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IMDbPro

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

  • TV Movie
  • 1977
  • 56m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
751
YOUR RATING
John Cleese, Connie Booth, and Arthur Lowe in The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know It (1977)
ParodySatireComedyCrimeMystery

The grandson of the world's first and foremost consulting detective and his bumbling, bionic sidekick attempt to catch the only living descendant of Professor Moriarty.The grandson of the world's first and foremost consulting detective and his bumbling, bionic sidekick attempt to catch the only living descendant of Professor Moriarty.The grandson of the world's first and foremost consulting detective and his bumbling, bionic sidekick attempt to catch the only living descendant of Professor Moriarty.

  • Director
    • Joseph McGrath
  • Writers
    • Jack Hobbs
    • Joseph McGrath
    • John Cleese
  • Stars
    • John Cleese
    • Arthur Lowe
    • Ron Moody
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.2/10
    751
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph McGrath
    • Writers
      • Jack Hobbs
      • Joseph McGrath
      • John Cleese
    • Stars
      • John Cleese
      • Arthur Lowe
      • Ron Moody
    • 22User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

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    Top cast30

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    John Cleese
    John Cleese
    • Arthur Sherlock-Holmes
    Arthur Lowe
    Arthur Lowe
    • Dr. William Watson, M.D.
    Ron Moody
    Ron Moody
    • Dr. Henry Gropinger
    Holly Palance
    Holly Palance
    • Air Hostess
    Joss Ackland
    Joss Ackland
    • President
    Val Pringle
    • Black CIA Man
    Bill Mitchell
    • Klein
    Christopher Malcolm
    Christopher Malcolm
    • The Other CIA Man
    • (as Chris Malcolm)
    Gyearbuor Asante
    Gyearbuor Asante
    • African Delegate
    • (as Christopher Asante)
    Denholm Elliott
    Denholm Elliott
    • English Delegate
    Nick Tate
    Nick Tate
    • 1st Australian
    Josephine Tewson
    Josephine Tewson
    • Miss Hoskins
    Burt Kwouk
    Burt Kwouk
    • Chinese Delegate
    Stratford Johns
    Stratford Johns
    • Chief Commisioner Blocker
    Connie Booth
    Connie Booth
    • Mrs. Hudson…
    Derek Griffiths
    • Bus Conductor
    Billy Hamon
    • Constable at Scotland Yard
    Edmund Pegge
    Edmund Pegge
    • 2nd Australian
    • Director
      • Joseph McGrath
    • Writers
      • Jack Hobbs
      • Joseph McGrath
      • John Cleese
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews22

    6.2751
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    Featured reviews

    9leemrmg

    A little-known classic

    If you enjoy Cleese & all the British 'Pythonesque' humour of the time, then this little gem is absolutely hilarious.

    Arthur Lowe is a real treat!

    I saw this with friends on TV when it first came out, and its classic quotes have formed a part of our jokes for 30 years, and will do forever! I have it on tape and it is continually appreciated.

    Perhaps some reviewers are taking it too seriously.

    I can't believe it is now only available in the US (NTSC of course), and not in UK, where it should be an essential part of the history of British humour!!
    caspian1978

    England's version of Police Squad

    For 1975, this was it! A typical John Cleese spoof that is meant for laughs. Connie Booth is added to the cast alongside her then husband Cleese. A surprise addition of the cast is late actor Arthur Lowe who has more laughs than Cleese. A strong supporting actor from other films such as IF... and The Ruling Class, Lowe is perfect as the stupid but love able side kick. For just a 55 minute feature, The Strange Case of the End of Civilization as We Know it is a quick, yet fun ride that pokes fun at just about everything "detective like" in English and American media. Holmes, Bond, Columbo, etc.
    8vonnoosh

    A Who's Who of British Talent

    I was heavily in a Monty Python kick and that led to my seeing, How to Irritate People. Romance With A Double Bass and this. Loved the first, hated the second and liked this.

    This has Ron Moody, Stratford Johns, Arthur Lowe, Joss Ackland, Val Pringle, Denholm Elliot, Burt Kwouk and Nick Tate to go along with John Cleese and Connie Booth. This hour long comedy served as an introduction to shows like Dad's Army, Z Cars and Softly Softly which are almost entirely unknown in my country.

    Val Pringle had a key role in the first story from Sapphire and Steel as Lead. Nick Tate a regular on Space 1999, Ron Moody, Joss Ackland, Burt Kwouk and Denholm Elliot from their film careers.

    Arthur Lowe is the real star in this particular show. I've heard it said that Lowe was so great at doing comedy because he found absolutely nothing funny. He is beyond silly as Watson but he plays it so natural that you kind of believe it really is possible someone could be that entirely lost and dim.

