The Ruling Class poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Peter O'Toole, Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe, Harry Andrews, Coral Browne ... see more see more... , Michael Bryant , Ronald Adam , Kenneth Benda , Hugh Burden , Patsy Byrne , Joan Cooper , Graham Crowden , James Grout , James Hazeldine , Neil Kennedy , Margaret Lacey , Oliver MacGreevy , William Mervyn , Declan Mulholland , Hugh Owens , Llewellyn Rees , Leslie Schofield , Carolyn Seymour , James Villiers , Kay Walsh , Henry Woolf , Nigel Green , Julian d'Albie , Griffith Davies

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 ton... read more read more...e 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. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

3,771 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

11 critics

PG, 2 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Peter Medak

Release Date: May 10, 1972

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 30, 2001

 

Stats: 272 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Peter O'Toole in The Ruling Class The Ruling Class
Upload a Photo | View All The Ruling Class Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (272)

  • brooklynspo
    December 8, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Angry, angry, dense, dark and ridiculous screed nominally aimed at English class system w/ O'Toole as J.C. Supernut. Kinda like Bunuel meets Monty Python with live ammo.
  • flickfever
    January 4, 2011
    flickfever
    I was surprised by how thrown-together this movie seems to be. It is definitely ambitious in its biting social commentary; but, in the end, it ends up falling victim to its own outlandish charm. What starts off as a funny and searing look at British artistocracy quicky spirals in... read moreto an acid-trip of a movie that is as discombobulated as it is filled with acting talent that is severely misused. Mind-blowing potential; mind-numbing payoff.
  • Stinger839
    July 11, 2010
    Stinger839
    Top performance from O'Toole, with exceptional supporting work, especially from renowned character actor Alastair Sim. Fantastic dialogue, but that is because the script is adapted from a stage play (and the adaptation done by the same writer); at moments it is easy to tell that ... read morethis is a stage adaptation even if you didn't know because of the short asides into the camera and general elevated form of dialogue.

    The selected filming locations are exquisite and film beautifully. Next to O'Toole's performance, my favorite element of the film is that it chooses to overtly blur the line between an objective reality and the subjective reality Jack is experiencing by seamlessly sewing the two together when the situation warrants it.

    First two thirds of the film is a romping satire and mostly all-out fun, which contrasts with the quickly darkening melodrama of the final act. Some viewers will be jarred by this transition, just as some other viewers won't recognize that the supporting characters are being genuine when they suddenly align themselves with Jack (when the prior scheme had been to remove him from his inherited lordship and return him to permanent mental illness institution). Even if the relationship chemistries feel weak at times, the main character's struggle never feels false but indeed takes on a mythical quality.

    This is a movie where I WANT so badly to rate it four stars, but I just feel that the scene progression jumps over some long periods of time too easily and that perhaps the scenes picked to be in the film aren't always the most significant to Jack's life (but perhaps that is because many of the scenes are of his most critical moments so anything else will feel pointless in comparison). Some of the editing is a bit rough, but I reckon that's because this was this director's first big outing. Bottom line is that the writer Peter Barnes delivers an excellent satire of English society, perceptions of mental illness, the "eccentric wealthy" character-type, family quarrels, and of the abuse of power and privilege.
  • jjnxn
    May 9, 2010
    jjnxn
    Offbeat to say the least. A very game cast frolics their way through this weird hybrid of a film. Peter O'Toole gives his all to the part and Coral Browne is terrific in as the pragmatic sister in law.
  • kenstachnik
    May 22, 2008
    kenstachnik
    OMG why did nobody tell me about this movie? A film of such ridiculous, witty, dark and hilarious nature it must be seen to be believed.

    Peter O'Toole thinks he's Jesus...and then it gets weird
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    March 10, 2008
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    A hilarious dark British satire that has a little bit of everything (murder, surrealism, dance and musical numbers). Throw in one of Peter O'Toole's best performances, and you've got a great film!
  • rubystevens
    December 6, 2007
    rubystevens
    wicked satire on the aristocracy...with musical numbers! o'toole chews scenery as the mad 14th earl of gurney and i love the bolshevik butler! a really dark and bizarre comedy
  • mjgildea
    November 19, 2006
    mjgildea
    Crackheaded British humor that nothing can rival. One of O'Toole's best.
  • Doctor0Quinzel
    April 29, 2010
    Doctor0Quinzel
    I didn't really get this movie, I assume very few do. It is definitely one of the strangest movies I have seen.
  • FanadFilmsProduction
    June 8, 2007
    FanadFilmsProduction
    Ok, this is a whacky film, but it is a hoot. I love Peter O'Toole.

View All The Ruling Class Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
June 18, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

In spots a very amusing and irreverent tongue-in-cheek satire on class that features a tour de force performance by Peter O'Toole. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

The plot is convoluted but director Peter Medak makes some good satirical points about the British class system and Peter O'Toole is terrific in a well-deserved Oscar-nominated performance. Full Review

Ken Hanke
December 1, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

If it's true that a people get the government they deserve, mightn't it be equally true that a people get the God they deserve? Full Review

Bob Bloom
August 15, 2002
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A wonderful, wild ride. Peter O'Toole is outstanding.

James Kendrick
October 30, 2001
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk

decidedly postmodern several years before it became a buzzword

Toby Zinman
February 13, 2009
Toby Zinman, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jake Euker
March 18, 2006
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)

No review available.

Mark Athitakis
March 11, 2006
Mark Athitakis, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

Philip Martin
April 28, 2005
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • My Favorite Year
    My Favorite Year (100%)
  • Withnail and I
    Withnail and I (50%)
  • Little Murders
    Little Murders (100%)
  • O Lucky Man!
    O Lucky Man! (100%)

More Movies like The Ruling Class

Facts

Submit a Fact | View All
  • "Behaviour which would be considered insanity in a tradesman, is looked on as mild eccentricity in a lord."
  • "You cured me, Doctor.
    I was a pale, moon-loony. You have changed me into a murderer."
  • "Ladies & gentlemen, we understand each other perfectly. Breeding speaks to breeding."
    The 14th Earl addresses a crowd of his peers, after a rousing consensus on the necessity for capital punishment for maintaining social order. They then set off on... read more a fox hunt.
  • "I stand outside myself, watching myself watching myself.
    I smile. I smile. I smile."
Submit a Fact | View All

The Ruling Class : Watch Free on TV

The Ruling Class Trivia

  • Which of these movies was not directed by David Lean?  Answer »
  • What character in the movie Clerks says the following: "I believe in the philosophy of a ruling class, especially since I rule."  Answer »
  • He played starring roles in these films (among others): "My Favorite Year", "Lawrence of Arabia", "The Ruling Class", "The Lion in Winter".  Answer »
More The Ruling Class Trivia

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for The Ruling Class. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All The Ruling Class Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add The Ruling Class to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?