Day Of The Jackal
1973
This suspense thriller about a daring plot to murder Charles De Gaulle is based on Frederick Forsyth's best-seller. The movie's suspenseful pace is tied to the incredibly careful and intricate planning the man code-named "the Jackal" does in preparation for the hit. This classic was watered down and remade in 1997 as The Jackal. Read more
| Starring | Edward Fox, Cyril Cusack, Ronald Pickup, Donald Sinden |
|---|---|
| Director | Fred Zinnemann |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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A magnificent script from Kenneth Ross and a masterly central performance from Edward Fox form the backbone of this big-screen version of Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novel. But it's Fred Zinnemann's matchless direction that makes it such compelling viewing and an object lesson in suspense. The pacing of the picture is superb, a methodical accumulation of detail that is as fastidious as Fox's preparation for his mission to assassinate General de Gaulle. Although the action crisscrosses Europe, there's no postcard prettiness, just a sure grasp of the atmosphere of each place before getting down to the business of the scene. The supporting cast is also first rate, with Cyril Cusack, Michel Lonsdale and Tony Britton outstanding.
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An incisive, observant and professional piece of work based on a rather clinical bestseller. Lack of a channel for sympathy, plus language confusions, are its main drawbacks.
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Inherently suspenseless (history would give us several more years of assassination-target De Gaulle), this adaptation... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
The ultimate assassination movie
Edward Fox plays the Jackal a hitman hired by French terrorists to kill the President for pulling the troops out of Algeria.
The film is an almost verbatim rendition of the novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth.
The tension is beautifully built up as we watch the Jackal take all the necessary steps to carry out his plan, and follow the police as they attempt to prevent him.
Although it is now a little dated it is alot better than the updated version with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere and is very believable, especially when you consider how many times De Gaulle had attempts on his life.
I would definately recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers and also try reading some of Forsyths other masterpieces. -
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
The Day of the Jackal
"The Day of the Jackal" is a remarkable film. Fred Zinnemann's impeccable direction beautifully captures Paris in the 1960's, and there are some memorable moments shot in Italy.
Edward Fox is outstanding as the hired assassin, who inhabits an eerie, "on-the-edge" world as he prepares for his mission.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the film is the sound. Every snap and crackle is conveyed with crystal clear precision. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
An excellent adaptation of a thrilling book
One of the strongest films in this genre. An excellent adaptation of a thrilling book, characterisation is excellent, and the action sweeps you along. Simple plot, with a complex background.
Impressively we know the ending but this is not the important part. In fact the book covers actually used to give away the ending in case you didn’t realise and if you don’t stop reading now. The film is still a thriller, and in stead of wondering about the conclusion, we wonder how far he will get, how he will do it, and might even start to hope he succeeds.
Ingenious plot, plenty to keep most entertained. It dates well, but it is dated. It is also meticulously researched - fascinating fact: the methodology the Jackal uses to get a false passport was pretty solid, and only last year (2003) parliament passed a bill to stop it working. Only took thirty years. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Classic
Great movie - amazing performance from Fox, bit too upper class toff persona put totally believable nonetheless as the ruthless single minded assassin. Spawned a god awful Bruce Willis clone - proof that imitation is the "worst" kind of flattery.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
The Day of the Dead Sheep
The people from the Radio Times who raved and gave this 5 stars must lead very quiet lives, with rare visits to a cinema, if they find this movie masterly, matchless, suspenseful etc. I couldn't work up much interest. That might be because I've just read the book, which still IS suspenseful. I think director Zinnemann believed his own mythology -- he wanted to make films that were SIGNIFICANT, which unfortunately often meant ponderous. Jackal was basically an airport novel, and couldn't take Zinnemann's 'classy' Man For All Seasons schtick. His attempt to match Forsyth's obsessive detail merely gives a feeling of pedantry. The film feels mechanical. There are far too many short scenes. The sub-plot about the mole in the French security committee is weakened. The characters are mostly cyphers. The changes to the book are mostly vulgar shortcuts which weaken rather than strengthening the plot. There's good location shooting, but the studio footage has such bad lighting and cardboard sets you feel like you're watching an episode of Jason King. OK. The film is saved by three performances -- Fox is good, though his mum really ought to get some more hot meals into him. Cusack gives a wonderfully subtle performance. And Lonsdale is masterly. Lonsdale, who is bilingual, was Drax in Moonraker -- and is half-English (son of a British officer, I believe) -- has done only a half-dozen English-language films, despite being one of the world's great actors. Why hasn't this man made more British and American films? One of life's great mysteries...
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16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
The ultimate assassination movie
Edward Fox plays the Jackal a hitman hired by French terrorists to kill the President for pulling the troops out of Algeria.
The film is an almost verbatim rendition of the novel of the same name by Frederick Forsyth.
The tension is beautifully built up as we watch the Jackal take all the necessary steps to carry out his plan, and follow the police as they attempt to prevent him.
