The Final Programme is a 1973 British comedy-thriller film directed by
Robert Fuest, and starring
Jon Finch and
Jenny Runacre. It was based on the first
Jerry Cornelius novel (also called
The Final Programme) by
Michael Moorcock. It was distributed in the
United States and elsewhere as
The Last Days of Man on Earth.
Plot synopsis
The story starts with the burial of Jerry Cornelius's father, a Nobel-prize-winning scientist who has developed the "Final Programme"—a design for a perfect,
self-replicating human being.
A group of scientists including Dr. Smiles and the formidable
Miss Brunner (who consumes her lovers) try to persuade Cornelius to locate the microfilm containing his father's Final Programme, which is believed to be hidden somewhere in a family-owned house.
Things are further complicated by the apparent disappearance of Cornelius's sister, Catherine; the activities of his evil brother, Frank; and the involvement of other characters such as his old friend "Shades", and "Little Miss Dazzle", originally a singer.
The attack on the old house commences, with many traps to be breached, until Jerry finally confronts Frank, and a fight ensues. In the process, Catherine is killed, Jerry wounded, and Frank falls into the hands of Miss Brunner.She encourages him to open the vaults, but he outsmarts her and gets away.
After Jerry recuperates, he again meets Miss Brunner, who introduces him to her new friend, Jenny. They plot to go and...
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