La main du pouvoir

THE INTERNECINE PROJECT is an intriguing little thriller made as a collaboration between the UK and West Germany. It's one of those films that nobody mentions anymore, but which provides a few surprises and nice elements for film fans. The unusual plot itself is a highlight, as this is a film which explores the meaning of the word 'internecine' (mutually destructive, as it happens).

James Coburn plays an anti-hero, a politician with more than a few skeletons in his closet. In order to tie off some loose ends, he sets a plot in action to kill off people who know a little too much about him. The thrills come from seeing said plot play out, and wondering whether he'll succeed or not.

The spy elements of the storyline give this some decent, Cold War-era paranoia shudders. The cast is very well picked; even Lee Grant is an asset, although her character - a feminist journalist - is extraneous to the storyline, although she does have a jaw-dropping encounter with the chauvinistic Coburn. Harry Andrews continues to delight in his later years, Ian Hendry is memorably twitchy, and the likes of Julian Glover and Keenan Wynn prop up the cast. There's little to dislike and much to enjoy about this thought-provoking thriller.

I'm amazed that THE INTERNECINE PROJECT has received less than 100 votes . I saw it a couple of times in the early 1980s and despite not seeing it for almost 25 years it's still lodged in my mind as being a clever thriller . Perhaps I shall never watch it in case it's not as good as I remember . The plot centres around former secret agent Robert Elliot ( Played suavely by James Coburn in one of his best roles) gaining a White House promotion , just the first step in a long and successful political career . There's just one thing and that is there's several people who know about Elliot's past and Elliot can't allow his dirty secrets to be revealed by anyone

I won't reveal the plot but it's smart and there's a twist at the end . But for me the best part of the movie is where Elliot visits the home of military veteran Albert Parsons played by Harry Andrews . Parsons and his collection of cats warmly greet Elliot , but it's obvious by his mannerism that Elliot has something on his mind :

" We've got a problem "

" A problem sir ? " asks Parsons

" It's to do with a woman "

Parsons is shocked " A WOMAN SIR ? "

Elliot rubs his chin and studies Albert " She's a sort of high class whore "

By now Parsons is having convulsions and spitting his hatred " THEY'RE ALL WHORES THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM , YOU CAN'T TRUST ANY THEM SIR , NOT ANY OF THEM "

Hmmm I wonder if Albert Parsons is a repressed homosexual ?

James Coburn is a slick white collar heavy in this twisty thriller, scripted by future directors Barry Levinson ("Rain Man"), who also produced, and Jonathan Lynn ("Clue"). Coburn again projects incredible cool as Robert Elliot, a "professor" who has a major opportunity for advancement in the government. The catch is, he can't afford to have anybody alive who's got knowledge of his past. There are four of these people, and Elliot arranges for all of them to kill each other over the course of a single night. Despite his intricate planning, things don't always go that smoothly.

The excellent cast is the major draw of this film, capably directed by Ken Hughes ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"). It's very well paced and sometimes reasonably suspenseful, with a story that might not stand up to a lot of scrutiny, but does solidly entertain for its duration. Another asset is the eclectic soundtrack composed by Roy Budd ("Get Carter" '71).

Coburn is fun to watch in the role of an anti-hero, a man who initially is taken aback at the idea of eliminating these skeletons in his closet, but quickly makes up his mind to be cold-blooded about the whole affair. Lee Grant is fine (and looks very nice, to boot) as the aggressive, feminist journalist with whom he was once involved. Ian Hendry is wonderfully antsy as the diabetic Alex, Christiane Kruger is delectably sexy as Christina, Julian Glover has a good, brief role as a TV host, and Keenan Wynn is endlessly amusing as usual as tycoon E.J. Farnsworth. But the shining star of the production is Harry Andrews as a masseur named Bert Parsons. The character is an angry misogynist, and the viewer may be intrigued and wonder just how this character came to be this way.

Overall, good entertainment. Nothing special, but there are much worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

Seven out of 10.

British espionage movies generally fall into two categories. Those that are inspired by Ian Fleming and those inspired by John Le Carre'. If you are looking for daring escapes, beautiful girls, gadgets and gizmos plus lots of pyrotechnics then don't bother with THE INTERNECINE PROJECT. On the other hand if the concept of an ingenious plot involving multiple murders committed by the people being murdered intrigues you, then go no further for INTERNECINE will give you that and more.

James Coburn portrays Professor Robert Elliot, an intelligence agent whose specialty is providing damaging and/or sensitive information anonymously to powerful businessmen and politicians. He does this through a network of 4 operatives who do not know each other. When he is offered the plum assignment of becoming a chief advisor to the President, it becomes necessary for him to eliminate those who know about his past activities. Elliot then conceives a plan where his operatives will all kill each other on the same evening while he sits at home.

Lee Grant co-stars as a crusading reporter who was once involved with Coburn but knew nothing of his background. Now that he is associating with a powerful and unscrupulous figure (Keenan Wynn), she wants to use him to dig up dirt on the businessman. Coburn's 4 associates are played by British character actors Ian Hendry, Harry Andrews, and Michael Jayston. The one female operative is German born Christiane Kruger. All are very good with Hendry's twitchy diabetic being the standout.

The film was shot in drab and dark colors which perfectly suits the tense and humorless story that unfolds. This made poor copies of the movie TOO dark in some scenes but this new Kino Blu-Ray has an excellent transfer that rectifies that problem. Made around the time of Watergate, THE INTERNECINE PROJECT reflects the cynicism of political thrillers from the 1970s. There is a twist ending that James Coburn didn't like but in hindsight it turns out to be very satisfying. All in all a superior spy thriller that some will find too slow and uneventful...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.

The movie begins (and ends) like a political movie,a la Pakula .But if the "hero" is blamed for butchering democracy ,the essential is a thriller ,some very special "domino theory" .To get rid of some people who become embarrassing,the professor (a spy) ,pushes the "divide and rule" concept to its absolute limits and ,although completely implausible (all works out much too well) , displays an implacable logic in his sinister plans.Probably not great,but not derivative,and rather gripping.

Main objection: Lee Grant's character is almost useless and her would be feminist journalist is only decorative.