Although it is now a little dated it is alot better than the updated version with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere and is very believable, especially when you consider how many times De Gaulle had attempts on his life.
I would definately recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers and also try reading some of Forsyths other masterpieces. -
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful
The Day of the Jackal
"The Day of the Jackal" is a remarkable film. Fred Zinnemann's impeccable direction beautifully captures Paris in the 1960's, and there are some memorable moments shot in Italy.
Edward Fox is outstanding as the hired assassin, who inhabits an eerie, "on-the-edge" world as he prepares for his mission.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the film is the sound. Every snap and crackle is conveyed with crystal clear precision. -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
An excellent adaptation of a thrilling book
One of the strongest films in this genre. An excellent adaptation of a thrilling book, characterisation is excellent, and the action sweeps you along. Simple plot, with a complex background.
Impressively we know the ending but this is not the important part. In fact the book covers actually used to give away the ending in case you didn’t realise and if you don’t stop reading now. The film is still a thriller, and in stead of wondering about the conclusion, we wonder how far he will get, how he will do it, and might even start to hope he succeeds.
Ingenious plot, plenty to keep most entertained. It dates well, but it is dated. It is also meticulously researched - fascinating fact: the methodology the Jackal uses to get a false passport was pretty solid, and only last year (2003) parliament passed a bill to stop it working. Only took thirty years. -
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Could be based on fact
This film could have been based on fact, I think I read somewhere that is was, well produced and directed, very enjoyable will watch it again many times.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Classic
Great movie - amazing performance from Fox, bit too upper class toff persona put totally believable nonetheless as the ruthless single minded assassin. Spawned a god awful Bruce Willis clone - proof that imitation is the "worst" kind of flattery.
-
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
The Day of the Dead Sheep
The people from the Radio Times who raved and gave this 5 stars must lead very quiet lives, with rare visits to a cinema, if they find this movie masterly, matchless, suspenseful etc. I couldn't work up much interest. That might be because I've just read the book, which still IS suspenseful. I think director Zinnemann believed his own mythology -- he wanted to make films that were SIGNIFICANT, which unfortunately often meant ponderous. Jackal was basically an airport novel, and couldn't take Zinnemann's 'classy' Man For All Seasons schtick. His attempt to match Forsyth's obsessive detail merely gives a feeling of pedantry. The film feels mechanical. There are far too many short scenes. The sub-plot about the mole in the French security committee is weakened. The characters are mostly cyphers. The changes to the book are mostly vulgar shortcuts which weaken rather than strengthening the plot. There's good location shooting, but the studio footage has such bad lighting and cardboard sets you feel like you're watching an episode of Jason King. OK. The film is saved by three performances -- Fox is good, though his mum really ought to get some more hot meals into him. Cusack gives a wonderfully subtle performance. And Lonsdale is masterly. Lonsdale, who is bilingual, was Drax in Moonraker -- and is half-English (son of a British officer, I believe) -- has done only a half-dozen English-language films, despite being one of the world's great actors. Why hasn't this man made more British and American films? One of life's great mysteries...
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1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Not for the dull
This film is slow so if you are the type who nodds off 3 minutes into a psychology lecture then dont watch this. This movie is a masterpeice but , my god, is it slow. At one point when watching the film, you do think . . . "what day is it today?".<br><br>
Having said all this, it is a masterpeice. Difficult to put it into word why, but after you watch it you do feel like saying "yeah you made me wait, and im pissed off about that, but . . . BUT! it feels to me there was a reason why you did that to me"
<br><br><goes on my knees> "I love you" -
Brilliant
A great classic thriller at its best.
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classic movie
great movie very clever story stands the test of time
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Excellent Thriller
This was a very good film. Superb acting and good script. Very entertaining and interesting film. A definate for renting.
Critics' reviews (3)
-
A magnificent script from Kenneth Ross and a masterly central performance from Edward Fox form the backbone of this big-screen version of Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novel. But it's Fred Zinnemann's matchless direction that makes it such compelling viewing and an object lesson in suspense. The pacing of the picture is superb, a methodical accumulation of detail that is as fastidious as Fox's preparation for his mission to assassinate General de Gaulle. Although the action crisscrosses Europe, there's no postcard prettiness, just a sure grasp of the atmosphere of each place before getting down to the business of the scene. The supporting cast is also first rate, with Cyril Cusack, Michel Lonsdale and Tony Britton outstanding.
-
An incisive, observant and professional piece of work based on a rather clinical bestseller. Lack of a channel for sympathy, plus language confusions, are its main drawbacks.
-
Inherently suspenseless (history would give us several more years of assassination-target De Gaulle), this adaptation... read more on Time Out
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This suspense thriller about a daring plot to murder Charles De Gaulle is based on Frederick Forsyth's best-seller. The movie's suspenseful pace is tied to the incredibly careful and intricate ... -
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