User reviews

Hi, Everyone, One way to make a movie build as it progresses, is to start with a very boring scene. Leslie Neilsen begins his role here by narrating a training film. We can instantly see he ain't the swiftest. The problem is, it is not a comedy. It's funny sometimes but never a comedy.

The director must be given most of the blame. The cast is OK. Gary Lockwood and Leslie Neilsen should change their roles. Leslie would make a better pursuer. Maybe Nancy Kwan and Gary should change roles. Nancy would be more believable in the fight scenes than Gary.

The actors appear to be doing their own stunt fighting. They look confused. They seem to be trying to remember their choreography while the opponents wait to be punched.

The acting borders on awful. Sometimes it crosses that border. The writing is conventional. You have a super secret agency of the government that is made up of well armed men. They are all very stupid. They have $300,000 to play with that they had hidden somewhere. They film some of their exploits for training purposes, but the films are all too dark to see what is going on.

My guess is that Leslie Neilsen and Gary Lockwood and Nancy Kwan have never got together to celebrate the release of this stinker.

I almost forgot. There is a song in the movie. The girl who sang it was the one who should have been chased and Karate chopped. Actually maybe the song writer should have been the villain.

Compare the beginning speech of George C. Scott in Patton with Leslie Neilsen's speech at the beginning of this movie. George C. Scott had a passion and the words to fit that passion. Leslie Neilsen sounds like a boxer being interviewed after a bout where he was unable to find a neutral corner.

If you want a turkey for Thanksgiving, this might be it. This is the bird that didn't quite make it over the cuckoo's nest.

Tom Willett

Formed as a counter-assassination unit, "Project-Kill" has evolved from protecting persons of influence to one of covert assassination. Having risen up through the ranks "John Trevor" (Leslie Nielsen) has seen this change and he doesn't approve of it. As a result, even though he is in charge of training he announces his decision to leave the organization to his subordinate, "Frank Lassiter" (Gary Lockwood). This decision stuns Gary who reminds him that this type of action requires a lengthy debrief due to the top-secret information he possesses which other countries would love to have. Along with that his departure would also require a gradual withdrawal process because of the drugs all the agents take to bolster their effectiveness. But John remains firm and decides to leave immediately. When Frank attempts to stop him he is knocked unconscious. We then discover that John has fled to the Philippines with both Frank and other foreign governments in hot pursuit of him. Now, as far as this film is concerned, although the overall plot was certainly good, it lacked several key elements which could have immensely benefited this movie. For starters, other than Leslie Nielsen and Nancy Kwan (as "Lee Su") the acting was pretty bad. In particular, the performance of Pamela Parsons (as "Lynn Walker") was especially wooden. Likewise, both the script and the fight sequences needed improvement as well. In short, although this movie isn't extremely bad, it isn't necessarily that good either. I rate the movie as slightly below average.

I have seen many movies throughout my life just like the next guy. This was something special. Project Kill is the worst movie I have ever seen. I actually bought this movie because of the comments made on this website and thought to myself that it can't be THAT bad. Boy was I wrong about that. This movie was rated R back in 1977 and after viewing it, I have yet to find out why. Just a few things that made this film horrible include: The dialogue has inflections that don't make sense where they are placed, the "fight" scenes are so fake I almost started throwing things at the TV, and Nancy Kwan's role in this gem is absolutely pointless. This movie is so bad, I just had to force myself to laugh during some parts to avoid an aneurysm. Godspeed to those who want to subject themselves to this torture.

It's a pretty heinous film that features a man in a wicker wheelchair, Leslie Neilson's scarred chest, plenty of very ugly Filipinos, horribly set up karate sequences, and people who look like they are waiting for others to finish their lines so they can begin.

I think the plot is like this. Two guys, one being Leslie Neilson, are at odds since one wants out of this Project Control. Basically people are shooting up to become superstrong? Well Leslie Neilson gets mixed up with some Filipino gangs who don't like either one of the Americans. There is a side romance too. Makes little sense really.

I'm sure Leslie would love for you to forget that he was in this one, but sadly like the movie says: "The only way out is DEATH."

Watchability: 2 out of 10 MST3K quality: 7 out of 10

William Girdler made a number of memorable, b-grade action films in his prolific though brief career before his premature death, but "Project: Kill", unfortunately, isn't one for the highlight reel. Nielsen stars as a jaded US military project head, conditioning elite soldiers to become assassins with the aid of drug control. When he escapes to the Philippines to consult with a crippled ex-army buddy (Thompson), his 2IC (Lockwood) follows in pursuit with orders to recover or destroy before other sinister interests learn the project's secrets.

