The Day of the Jackal

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The Day of the Jackal

PG

Released Jul 30, 1973

2h 21m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

33 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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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

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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

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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

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…a great movie because of the detail…the Jackal is the logical extension of the triumph of money over the human spirit, an remorseless killer with zero inner life, existing only to thwart the will of the people for his own personal gain...

Rated: 5/5

Nov 15, 2024

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Film T

Great film and highly recommended

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

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Fred Zinnemann

Director

Edward Fox

The Jackal

Michaël Lonsdale

Lebel

Tony Britton

Inspector Thomas

Terence Alexander

Lloyd

Cyril Cusack

The Gunsmith

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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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