Both an uproarious comedy and a savage satirical attack on the upper crust of British society, 1972′s The Ruling Class has won plaudits from just about all of the Criticker users who’ve seen it. That earns it a spot in our list of Neglected Gems.

Three Peters combine their powers to bring us this wonderful and largely forgotten film — director Peter Medak, screenwriter Peter Barnes and actor Peter O’Toole. Barnes screenplay is based on his own play, which was a big hit in London. O’Toole is hilarious as a lunatic member of British aristocracy who believes himself to literally be God. When he’s eventually cured of this perception, he takes on another, far more sinister persona.

Peter O’Toole picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance. Movies which satirize the elite are a dime a dozen, but Variety says The Ruling Class “avoids usual message film pitfalls in coming across almost throughout with amusing tongue-in-cheek finesse alternating with hilarious stretches”.

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We think that the various posters created for the film do a pretty good job of indicating what you can expect. This first one, especially, is great.