The Final Programme (1973): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1973, The Final Programme is a comedy, thriller and science fiction film directed by Robert Fuest, running about 89 minutes. “The future is cancelled!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. After the death of his Nobel Prize-winning father, billionaire physicist Jerry Cornelius becomes embroiled in the search for the mysterious "Final Programme", developed by his father. The programme, a design for a perfect, self-replicating human being, is contained on microfilm. A group of scientists, led by the formidable Miss Brunner (who consumes her lovers), has sought Cornelius's help in obtaining it. After a chase across a war-torn Europe on the verge of anarchy, Brunner and Cornelius obtain the microfilm from Jerry's loathsome brother Frank. They proceed to an abandoned underground Nazi fortress in the Arctic to run the programme, with Jerry and Miss Brunner as the subjects.

Who’s in it. The Final Programme stars Jon Finch as Jerry Cornelius, Jenny Runacre as Miss Brunner, Sterling Hayden as Maj. Wrongway Lindbergh and Harry Andrews as John, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.2/10, The Final Programme has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Final Programme page.

If you liked it. Fans of The Final Programme tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.