The Ruling Class - DaaVeeDee

The Ruling Class (DVD) (*)

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Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Portuguese ( Subtitles )
Spanish ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Spanish ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Spain ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
153 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 1972 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Peter Medak

Written By:
Peter Barnes

Actors:
Hugh Owens ..... Toastmaster
Harry Andrews ..... 13th Earl of Gurney
Arthur Lowe ..... Tucker
William Mervyn ..... Sir Charles
Coral Browne ..... Lady Claire
James Villiers ..... Dinsdale
Alastair Sim ..... Bishop Lampton
Hugh Burden ..... Matthew Peake
Peter O'Toole ..... Jack Arnold Alexander Tancred Gurney - 14th Earl of Gurney
Michael Bryant ..... Dr. Herder
Henry Woolf ..... Inmate
Griffith Davies ..... Inmate
Oliver MacGreevy ..... Inmate
Kay Walsh ..... Mrs. Piggot-Jones
Patsy Byrne ..... Mrs. Treadwell

Synopsis:

An institutionalized schizophrenic with a Messiah complex inherits the position of an English Earl in this cutting satire of British society, based on a play by Peter Barnes. The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre attempt at auto-erotic asphyxiation. To the dismay of the earl's family, the title passes to his son Jack (Peter O'Toole), who has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless, Jack is released to assume his seat. However, his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society, where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses, and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile, Jack's scheming uncle, Sir Charles (William Mervyn), works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position. Loaded with idiosyncratic touches from eccentric camera angles to unexpected outbursts of song, the film creates an experience nearly as inspired and mad as O'Toole's brilliantly hilarious central performance. The film's devilish invention may at times seem overloaded, but most drawbacks are redeemed by the sharpness of the satire, particularly during the memorably disturbing finale.

A member of the House of Lords dies, leaving his estate to his son. Unfortunately, his son thinks he is Jesus Christ. The other somewhat-more respectable members of their family plot to steal the estate from him. Murder and mayhem ensues.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 26 October, 2014.