The Day of the Jackal
by Fred Zinnemann
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DVD details
Actor: Alan Badel, Edward Fox, Michel Auclair, Terence Alexander, Tony BrittonDirector: Fred Zinnemann
Brand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)
Cinematographer: Jean Tournier
Editor: Ralph Kemplen
Producer: David Deutsch
Producer: John Woolf
Producer: Julien Derode
Writer: Frederick Forsyth
Writer: Kenneth Ross
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 143 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-04-29
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
DVD Reviews of The Day of the Jackal
DVD Review: My high school aptitude tests pointed towards assassin...
Summary: 4 Stars
So often it seems movies based on novels rarely live up to the expectations of those who've actually read the book, causing consternation and generally a slew of negative reviews involving commentary about how scenes are missing, subtleties not translating, and characters either marginalized or even removed. Well, that doesn't seem to be the case with The Day of the Jackal (1973), based on the bestseller written by Frederick Forsyth. Now keep in mind, I haven't read the book, so I gathered this by reading other reviews. Also, given the film is almost 2 ½ hours long, I would think the story presented to be fairly inclusive with regards to the book.
The film is directed by Fred Zinnemann, whose other credits include High Noon (1952), From Here to Eternity (1953), Oklahoma! (1955) and A Man for All Seasons (1966), to name a few. Starring in the movie is Edward Fox (The Duellists, Force 10 from Navarone) and Terrence Alexander (The Vault of Horror). By the way, am I the only one who thinks Alexander looks remarkably similar to the main bad guy in Moonraker (1979)? I checked, and it's not...that character, named Higo Drax, and was played by Michael Lonsdale. Also appearing is, well, a slew of mostly European actors I won't bother listing, not because they're not noteworthy, but there was just so dang many of them. If you're really curious, you can look it up (What? You expect me to do everything?)
The movie, described as a quasi-documentary, takes place in the early 60's, about the time the premier frog in chief President Gen.Charles De Gaulle relinquished France's control of Algeria to back its' native occupants. This upset quite a few Frenchies, especially those who were either serving or were retired from the military at the time reasoning being that the war over that particular country was hard and costly, and now, the country that forced them to go fight is now ready to give it up, basically nullifying all the effort and sacrifices put forth to secure Algeria. Some were so upset they formed a group called OAS, an underground resistance group whose sole intention seemed to be the assassination of De Gaulle for his perceived treasonous actions. After about five failed attempts on De Gaulle's life (only one of which we actually get to see), the group decides it's time to bring in an outsider, as they seem to blame their failures on leaks and moles within their own group (the fact they were a bunch of lame duck, grabasstic, knuckleheads had nothing to do with it, I'm sure). Based on their research, they finally narrow the field to one, highly experienced, foreign individual, code named The Jackal (I'd love to see his resume). The Jackal's (Fox) demands are few, but very specific, and his price is high, as his reasoning is that this type of job is a career ender, based on the level of importance of the target. The OAS agrees to the Jackal's terms, and thus begins his long and meticulous process of developing false identities, procuring a suitable weapon, and researching suitable locations where he may have access to his target. The French authorities get wind of a new scheme by the OAS, but little else as the shroud of secrecy around the Jackal is very thick. Given the difficulty of obtaining information through their regular channels, the French authorities put their best detective on the case (no, not Inspector Jacques Clouseau), played by Alexander. His resources are nearly unlimited, but he must keep a tight lid on things as not to tip off the OAS and the Jackal what little information they have, which severely hamstrings the investigation. Now it comes down to a race between a deadly, meticulous, calculating assassin intent on taking out his target and a smart, intuitive detective intent on stopping him.
I really enjoyed this lengthy film. Zinnemann does a wonderful job showing both sides of the story, that of the assassin, and that of the authorities intent on stopping him, the two stories slowly converging to create a climatic conclusion. The pacing may seem slow to some, but it serves well to examine many fine details regarding both the Jackal's preparations and planning, and also the French gooberment's exhaustive investigation which involves a number of gooberment agencies from different countries as the Jackal is a tricky sort, taking great, meticulous care to cover his tracks and keeping his identity hidden. Also, it's worth the payoff as the last 20 or 30 minutes are really worth waiting for...I really liked how the Jackal was able to keep a few steps ahead of the authorities (with a little help), anticipating danger and making the appropriate compensating actions. Along the way he had to dispose of certain elements (people), but it was only done as measured against perceived threats to his ultimate goal...he may be a cold, methodical murderer, but he's a professional cold, methodical murderer. I also really liked the thoroughness of the investigation, based on tedious, deductive, involved work and not on conjecture pulled from someone's behind. The detective work was presented as thorough, comprehensive, and intelligent. Casting Edward Fox as the Jackal was really inspired (Michael Caine wanted the role), maintaining a sense of anonymity over the character, allowing for the focus to be more on the story rather than the celebrity status of an actor playing the character. The use of locations, mostly in France, but also in England, Austria, and Italy, was wonderful, and added so much flavor and credibility to the story. I love seeing places I've never been (but may like to go someday, but just to visit, not assassinate anyone).
The DVD offers a pretty good wide screen picture (1:85:1) and decent audio. Special features include detailed production notes and a theatrical trailer. All in all, a great adaptation, and a great film. Avoid the 1997 remake with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere...I wish I had...
Cookieman108
Description of The Day of the Jackal
AN ASSASSIN TARGETS THE PRESIDENT OF FRANCE IN THIS TENSE FREDERICK FORSYTH THRILLER. FEATURES PRODUCTION NOTES, TALENT BIOS, FILM HIGHLIGHTS, AND TRAILERS.With its high-intensity plot about an attempt to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle, the bestselling novel by Frederick Forsyth was a prime candidate for screen adaptation. Director Fred Zinnemann brought his veteran skills to bear on what has become a timeless classic of screen suspense. Not to be confused with the later remake The Jackal starring Bruce Willis (which shamelessly embraced all the bombast that Zinnemann so wisely avoided), this 1973 thriller opts for lethal elegance and low-key tenacity in the form of the Jackal, the suave assassin played with consummate British coolness by Edward Fox. He's a killer of the highest order, a master of disguise and international elusiveness, and this riveting film follows his path to de Gaulle with an intense, straightforward documentary style. Perhaps one of the last great films from a bygone age of pure, down-to-basics suspense (and a kind of debonair European alternative to the American grittiness of The French Connection), The Day of the Jackal is a cat-and-mouse thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until its brilliantly executed final scene (pardon the pun), by which time Fox has achieved cinematic immortality as one of the screen's most memorable killers. --Jeff Shannon
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