The Day of the Jackal poster

1973·143 min·Released

The Day of the Jackal

“Nameless, faceless... relentlessly moving towards the date with death that would rock the world.”

Action
Thriller

An international assassin known as ‘The Jackal’ is employed by disgruntled French generals to kill President Charles de Gaulle, with a dedicated gendarme on the assassin’s trail.

7.5(685 votes)

Popularity5

Videos

The Day of the Jackal (1973) Trailer HD | Edward Fox | Terence Alexander

Cast & Crew

Edward Fox

Edward Fox

The Jackal

Terence Alexander

Terence Alexander

Lloyd

Michel Auclair

Michel Auclair

Colonel Rolland

Alan Badel

Alan Badel

the Minister

Tony Britton

Tony Britton

Inspector Thomas

Denis Carey

Denis Carey

Casson

Cyril Cusack

Cyril Cusack

Gunsmith

Maurice Denham

Maurice Denham

General Colbert

Michael Lonsdale

Michael Lonsdale

Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel

Vernon Dobtcheff

Vernon Dobtcheff

Interrogator

Jacques François

Jacques François

Pascal

Olga Georges-Picot

Olga Georges-Picot

Denise

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John Chard

Written on 2/12/2014

Chacal. The Day of the Jackal is directed by Fred Zinnerman and adapted to screenplay by Kenneth Ross from the novel of the same name written by Frederick Forsyth. It stars Edward Fox, Michael Lonsdale, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair, Alan Badel, Tony Britton and Denis Carey. Music is by Georges Delerue and cinematography by Jean Tournier. As the French political climate reaches boiling point over the Algeria situation, underground organisation the OAS plot to have President Charles de Gaulle assassinated. When an attempt fails the OAS members not caught are exiled in Vienna and decide that bringing in an outsider to kill the President is now the best way forward. That outsider is an Englishman, code name The Jackal, a methodically cunning and deadly assassin. Wonderful, the kind of character driven thriller that has become in short supply over the last couple of decades. It’s all so simple, even sedate, yet this calm approach serves the plotting perfectly. After the initial set ups we follow The Jackal (a super icy turn by Fox) on his mission to kill General de Gaul. His planning, the people he meets, and the people he has to kill to stay one step ahead of the authorities. From cons to weapon smuggling, to disguises and sexual encounters, it’s thoroughly compelling from Jackal’s story arc alone, but the frequent shifts to the hunt for him by a whole ream of suits and detectives is also gripping and suspenseful viewing. Backing Fox up is a raft quality performers, a cast very much in tune with the material to hand. Delure’s musical composition is purposely of the minimalist breed, Tournier’s photography is period compliant and smooth, while Ralph Kemplen’s excellent editing was rightly nominated for an Academy Award. Zinnerman does sterling work from the director’s chair, amazingly keeping a two and half hour movie free of extraneous scenes or pointless exposition. Everything is relative, it really is a film to stay focussed with, to give it respect by giving it your undivided attention. So go the bathroom before sitting down to view this truly great and smart thriller. 9/10

CinemaSerf

Written on 3/28/2022

A sophisticated adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's thriller about an Englishman codenamed "the Jackal" (Edward Fox) who is hired to assassinate Charles de Gaulle, the President of France. His meticulous planning remains almost undiscovered until the redoubtable "Inspecteur Lebel" - played by the always under-rated Michael Lonsdale manages to piece together enough information to get on his tail. A workmanlike ensemble cast give extra weight to the lead performances in this intriguing and well put together Fred Zinnemann film. It's huge advantage as a story is it's simplicity - and here we get a drawn into the cat and mouse game unsure who will win right til the very end.

Media

The Day of the Jackal (1973) Trailer HD | Edward Fox | Terence Alexander

The Day of the Jackal (1973) Trailer HD | Edward Fox | Terence Alexander