The Day of the Jackal

Rating

Director

Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay

Kenneth Ross (Book: Frederick Forsyth)

Length

2h 23m

Starring

Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michael Auclair, Alan Badel, Tony Britton, Denis Carey, Adrien Cayla-Legrand, Cyril Cusack, Maurice Denham, Vernon Dobtcheff, Jacques François, Olga Georges-Picot, Raymond Gérôme, Barrie Ingham, Derek Jacobi, Michael Lonsdale, Jean Martin, Ronald Pickup, Eric Porter, Anton Rodgers, Delphine Seyrig, Donald Sinden

MPAA Rating

PG

Review

There was a period in the 1960s and 1970s where crime thrillers were hugely successful and incredibly well made. The Day of the Jackal was one of the last few of this genre that genuinely redefined it.

Director Fred Zinnemann, who won Oscars for directing From Here to Eternity and A Man for All Seasons was a well respected filmmaker in Hollywood and although his Academy-nominated work was largely behind him (he would later be nominated for Julia), his output was no less impressive. Day of the Jackal was one such effort. Based on an acclaimed novel by Frederick Forsyth and adapted for the screen by Kenneth Ross, the film follows a police inspector (Michael Lonsdale) as he attempts to thwart an assassin (Edward Fox) whose intent is to kill French president Charles DeGaulle.

As the assassin, code name Jackal, Fox gives us a fleshed-out performance of an intelligent killer who will stop at nothing to take out his target, carefully plotting the assassination but relying on his wits to evade Claude Lebel (Lonsdale) at every twist and turn. Lonsdale plays the Javert-like role of Lebel with equal tenacity and wit, enabling the cat-and-mouse game between the two men to feel like a combat of mutual respect and instinct. It’s a testament to both actors that you hope for each figure’s success even when the noose is tightening around our assassin. In spite of the truly villainous things the Jackal does on his quest for murder, you can’t help but cheer on his success. In the end, you almost support his near success of killing DeGaulle just because of the effort and charm he puts into it. Much of that success can be laid on Fox’s shoulders but do not forget the other figures behind the scenes.

More than anything, it’s a showcase of brilliant editing. The intricately woven plot is pieced together masterfully by Ralph Kemplen who received the film’s only Oscar nomination for editing. The slow-boil plot is intense and exciting, a testament to Kemplen’s ability to blend these moments together into a cohesive whole. But don’t forget Ross’ rich, textured screenplay and Zinnemann’s careful orchestration of the medium that ultimately provide all the elements that Kemplen needs to fashion a terrific thriller.

Many films have attempted to follow this formula and while some have succeeded, The Day of the Jackal remains a superlative effort that casts long shadows over most who attempt to adhere to its pattern and achieve the same success. This is a film that, despite its content favoring individuals most American audiences won’t be familiar with, will excite them tremendously. It’s an audience-pleaser while also remaining a terrific film even outside the genre.

Review Written

December 12, 2024