In the near future a combination of extreme pollution and a virus which destroys grass, rice and barley, has led to global famine and eventually martial law.
Eyepatch-wearing architect John Custance (Nigel Davenport) flees London with his wife, Ann (Jean Wallace) and family, leading a party of people north to the well-stocked fortress farm owned by Custance’s brother in Scotland.
The party includes their bratty adolescent son, his school chum, their beautiful 16-year-old daughter, Mary (Lynne Frederick) and her manly scientist boyfriend, Roger (John Hamill), as well as gun-crazy psychopath, Andrew Pirrie (Anthony May) and his slutty wife, Clara (Wendy Richard, later of Are You Being Served? and EastEnders).
The group look for food and sanctuary along the way as society collapses around them into a bleak and violent state of anarchy and chaos. When they stop to steal firearms from a supermarket, the shopkeeper tries to stop them, but Andrew Pirrie shoots the man and the group escape.
Later, Custance’s party is attacked by a band of motorcyclists called the Huns, who steal their cars and supplies and rape Ann and Mary Custance.
When they finally camp for the night, Clara attempts to seduce John, but the outraged Pirrie shoots her.
Continuing on foot across blank English hillsides the next morning, they join another escaping group and finally reach the farm. John’s brother David (Patrick Holt) is unwilling to permit such a large number of people on his farm, however, and John, unwilling to abandon the rest of the people, leads an attack on the farm.
David and many others are killed and the Custances and other survivors take over the land, determined to live in peace.
No Blade of Grass was filmed on location in Cumberland, Westmorland, and Yorkshire.
John Custance
Nigel Davenport Ann Custance
Jean Wallace Mary Custance
Lynne Frederick David Custance
Patrick Holt Andrew Pirrie
Anthony May Clara
Wendy Richard Roger Burnham
John Hamill Davey
Nigel Rathbone Spooks
Christopher Lofthouse George
M.J. Matthews Mr Beaseley
Tex Fuller Sir Charles Brenner
Anthony Sharp Sturdevant
George Coulouris Dr Cassop
Norman Atkyns Mr Blennit
Reg Staniford Mrs Blennit
Maureen Rutter Locke
Christopher Neame Jill Locke
Bridget Brice Alf Parsons
Ross Allan Emily Ashton
Denise Mockler Joe Ashton
Mervyn Patrick Mrs Parsons
Joan Ward Joe Harris
Brian Crabtree Liz Harris
Susan Sydney Jess Arkwright
Michael Landy Susan Arkwright
Louise Kay Bill Riggs
Bruce Myers Prudence Riggs
Margaret Chapman Scott
Derek Keller Mrs Scott
Suzanne Pinkstone Surgit
Surgit Sood Joe
Dick Offord Joe’s wife
Joanna Annin
