Peter O'Toole in "The Ruling Class": an unofficial, spoiler-free trailer -- take 3

Michael Lubin
Michael Lubin
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Published 2008-07-15
One of the most brilliant satires in film history was 1972's "The Ruling Class," starring Peter O'Toole. I've jammed the main story line and many of the funniest moments into an 8 1/4-minute pastiche. Britain's aristocrats, their brutal and reactionary values, and their pervasive influence on society come in for a well-deserved thumping. "Britain and our way of life" indeed!

The original theatrical trailer was just awful, so my main motivation was to do condensed justice to this movie. Actually, it positively lends itself to a trailer, being simply larded with deliciously snippable moments. In fact, I have enough material left over that there's a second trailer in the works, if I get around to doing it!

"The Ruling Class" was directed by Peter Medak and acted by an awe-inspiring cast. The sensationally subversive script was written by Peter Barnes, based on his equally scintillating original stage play (which I have read though not seen).

This "take 3" differs slightly from the versions I posted earlier.

--Michael Lubin
All Comments (15)
  • @AlineSF
    RIP Peter. This film is a masterpiece.
  • @NuisanceMan
    There is a LOT of material on the DVD that is not on the video, and some of it is quite important. You see a lot more of the relationship between Grace and Charles, for example. Also, the video quality on the DVD is about a million times better than on the VHS. The VHS copy looks like they found the print on the floor or something, whereas the DVD is beautiful, in vibrant colors, showing the high quality of the original cinematography. If you're a fan of this movie, the DVD is VERY worth it.
  • @trailrunner78
    "Alright, if you're God, reveal your Godhead" (ZIP) "No, no no....." Best line in the whole movie. :)
  • @NuisanceMan
    O'Toole fans, check it out. He plays a peace-and-love loony who thinks he's the God of love, then a pompous upper-class English git loony who thinks he's the God of vengeance, all in one performance. What an actor! I hope you enjoy -- try clicking the "high quality" link.
  • @Drotog
    For Blackadder fans, the actress who played Nursie is one of the screaming ladies at 1:22.
  • @Drotog
    For Blackadder fans, the actress who played Nursie is one of teh screaming ladies at 1:22.
  • @detroitMC313
    Thanks for making these trailers!!! The real trailer is shit; I don't blame it though, you can't make a good trailer for these types of films with very reverent twists in them. These are good to show people though to show them a preview of the film, specially without spoiling it.
  • @mystictim
    High voltage messigh v Christ of Love 4:47