The Ruling Class (1972)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Bob S

  
  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.

• Rico Z

  
  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 into an… More
  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 into 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.

• _kelly .

  
  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… More
  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 this 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.

• jay n

  
  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.

• Ken S

  
  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

• Michael S

  
  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!

• Stella D

  
  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

• Michael G

  
  Crackheaded British humor that nothing can rival. One of O'Toole's best.

• Marion R

  
  I didn't really get this movie, I assume very few do. It is definitely one of the strangest movies I have seen.

• Timothy O

  
  Ok, this is a whacky film, but it is a hoot. I love Peter O'Toole.

Read all 10 featured audience ratings