Chinese Version
The Ruling Class (UK)
Maniacs
Director: Peter Medak
Cast: Peter O'Toole Alastair Sim Arthur Lowe
Footage: 154min
Year: 1972
It is based on a play by Peter Barnes.
The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre asphyxiation. His son Jack has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless, Jack is released to assume his seat. However, his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society, where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses, and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile, Jack's scheming uncle works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position.
All people fail except Jack himself. He becomes a slaughterous maniac.
References:
THE RULING CLASS (John Simon)
Savant Short Review:The Ruling Class
The Ruling Class (Mark Zimmer)
