Peter Medak, ‘The Changeling’ and ‘The Ruling Class’ Director, Dies at 88

Peter Medak, the acclaimed director behind the influential horror film "The Changeling" and the Peter O'Toole-led comedy "The Ruling Class," passed away at the age of 88, according to family announcements. Born to a Jewish family in Budapest, Hungary, Medak fled the country during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and arrived in England with his family. He embarked on a long apprenticeship within the British film industry, gaining experience as a sound editor, film editor, assistant director, and second unit director.

Medak's career took off in 1963 when he signed a deal with MCA Universal Pictures to direct television films. By 1967, he had secured a contract with Paramount to direct feature films. His first feature, "Negatives," released in 1968, was based on Peter Everett's novel of the same name but received mixed reviews upon its initial release, with The New York Times criticizing its shift from a "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" style to a whimsical, children's tale. However, "Negatives" garnered appreciation in later years, notably through home video releases.

Medak's breakthrough came in 1972 with "The Ruling Class," a dark comedy starring Peter O'Toole as an eccentric British royal who believes he is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Although initially a commercial failure, "The Ruling Class" later gained a cult following. Medak's most influential work is arguably "The Changeling," a haunting horror film released in 1980 that starred George C. Scott.

The film marked a turning point in Medak's career and had a profound impact on the horror genre, influencing filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, and Richard Kelly.