“The Day of the Jackal” (1973)

August of 1962: French President, Charles de Gaulle (1959-1969), has given independence to Algeria. The action is something which has upset a paramilitary organization known as the OAS (Organisation de l’Armee Secrete). As an act of revenge, the group seeks to assassinate the French leader. As depicted in the opening scene of the film, after a failed attempt by members of the OAS to kill de Gaulle, (Adrien Cayla-Legrand), a three month search is conducted by the top leaders of the OAS to find a professional contract killer. The reason for this, is not only because they haven’t been able to get the job done themselves, but the top commanders are fearful that there are intelligence leaks within the organization. 

Enter the Jackal, portrayed in a convincing manner by three time BAFTA winner, Edward Fox (A Bridge Too Far). He is a well groomed, and properly attired Englishman. The viewer never learns the Jackal’s real identity. In fact, there is no back story given for the character. While watching the Jackal do his work, as viewers, we come to find out how intelligent and resourceful, as well as, ruthless he is.  

There are two requirements that must be adhered to, before the Jackal is willing to accept the job: The sum of $500,000 must be paid to him. In addition, the OAS has to commit to absolute secrecy, in regard to the plans to assassinate de Gaulle. The leadership of the OAS agrees to the Jackal’s terms. In order to pay him his asking price, however, their members must first hold up banks, and ambush armored cars to obtain the money. The foot soldiers that carry out the directives are never told what the money is needed for. This is done as a precaution, in the event they are captured. After the OAS deposits $250,000 in the Jackal’s Swiss bank account, he begins his meticulous preparations. (As an aside, two time Oscar winner, Michael Caine, (The Cider House Rules), three time Oscar winner, Jack Nicholson, (As Good as it Gets), and Golden Globe winner, Roger Moore, (A View to a Kill), were all considered for the part of the Jackal. The filmmakers, however, wanted the role to be portrayed by someone that audiences didn’t already have a connection to). 

The OAS plans are learned by the French government. The movie would be rather dull, if it were an easy task for the Jackal to assassinate de Gaulle. From the moment the OAS plans are discovered, the plot begins to take shape on two levels. There are the Jackal’s painstaking preparations and advancement toward the fateful day when the assassination is to be carried out. Second, is the work being conducted by his polar opposite, the unwaveringly determined, Deputy Police Commissioner, Claude Lebel. The character is played by Michael Lonsdale, who received a BAFTA nomination for his work on the film. Lebel is appointed to the mission of hunting down the Jackal before the assassination can be carried out. At first, his character depicts to the viewer a prevailing sense of unease. Lebel feels that he is not up to the herculean challenge of capturing the illusive Jackal. As the search for the assassin gets more involved, Lebel’s character transforms into an aggressor, who begins to project confidence. When that happens, it sets up the remainder of the movie, in which a captivating game of cat and mouse between the Jackal and Lebel takes place. The Jackal always manages to stay one step ahead of his pursuer.

In addition to Fox and Lonsdale, the supporting cast members are all uniformly competent. In the event of a leak, and as a further safe guard, the OAS assigns a female operative, Denise, (Olga Georges Picot). Her fiancée was killed in Algeria. Denise’s assignment, is to get close to a high ranking government cabinet minister, in order to report on what actions the French government is taking to protect de Gaulle. This in turn will help to aid the Jackal. Cyril Cusack’s (Harold and Maude), character is a gun maker. He assembles the murder weapon for the Jackal, which is an unusual looking weapon. Two time Emmy winner, Derek Jacobi (Frasier), plays the part of Caron. He is Lebel’s dedicated, and indispensable right hand man. Furthermore, there is Scotland Yard investigator, Inspector Thomas, a role acted by BAFTA nominee, Tony Britton (The Nearly Man). He assists with the manhunt. BAFTA nominee, Delphine Seyrig, (The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie), appears as Colette. She is a wealthy woman, who has had a sexual encounter with the Jackal, which may lead to her untimely death. Those are members of the rather large and talented cast that help to advance the narrative throughout the film.

“The Day of the Jackal,” is based on best-selling author Frederick Forsyth’s (The Dogs of War), 1971 suspense novel of the same name. Oscar winner Fred Zinnemann, (From Here to Eternity), directed the film. It was adapted for the screen by BAFTA nominee, Kenneth Ross (The Odessa File). After the first five minutes of the movie, there is no background score. Music can be heard from marching bands, and playing on the radio, but Zinnemann didn’t want a traditional score to distract the viewer. The sound effects that are heard, help to add a greater sense of realism to what is transpiring on screen. Cinematographer Jean Tournier (The Train), did an excellent job of capturing the European locations. The film premiered on May 16, 1973, in New York City. Parts crime, drama, and thriller, the movie has a runtime of 143 minutes.  

Will the OAS get their revenge using the Jackal as their instrument of execution? Does Lebel figure out the true identity of the ghost, who is haunting his every waking hour before it is too late? What circumstances lead to the Jackal’s eventual success, or Lebel’s thwarting of the assassination of de Gaulle? All of those questions and more will be answered while watching the well paced and compelling film.