Peter O’Toole gives a tour-de-force performance as Jack, a man “cured” of believing he’s God—only to become Jack the Ripper incarnate. Based on Peter Barnes’s irreverent play, this darkly comic indictment of Britain’s class system peers behind the closed doors of English aristocracy. Insanity, sadistic sarcasm, and black comedy—with just a touch of the Hollywood musical—are all featured in this beloved cult classic directed by Peter Medak. –The Criterion Collection
Kind of an empty and boring experience despite Peter O' Toole's great performance.
Overlong, indulgent, sloppy, and stagy, but it's razor-sharp critique of the twin pillars of conservative culture--religion and the upper classes--hits the mark often and surprisingly effectively. Not a movie you could make today, in any way.
It's like The Rules of the Game put on by Monty Python with a Shakesperian cast. If it didn't fall flat in the last act it would probably be my favorite movie ever.
I admit that I initially grabbed a copy of Clérambard (1969) out of a not-wholly pure interest in actress Dany Carrel, an interesting presence
Very unique, but also very unfunny black comedy adapted from the play by Peter Barnes. There are some spirited performances – particularly from Peter O’Toole – and director Peter Medak creates some… read review
