The Day of The Jackal (1973)

The Day of the Jackal British poster image courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

Director Fred Zinnemann and Universal Pictures delivered The Day of the Jackal to movie theaters in 1973. Edward Fox stars as the international assassin, with Alan Badel, Tony Britton, Cyril Cusack and Michel Lonsdale along for the gripping ride.

Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal

The Day of the Jackal is based on the 1971 best-selling novel of the same name by British writer Frederick Forsyth. A former Royal Air Force pilot, Forsyth also penned such thriller fare as The Odessa File (1972), The Fourth Protocol (1984) and The Fist of God (1994).

Kenneth Ross wrote the screenplay for Warwick Film Productions, Ltd. Fred Zinnemann (High Noon, From Here to Eternity, A Man for All Seasons) directed. Georges Delerue created the movie’s unique diegetic/background music score while Jean Tournier served as cinematographer.

The Day of the Jackal Cast

Edward Fox stars as The Jackal. Other players include Terence Alexander (Lloyd), Michael Auclair (Colonel Rolland), Alan Badel (The Minister), Tony Britton (Inspector Thomas), Cyril Cusack (The Gunsmith), Denis Carey (Casson), Adrien Cayla-Legrand (President de Gaulle), Maurice Denham (General Colbert), Vernon Dobtcheff (The Interrogator), Jacques Francois (Pascal), Michel Lonsdale (Claude Lebel), Olga Georges-Picot (Denise), Derek Jacobi (Caron), Ronald Pickup (The Forger), Eric Porter (Colonel Rodin), Delphine Seyrig (Colette), David Swift (Montclair) and Timothy West (Berthier).

Producer John Woolf’s first choice for The Jackal had reportedly been Roger Moore, who was subsequently rejected by the director because he was too recognizable from his role as TV’s The Saint (1962-69). Others considered for the lead were Michael Caine and Jack Nicholson.

The Day of the Jackal Filmed in Europe

An Anglo-French production, The Day of the Jackal was filmed in Europe. Locations used included France (Paris, Nice, Tulle, French Riviera), England (London), Austria (Vienna) and Italy (Genoa, Imperia).

As with his western classic High Noon (1952), director Fred Zinnemann made skillful use of ticking clocks. In all, 31 clock inserts were used to convey the heightening tension as The Jackal closes in for the kill.

The Near Assassination of Charles de Gaulle

Set in 1963, The Day of the Jackal’s intricate plot centers on the ultra-nationalist Organisation de l’armee secrete (OAS), whose members are enraged following the signing of the Evian agreements granting Algerian independence from France. The OAS plans to kill President Charles de Gaulle in retaliation, and turns to a professional British assassin who demands $500,000 for the job.

Operating under the code name “The Jackal,” the loner assassin begins his methodical preparations, obtaining forged documents and a specially modified lightweight rifle with telescopic site. Discovering that the OAS has hired an unknown killer to knock off de Gaulle, the French government brings in its top detective, Deputy Commissioner Claude Lebel, who is given unlimited resources in his hunt for the assassin.

Tipped off that the French authorities are on to the plot, The Jackal opts to complete his assignment, penetrating heavy security during Liberation Day festivities and gathering de Gaulle in his sights.

The Day of the Jackal Opens in New York City

The Day of the Jackal opened at New York City’s Loew’s State 2 and Orpheum Theaters on May 16, 1973.

“Fred Zinnemann’s The Day of the Jackal is one hell of an exciting movie. I wasn’t prepared for how good it really is…” crowed Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times (7/3/73).

“Edward Fox is a very natty-looking assassin…In the supporting cast are some of the best actors in England and France, including Michel Lonsdale as a French supercop and Delphine Seyrig as a bossy baroness whom the assassin encounters en route to his date with destiny,” reported Vincent Canby of The New York Times (5/17/73).

Film Analysis

In the movie thriller genre they don’t come any finer than The Day of the Jackal, Fred Zinnemann’s classic study of an international assassin at work. Edward Fox is low-key brilliant as the professional hit man (that’s $250,000 up front and another $250,000 when the job is completed), who methodically stalks President de Gaulle.

The Day of the Jackal is outstanding in its painstaking attention to detail. The mysterious Jackal is seen gathering all the trade craft needed for the job, including forged identity papers, disguises and a special rifle with mounted scope and silencer.

Turning in a quiet, competent performance is Michel Lonsdale as France’s top investigator. This is a gem of a role, with Lonsdale ferreting out a mole in the French government and eventually coming face to face with his elusive quarry in a Paris hotel room.

Viewers won’t easily forget The Jackal, who disguises himself as an old, handicapped, decorated World War I veteran on Liberation Day. Deftly slipping through security, The Jackal assembles the rifle that was hidden in his crutch and sets up shop in the sniper’s nest, patiently waiting for de Gaulle to arrive.

The Day of the Jackal Oscar Nomination, Movie Memorabilia, DVD

• The Day of the Jackal garnered one Academy Award nomination: Best Film Editing (Ralph Kemplen).
• Auction results for original The Day of the Jackal movie material, courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries, Dallas, Texas: one sheet poster ($16), British one sheet poster ($28), Japanese poster ($29), set of eight lobby cards ($24).
• On DVD: The Day of the Jackal (Universal, 1998).

“Considering you expect to get France in return, I’d have thought it a reasonable price,” The Jackal coolly replies after Montclair blanches at the assassin’s $500,000 fee.

The OAS only had to pay half…