NO BLADE OF GRASS (1970)

• Director: Cornel Wilde
• Cast: Nigel Davenport, Jean Wallace, John Hamill, Wendy Richard
• Film: 96mins | UK | No Subtitles | Intermission
• Event: 18:30 – 21:15 / Doors 18:00 [18+]

“A VIRUS OF DOOM ENVELOPS EARTH!”

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

About an environmental catastrophe that destroys civilisation, NO BLADE OF GRASS (1970) is one of those titles dedicated fans of extreme cinema know about but haven’t seen projected, at least for a while. For newcomers, much of the film’s story and imagery will have been rendered familiar by Danny Boyle’s 28 DAYS LATER (2002) and its sequels: just replace the angry infected with hairy bikers — no, not those ones — and you get the same essential set up. But that doesn’t prepare you for the film’s uncompromising, gory, gut-punching power. This one hits hard.

Unlike M. Night Shyamalan’s laughter-inducing efforts at making plant life terrifying (THE HAPPENING, 2008), Cornel Wilde’s trudge across the English post-apocalyptic countryside makes for provocative if uncomfortable viewing. Adapted from John Christopher’s 1956 novel, ‘The Death of Grass’, the film follows eye-patch wearing architect (Nigel Davenport), his posh family and associated hangers on (including future EASTENDERS’ matriarch of misery, Wendy Richard) as they escape food riots in London. Amidst the escalating horror of the titular catastrophe, they plot a grim journey north in search of horticultural sustainability.

Years ahead of its time, NO BLADE OF GRASS offers a tough love intervention into our dietary habits. Despite this strident eco standpoint, the film doesn’t bother dragging its heels in other progressive issues, serving up slices of pure exploitation cinema masquerading as social conscience. A standout work of savage filmmaking, NO BLADE OF GRASS ultimately earns its reputation as a cult classic for introducing an epic perspective into UK genre cinema that often stays confined to the gothic church or kitchen sink.

Polite notice: We are showing NO BLADE OF GRASS without subtitles from the best available digital source. The film includes scenes of actual childbirth and violent sexual assault, reflecting patriarchal indifference to violence against women and girls in the post-apocalypse.

/// BAR TRASH is a celebration of cult and curious cinema, hosted by queer film fanatic Token Homo and friends. Films are served with introductions, intermissions, prize giveaways, and subtitles / captions where possible. Tickets from £3.50 + fees. Adults 18+ only. Follow @tokenhomo on Instagram for updates. ///