Accessibility Links
Skip to Main Content
Skip to Main Navigation
Skip to Footer
Magazine subscription offer
Holidays
Money
Newsletters
RT shop
RT Puzzles
Sign In
Register
Sign In
Register
Settings
Sign out
My account
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
Search
On TV
On TV
Now
On TV
Tonight
TV Guide
News
News
View all News
Drama
Entertainment
Sci-Fi
Fantasy
Sport
Documentary
Film
On Demand
On Demand
View all On Demand
Netflix
Amazon Prime Video
Soaps
Soaps
View all Soaps
Coronation Street
EastEnders
Emmerdale
Hollyoaks
Streaming
Streaming
View all Streaming
Disney+
Apple TV+
Britbox
Netflix
Amazon
NOW TV
Sky Box Sets
Film
Film
View all Film
Film news
Film picks
Sport
Radio
Mag Offer
Magazine subscription offer
Holidays
Money
Newsletters
RT shop
RT Puzzles
The Day of the Jackal
Fred Zinnemann
(1973)
136min
15 Certificate
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Email to a friend
Review
Our Score
by
David Parkinson
A magnificent script from Kenneth Ross and a masterly central performance from Edward Fox form the backbone of this big-screen version of Frederick Forsyth's bestselling novel. But it's Fred Zinnemann's matchless direction that makes it such compelling viewing and an object lesson in suspense. The pacing of the picture is superb, a methodical accumulation of detail that is as fastidious as Fox's preparation for his mission to assassinate General de Gaulle. Although the action crisscrosses Europe, there's no postcard prettiness, just a sure grasp of the atmosphere of each place before getting down to the business of the scene. The supporting cast is also first rate, with Cyril Cusack, Michel Lonsdale and Tony Britton outstanding.
Summary
A group of conspirators contracts the Jackal, a professional hitman, to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle of France. The killer starts to put his painstaking plans into action, creating a new identity, establishing his alibi and commissioning a custom-made weapon, while out-foxing the French police at every turn. Fred Zinnemann's adaptation of Frederick's Forsyth thriller, with Edward Fox, Michael Lonsdale, Alan Badel, Tony Britton and Cyril Cusack. Including FYI Daily.
Cast & Crew
The Jackal
Edward Fox
Claude Lebel
Michel Lonsdale
Minister
Alan Badel
Inspector Thomas
Tony Britton
President General Charles de Gaulle
Adrien Cayla-Legrand
Gunsmith
Cyril Cusack
Mallinson
Donald Sinden
Caron
Derek Jacobi
Colonel Rodin
Eric Porter
Colette de Montpelier
Delphine Seyrig
Denise
Olga Georges-Picot
Berthier
Timothy West
Director
Fred Zinnemann
see more
Other Information
Language:
English
Colour
Theatrical distributor:
Cinema International Corp. UK
Guidance:
May be edited for violence, swearing and brief nudity.
Available on:
video, DVD and Blu-ray
Drama
Full Episode Guide
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest News
Keeley Hawes on dealing with grief in new drama Finding Alice: "We have to get better at talking about death"
0h ago
Who is Grandfather Clock on The Masked Singer?
16 Jan
What channel is Leicester v Southampton on? Kick off time, live stream and latest team news
16 Jan
Who is Harlequin on The Masked Singer?
16 Jan