Futtock's End

A general invites a motley group of guests to stay at his country estate, setting the stage for disorder. Soon, chaos ensues as the unlikely visitors clash in a series of comic mishaps. The silent comedy stars Ronnie Barker and Michael Hordern.

Futtock's End is a programme presented as a movie, classified within the silent comedy genre. It tells its story without spoken dialogue, using visual action, occasional intertitles and a musical score to support the humour. The work follows the tradition of early comic cinema while being produced for modern viewers, and its concise runtime lets the story move briskly while keeping silent‑era charm. The plot centres on a general who opens his country estate to an eclectic collection of guests. Each visitor arrives with distinct quirks, and their interactions quickly spiral into a series of mishaps, misunderstandings and slap‑stick incidents that throw the house into full‑blown chaos. The chaos spreads through every room, with furniture shifted and plans upended as guests bumble about. The silent film features performances by Ronnie Barker and Michael Hordern. Both actors employ physical humour, expressive gestures and precise timing to convey the unfolding pandemonium, relying entirely on visual cues rather than spoken lines. Their partnership showcases each actor’s strengths, with Barker’s timing blending with Hordern’s expressive style. Without dialogue, the programme depends on visual gags, exaggerated movements and brief intertitles to guide the audience. The combination of a traditional country‑house setting with a disorderly guest list creates a comedic backdrop that aligns with the expectations of a silent comedy, delivering humour through sight rather than sound. A musical score underlines the action, highlighting each gag’s timing and supporting the rhythm.