Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.5 |
| Video |  | 3.5 |
| Audio |  | 3.0 |
| Extras | | 2.5 |
| Overall | | 3.0 |
The Internecine Project Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 31, 2016
“The Internecine Project” offers a great premise that’s trapped inside an underwhelming film. The curiously titled 1974 thriller endeavors to arrange an evening of multiple murders overseen by a single, grandly manipulative man, but director Ken Hughes (working from a script co-written by Barry Levinson and Jonathan Lynn) generally downplays tension in a futile quest to transform simplicity into a labyrinth of motivations and second thoughts. “The Internecine Project” isn’t without effective scenes, but when one considers how bizarre the plot is, the effort should really be livelier.
James Coburn stars as Robert, a man with a past who’s been offered a presidential appointment. In need of a clean slate to help him acquire legitimacy, Robert masterminds an evening of murder, with plans to use four corrupt associates to assassinate one another, setting up an elaborate scheme, toying with his prey. It’s a tricky plot, and Hughes doesn’t always know what to do with it, spending extended screen time on exposition or drawing out suspense beats to exhaustion, missing critical timing when it comes to such a devious arrangement. “The Internecine Project” holds early promise as players are established and the game commences, but once mayhem is meant to kick in, the feature slows down, almost afraid to let loose and embrace the tale’s inherent insanity.
The Internecine Project Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides "The Internecine Project" with a satisfying degree of detail. It's a softly shot feature to begin with, not interested in sharpness, but the viewing experience is passable, finding fuzzy textures on sets and costuming, and facial particulars are accessible. Colors show some life, handling period hues with stability, though emphasis remains on a colder palette to set the murder scheme mood. Grain is present and filmic. Delineation is secure. Source is in proper shape, though speckling and scratches are detected, along with mild judder.
The Internecine Project Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't provide the most comfortable listening event, but the basics remain acceptable, leading with dialogue exchanges that run a bit too sharp at times, but never lose intelligibility. Scoring isn't precise but weight is felt, with booming cellos setting the thriller tone, allowing the music to support without overwhelming the rest of the track. Atmospherics are equally thick, but group interactions and tight spaces are communicated. Hiss is detected throughout.
The Internecine Project Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Interview (18:47, SD) with screenwriter Jonathan Lynn (director of "Clue," "My Cousin Vinny," and "Nuns on the Run") covers his early work on "The Internecine Project," which began life as more of a political thriller before director Ken Hughes took over.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (3:00, SD) is included.
The Internecine Project Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Perhaps in the too-cool 1970s, "The Internecine Project" couldn't reach its potential, but it's interesting to watch the script sell absurdities, including the use of a high-frequency weapon, which feels like something out of a James Bond production. "The Internecine Project" has a few highlights, and Coburn owns the movie from frame one, but it's not a feature that builds gradually before a masterful payoff.
