The Day of the Jackal is the fictional story of an assassin hired by the OAS (a French right-wing terrorist group that was active in the 1960s) to kill President Charles de Gaulle. This film was an adaptation of Fredrick Forsyth's novel of the same title.
I've already laid down the basic plot, but I'll elaborate on the story. After a failed attempt on de Gaulle, the leader of the OAS (Col. Bastien-Thiry) is executed and Col. Rodin assumes control. Col. Rodin and the other two top OAS men decide to hire a contract killer who only they know the true identity of to assassinate de Gaulle. The Jackal has one contact in Paris who keeps him informed, but does not know who he is.
The French authorities know that the OAS is planning something and kidnap Rodin's adjunct. Under torture, the adjunct reveals the only thing he knows, the killer's code name; The Jackal. Naturally, after some investigation, French security determines there is a plot to kill de Gaulle and have Police Commissioner Lebel investigate.
This is as deep into the plot as I'll go because I don't want to give anything away.
What makes this story interesting is that French security and OAS know only of his existence and his code name. In addition, the Jackal's disguises and tricks of the trade (for lack of a better term) are fascinating.
The thing that I really enjoy about this movie is the cast. Many fine actors from both Britian and France were used (Michel Lonsdale, Derek Jacobi, and Eric Porter to name several). However, Edward Fox gave probably the finest performance as the Jackal. He's cold, effective, and calculating the very essence of a contract killer.
The movie does not completely follow the book. Some say the movie is awful, some say the movie's good despite the differences. Personally, I am of the latter opinion. Why not find out for yourself?
Either way, it's a lot better than the Bruce Willis version.
I've already laid down the basic plot, but I'll elaborate on the story. After a failed attempt on de Gaulle, the leader of the OAS (Col. Bastien-Thiry) is executed and Col. Rodin assumes control. Col. Rodin and the other two top OAS men decide to hire a contract killer who only they know the true identity of to assassinate de Gaulle. The Jackal has one contact in Paris who keeps him informed, but does not know who he is.
The French authorities know that the OAS is planning something and kidnap Rodin's adjunct. Under torture, the adjunct reveals the only thing he knows, the killer's code name; The Jackal. Naturally, after some investigation, French security determines there is a plot to kill de Gaulle and have Police Commissioner Lebel investigate.
This is as deep into the plot as I'll go because I don't want to give anything away.
What makes this story interesting is that French security and OAS know only of his existence and his code name. In addition, the Jackal's disguises and tricks of the trade (for lack of a better term) are fascinating.
The thing that I really enjoy about this movie is the cast. Many fine actors from both Britian and France were used (Michel Lonsdale, Derek Jacobi, and Eric Porter to name several). However, Edward Fox gave probably the finest performance as the Jackal. He's cold, effective, and calculating the very essence of a contract killer.
The movie does not completely follow the book. Some say the movie is awful, some say the movie's good despite the differences. Personally, I am of the latter opinion. Why not find out for yourself?
Either way, it's a lot better than the Bruce Willis version.