The Ruling Class
1972 · Movie · PG · 154 min · ★ 6.5
When the Earl of Gurney dies in a cross-dressing accident, his schizophrenic son, Jack, inherits the Gurney estate. Jack is not the average nobleman; he sings and dances across the estate and thinks he is Jesus reincarnated. Believing that Jack is mentally unfit to own the estate, the Gurney family plots to steal Jack's inheritance. As their outrageous schemes fail, the family strives to cure Jack of his bizarre behavior, with disastrous results.
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Details
- Years
- 1972
- Release date
- 1972-05-24
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG
- Runtime
- 154 min
- Max quality
- HD
- TMDB rating
- 6.5/10 (96 votes)
Themes
- schizophrenia
- great britain
- asylum
- delusion
- dark comedy
- country estate
- satire
- based on play or musical
- inheritance fight
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1973 · nominated
Cast & crew
Peter O'Toole
as Jack 14th Earl of Gurney
Alastair Sim
as Bishop Lampton
Arthur Lowe
as Tucker
Harry Andrews
as 13th Earl of Gurney
Coral Browne
as Lady Claire Gurney
Michael Bryant
as Dr. Herder
Nigel Green
as McKyle
William Mervyn
as Sir Charles Gurney
Carolyn Seymour
as Grace Shelley
James Villiers
as Dinsdale
Directed by Peter Medak