Watch The Final Programme

The Final Programme is a 1973 science-fiction film that takes place in a futuristic world where a renowned scientist named Professor Michael Moorcock has developed a supercomputer which has the ability to analyze and record all knowledge gathered by mankind. The scientist's aim is to create a "final programme" that would enable him to rule the world as a god.

When Moorcock suddenly dies, his son, Jerry Cornelius (played by Jon Finch), takes over the project to complete his father's work. Jerry is a hedonistic playboy and a skilled agent who possesses a high intellect and a wide range of abilities. His father has left him specific instructions on how to obtain the necessary components to complete the final programme.

Jerry embarks on a quest to retrieve the three necessary components, which are an Irish atomic physicist, a Tibetan monk who has mastered martial arts, and a German industrialist who is the head of a company that manufactures weapons. These three individuals hold the key to building the final programme.

During Jerry's quest, he interacts with various individuals who have their own agenda, including his sister and her sinister fiancé. Additionally, Jerry's former lover, Miss Bruner (played by Jenny Runacre), is also hunting for the same components, which puts them in a race against time to be the first to find them.

As Jerry and Miss Bruner get closer to obtaining the necessary components, the film takes a surreal, psychedelic turn with scenes of eroticism, violence, and extravagance. Jerry's journey takes him from posh mansions to underground laboratories, and the film incorporates elements of surrealism, psychedelia, and avant-garde styles, making it a cult classic.

In addition to Jon Finch and Jenny Runacre, the film features Sterling Hayden as Dr. Baxter, a retired revolutionary who is sympathetic to Jerry's cause. The rest of the cast is composed of eccentric characters who are aligned with either Jerry or Miss Bruner in their quest to retrieve the final programme components.

The Final Programme is considered a landmark film in the science-fiction genre because of its willingness to push the envelope in terms of sex, violence, and eccentricity. The film's director, Robert Fuest, was also behind The Avengers TV series, and his influence can be seen in the film's avant-garde style.

The film's themes of power, control, and the dangers of science gone awry are still relevant today, and the film's style and influence can be seen in contemporary science-fiction films and TV series. Its unique blend of psychedelic visuals, eroticism, and violence, combined with a sharp sense of humor, make it a surrealist masterpiece.

In conclusion, The Final Programme is a surreal, psychedelic journey into a futuristic world where science, sex, and violence collide. Its cast of eccentric characters, stylish visuals, and avant-garde sensibilities make it a cult classic in the science-fiction genre.

The Final Programme is a 1973 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.