The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It

1977 · 56 min · ★ 6.3 · Thriller, Comedy, Crime, Mystery

John Cleese is hilarious as the descendant of Sherlock Holmes in this modern detective drama of international power politics and intrigue. Unlike his illustrious grandfather however, he only succeeds in bungling every job he organizes. Also stars Arthur Lowe as the "bionic" grandson of Dr. Watson, Stratford Johns as the Commissioner of Police, and Connie Booth as Mrs. Hudson.

Directed by Joseph McGrath · Written by John Cleese

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Amazon VideoApple TV Store

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 29m together

The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom

Both from Joseph McGrath.

More from Joseph McGrathSee all →

One Man BandOne Man Band · 1965
One Man Band
★ 10.01965
MovieComedy
An early cinema influenced tale of rags to riches by Bob Godfrey. Bruce Lacey stars as the hapless ‘little man’ who longs to stand in the shoes of his hero: conductor Lance Corporal.
The Bliss of Mrs. BlossomThe Bliss of Mrs. Blossom · 1968
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
★ 6.81968
MovieComedy
Harriet Blossom is married to Robert Blossom, a businessman who'd rather spend the night at his bra factory than at home with her. One day, Harriet's sewing machine breaks, so Robert sends a repairman, Ambrose, to fix it. It's lust at first sight for Harriet, who convinces Ambrose to hide out in the attic for a tryst. When her new beau shows no desire to leave, the pair begin a years-long love affair right under Robert's nose.
Night Train to MurderNight Train to Murder · 1984
Night Train to Murder
★ 6.01984
MovieComedyThriller
When Eric's niece Kathy becomes one of the heirs to a considerable fortune, her life (and those of the other heirs) is placed in jeopardy by the actions of a mysterious inter-loper.
The Magic ChristianThe Magic Christian · 1969
The Magic Christian
★ 5.81969
MovieComedy
Sir Guy Grand, the richest man in the world, adopts a homeless man, Youngman. Together, they set out to prove that anyone--and anything--can be bought.
The Great McGonagallThe Great McGonagall · 1975
The Great McGonagall
★ 5.61975
MovieComedy
In this high-camp farce, Goons legend Spike Milligan stars as William Topaz McGonagall, an unemployed Scottish weaver and aspiring poet laureate who falls in love with Queen Victoria - a brilliant cameo by Peter Sellers - and thereafter devotes his banal poetry to her. Though McGonagall's solicitations are rejected by the Queen, it doesn't stop the turgid prose, and pathos, from overflowing as McGonagall hilariously attempts to become the greatest poet in the land. The image of the bad poet, trapped by his romanticism and inspired by a muse with a tin ear, appealed mightily to Spike Milligan, and this cult British spoof features the Goons show maestro at his ridiculous, genre-defying best.
Rising DampRising Damp · 1980
Rising Damp
★ 5.51980
MovieComedy
Stingy landlord Rigsby manages to scam his lodgers John, an art student, and Philip, an African medical student, making both pay for a room they must share. However Rigsby's favorite lodger, Miss Jones, flirts with Philip rather than him, despite his pitiful attempts at seduction.
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia!30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia! · 1968
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia!
★ 5.41968
MovieComedyRomance
A 29-year old aspiring composer—still single and without any romantic prospects—vows to both marry and write a hit musical before he turns 30. Director Joseph McGrath's 1968 British comedy stars Dudley Moore, Suzy Kendall, Eddie Foy Jr. and Patricia Routledge.
Casino RoyaleCasino Royale · 1967
Casino Royale
★ 5.21967
MovieAdventureAction
Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement to stop SMERSH. In order to trick SMERSH, James thinks up the ultimate plan - that every agent will be named 'James Bond'. One of the Bonds, whose real name is Evelyn Tremble is sent to take on Le Chiffre in a game of baccarat, but all the Bonds get more than they can handle.
ZodiacZodiac · 1974
Zodiac
★ 5.01974
SeriesCrimeDrama
Zodiac was a six-part series transmitted by ITV in 1974. Starring Anton Rogers and Anouska Hempel as cynical detective David Gradley and his astrologer associate Esther Jones, the unusual astrological premise set this show apart from the humdrum detective dramas of the time. Little seen since its original broadcast, the series has garnered something of a cult status.
Digby, the Biggest Dog in the WorldDigby, the Biggest Dog in the World · 1973
Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
★ 4.81973
MovieFamilyScience Fiction
Digby consumes a bowl of Project X, a liquid growth formula. Soon, he becomes a sheepdog of gigantic size!
I'm Not Feeling Myself TonightI'm Not Feeling Myself Tonight · 1976
I'm Not Feeling Myself Tonight
★ 3.61976
MovieComedy
Virginal nerd Jon Pigeon, manages to secure a job in a sex research institute where the patients run about the corridors naked, nude aerobics are encouraged and no man is safe from the crotch-grabbing tea lady. In his attempts to seduce pretty office secretary Cheryl, Pigeon invents a machine called Agnes that emits a 'sonic aphrodisiac' guaranteed to turn any man or woman into an slathering sex maniac. Although his attempts to zap Cheryl are singularly unsuccessful, Pigeon gets some interesting results when he accidentally turns the 'sex ray' on his bullying boss Nutbrown and the prudish Mary Watchtower.
Secrets of a Door-to-Door SalesmanSecrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman · 1973
Secrets of a Door-to-Door Salesman
★ 3.41973
MovieComedy
Lobster fisherman David decides to seek his fortune in London where he finds lodging in a boarding house for girls.
Girls Come FirstGirls Come First · 1975
Girls Come First
★ 3.21975
MovieComedy
Up and coming portrait artist Alan Street is employed by the owner of a Soho Swingers Club to paint the nude hostesses. Whilst Alan relishes his new job his beautiful girlfriend is less than impressed.
Battle of New OrleansBattle of New Orleans · 1960
Battle of New Orleans
1960
MovieComedy
Sped up footage of musicians fighting on a stretch of mudflats.

