Review of The Ruling Class (1972) by Shane K — 24 Apr 2008
Perhaps the most amazing, funny comedy of all time (only His Girl Friday and MAYBE Young Frakenstein are in the same league for my money), "The Ruling Class" is a vicious satire on British society and nobility that has to be seen to be believed.
Peter O'Toole plays a schizophrenic who believes he is Jesus Christ. This poses a problem inasmuch as he assumes a Peerage in England - but after treatment he becomes a homicidal maniac. Extremely broad and slapdash, it seems like it should be a failure, but somehow manages to work on every level.
Blending scathing social satire, lovely fantasy imagery, a brilliant cast, and hilariously impromptu, inappropriate musical numbers, it's a laugh-riot from beginning to end, albeit an occasionally disturbing one.
And O'Toole provides perhaps the best performance of his career, excepting maybe Lawrence.
This review of The Ruling Class (1972) was written by Shane K on 24 Apr 2008.
The Ruling Class has generally received positive reviews.
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