The Ruling Class (1972)

Director:

Peter Medak

Writers:

Peter Barnes (play)
Peter Barnes (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 May 1972 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

A member of the House of Lords dies in a shockingly silly way, leaving his estate to his son. Unfortunately...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | House Of Lords | Pub | Schizophrenia | Prologue

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Peter O'Toole	...	Jack Arnold Alexander Tancred Gurney - 14th Earl of Gurney
Alastair Sim	...	Bishop Bertie Lampton
Arthur Lowe	...	Daniel Tucker
Harry Andrews	...	Ralph Gurney - 13th Earl of Gurney
Coral Browne	...	Lady Claire Gurney
Michael Bryant	...	Dr. Herder
Nigel Green	...	McKyle
William Mervyn	...	Sir Charles Gurney
Carolyn Seymour	...	Grace Shelley
James Villiers	...	Dinsdale Gurney
Hugh Burden	...	Matthew Peake
Graham Crowden	...	Truscott
Kay Walsh	...	Mrs. Piggot-Jones
Patsy Byrne	...	Mrs. Treadwell
Joan Cooper	...	Nurse Brice

Runtime:

154 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:PG | Australia:M | Chile:(Banned) | Sweden:15 | USA:R (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Cliveden Estate, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Keep Films

Trivia:

Alastair Sim modeled his characterization of Bishop Lampton on the Primate of All England (chief religious figure in the Church of England), Michael Ramsay Archbishop of Canterbury (subsequently Baron Ramsay of Canterbury). Portraits of Ramsay in the National Gallery bear a likeness to the physical aspects of Sim's character.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When they are burying Lady Gurney, the camera casts a shadow over the grave stones and ground.

Quotes:

Jack Arnold Alexander Tancred Gurney, 14th Earl of Gurney: Surely you pray for love and understanding?
Lady Claire Gurney: Every night...
Lady Claire Gurney: [glancing pointedly at her husband] ... without success.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Venus (2006/I)

Soundtrack:

Pomp and Circumstance

Hilarious, Biting Classic

Mind blowing, superior satire on the class system in Britain, with a once in a lifetime cast (Peter O'Toole, Alastair Sim "The Zambeesi Missions", Arthur Lowe "Alexi Kronstadt...Revolutionary!", Coral Browne, William Mervyn and so forth). Cinematically, the British have long proved that no one has a better sense of humor, or is as self critical of them, than they themselves. Perhaps, as the saying goes, "It keeps the old girl honest."

This scathing comedy takes no prisoners, whether engaging in outlandish situational dialogue or performers suddenly zipping out in a song and dance routines. There are too many individual gems of dialogue to count (although a personal fave is O'Toole's talk with Mrs. Piggot-Jones and Mrs. Treadwell). The performances are delivered with just the right amount of relish and timing. A modern classic. Highly recommended.