The Day of the Jackal (1973)
Genre: Thriller / Drama
Duration: 143 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / France
Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
Stars: Edward Fox, Terence Alexander and Michael Lonsdale
IMDb score:
7,8 (53.946)
Releasedate: 15 May 1973
The Day of the Jackal plot
"Nameless, faceless... relentlessly moving towards the date with death that would rock the world."
A British assassin is hired by a pair of French generals to kill Charles de Gaulle. However, he is followed by a dedicated gendarme.
Actors and actresses
The Jackal
Lloyd
Colonel Rolland
The Minister
Inspector Thomas
Casson
Charles de Gaulle
Gunsmith
General Colbert
Interrogator
Reviews & comments
Insignificance
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- 3220 messages
- 5589 votes
Robust and addictive thriller with a spicy, but also wooden start in newsreel form. Fortunately, that stiff voice-over quickly disappears, but Zinnemann sticks to an approach that resembles a reconstruction, in which he meticulously documents the planning and hunting of the Jackal, as it were. Many developments at a screeching pace.
He does not take time for other matters, it is a film that focuses solely on a possible attack. Methodical, but also very efficient. You want to know how far that cool frog gets. With atypical roles. Fox looks like a dandy, not a seasoned hit man. It makes him unpredictable. Lonsdale looks like a lobster.
More loyal dog than sniffer dog in any case. It results in a gripping duel between the two in a film that runs like clockwork without losing any hint of realism. You can see that in the climax. Dry finish. Where Zinnemann played an exciting tune in the beginning, it is quiet on Liberation Day in that regard. Nice movie.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Lovelyboy
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- 4222 messages
- 3173 votes
Film that I saw about 30 years ago, and how much I knew little about it except for a few elements, the whole apparently made enough of an impression.
The Day Of The Jackel kicks off with a bang, then quietly and meticulously continues with the recruitment of a Hitman and his first steps in preparation. Getting used to is the appearance of Edward Fox, who comes to my mind clearly as Brian Horrocks in A Bridge To Far. A cheerful and roguish character there and someone who I don't immediately see as a cold killer, but damn it, Fox does a nice job and grows into his role towards the end of the film.
From 45 minutes on, the film is characterized by a minute cat and mouse game, so an inventive hitman and an international police force that uses all contacts and resources to track down the hitman. An interesting hunt from one to the other is the result and it is fascinating to see how The Jackel works with planning, backup planning and improvisation, and is not only smart and sophisticated, but also handy. The tension and tempo slowly increase to a climax that feels just as sudden, but also a bit weak, how Lebel suddenly appears at the right place at the right time. It feels a bit like an anticlimax.
Nevertheless, The Day Of The Jackel is an excellent and captivating film that has a nostalgic image and good acting.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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