No Blade of Grass

No Blade of Grass

Year: 1970

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Cornel Wilde

AdventureAction

An ominous pathogen spreads, wiping out all grass species—wheat, rice, and the like—triggering worldwide famine and chaos. Architect John, his family and friends flee London, heading north to his brother’s farm in rural England, hoping the isolated homestead can provide food and safety amid the devastation.

No Blade of Grass (1970) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at No Blade of Grass (1970) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a world where a relentless pathogen has eradicated every member of the grass family—wheat, rice, maize—the very foundation of civilization collapses. Fields turn to dust, markets fall silent, and societies fray under the weight of hunger and panic. The atmosphere feels both stark and haunting, a landscape stripped of its familiar green, where every breath carries the echo of a once‑bountiful Earth now teetering on the brink of desolation.

Amid this bleak backdrop, John Custance, a meticulous architect turned reluctant survivor, gathers his wife Ann, their teenage daughter Mary, and a handful of trusted companions for an urgent exodus from riot‑scarred London. With the capital devolving into chaos, the family sets their sights on the isolated farm of John’s brother, David, nestled in a remote English valley that promises a sliver of stability far from the urban inferno. Their departure is driven by a desperate hope that a self‑sufficient homestead might shelter them from the spreading famine and the lawlessness it has unleashed.

Joining the Custances is Roger Burnham, a scientist whose expertise offers a glimmer of understanding about the pathogen, and a small, uneasy group of strangers whose motives are as uncertain as the roads they travel. As the convoy pushes northward, the journey becomes a crucible for fragile alliances—trust is measured in whispered conversations, shared rations, and the constant awareness that every encounter could tip the balance between survival and ruin. The ever‑present threat of hostile factions and the scarcity of resources infuse each mile with tension, while the looming question of whether any sanctuary can truly endure in a world stripped of its lifeblood hangs over every decision.

The film’s tone is unflinching yet atmospheric, blending stark realism with a lingering, eerie melancholy. It explores how ordinary people reshape themselves when the familiar structures of society crumble, and it asks whether hope can take root in soil that has been poisoned by both nature’s wrath and humanity’s desperation.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:10

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Apocalyptic Survival Horror movies like No Blade of Grass

Harrowing journeys through a collapsed world where humanity is the greatest threat.If the relentless brutality and survivalist dread of No Blade of Grass gripped you, explore similar movies. This list features harrowing post-apocalyptic tales where characters face famine, violence, and moral collapse in a desperate fight for survival, capturing a similarly dark and intense vibe.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a linear, fast-paced journey through a dangerous, fallen world. The narrative structure is often a trek towards a perceived safe haven, punctuated by escalating threats and moral compromises. The journey is less about discovery and more about attrition, testing the limits of the characters' humanity as they confront the worst in others and themselves.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared commitment to a dark, oppressive tone and high-intensity pacing. They all center on the visceral, immediate struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic setting, emphasizing violence, societal breakdown, and the heavy emotional weight of witnessing civilization's end.

Movies about moral decay and desperation like No Blade of Grass

Stories where good people are corrupted by extreme circumstances and desperation.Fans of No Blade of Grass's exploration of how desperation corrupts morality will find similar themes here. These films feature characters who, faced with extreme violence or societal collapse, make dark compromises, leading to a bleak examination of human nature under duress, similar to the journey in No Blade of Grass.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a character-driven arc of degradation. It begins with a relatable protagonist upholding a moral code, which is then systematically broken down by external threats. Key plot points involve difficult, morally ambiguous choices that sacrifice ethics for survival, culminating in an ending that reflects the cost of this transformation, often leaving the character saved but spiritually lost.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their heavy emotional focus on moral complexity and ethical erosion. They share a dark tone and explore the theme that survival can come at the ultimate price: one's soul. The pacing is often tense and driven, mirroring the characters' descent into necessary evil.

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No Blade of Grass Summary

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No Blade of Grass Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in No Blade of Grass

More About No Blade of Grass

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