Winchester Mystery House

I was really interested in seeing this movie because I have toured the actual Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, California!   During the years around the turning of the 20th Century, Sarah Winchester inherited a fortune from her husband, who was the majority stock holder in the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.  She feels guilty that these rifles caused so much death and pain, and believes she has been cursed as a result.  She thinks the ghosts of those hurt by the rifles are haunting her, and begins adding rooms to her house to keep them confined.  She has construction going on around the clock, seven days a week. All in all, her house ended up with 161 rooms. There are strange things  in this house (to go along with the strange goings on!).  Stairways that go nowhere, doors that open into nothing, cabinets that open to other rooms.  All of this is true and fascinating to see in person.  The movie speculates about what might be the reason for all of the construction and what Sarah thinks it will accomplish.  Helen Mirren brings her considerable acting chops  to the role, ably supported by Jason Clarke and Sarah Snook;  but even her prestige can’t hide the fact that this it is really an old fashioned  ghost story.  There are apparitions, mysterious noises, moving objects and a few scares.  I would recommend this movie just so you can  see what the real house looks like as they actually had permission to film in and around it.  Go for the ghosts, stay for the house!!