    There is of course Python style humor which sums up the ending well. Its worth viewing. It led to me seeing other shows I mentioned because I specifically remembered they were in this.
    8Josef Tura-2

    Quirky laughs in a cheap film

    You can do a lot with a little cash. Blair Witch proved that. This film supports it. It is no more than a sitcom in length and complexity. However, because it has John Cleese as Sherlock Holmes it manages to be hilarious even on a budget that couldn't afford a shoestring. The highlight of this film is Arthur Lowe as the sincere, bumbling Watson, his dimness and slowness foils Cleese's quick-tempered wit. If you ever run across the film watch it for a quirky laugh or two.
    8I_Ailurophile

    A tad uneven, but wonderfully funny at its best

    It's a strong start as a stand-in for the late, awful Henry Kissinger is treated appropriately. As the next scene greets us with a silly characterization and cheeky wordplay things continue to look up, though it seems to me that the bit is too drawn out. Some splendid silliness and wit in the third scene to greet us butts up in part against tiresome stereotypes and casual racism. With the fourth scene things start to gel and improve as the plot picks up and our contemporary Holmes is introduced, providing an anchor for the proceedings, while various ridiculous odds and ends continue to provide delightful embellished flavor. As the tale develops of a new game afoot between Holmes and Moriarty, with implications for the world at large, we're given a steady stream of gags, situational humor, exaggerated characters and acting, parody and absurdism in all aspects of the writing, and some good old physical comedy on top. And generally speaking, there's cleverness aplenty in a farce that would quite be fit for contemporary troupes like Monty Python (regardless of whether or not John Cleese was involved as both co-writer and star).

    Mind you, the case for 'The strange case of the end of civilization as we know it' would be stronger if it didn't take a little over one-third of the abbreviated length of only fifty-five minutes to earn its first hearty laugh. With that said, happily the humor actually does become more robust and worthwhile from that point onward, if still less than completely. All the while the very least that can be said is that the cast is terrific as they fully embrace the ludicrousness, and the high energy that every actor brings to each moment in turn is without question one of the top highlights and most consistent qualities of the picture. Likewise, this is splendidly well made in most every capacity, including swell stunts and effects, fine direction and editing, and excellent production design, art direction, costume design, and hair and makeup. And maybe most important of all - while the result is regrettably uneven, at its best the comedy writing is altogether brilliant. Between Cleese, director Joseph McGrath, and co-writer Jack Hobbs, there are some bits here that are just as terrifically funny as anything else the contributors have given us, and the strength of the back end handily compensates for that early stretch when the flick was struggling to find its feet.

    All told I do really like this, and I'm glad to offer it as a recommendation for anyone who appreciates British comedies. I just rather wish that the same vitality, zest, and ingenuity that characterizes the back two-thirds, and the last approximate third especially, had been applied more regularly. If the first twenty minutes were as sharp as the remainder, I'd have no detractions to make at all. Be that as it may, 'The strange case of the end of civilization as we know it' is still a blast overall, if an imperfect one, and far more than not it certainly provides the mirthful diversion we hope for. Unless you're a huge fan of someone involved I don't think there's any need to go out of your way for it, but at less than an hour this is well worth checking out if you do have the opportunity; just give it a chance to warm up first.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Although the word "Civilization" has been spelled with a 'Z' for this article by the article's creator, the film is British-made in Britain, and the main Title Card of the film spells the word correctly with a 'S', as "Civilisation".
    • Goofs
      The shot dead Australian cop laying over the table, can clearly be seen breathing at a rapid pace.
    • Quotes

      [Watson is reading clues from a crossword puzzle to Holmes]

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: 1 Across. A simple source of citrus fruit, 1, 5, 4.

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: A lemon tree, my dear Watson.

      [Elsewhere in the hotel, Moriarty shoots Sam Spade]

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: 2 Down. Conservative pays ex-wife maintenance. 7, 5.

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: Alimony...alimony Tory, my dear Watson.

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: Never cease to astound me.

      [Moriarty takes a sword to Hercule Poirot]

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: 2 Down. Southern California style. 1, 2, 8.

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: A la Monterrey, my dear Watson.

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: Really good, holmes.

      [Moriarty shoots M]

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: 4 Down. Burglar's entrance

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: Alarm entry, my dear Watson

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: That's rather poor, isn't it, Holmes? Right. One to go. A cowardly fish with a sting in its tail.

      Arthur Sherlock Holmes: Yellow manta ray, my dear Watson

      Dr. William Watson, M.D.: Brilliant, Holmes

      [Moriarty does in McCloud with an arrow]

    • Connections
      References Hawaii police d'état (1968)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 18, 1977 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sherlock Holmes und Das Ende der Zivilisation in der uns bekannten Form
    • Filming locations
      • Baker Street Underground Railway Station, Baker Street, Marylebone, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK(on location)
    • Production companies
      • Shearwater Films
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      56 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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