The Day of the Jackal
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Movie Reviews of The Day of the Jackal
Movie Review: Brilliant film based on a superb novel, Edward Fox is fantastic
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is a superb interpretation of the great Frederick Forsyth novel based on the assasination attempt on Charles De Gaulle.
Apply all the hyperpole here; riveting, gripping, tense, suspenseful. The pace is so smooth as we follow every move of the hired assassin as he prepares each detail in his preparation for the final coup.
Edward Fox is brilliantly lethal in the role of the assassin. He portrays the cool professionalism of the assassin so well, we are one with him in his determination to succeed. As in Forsyth's book, the film recreates the fascinating role of the assassin as he pursues his deadly aim, step by step.
This movie is unique in it's intense focus on the story, and it's lack of film-ish-ness, so our suspension of disbelief is complete from beginning to end. For all that, there is nothing dry and documentary about this film-it is enthralling story-telling from start to finish.
Movie Review: A Tour de Force
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one great film- almost a tour de force. It is rare that a film comes off as good as the book it was adapted from, but in this case the film is just as good as its most excellent book 'The Day of the Jackal'.After reading the very powerful Frederick Forsythe novel, and seeing this film was made in the 1960-1970's era, I was hopeful at best that the film would be somewhat as good as the book. But this film surpassed my best expectations and proves to be extremely effective and stylish even today. It has nothing of the dowdy or cheezyness of the 70's, nor the poor quality acting or production as one might fear. It was a very cutting-edge film, and still is today; it was very ahead of its time.
The story- that of a mysterious man hired to assissinate the French President Charles De Gaulle- while at the same time himself being hunted by top-notch government privates, is very exciting and effective here.
Movie Review: One of the Greatest Movies Ever Made
Summary: 5 Stars
This film version of Fredrick Forsyth's best seller Day of the Jackal is incredible. Filmed on location in Europe, the story follows a French terrorist organization's (the OAS) plot to assassinate Charles DeGaulle following the French pullout from Algeria. The OAS had been dealt quite a blow following a previous attempt on DeGaulle's life and now its only option is to hire an international assassin played by Edward Fox.
The storyline and the subtle ways the director shows the passage of time are marvelous. Edward Fox truley shows how cold and ruthless the Jackal is, and the methods he would go to get his ends.
The modern version of this film (the Jackal starring Richard Gere) doesn't even come close to the cinnematic masterpiece that Director Fred Zinnemann presents in Day of the Jackal. This is one film that one can watch over and over, it is a true classic.
Movie Review: Superb suspense movie from start to finish!
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is for the 1998 widescreen DVD release by Universal.
This is a truly great movie. The plot is riveting and screen writing is flawless. The villain is Edward Fox who plays the "The Jackal", a hitman who is hired to kill French leader General Charles de Gaulle. The movie shows how the Jackal goes to great lengths and uses ingenious methods in attempting to assassinate de Gaulle. Likewise, the police authorities use intelligence and tireless detective work to track him down which builds up to a great ending. There are so many things to like about this movie, but what also stands out for me is that all of the actors are virtually unknown to American cinema. The widescreen color DVD transfer is sharp and pristine. A must-have DVD for any person who loves intrigue and suspense!
Movie: A+
DVD Quality: A
Movie Review: Hard, cold and perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
A great film adaptation of a great novel by Frederick Forsyth. The film, by Director Fred Zimmermann, is a cold, calculating look at the maneuverings of a professional shooter hired to assassinate Charles De Gaulle. The mercurial Edward Fox plays the professional killer, codenamed Jackal. It is a great performance - a thinking reptile imitating a human being. His gaze is always flat and even, always regarding things in terms of strength and weakness, risk and reward.
This film is the thinking man's thriller, and the flat documentary style of the film only seems to add to the tension and believability. The great thing about this film is that it assumes a high level of intelligence and sophistication of the viewer. No splatter bags necessary here. The tension is watching a great performance by Fox, cutting like a thin, bright blade through a soft world.