The American Ruling Class (2005): Cast & Plot
The American Ruling Class is a 2005 documentary directed by John Kirby, starring Lewis Lapham. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 25m (85 min)
- Director
- John Kirby
- Genre
- Documentary
- Original language
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English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The American Ruling Class About?
The premise of The American Ruling Class without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An inventive, fictionalized documentary follows editor Lewis Lapham as he guides two Ivy grads into America’s elite, probing how class and wealth shape democracy. The film visits the Pentagon, Manhattan gatherings and other power hubs, where Lapham talks with James Baker III and Walter Cronkite, each offering their view of the ruling class.
The American Ruling Class Themes & Keywords
· 11 tags- satire comedy
- young
- affluence
- ruling class
- satire
- fake documentary
- politics
- elite
- economics
- career guidance
- american ruling class
The American Ruling Class Cast
Lewis Lapham stars in The American Ruling Class. Directed by John Kirby.
- Director John Kirby
- Lewis Lapham as themselves
More from John Kirby
One more film directed by John Kirby: Cape Spin: An American Power Struggle.
The American Ruling Class Plot Summary
What happens in The American Ruling Class from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Lewis H. Lapham presenting a provocative question about whether America harbors a true ruling class—a circle of wealthy and powerful families that seemingly steer banks, businesses, and government, shaping every facet of national life.
To explore this idea, the movie constructs a fictional scenario surrounding two Yale graduates who come from opposite ends of the economic spectrum. Jack Bellami, heir to a rich family, is unsure what he wants from life but ultimately decides to enter the banking world, choosing a position at Goldman Sachs. He convinces himself that the banking system wields the world’s leverage and that joining it could be the most effective way to influence change from within.
Full summary
The whole story of The American Ruling Class, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The American Ruling Class?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who introduces the film’s opening question about a possible American ruling class?
Seen The American Ruling Class?
Movies Like The American Ruling Class
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Requiem for the American Dream, Rich Hall’s Working for the American Dream and Capitalism in America: The Cult of Wealth.
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Requiem for the American Dream 2016 -
Rich Hall’s Working for the American Dream 2018 -
Capitalism in America: The Cult of Wealth 2023 -
La Classe américaine 1993 -
Saving Capitalism 2017 -
American Cinema 1995 -
The One Percent 2006 -
Class Divide 2016 -
The Money Masters 1996 -
American Comic 2025 -
The American Question 2024 -
Liberty! 1997
The American Ruling Class FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The American Ruling Class, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The American Ruling Class?
The American Ruling Class runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).
When was The American Ruling Class released?
The American Ruling Class was released on April 26, 2005.
Who directed The American Ruling Class?
The American Ruling Class was directed by John Kirby.
More films by John Kirby Who is in the cast of The American Ruling Class?
The American Ruling Class stars Lewis Lapham.
Does The American Ruling Class have a post-credit scene?
No. The American Ruling Class has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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