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 ...
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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. Judd Blaise, Rovi
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Add this copy of The Ruling Class (1972) to cart. $9.70, good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of The Ruling Class (the Criterion Collection) to cart. $17.45, good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2001 by Criterion Collection.
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Seller's Description:
Coral Browne, Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe, Hugh Owens, Harry Andrews, William Mervyn, James Villiers, Hugh Burden, Michael... Good. 1972 Run time: 154. Case/disc are scratched but it shouldnt affect playback. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Add this copy of The Ruling Class [Criterion Collection] to cart. $35.74, new condition, Sold by Importcds rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Sunrise, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2001.
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Seller's Description:
Peter O'Toole; Alastair Sim; Arthur Lowe; Harry Andrews; Coral Browne. New. Run time: 154 mins. Language: English. New in new packaging. USA Orders only! Brand New product! please allow delivery times of 3-7 business days within the USA. US orders only please.
Add this copy of The Ruling Class-Criterion Collection to cart. $40.08, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2001.
Add this copy of The Ruling Class (the Criterion Collection) [Dvd] to cart. $40.56, new condition, Sold by itswinwinwithdon rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NORTH PORT, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2001.
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New. ! ! ! EXPEDITED SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE! ! ! WORLD-WIDE SHIPPING, PRIORITIZING CUSTOMER SERVICE. "SMALL SHOP" RETIREE (please read my "About Seller" information). All "new" items, unless otherwise noted, are Factory Fresh/Sealed in Excellent Condition and will be mailed expeditiously. "Like New", "Very Good", and "Good" items have packaging conditions reflective of the listing. Not all used items will have inserts. Used discs themselves will be in very good to excellent condition in all cases.
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