something?

Why?

I'm fine.

I can't believe we didn't
put a camera in that room.

We have one in there now.

I sense a lot of
consternation from a child

who lived in this
castle, a little girl.

She lived mainly in one room.

It was a room filled with toys.

But, for her, it was a room
filled with loneliness.

What era are we talking about?

18, 1871.

What was her name?

Abigail.

Did she,
did she die there?

Yes, in that room.

What?

What happened?

It's over Catherine!

I want you out of here!

Don't say that please!

I mean it I have had enough!

Just get out!

I'm taking Abigail with me.

No you're not.

She's staying here with me.

No!

She's not!

This is your final warning.

If you're still
here when I get back

there'll be hell to pay!

Just get out!

The members of the family
covered up their deaths.

A murder-suicide would
have brought public shame.

The bride and the child
are buried on the property.

Their tormented souls
trapped within the walls.

I'm going to the bathroom.

Have fun.

- You sure your okay?
- I said I'm fine!

All right, just asking.

I'm sorry.

It was just creepy.

That's the first time I've
seen an apparition in person.

Really?

We don't do much
fieldwork like this.

I mean I've been to
haunted sites before but...

never one with such tangible
supernatural energy.

Well yeah, it's always scary
seeing something that's...

- Well, it's not just that...
- ...not supposed to be there.

It's said that when the
ghost of a deceased person

appears to someone the ghost
retains the personality

from when the person was living.

And it's said most of the
time that communication

is of a peaceful nature
but I didn't feel that.

All I felt was anger,

bitterness,

injustice.

And that's what scared me.

I thought that when we
died we'd be at peace

and now I know that
if we don't die happy

we're stuck with that
anger for eternity.

And that's hell.

Kirk?

Lydia.

Brent, is that you?

Hey, were you guys watching
the corridor on the south side?

No.

Okay, but you're
recording though, right?

Yeah.

Good, I need you to wind it back
and check something for me.

What happened?

Writing appeared
in the bathroom.

Was it your mom's phone number?

- I'm not kidding around, Brent.
- Ow!

A message appeared
in the mirror.

What did it say?

It said to get out.

We don't have a camera
in the bathroom.

I know that but when I came out

into the hallway I saw a figure.

All right, I'll check it out.

Okay, thanks.

It's freaky isn't it?

Seeing something like that.

Yeah.

It makes you think
you're going crazy.

Yeah, I guess.

That's strange.

What?

Look at the monitor.

That's playback.

What?

I don't doubt you
both saw apparitions.

It's just frustrating

our cameras haven't
captured anything.

I checked the heat sensors,

they detected a sudden drop

in temperature during
both sightings.

That's
something at least.

I get the impression

that won't be our last
encounter tonight anyway.

Of course, you know
you haven't come across

the most famous
ghost in the castle

a man called Robert Scott.

He was a gamekeeper
way back in 1898.

Why is he the most famous?

You!

You are not allowed
on this land!

Robert Scott was
not a forgiving man in life

and nothing has
changed in his death.

He's a bitter and
vengeful entity

who will punish anyone
who invades his territory.

You know the big staircase
by the entrance hall?

That's where he's seen.

He's, you know he's
carrying the axe

and his face is blah.

Some spirits choose to reveal
themselves to the living

in the way they died.

That's why Scott
still bears the scars

of that fateful battle.

I'm going for a walk.

I need some fresh air.

I'll go with you.

Edith, there's something
I wanted to ask you.

Yes?

I'd always believed
that when we passed over

that the pain of life
would be washed away.

That we would genuinely
rest in peace.

Sounds like that's not the case.

No, not for everyone.

But that's a scary
idea isn't it?

That even in death the anger
of life may stay with us.

There are many different
beliefs out there

but most cultures agree

that the reason that
ghosts remain behind

is unfinished business.

Whether it's avenging a
murder or some other desire.

You seemed a little
agitated back there.

Running around a castle with
some psychic chasing ghosts?

Seems like something a
reality TV crew would do

more than a team of
educated parapsychologists.

You know, I can't
help but feeling

that a lot of what
we're experiencing

could be power of suggestion.

What about all the
monitors cutting out?

That was probably just
Brent and Kirk screwing up.

Hey.

What inspired you to
become a parapsychologist?

Why are you
asking me that now?

I'm nosy.

It was so long ago,
I don't remember.

Really?

Well, maybe I don't feel
comfortable sharing.

In all our years
working together

have I ever given you any reason

to believe that
I'm not a good guy?

I guess not but...

this is not the happiest story.

I can take it.

I never had a very good
relationship with my parents.

It was my brother Kenny who
was always there for me,

giving me advice, protecting me,

showing me the love that
our parents never did.

One day, when we were
teenagers, he was getting ready

to go on road trip to
Mexico with his friends.

I had this terrible feeling.

Before he left...

...he told me, he'd
always be there for me.

The next day we got the call.

There had been a car crash.

Kenny and his
friends were killed.

I had to go to the coroner's
and identify the body.

My parents wouldn't go.

I wish the last
memory I had of him

was while he was
still alive, but...

seeing him at
the mortuary...

it often, it flashes
through my mind a lot.

Cold and lifeless, he looked.

