Year: 1972
Director: Peter Medak
Country: UK
Language: English
The film begins when a member of the House of Lords dies in a shockingly silly way, leaving his estate to his son, Jack Gurney. Unfortunately, his son is insane: he thinks he is Jesus Christ. The other somewhat-more respectable members of their family plot to steal the estate from him. Murder and mayhem ensues.
"How do I know I am Christ? Because I find myself talking to myself when I want to talk to God, therefore I must be him" The film's dialogue perfectly captures how ridiculous Jack Gurney is, all the while never trying too hard to be funny. The picture has everything; random musical numbers, beautiful costumes, romance, jealousy, insanity, melodrama, dark comedy, opera and openly mocks the aristocracy. There is even a scene which includes another insane man who thinks he is "lightning jesus" trying to convince Gurney that he is the true Christ. Yes it's blasphemous, but I love it.
In addition to being completely off the wall, The Ruling Class challenges our belief systems and our trust in the upper class. It's a statement about the dangers of excessive self-repression, as well as the lunacy involved in making Gods of ourselves due to inflated ego. Essentially only following the social mores and folkways of society forces us to not be our true selves and thus become monsters created by a flawed fragile society.
In conclusion, The Ruling Class is an energetic and entertaining film that has a lot to offer in regards to powerful themes and messages of morality. It's beyond ridiculous, but that's the appeal of it, it needs to be schizophrenic and wild in order to work. I will definitely be watching this a few more times. Praise it! 5/5
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