04-03-2015, 07:53 PM
Apparently the version I saw is not the one that originally came out in theaters in the US in 1972. Ebert discusses it in his review here:
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-ruling-class-1972
In a nutshell, the US version was cut by 15-20 minutes, and while some might be outraged by such butchering, Ebert -- who saw both versions -- leans towards believing the cuts were beneficial. In essence, when he later saw the wholly intact film, it seemed less effective.
Anyway, I did find it well worth watching.
By the way, in the credits for location shoots, I saw a thank you to the University of Evansville, Indiana. I couldn't believe that any part of it was shot in the US. After some web searches, I finally solved the mystery. Here's what movie-locations.com says about it.
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-ruling-class-1972
In a nutshell, the US version was cut by 15-20 minutes, and while some might be outraged by such butchering, Ebert -- who saw both versions -- leans towards believing the cuts were beneficial. In essence, when he later saw the wholly intact film, it seemed less effective.
Anyway, I did find it well worth watching.
By the way, in the credits for location shoots, I saw a thank you to the University of Evansville, Indiana. I couldn't believe that any part of it was shot in the US. After some web searches, I finally solved the mystery. Here's what movie-locations.com says about it.
Quote:The fantastical exterior of ‘Gurney Manor’ is Harlaxton Manor, an extravagant neo-Elizabethan extravaganza a couple of miles west of Grantham, Lincolnshire. Now home to Harlaxton College, part of the University of Evansville, Indiana, it’s not generally open to the public, though it is possible to book group tours and there are occasional open days.
The manor is probably more familiar now from the lurid 1999 remake of The Haunting.