Kwan is terribly wasted playing a Chinese love interest for the programmatic Nielsen, emotionally inert, unable to develop feelings of attraction and love until the drug withdrawal begins to wane and he discovers a human side he'd long neglected. Lockwood is the kung-fu fighting 2IC, another unlikely looking killing machine, while ubiquitous Philippino actors Vic Diaz and Vic Silayan are the villain and the cop respectively, both looking relaxed in their environment.

Girdler's picture aims high but is seriously compromised by its production limitations and fatally stagnant pace. The plot has more holes than a sieve and the action sequences are poorly choreographed and lack intensity. Girdler was indeed a fine, emerging director with some talent, but "Project: Kill" isn't among his best work.

William Girdler's "Project: Kill" is your basic B movie. Leslie Nielsen - still a few years away from telling people not to call him Shirley - plays an agent stationed in the Philippines training special forces members enhanced with drugs. But when he finds out too much, he becomes a target.

Despite the lousy action scenes and low production quality, I still feel as though I have to recommend this movie. It's the sort of movie to which Quentin Tarantino often pays homage, and in fact Tarantino called co-star Vic Díaz the Filipino Peter Lorre. The rest of the cast includes Gary Lockwood (Poole in "2001: A Space Odyssey") and Nancy Kwan (who's had some famous roles, but this is the first movie in which I've seen her).

And then there's the director. William Girdler later cast Leslie Nielsen in the eco-horror flick "Day of the Animals", and Nielsen wrestles a grizzly bear in one scene (seriously, it's a movie that you have to see to believe). Unfortunately, Girdler perished in a helicopter crash while filming on location in the Philippines in 1978.

Nonetheless, it IS a B movie. I have no doubt that Leslie Nielsen preferred his reputation as the person who remains serious amid silliness.

This was obviously put together by Phillipino financiers hoping to sneak into the US TV movie market by stuffing American actors and crewmembers into and shooting it in English. They failed, miserably.

Long, drawn out story of 'rogue' agent getting hunted by top secret assassination group.

Although the acting is wet cardboard, and the direction and camera-work basically phoned-in, the worst parts of the films are its supposed action sequences - especially the martial arts choreography which is the phoniest I've ever seen.

Nielson had four more years to wait before having his career saved by his appearance in Airplane! - this is the film his career had to be saved from.

Not worth the buck it costs on cheapie DVD.

This movie is not even "so bad it's good". This is the worst directed, acted, choreographed, written and scored movie I've ever seen. It is a serious film, not a spoof (which is not surprising because Leslie Nielsen was in a lot of serious movies before appearing in 'Airplane') although I find it hard to believe that the reviews which praise William Girdler are not spoofs.

Even if you an Ed Wood fan, you'll probably still hate this. It is unfortunate that you cannot even laugh at the low quality of this film. You can only feel embarrassed for all involved.

Yet, I have watched this many times trying to figure out just why it is in a league of its own. I can't figure it out. If you had a "bad film" competition and invited entries from the most talented and innovative directors (as well as any old hack), no one could top this. I am not joking.

So Why did I give it 10 stars? Because that was the only number available with a zero in it. Also, because film students should be forced to watch this and write down everything wrong with it and promise never to make any of those mistakes.

I'm sorry Leslie!

Minimal cussing present. No nudity or sex. Violence (and some gore) present. No mention of the real redemption by way of JESUS.

However, the violence present best viewed as if watching one of the old Batman television series. Thus with the (as with most movies) 'willing suspension of disbelief' the viewer may imagine a KAPOW, BAM and SMACK in each of the fight scenes. This resulting in an enjoyable and hilarious viewing. No wonder Leslie Nielsen later made his fame in comedic/drama movies.

Believe the movie would have been better served by adding another 30 minutes or more to it. Building the characters storylines, adding some direction in how people meet and their following interactions.

If one desires a gripping, top notch acting and directing without a creative willing of suspension of disbelief, then skip it, otherwise, grab your popcorn and settle in for a night of smiles and laughter.

On a more serious note, the movie presents the dilemma that plaques the heart of man of the power of usage. What once is meant for good may always be morphed for evil purposes. Example, fire utilized for warmth or to burn a man's home down. Water to quench or to drown a family. Laws to aid security for the common good or to keep people enslaved. The list goes on.

And I am not talking about insulin for diabetes. Contrary to popular belief, veteran actor Leslie Nielsen did not have his first comedic role in "Naked Gun." No, ladies and gentleman, that role would have to be here, in "Project: Kill," one of the most unintentionally hilarious movies I've ever seen. What is so tragic is that I believe the filmmakers had half-sincerity in what they were doing - trying to make a decent '70s-style political paranoia movie on the cheap. Director and Kentucky-based B-movie maven William Girdler even called this his greatest film, making me wonder whether he had an injection or two of his own.

