Thriller based on Frederick Forsyth's novel, starring Edward Fox and Michel Lonsdale. In 1963, having failed in its attempt to murder General de Gaulle, the hardline French Secret Army Organisation decides to hire a top professional killer to do the job properly. Codenamed the "Jackal", the seemingly unassuming Englishman begins to lay his intricate plans to assassinate one of the world's most powerful men.
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.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Fred Zinnemann |
