The Final Programme *** (1973, Jon Finch, Jenny Runacre, Hugh Griffith, Patrick Magee, Sterling Hayden, Julie Ege, Harry Andrews, Graham Crowden, George Coulouris) Classic Movie Review 12,391

Robert Fuest’s 1973 dystopian, darkly humorous and very stylish sci-fi thriller film The Final Programme stars Jon Finch as a playboy physicist who reveals a scheme for the creation of an ideal, self-replicating, immortal human being.

Director Robert Fuest’s 1973 dystopian, darkly humorous and adult sci-fi thriller The Final Programme [The Last Days of Man on Earth] is based on cult novelist Michael Moorcock’s acclaimed 1968 novel about Jerry Cornelius, the flamboyant anti-hero character played by star Jon Finch.

The Final Programme is a thoughtful, slickly made and very stylish film telling a psychedelic, action packed sci-fi yarn in a weird, wild and wacky way. It is set in a far-off future just before the world’s end when playboy physicist and dashing secret agent Jerry Cornelius (Finch) reveals a scheme for the creation of an ideal, self-replicating, immortal human being. Cornelius’s recently deceased Nobel Prize-winning scientist father devised the formula of this ‘Final Programme’, captured on a microfilm hidden in the vaults of the family’s mansion, guarded by Jerry’s drug-addicted, psychopathic brother, Frank (Derrick O’Connor).

Jon Finch is outstanding as the black-clad Cornelius, and the acting is impressive from an appealing cast that notably includes Sterling Hayden, Jenny Runacre, Graham Crowden, Patrick Magee, Ronald Lacey, Harry Andrews, Julie Ege and Sarah Douglas. The very good-looking film, with reasonable if inexpensive-looking special effects, and flamboyantly stylish visuals and set designs, could be bewildering but it is definitely in the fascinating category as a total one-off.

It runs 94 minutes but it was cut to 76 minutes for the US and shown as The Last Days of Man on Earth.

Moorcock praised the acting though he said that it was only when he told the actors it was supposed to be funny that they delivered lines with more of his intended black humour. He wanted rock band Hawkwind to provide the score but Fuest did not like the band, and had Paul Beaver and Bernie Krause provide music with a jazzy feel instead.

It is produced by David Puttnam, who made Stardust and Chariots of Fire.

The film was released in cinemas as the top half of double bills but later moved to the bottom half of the bill.

2023 brings a new restoration, available to buy on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital from 20th February 2023.

The cast are Jon Finch as Jerry Cornelius, Jenny Runacre as Miss Brunner, Hugh Griffith as Professor Hira, Patrick Magee as Dr Baxter, Sterling Hayden as Major Wrongway Lindbergh, Ronald Lacey as Shades, Harry Andrews as John, Graham Crowden as Dr. Smiles, George Coulouris as Dr. Powys, Basil Henson as Dr. Lucas, Derrick O’Connor as Frank, Sarah Douglas as Catherine, Sandy Ratcliff as Jenny, Julie Ege as Miss Dazzle, Gilles Millinaire as Dmitri, and Sandra Dickinson as Waitress.

Robert Fuest is best known for the horror films The Abominable Dr Phibes and Dr Phibes Rises Again starring Vincent Price, the original The Avengers TV series, and the 1970 And Soon The Darkness.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,391

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