The Day of the Jackal -1973
Director
Fred Zinnemann

Writers
Frederick Forsyth – novel
Kenneth Ross – screenplay

Cast
Edward Fox
Terence Alexander
Michel Auclair

Review by Wayne Malin

Very well-done,

Entertaining drama about a killer for hire named the Jackal (Edward Fox) hired to kill Charles DeGaulle in 1962. It follows step by step his preparations for the assassination and the authorities trying to track him down.

Story has a huge cast of mostly unknown character actors which makes it seem more believable (i.e. in the 1997 remake Bruce Willis played the Jackal and you were always aware you were watching Willis). Also Fox is all too believable as a killer. The plot also takes place all over Europe jumping around from country to country. Despite the large cast and multiple story lines I was never confused and thoroughly engrossed. Expert direction by Zimmerman helps also.

I have one small complaint–it goes on a bit too long. I was a little bored by the final half-hour. Still, this is a well-done thriller worth catching.

I give it an 8.