The Day Of The Jackal [DVD] [2010] [2003]

Great dvd arrived quickly

In short, it's first rate. One of those rare occasions when a film is a match for the book.

A great read. Suspense right until the end.

The Day of the Jackal (Fred Zinnemann, 1973, 143')Writers: Frederick Forsyth (book), Kenneth Ross (screenplay).Stars: Edward Fox, Michel Lonsdale, Delphine Seyrig, Olga Georges-Picot.Ratings: 7.8/10 from 18,749 usersReviews: 165 user | 27 criticFilm adaptation of the 1971 thriller about a professional assassin who is contracted by the OAS (Organisation de l'Armée Secrète), a French military terrorist group of the early 1960's, to kill the President of France. The novel had received admiring reviews and praise when first published in 1971, and it got a 1972 Best Novel Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. While the OAS did exist as described in the novel, and the book opens with an accurate depiction of the OAS Petit-Clamart attempt on the life of President de Gaulle, the subsequent plot is fiction.I never read the book, and I now only finally saw the film because I felt it was about time to fill that gap in my knowledge. It was well worth seeing, though a bit long, better than the William Friedkin's near-contemporary French Connection (1971) - I here agree with at least one fellow-reviewer - perhaps at par with Louis Malle's Le voleur (1967), and definitely inferior to Le cercle rouge by Jean-Pierre Melville (1970).Malle's, in a way, is a French made thriller like Day of the Jackal is British made, and offers many other parallels - not least that it was perfectly made. The two films have similar shortcomings, though I would definitely rate them 4 out of 5 each. Thrillers - and that is also correct for quite a few Hichcock's - are simply not top films per se. Fred Zinnemann, by the way, is in the same group - he is also not up to his own top High Noon (1952).155 - The Day of the Jackal (Fred Zinnemann, 1973, 143') - 12/9/2012

A brilliant film of a brilliant book

The story is, of course, compelling - and based on the truth that there were underground groups around in the 60s that wanted to assassinate General De Gaulle. I'm not giving away more than that, or I'd ruin it, but the performances are just excellent, all round. I have seen nothing today that can touch them. And, of course, it's always a pleasure to see the beautiful Italian and French scenery, lit up in sunlight. The border crossing at Menton and shots of the mountain roads brought back some wonderful memories of the South of France. But whilst that's just a personal aside, if you have never seen this film, I'd urge to; you won't be disappointed. It's a long film, so settle down for the viewing, be thoroughly entertained and fall in love with the old Paris taxis (Citroën DS) and other classic (classy) motors of the age in this brilliant ride, which has twists and turns right up until the end.

Great plot and acting.

Much was made at the time about the Jackals missed shot, the Englishman not anticipating the French tradition of De Gaulle bending for the kiss on the soldiers cheeks.Its the little things.