As Episode 1 of "The Day of the Jackal" (2024 release from the UK; 10 episodes ranging from 45 to 56 min) opens, we are in "Munich, Germany", and we are introduced to the Jackal undercover as a maintenance guy in an office building, where he takes out a number of people for reasons unclear. The next day the Jackal assassinates a leading far-right German politician. We then go to "London, England", and we get to know Bianca at MI6. At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this TV mini-series is very loosely inspired on the original 1971 book and the 1973 big screen adaptation of the book. The story line of the min-series is entirely new and diff from the 1971 boob/1973 film. Really the only thing that remains from the original story is the Jackal character. The TV mini-series is set in today's world. When watching Episode 1, I couldn't help but fel like I was watching a new James Bond. In just Episode 1, we go to 4 or 5 countries (the UK, Germany, Spain, and I'm forgetting a couple more. Eddie Redmayne, as the title character, seems like he is having a blast with this. By the end of Episode 2, the cast-and-mouse game is in full flight, and I can't wait to see hoe it all will play out. BEcause you, unlike the 1971 book/1973 film when we know beforehand what the outcome is, in this 2024 mini-series, we haven't the faintest idea what awaits us and how it all will unfold.
""The Day of the jackal" has been highly anticipated and the first 5 episodes started streaming on Peacock yesterday (November 14), with the remaining 5 episodes being release on the 5 next consecutive Thursdays. The mini-series is currently rated 90% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which feels a little overgenerous to me. Regardless, whether you have seen or are a fan of the 1973 movie or not, if you are in the mood for a top notch modern James Bond-reminding TV mini-series, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
