No Blade of Grass (1970)

When a deadly virus strikes London, John Custane takes his family to hoped-for safety in Scotland.

Director:

Cornel Wilde

Writers:

Sean Forestal (screenplay), Cornel Wilde (screenplay),

Stars:

Nigel Davenport, Jean Wallace, John Hamill

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nigel Davenport	...	John Custance
Jean Wallace	...	Ann Custance
John Hamill	...	Roger Burnham
Lynne Frederick	...	Mary Custance
Patrick Holt	...	David Custance
Ruth Kettlewell	...	Fat Woman
M.J. Matthews	...	George
Michael Percival	...	Police Constable
Tex Fuller	...	Mr. Beaseley
Simon Merrick	...	T.V. Interviewer (Fred Gray)
Anthony Sharp	...	Sir Charles Brenner
George Coulouris	...	Mr. Sturdevant
Anthony May	...	Pirrie
Wendy Richard	...	Clara
Max Hartnell	...	Lieutenant

Storyline

A strange new virus has appeared, which only attacks strains of grasses such as wheat and rice, and the world is descending into famine and chaos. Architect John, along with his family and friends, is making his way from London to his brother's farm in northern England where there will hopefully be food and safety for all of them. Along the way, they encounter hostile soldiers, biker gangs, and all manner of people who are all too willing to take advantage of travelers for a mouthful of food.

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Plot Keywords:

virus | farm | soldier | biker | attack | 

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Taglines:

Yesterday, they were decent people letting their environment die. Now they are savages, killing to keep themselves alive.

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 October 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Death of Grass

Filming Locations:

Cumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Theodora Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

First film of Lynne Frederick.

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Quotes

John Custance: Besides, the guilty don't deserve to die as quick as the innocent.

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Connections

Featured in 42nd Street Forever, Volume 4: Cooled by Refrigeration (2009)

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Soundtracks

"No Blade Of Grass"
By Louis Nelius and Charles Carroll
Sung by Roger Whittaker

User Reviews

Exodus in a new guise

What most people seem to have missed is the Exodus theme and the Moses figure of the main character. He leads people to a new promised land in the midst of chaos and plague. He is assisted by a Joshua character who does the organizational work and heads the military actions. The daughter's fiancé is the hesitant and uncertain Aaron. Somewhat confused overall and not as effective as it could have been. The flash forwards were distracting and set up an anticipation that detracted from the present scenes. It is difficult to see how the film was an argument for environmental causes. It would be better seen as a cautionary tale on the fragility of society. Given a socially disruptive situation people are often incapable of recognizing the need for social order and become, instead, survivalists. Social order is even more necessary when normality is undercut and crisis events threaten to overwhelm our institutions.