Project: Kill

Project: Kill is a distinctive action thriller film released in 1976. The film stars notable actors from Hollywood - the comedic icon Leslie Nielsen, Gary Lockwood, who is esteemed for his role in Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Nancy Kwan, a prominent actress known for her roles in the World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song. Directed by William Girdler and co-written by Sue Girdler, and Morris Beale Jr., this film takes on an exciting exploration into the world of espionage and martial arts.

The film introduces audiences to John Trevor (Leslie Nielsen), an agent Labouring under intense physical and emotional pressure. Trevor, a former Pendleton operative and master of hand-to-hand combat, is renowned for his expert combat skills, which he has used to prepare an army of lethal assassins for the United States government.

Trevor's talents see him leading a team of top-secret special agents. They undergo a series of rigorous training exercises designed to enhance their resilience and combat skills, a program known as "Project: Kill." This program involves a heavy use of a drug which the agents become heavily dependent on. This dependency leads to damaging side effects, including dangerous withdrawal symptoms and an addictive craving for more.

Trevor can see the hazardous path he is leading these men down, and decides to step away from Project Kill and all the harm it embodies. Harboring a bitter disillusionment against the unethical program, Trevor determinately abandons his assignment and escapes, fleeing to the Philippines to find peace. However, leaving behind a life steeped in covert operations and violence is not as easy as he had hoped. His departure sets off alarm bells at the highest levels of the government, who aim to bring him back by any means necessary.

Although he tries to keep a low profile in the Philippines, his past quickly catches up with him. On his trail are various characters each possessing a unique motive to their pursuit, from former colleagues to local gangsters. Among them is Frank Lassiter (Gary Lockwood), a ruthless successor to Trevor and a former friend, who is determined to bring the runaway back to the U.S. government.

On this tumultuous journey, Trevor crosses paths with Lee Su Upshall (Nancy Kwan), an old flame who offers a refuge and a chance for a new beginning. As a reporter, Lee is far removed from the violent life that Trevor is trying to escape, but her presence in his life complicates matters. Faced with intense pressure and few allies, the hunted Trevor must combat the consequences of his now haunting past, striving to protect his life and the people in it.

The film unveils an involving and thrilling narrative, as Trevor's struggle for redemption is paralleled by his desire to free himself from a ripple of danger, and the clutches of his former employers. An action-packed rollercoaster of expanded combat sequences and physical confrontations, Project: Kill highlights Nielsen's ability to pivot beyond his comedic persona, delivering a serious and more anguished performance in which audiences truly get to witness the depth of his acting abilities. Kwan offers a brilliant performance as a non-participating observer, providing a different perspective on the unfolding turmoil.

Project: Kill offers suspense, intrigue, and action, merging them together in a plot that keeps viewers on their toes. The film examines what happens when an expertly-trained operative becomes a liability for the state, and when exceptional skills become both a blessing and a curse. As the plot unfolds, it cues viewers in on the question of how far a government may go to protect its secrets, and at what cost to the people involved.

The intricate storyline, combined with the fascinating characters and well-choreographed fight scenes, makes Project: Kill a cinematic roller coaster that displays a different kind of storytelling unique to its time. A decade-spanning movie that has endured the tests of time and in which Nielsen delivers an unexpected performance, Project: Kill will certainly please fans of action-packed thrillers. This 1976 classic is one to add to your watchlist.