What they made instead is a movie with Nielsen embarrassing himself as a drugged-up, brainwashed top-secret assassin, walking through the Phillipines for some reason with both a bunch of Asian gangsters and an ex-partner after him (played by Gary Lockwood who, unbelievably, was in "2001: A Space Odyessey" 8 years earlier. His presence here certainly indicates that he received no royalties from that film). While on this little travel excursion, we get to see the beautiful and seedy sides of the Philippines (the producer appears to have spent the majority of the budget on pointless scenic photography at the expense of a badly-needed dialogue coach), and we also get to see the clumsiest kung-fu fight scenes ever put to celluloid. I'm not kidding - it seems as if Bugs Bunny was the resident martial arts consultant for filming. In addition, we get plenty of pseudo-sophisticated camera-work a la Sidney J. Furie's "The Ipcress File." I half expected to see the cameraman's foot slip into the bottom of the screen these shots were so inept. Two other highlights: a music score which seems to cut off and restart incorrectly during scene transitions, and Lockwood's boss on the telephone who has the voice of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

I feel deeply sorry for the people of the Philippines. First, the United States annexed their country and claimed it as U.S. territory, then a hundred years later it made cheap movies like this even more cheaply over there to exploit the currency differential. A movie like this is grounds for diplomatic sanctions by the Philippines against the U.S. It is good for a few laughs and for curiosity's sake. For that reason, I will forego giving it a formal star rating, and let you get out of this whatever qualities you may; after all, life is like a box of chocolates...

Before his comeback as a slapstick comedian in the NAKED GUN films, Leslie Nielsen floundered in many dull movies like PROJECT: KILL.

He plays John Trevor, head of an elite squad of government assassins who use a mysterious drug to maintain Herculean strength. The drug also causes painful headaches and psychotic episodes, so Trevor just ups and leaves the service, heading for the Philippines to start over. Nancy Kwan, who is totally wasted as Trevor's new girlfriend, consoles him as he babbles on about his empty life. A glum-looking Gary Lockwood is a fellow mercenary sent to retrieve Trevor dead or alive.

Much of the screen time is devoted to Lockwood, who at one point steps in front of an exploding grenade and doesn't die. The story unfolds with an utter lack of conviction, but in the amusing finale Nielsen and Lockwood prance about in mock-kung fu poses and smack each other a lot.

PROJECT KILL was a troubled production filmed in The Philippines, and was barely released in theaters in 1976.

My friend and I had to destroy this movie because of how bad this movie was.

It burned to a crisp.

Interesting actioner from the late director of GRIZZLY, MANITOU and DAY OF THE ANIMALS. This features Leslie Nielsen as a Kung-fu expert/secret agent who wants out, but in his line of work, there is only one way out...DEATH. Nielsen goes on a run, his friend and fellow agent Gary Lockwood is hot on his trail. Nielsen battle local bad guy Vic Diaz as a second plotline. I don't know if this film got any theatrical booking, for it played a lot on CBS late night. The video print is dirty and looks like it was from a 16mm print. The film is not bad, and Nielsen does a real good job in the film. It's not recommended for most fans of Nielsen today will view this film as a comedy.

Director William Girdler, primarily known for horror movies, tries his hand at an action / thriller with PROJECT: KILL.

Leslie Nielsen stars as John, the head trainer for the hit squad of the title. John's had enough and wants out, which proves to be rather difficult.

Now, not only are his old associates after him, but John's also going through withdrawal from years of mind control drugs.

Karate and death ensue.

Considering the subject matter, this movie isn't quite as exciting as one might expect. Even the fight scenes and homicides do little to raise our pulse rates. The shallow dialogue and meandering plot don't help. Nielsen isn't bad, but can't save this gobbler from its terminal dive...

Actully Project Kill was made in 1976, however the same year Grizzly was being made with Edward Montoro.William Girdler could not make Project Kill and Grizzly at the same time. So Girdler made Grizzly but despite the law-suit with him and Montoro which did effect Day of the Animals. Shortly after Day of the Animals. Girdler went back to make the rest of Project Kill then The Manitou. Although Girdler did not get to see The Manitou nor did he get to see Project Kill after his helicopter crash in the Philipinnes while making The Overlords.

Here is all about Project: Kill

It stars Leslie Nielsen who was also in Girdler's Day of the Animals, as a Top Secret Agent who is summgeling drugs. Although people today whould think that this was a comedy since Nielsen is in many comedys it's actully a good action thriller. David Sheldon dose a great deal of producing the film. Robert O. Ragland's (Born on July 2, 1931) dose some good music. And William Girdler's direction is magnifsint. If you're a big fan of Girdler's work (Like I am) Project Kill is one not to be missed.