More Like This

Isn't It RomanticIsn't It Romantic · 2019
Isn't It Romantic
★ 6.22019
MovieComedyFantasy
For a long time, Natalie, an Australian architect living in New York City, had always believed that what she had seen in rom-coms is all fantasy. But after thwarting a mugger at a subway station only to be knocked out while fleeing, Natalie wakes up and discovers that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.
Beverly Hills Cop IIIBeverly Hills Cop III · 1994
Beverly Hills Cop III
★ 5.91994
MovieActionComedy
When his boss is killed, Detroit cop Axel Foley finds evidence that the murderer had ties to a California amusement park called Wonder World. Returning to sunny Beverly Hills once more, Foley reunites with Detective Billy Rosewood to solve the case. Along with Billy's new partner, Detective Jon Flint, they discover that Wonder World is being used as a front for a massive counterfeiting ring.
Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks! · 1996
Mars Attacks!
★ 6.41996
MovieComedyFantasy
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
Absolute PowerAbsolute Power · 1997
Absolute Power
★ 6.71997
MovieCrimeDrama
A master thief coincidentally is robbing a house where a murder—in which the President of the United States is involved—occurs in front of his eyes. He is forced to run, while holding evidence that could convict the President.
Beverly Hills Cop IIBeverly Hills Cop II · 1987
Beverly Hills Cop II
★ 6.51987
MovieActionComedy
Axel Foley returns to the land of sunshine and palm trees to investigate the near-fatal shooting of police Captain Andrew Bogomil. With the help of Sgt. Taggart and Det. Rosewood, they soon uncover that the shooting is associated with a series of "alphabet" robberies masterminded by a heartless weapons kingpin—and the chase is on.
True RomanceTrue Romance · 1993
True Romance
★ 7.51993
MovieActionCrime
Clarence marries hooker Alabama, steals cocaine from her pimp, and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners of the coke try to reclaim it.
InsomniaInsomnia · 2002
Insomnia
★ 7.02002
MovieThrillerCrime
Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.
BrotherBrother · 2000
Brother
★ 7.12000
MovieCrimeDrama
A Japanese Yakuza gangster's deadly existence in his homeland gets him exiled to Los Angeles, where he is taken in by his little brother and his brother's gang.
Inspector GadgetInspector Gadget · 1999
Inspector Gadget
★ 4.51999
MovieActionAdventure
John Brown is a bumbling but well-intentioned security guard who is badly injured in an explosion planned by an evil mastermind. He is taken to a laboratory, where Brenda, a leading robotics surgeon, replaces his damaged limbs with state-of-the-art gadgets and tools. Named "Inspector Gadget" by the press, John -- along with his niece, Penny, and her trusty dog, Brain -- uses his new powers to discover who was behind the explosion.
Den of ThievesDen of Thieves · 2018
Den of Thieves
★ 6.92018
MovieCrimeThriller
A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff's Dept. and the state's most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.
The InterpreterThe Interpreter · 2005
The Interpreter
★ 6.32005
MovieCrimeThriller
After Silvia Broome, an interpreter at United Nations headquarters, overhears plans of an assassination, an American Secret Service agent is sent to investigate.
The Godfather Part IIIThe Godfather Part III · 1990
The Godfather Part III
★ 7.41990
MovieCrimeDrama
In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don, Michael Corleone seeks forgiveness for his sins while taking a young protege under his wing.
SawSaw · 2004
Saw
★ 7.42004
MovieHorrorMystery
Two men wake up to find themselves shackled in a grimy, abandoned bathroom. As they struggle to comprehend their predicament, they discover a disturbing tape left behind by the sadistic mastermind known as Jigsaw. With a chilling voice and cryptic instructions, Jigsaw informs them that they must partake in a gruesome game in order to secure their freedom.
Stolen KissesStolen Kisses · 1968
Stolen Kisses
★ 7.31968
MovieComedyDrama
The third in a series of films featuring François Truffaut's alter-ego, Antoine Doinel, the story resumes with Antoine being discharged from military service. His sweetheart Christine's father lands Antoine a job as a security guard, which he promptly loses. Stumbling into a position assisting a private detective, Antoine falls for his employers' seductive wife, Fabienne, and finds that he must choose between the older woman and Christine.
North by NorthwestNorth by Northwest · 1959
North by Northwest
★ 8.01959
MovieThrillerAdventure
Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase.
Lucky Number SlevinLucky Number Slevin · 2006
Lucky Number Slevin
★ 7.52006
MovieDramaThriller
Slevin is mistakenly put in the middle of a personal war between the city’s biggest criminal bosses. Under constant watch, Slevin must try not to get killed by an infamous assassin and come up with an idea of how to get out of his current dilemma.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter