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The Ruling Class (1972) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
7.7/10   2,356 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Peter Barnes (play)
Peter Barnes (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Ruling Class on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 May 1972 (France) more
Genre:
Plot:
A member of the House of Lords dies in a shockingly silly way, leaving his estate to his son. Unfortunately... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
They Never Won an Academy Award
 (From Get The Big Picture. 19 February 2009, 5:55 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Hilarious, Biting Classic more (48 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
154 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
UK:15 (video rating) | UK:X (original rating) | USA:PG | Australia:M | Chile:(Banned) | Sweden:15 | USA:R (original rating)
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Alastair Sim cast himself in the role as the Bishop, according to the commentary on the DVD. He called up his friend Peter O'Toole and told him, out of the blue, of course he'd help him by taking the part. No one was about to turn down the offer of such a great character actor, no matter how eccentric. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When they are burying Lady Gurney, the camera casts a shadow over the grave stones and ground. more
Quotes:
Sir Charles: Come, doctor, you said he needed a harsh dose of reality. Well, you can't get a harder dose of the stuff than marriage. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Venus (2006/I) more
Soundtrack:
Pomp and Circumstance more

FAQ

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9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful.
Hilarious, Biting Classic, 18 February 2001
10/10
Author: Mitch-38 from Houston, Texas

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.

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