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The Day of the Jackal

Play trailer Poster for The Day of the Jackal PG Released Jul 30, 1973 2h 21m Mystery & Thriller Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 32 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
An underground French paramilitary group is intent on eliminating President Charles de Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand), but when numerous attempts on his life fail, they resort to hiring the infamous hit man known as "The Jackal" (Edward Fox). As the enigmatic assassin prepares to shoot de Gaulle, he takes out any problematic people along the way. Meanwhile, Lebel (Michel Lonsdale), a savvy Parisian police detective, begins to solve the mystery of the killer's identity.
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Critics Consensus

The Day of the Jackal is a meticulously constructed thriller with surprising irreverence and taut direction.

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Critics Reviews

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Penelope Gilliatt New Yorker It is the sustained gentleness of Fred Zinnemann’s professional temperament that makes the picture a clockwork amusement to watch. Mar 4, 2024 Full Review Keith Uhlich (All (Parentheses)) Possesses a tonal coldness that aligns viewers with the assassin’s reptilian machinations. —Guest post by Michael Joshua Rowin Dec 20, 2022 Full Review William B. Collins Philadelphia Inquirer As the tension rises, you feel terribly helpless. You just have to sit there and let it happen. Jun 14, 2022 Full Review John Hofsess Maclean's Magazine Day Of The Jackal is not a great film, but it’s a damn good one, one of the very few films released this year that is worth all the trouble and expense of going out to the movies. Jun 15, 2022 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Director Fred Zinnemann, scripter Kenneth Ross, and editor Ralph Kemplen (earning this film's sole Oscar nomination) all deserve high marks. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 2, 2020 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times It's Fred Zinnemann's matchless direction that makes it such compelling viewing and an object lesson in suspense. Rated: 5/5 Apr 24, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Sheila B I cannot imagine any remake being as good as the first version. As good as the book and faithful. Fox is perfection as the Jackal, completely devoid of emotional. The entire cast is perfection and Lonsdale is excellent as his nemesis. Even though you know DeGaulle died a natural death, neither the book nor movie makes you think of that. One of my all-time favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review andrea m Fantastic police film with first cooperation between police authorities of different countries prior to nowdays interpol and similar. While shooting to US President seems easy to kill a French President like De Gaulle is not similarly easy when the killer is investigated by so efficient (without any brute force limitation) detectives. Very Nice. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Spooky T Meticulously filmed, tight, technically proficient, and superbly acted Thriller. Edward Fox is ace as the professionally ruthless assassin. Set in a wonderful Paris that, sadly, no longer has the same clean joie de virve. A masterpiece that is well worth revisiting. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Jelisije J If you want a realistic movie about how a government back in the day tried to track a killer who is plotting to assassinate the president of France then you will get an instant classic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/29/24 Full Review Fer S When I thought this movie was getting slow it started to pick up speed and gained great suspense. Amazing acting, great shots and a very intelligent plot. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/26/24 Full Review Film T Great film and highly recommended Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/20/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Day of the Jackal

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis An underground French paramilitary group is intent on eliminating President Charles de Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand), but when numerous attempts on his life fail, they resort to hiring the infamous hit man known as "The Jackal" (Edward Fox). As the enigmatic assassin prepares to shoot de Gaulle, he takes out any problematic people along the way. Meanwhile, Lebel (Michel Lonsdale), a savvy Parisian police detective, begins to solve the mystery of the killer's identity.
Director
Fred Zinnemann
Producer
John Woolf, David Deutsch, Julian Derode
Screenwriter
Frederick Forsyth, Kenneth Ross
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Rating
PG
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 30, 1973, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 11, 2015
Runtime
2h 21m
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