The Day Of The Jackal (1971)

Name of film – The Day of the Jackal (1971)
Lizard film – 001
Chosen by – Jones
Date – August 2017

Director – Fred Zinnemann
Starring – Edward Fox
Duration – 145 mins
Genre – Thriller

Summary –

In 1971, Frederick Forsythe shot to bestseller status with his debut novel, The Day of the Jackal taut, utterly plausible, almost documentarian in its realism and attention to detail. Two years later, director Fred Zinnemann (High Noon) turned a gripping novel into a nail-biting cinematic experience.

August 1962: the latest attempt on the life of French President Charles de Gaulle by the far right paramilitary organisation, the OAS, ends in chaos, with its architect-in-chief dead at the hands of a firing squad. Demoralised and on the verge of bankruptcy, the OAS leaders meet in secret to plan their next move. In a last desperate attempt to eliminate de Gaulle, they opt to employ the services of a hired assassin from outside the fold. Enter the Jackal (Edward Fox, Gandhi): charismatic, calculating, cold as ice. As the Jackal closes in on his target, a race against the clock ensues to identify and put a stop to a killer whose identity, whereabouts and modus operandi are completely unknown.

Co-starring a plethora of talent from both sides of the Channel, including Michael Lonsdale (Munich), Derek Jacobi (The Odessa File) and Cyril Cusack (1984) and featuring striking cinematography by Jean Tournier (Moonraker), The Day of the Jackal remains one of the greatest political thrillers of all time.

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MASH’S SCORE & REVIEW

ACTING – 8.5
DIRECTING – 9
SCORE/AUDIO – 3
CINEMATOGRAPHY – 9
ENTERTAINMENT – 9

TOTAL – 38.5/50 = 77% ***

So, what I knew about the film to start with and what got the juices flowing immediately was that this film was about an assassin. Right down my alley. Who would play this role? A young deNiro or maybe Eastwood. No. Imagine my disappointment when a dead ringer for Frank Spencer hit the screen. In fact he couldn’t be more Frank Spencer if he wore a raincoat and a berret….oh he did! He only went and bloody did! But…my initial disappointment started to dissipate when I realised that the character wasn’t a blundering fool with an incontinent cat but a suave English gentleman, not dissimilar to a Mr Roger Moore – I hasten to not extend too many similarities here though as only the quintissential Mr Moore could wear a raincoat and beret with any successful degree of causality. I would wedge the main actor, Edward Fox, somewhere between Crawford and Moore in this area.

In all seriousness though, I found this movie to be cool and slick. It never tried too hard or forced its presence, merely ticked along nicely, building to its inevitable conclusion but with plenty of pleasant surprises along the way. Not least a naked Olga Picot. The epitome of this was Cyril Cusack’s character ‘The Gunsmith’ – a laidback but believable role and a mirror of the unscrupulously driven Jackal – with not a regard to the political or moral consequences their actions might have but just the job and reward at hand.

Yet no character in this story comes across as broadly evil. Until Fox murders Coren in the flat as he is exposed on TV. Now that was just bang out of order.

Amongst other impressive turns, Michael Lonsdale was also superb as the detective who seemed rather mismatched in comparison to the Jackal, yet in this deadly pursuit managed to save the day. Although it must be said, it should be asked of any assassin who turns his nose up at hitting the wrong side of a watermelon from 50 feet how he missed his ultimate target when it mattered most.

Zimmerman’ direction is at times breathtaking. The opening five minutes are devoid of dialogue yet told more of a story than the whole sum of Jabba’s DVD collection. The photography of Paris and its surrounding countryside is to be revered and sets a truly artistic and rustic feel to the movie.

What this film could really have done with was a score to match the quality bursting out of the seems from its other components. Apart from an ‘Allo-Allo’ type accordion which sounded as if it was being played through the backside of Rene’s Mother-in-Law and a smattering of piano that came unheralded from nowhere, there wasn’t actually a score to talk of. A decent musical accompaniment could only have built the tension further and complimented the high class acting on offer.

To conclude, this film is cool, cold and calculating like it’s killer – easy to follow but in no way dumbed down for, let’s say your typical movie lover from Fleetwood. Beautifully shot if not woefully underscored and with fine acting throughout I would recommend this film to any lover of spy or espionage films. The Fox played the jackal – and didn’t he do well…

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DREYER’S SCORE & REVIEW

ACTING – 8
DIRECTING – 10
SCORE/AUDIO – 6
CINEMATOGRAPHY – 9
ENTERTAINMENT – 9

TOTAL – 42/50 = 84% ****

The Day of the Jackal…a meticulously crafted cat-and-mouse political thriller based on an assassination attempt on French President, Charles De Gaulle.

The directing in this film is an absolute masterclass; full of suspense from the first jaw dropping five minutes to the exhilarating climax. Being devoid of dialogue for the first five minutes, the visual emphasis really envelops the viewer in the film’s context. Another of Zimmerman’s strengths is keeping his directing pure and simple…no flashbacks or great insights into key characters; the narrative just unravels at a methodical, yet deliciously executed pace. The film does nothing that doesn’t drive the story forwards. Even the dialogue is perfect: succinct and concise, and containing periods of silence which allow the viewer to marvel at every aspect of the film, from the punctilious idiosyncrasies of the Jackal, to the slick interchanges between scenes.

The cinematography is absolutely stunning…the cities, cars, clothes…everything about Europe in the 70s is exquisitely portrayed. However, all of this does not detract from the focus of each scene: there is just enough immersion for the viewer to soak in the atmosphere of each place, before the plotline chugs along.

In terms of acting, ‘Day of the Jackal’ is not a film which requires its cast to use everything in their toolkit, but – in part due to a brilliant script – every performance is in complete harmony with the tense, suspenseful atmosphere Zimmerman wanted to  create. The French police inspector is wonderfully underplayed by Michel Lonsdale, but it is Edward Fox’s portrayal of ‘the Jackal’ that really captivates the audience. From his suave, aquiline features to his chiselled jaw and curt, but charming tones, Edward Fox’s impact on this film is as huge as Steve Chambers’ waistline!!! And that is no mean feat! Despite being a cold blooded assassin, I just loved the way he interacted with people in everyday life in such a charming and courteous manner. Whether he was buying fruit form a market, or negotiating the construction of his weapon, he oozed charm and self-assurance to such an extent that it was easy to forget that he was the villain in the story. He would happily converse and give time to anybody, which made it all the more shocking when he ruthlessly murdered his victims (especially that dweeb he met in the sauna!!)… his genial demeanour and winning smile quickly evaporating in the blink of an eye as witnessed in a moment early on when he deals with someone stupid enough to try to cross him; two swift, savage barehanded blows and the man is dead. Boom! Take that you twat!!!

Although the movie could definitely have benefitted from a more prominent soundtrack, I also feel the lack of music focussed the senses on other elements (footsteps on cobbles…the rev of a car engine…the click of a trigger), which added to the ambience of the film.

Despite knowing the ending of the film before it began, I found ‘Day of the Jackal’ an incredibly engrossing watch and worthy of any accolades bestowed upon it! A top film.

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ACTING                    82.5%
DIRECTING                 95%
SCORE/AUDIO            45%
CINEMATOGRAPHY   90%
ENTERTAINMENT       90%
TOTAL SCORE          80.5%

(MM – 77%          RD – 84%)

**** LIZARDMAN RATING OF 4 STARS ****