Synopsis
Peter O’Toole gives a tour-de-force performance as Jack, a man “cured” of believing he’s God—only to become Jack the Ripper incarnate. Based on Peter Barnes’s irreverent play, this darkly comic indictment of Britain’s class system peers behind the closed doors of English aristocracy. Insanity, sadistic sarcasm, and black comedy—with just a touch of the Hollywood musical—are all featured in this beloved cult classic directed by Peter Medak.
Cast
| Jack, 14th Earl of Gurney | Peter O'Toole |
| Bishop Lampton | Alastair Sim |
| Tucker | Arthur Lowe |
| 13th Earl of Gurney | Harry Andrews |
| Lady Cliare | Coral Browne |
| Dr. Herder | Michael Bryant |
| McKyle | Nigel Green |
| Sir Charles | William Mervyn |
| Grace | Carolyn Seymour |
| Dinsdale | James Villiers |
| Truscott | Graham Crowden |
Credits
| Director | Peter Medak |
| Producer | James Buck and Jack Hawkins |
| Screenplay | Peter Barnes |
| Associate producer | David Korda |
| Music | John Cameron |
| Cinematography | Ken Hodges |
| Production Design | Peter Murton |
| Choreographer | Eleanor Fazan |
| Editing | Ray Lovejoy |
Disc Features
- New 16×9 widescreen digital transfer, supervised by director Peter Medak and restored to the original full-length version, never before available in the U.S.
- Commentary track featuring Peter O’Toole, Peter Medak, and writer Peter Barnes
- Peter Medak’s home movies, shot on location for The Ruling Class
- A collection of rare publicity and behind-the-scenes production stills
- Original trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired
- Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
From the Current
The Ruling Class
by Oct 29, 2001The Ruling Class may not be recognized as a neglected masterpiece—at least, not yet. But if we remember how long it took for Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons and Renoir’s Rules of the Game to be recognized as supreme anatomies . . .
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