Haunts me.

Jesus.

That's terrible.

I still miss him so much.

He was everything to me.

That's why I took an
interest in parapsychology.

I thought that it would make
me less scared of dying.

Sounds silly, I know.

No, not at all.

It's hard for me to
get close to someone.

Well...

if you're meant
to get close to someone

the link just kinda
happens, organically.

You know the, universe,

has a funny way

of working these things out.

We should get back.

Yeah.

Jesus!

We need to call someone!

There's no signal here.

Someone has to drive
into town and get help!

What the fuck?

They won't let us leave.

Where's Lydia?

I haven't seen her.

Is she still outside?

Maybe she'll go back to town

when she realizes
we're locked in.

These big places always

have hidden compartments
and passages.

Maybe they'll lead
us to a secret exit.

Have you ever heard of anything

like that in this place, Hugh?

Yeah, well actually
there was an employee

who worked here for
many, many years,

now he claimed that
there was a secret vault

down in the grounds there

and it contains some of the
castles historic artifacts.

And he also said,
that from the vault

there was another tunnel
leading to the outside.

It was constructed
in case the Talbot's

ever had to you know get out
of the castle undetected.

I don't see anything like
that on the blueprints.

Yeah, I know it was supposed
to be secret, wasn't it?

Well, if it's such a secret

how come that employee
knew about it?

Sound very logical to me
when he told me any way.

All right, our only option
is search this castle.

Find out if there
really is a secret door

that leads to a vault.

We have no proof
there's even a vault

let alone an escape
route inside it.

It's not in the blueprints
it's just hearsay.

What other choice do we have?

All we've got up here

are bars on the windows
and locked doors.

We tried to break them
down they won't budge.

I believe there is a vault.

But I must warn you
that the spirits

will do everything they
can to stop us finding it.

Shit!

Is it just this
room or the whole building?

All the lights are
off out here too.

I think the whole
building's down.

Did you pack the flashlights?

Yeah, they're in
a bag over there.

- Hugh.
- Thank you.

We'll search the rooms,

find this secret
passage if we can.

You stay here, keep an
eye on the equipment.

I haven't heard Lydia knocking.

Do you think she still outside?

I don't know.

Maybe she went back
to town to get help.

That's what we're hoping for.

Okay, let's search.

Daniel and I will
take that room,

Hugh and Edith, you
take the one opposite.

Anyone finds anything,

come back to the
corridor and call out.

- All right, fine.
- And leave the doors open

so we can hear each other, okay.

- Yeah, okay fine.
- Yes, yes, yes.

I didn't see this room earlier.

Yeah, me neither.

There's something really
familiar about this place.

I feel like I've
been here before.

Wait.

Where on earth are we?

Pendle Hill.

It's the castle toying with us.

Playing on our fears.

Bringing the past
into the present.

Edith Withers.

Yes.

The mark of Satan is upon you.

You

must

burn.

Who is that?

It's my brother.

Your Satanic ways are an
affront to common decency

and it is just that
you suffer for them.

Stern.

Do your duty.

What the hell happened?

Psychological warfare.

The castle using our
fears against us.

Was that Kirk?

Shh.

No!

She's gone, Hugh!

Come on, come on!

Look!

Help me!

Come on!

Annie.

- Okay.
- Go.

Okay.

This could be it.

Do you know how to pick a lock?

No, do you?

No.

But I don't see any keys
around here so we have to try.

Look at this place, this
most be worth a fortune.

Hugh, this isn't the
fucking "Antiques Roadshow"!

What are you doing?

It's got a key.

If it's got a key there's
something valuable inside.

We're not here to loot
the fucking place, Hugh!

We need to get the
hell out of here!

Help us get this door open!

Oh my God.

What!

Necronomicon.

Is that supposed to
mean something to us?

This is one of the most
famous occult books

in the whole world.

It's got enormous powers.

Earlier Edith said,
she sensed something

of significance
was in the vault.

Something the spirits
didn't want us to find.

Could this be it?

Yeah, it could be.

I mean I heard that they
collected historical artifacts.

I never thought they had this.

Could we potentially use
it to ward of the spirits?

I think we could.

Maybe we shouldn't
be messing around

with something like that.

But we gotta try
something, haven't we?

Maybe we can use this
book to lift the spirits

and make our escape.

If spirits threaten
us in this place,

fight water by water
and fire by fire.

Banish those souls
into nothingness

and remove their powers
until the last trace.

Let these evil beings flee
through time and space.

By earth, by wind,
by water and by fire

banish the darkness and
bring forth the light.

Oh evil spirit in the
name of the Holy One

I cast thee to hell!

Come on, Hugh!

What, what the hell happened?

I thought the secret exit
led into the grounds?

That's what they told me.

Oh Enos, thank God you're here.

Listen, it's been
a total disaster

we need to get the police
out here right now!

Why is he ignoring us?

I don't know.

Enos, are you listening?

We had no phone reception.

We couldn't call anyone.

We've been stuck
in here all night.

Enos, this isn't funny!

Answer us for Christ's sake!

We encountered a lot of
poltergeist phenomenon.

Enos, this
is getting ridiculous!

Speak to us!

Oh my god!