The Ghosts of Berkeley Square

Most events unfold in the 18th century, when Burlap and Kelsoe were officers of Queen Anne. The house then passes through the Boer War and World War I, changing owners and purposes with each era. In the film's modern framing, radio and television enable a living audience to communicate with the spirits.

Berkeley Square in London is the haunted townhouse that anchors the story. Over centuries it houses a private residence, a bordello, a soldiers' hospital, and later a ghost-show venue. The two ghostly colonels who died there linger as specters, shaping the square's history and attracting royalty and showmen alike.

👻 Haunting Legacy

The two colonels' deaths trap them in Berkeley Square, turning the house into a stage for their long-running haunting. Their bond and quarrels echo across centuries as they adapt to new eras, yet the living continually encounter their presence. The specters influence the fate of the house and its owners from generation to generation.

🕰 Time Warp

The story acts as a palimpsest, with Berkeley Square hosting different eras—from 18th-century campaigns to modern entertainment. Each era leaves its mark on the house and the ghosts, who persist through centuries. The setting shifts through history while the ghosts remain a constant presence.

🧪 Seance Science

Dr Cruickshank and the Psychical Research Society seek to prove the ghosts exist, blurring lines between belief and evidence. Farnum's hoax accusations test the line between performance and reality. The ghosts' undeniable presence challenges contemporary notions of science and superstition.

🎭 Ghost Show

Berkeley Square becomes a stage where the ghosts perform or disrupt, and Farnum commercializes their presence. The living coax entertainment from the afterlife while the spirits navigate fame, debt, and loyalty to their home. The clashes between spectacle and respect for history drive the narrative.