Cheap The Ruling Class - Criterion Collection (DVD) (Peter O'Toole, Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe) (Peter Medak) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Ruling Class - Criterion Collection

A unique and hilarious black comedy
The Ruling Class remains a unique film in many ways. Totally iconoclastic, brilliantly concieved and executed, original in style and tone from start to finish, it is both hilarious and touching in its story of the 14th Earl of Gurney (played by Peter O'Toole) who believes himself to be Jesus Christ. The picture painted of the British upper classes is mercilessly biased but the comedy that is mined from their shallowness and greed is as funny as when the film was made. O'Toole's performance is delightful. He gets to do a little bit of everything in this film, including sing and dance. The cast of supporting players is brilliant, especially Alister Sim as a tongue tied Bishop trying to perform a wedding between 'Christ' and the bride picked for him by his family so they can control his fortune. Other standouts include such characters as 'The Master in Lunacy', who decides that the Earl is sane because he has the right school pretensions. The pivotal twist of the plot comes in the 'healing' sequence when the Earl is transformed from 'Christ' into 'Jack'. Unfortunately, the Jack in question is Jack the Ripper. This new persona seems so much more sane, but violently less so.

This is a strange concoction but never fails to amuse. Everything about it continues to be fresh because nothing about it has ever been copied. It is a one of a kind film that deserves a place in any serious video collection of great, original movies.

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A Fantastic DVD of a Fantastic Film
I will eschew the plot summary which ye will find in other reviews above . . . as well as a few spoilers!

This is one of my favorite films that examines a number of issues, particularly what is "acceptable" in a religion. It is extremely well-cast, with Peter O'Toole turing in one of his best performances. It is a pleasure to watch Alister Sim--the best Scrooge ever--as a befuddled Anglican bishop. Fans of the Blackadder will enjoy seeing "Nursey" as a village busy-body who wishes to bring back flogging.

The DVD is a wonderful treatment. The US release--and subsequent videos--lacked some scenes lost for length. This is a film that is based on a play, and every character had a soliloquy--until someone cut them! Here, finally is the complete film. Visually, it is beautiful.

A big suprise is the "goodies." The running commentary includes the director, Peter Medak, the playwright/screen writer Peter Barnes, and even Peter O'Toole. It is an excellent addition to the movie rather than voices blathering about themselves.

The insert also has a nice essay from a British film professor.

Fans of the film need this DVD.

A review above complained it was not "funny." How one cannot laugh at Harry Andrews in a tutu, military garb, hanging himself in order to [CENSORED--Ed.] I do not know?! However, it is NOT a comedy. It is a play that has social satire, some comedy, a fair amount of farce and darkness and tragedy.

The only warning that I give is the DVD back-notes reveals some spoilers! If you have NOT seen the film or stumbl'd upon them in some reviews above, make sure you do not read the back!

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o'tooles tour de force
the main flaw of this film is that it overstays its welcome. that said, o'toole delivers one of his most powerful over the top performances.
this is a true cult classic and, thanks to criterion, it has gotten the remastering it deserves.
not for the closed minded to be certian, but a challenging and rewarding comedy that delivers and jolts.