

When the Earl of Gurney dies in a cross-dressing accident, his schizophrenic son, Jack, inherits the Gurney estate. Jack is not the average nobleman; he sings and dances across the estate and thinks he is Jesus reincarnated. Believing that Jack is mentally unfit to own the estate, the Gurney family plots to steal Jack's inheritance. As their outrageous schemes fail, the family strives to cure Jack of his bizarre behavior, with disastrous results.
Acting
Peter O'Toole at his most dangerously unhinged
Writing
Peter Barnes' savage play adaptation
Direction
Medak balances grotesque comedy with genuine tragedy

Director
Peter Medak
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Peter O'Toole reportedly stayed in character between takes, once terrifying a crew member by blessing them in full Jesus mode.
The film's brutal satire of British class structure landed poorly in 1972; it found its cult audience only after O'Toole's death.