The Day of the Jackal

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Summary: Forsyth's Super Assassin Super Thriller...
Review: In his novel of the same title, Frederick Forsyth perfected a thriller form: The Assassination procedural...wherein the steps of a calculated murder of a head of state...AN EXECUTIVE ACTION... are meticulously dramatized. Kenneth Ross' screenplay provides the perfect framework for Edward Fox to create the Jackal: the consummate political murderer; a killer-for-hire without ideological bent or pretense for whom assassination is an art form as well as a coldly technical act of violence. Michel Lonsdale is the perfect foil for Fox's controlled, charismatic air of menace. His humble inspector Claude Lebel is, in fact, the only man who...among the pursuing legions of police, Deuxieme agents and counter-terrorist specialists...seems to grasp the unique character of The Jackal as a man who revels in his own expertise and the thrill of danger. The supporting cast essaying the roles of General De Gaulle, OAS chief Marc Rodin and his cohort of disaffected legionnaires; as well as numerous ministers and members of Allied secret services who join in the hunt for The Jackal lend an air of realism that is dramatically gripping. The walk-in roles of Ronald Pickup as a forger who foolishly underestimates the character of The Jackal...and pays for a pathetic effort at extortion with his life...and Cyril Cusack as a custom weapon's designer who well understands his customer is ruthlessness personified add a 3-dimension of class to a thriller that never resorts to "cheap" thrills. () Hitchcock could not have handled the material more adroitly and the remake...starring Bruce Willis... astutely demonstrates how an "update" can render something very well done close to rank. In the end, however, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL is Edward Fox's film. A review I read years ago asserted that Fox's icy verve and swagger were so riveting that audiences were actually rooting for this very "bad" bad guy to succeed. American viewers who may not have read Forsyth's novel and are unfamiliar with continental European customs will still find the ending an edge-of-the-chair stunner. Of course The Jackal "misses"; that's history (and our deconstructionists haven't got around to all those OAS plots yet). But the winner is the viewer who gets to enjoy a super thriller about a super assassin. And Edward Fox is "the fox" who makes the hunt for The Jackal a "killer" movie to the max!

Rating:
Summary: Badly Dated
Review: There is a patince to the proceedongs of The Day of The Jackal that is wonderfful to watch. The film, like it should, starts slowly and build on layers of plot to an exciting trans-continental chase. Today most thrillers would go for a cheap quick thrill like getting a character shot in the face or having a limb blown off, but Zimmerman wisely avoids this preffering to build on Phycological suspense. Alas, despite these qualites, the film has dated terribly. All the charcters, regardless of nationality speak the same language, and while I don't particularly care for realism in movies, I felt it to be essential here. The acting is universally stiff and one sided. It is understandable that Edward Fox should be constantly smiling, a sign of villany in all modern films, but unlike say, the opening scenes of The Crying Game there is no human intensity to the proceedings. Its all calculated and cold. I understand why this film recieved raves on release, but sadly it just doesn't measure up today. Having said that, I would rather watch this film ten times in a row, with eyelids taped open Clockwork Orange style than see ten minutes of the truly miserable Micheal Caton Jones remake The Jackal.

Rating:
Summary: Directors take note
Review: The movie producers and directors of today should be required to watch this film before putting out anymore garbage. If today's movies had even one tenth the suspense and intelligence of this movie, then there would be a vast improvement. The young people of today don't know what they're missing. The Day of the Jackal is on my top ten list.

Rating:
Summary: A perfect suspense thriller from another era
Review: Without question the suspense, character development, cinematography and scopy of this thriller make it one of the best...ever. Firstly, The jackal is played with icy perfection. Second the Chief Inspector, an equally enigmatic individual is his perfect counterpart. Their cat and mouse game, played amidst a Europe which has since been all but completely spoiled is a wonderful piece of film. I especially enjoyed the thoroughness of Zinneman's adaptation of a captivating novel and especially the sight of all those Citroen DSs...of which I am an owner. For a Francophile, a Europhile, a Citroeniste and a pure Movie fan this is the way they used to be made....well.

Rating:
Summary: This movie is a must buy!!
Review: Compared to modern films, this film is very simple. No gimmicks or any other tricks movie makers use now. But this film is terrific the way it is and thoroughly enjoyable. As much as I like a modern action flick or Bruce Willis movie, the remake (The Jackal) pales in comparison. This movie is excellant!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Edward Fox in the all time best thriller
Review: In the 1960s President Charles de Gaulle was a hated man among the career officers of the French army, because he (De Gaulle) was willing to give independence to one of the most important colonies of France, Algeria. This would have been a great blow to the French army's prestige which had fough for years against the guerillas in Algeria.

This story tells how a conspiracy against the life of president de Gaulle developes. A ring of officers try to kill de Gaulle a number of times and always fail. Then when their leader is captured and shot they turn to a specialist, the Jackal.

If you are seeking a thriller, here's the best.

Rating:
Summary: A Classic...
Review: I saw this movie when I was younger and every chance I get to see it again I do. This movie deserves to be placed in the Top 100 list. It is by far a better movie than the recent remake by Bruce and company. The actor was more believable as the assassin than Bruce. During this movie, the creepy feeling up the back of your neck when you saw this guy stayed with you. Bruce generated an air of "o.k." One can't help but compare the two. Standing them side by side, they really don't compare because the directors took different directions. This is not a bad thing, but I prefer the classic.

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Summary: NOW THAT'S A THRILLER!
Review: First of all, DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT dare to even compare "The Day of the Jackal" with the Bruce Willis fiasco you've seen recently on theatres!

This is the original, the one and only, the based-on-the-Forsyth-bestseller masterpiece! A truer-to-life thriller -or a more exciting one- you ain't gonna get. Not only the historical background makes it so much more interesting, the characters, locations, narration and pace are top notch! Edward Fox relishes his role of a lifetime as the suave British killer without any blazing gunbattles, car chases, goring bloodfests, profanities or macho rantings that supposedly "spice up" movies nowadays.

Just compare this golden oldie with it's 1998 abominable remake, to comprehend why "less is more" is always wise!

Rating:
Summary: Best film of a Forsyth novel.
Review: As an avid Frederick Forsyth fan I have collected all of the movies made of his novels. "The Day of the Jackal" is by far the best adaptation. Take care of all your important duties before your sit down to watch this one. You won't want to leave your seat. Excellent performances, particularly by Edward Fox and Michel Lonsdale, make this "edge of your seat" thriller totally believable. Those who lived through the tumultuous sixties will appreciate both the villians and heros in this fine film. Those who did not may learn a bit about our universal paranoia during this period of political and social upheaval. Enjoy and learn

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Summary: If you like it on VHS, you'll love it on DVD !
Review: I have watched my VHS copy many, many times. But seeing the movie in widescreen, and with all the details that gives atmosphere to this brilliant story was really great !