IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > The Day of the Jackal (1973)
The Day of the Jackal
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Day of the Jackal (1973) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 21 | slideshow) Videos (see all 3)
The Day of the Jackal (1973) -- A professional assassin codenamed "Jackal" plots to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France.
The Day of the Jackal (1973) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   12,671 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Frederick Forsyth (book)
Kenneth Ross (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Day of the Jackal on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 July 1973 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The Jackal spent 71 days,56 minutes thinking a bullet into the brain of de Gaulle more
Plot:
A professional assassin codenamed "Jackal" plots to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 10 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(3 articles)
User Comments:
Proof that creativity and 'Hollywood formulas' are at cross purposes. more (146 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Edward Fox ... The Jackal
Terence Alexander ... Lloyd
Michel Auclair ... Colonel Rolland
Alan Badel ... The Minister
Tony Britton ... Inspector Thomas
Denis Carey ... Casson
Adrien Cayla-Legrand ... The President
Cyril Cusack ... The Gunsmith
Maurice Denham ... General Colbert

Vernon Dobtcheff ... The Interrogator
Jacques François ... Pascal (as Jacques Francois)
Olga Georges-Picot ... Denise
Raymond Gérôme ... Flavigny (as Raymond Gerome)
Barrie Ingham ... St. Clair

Derek Jacobi ... Caron
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Chacal (France)
A sakál napja (Hungary) [hu]
Chacal (Canada: French title) [fr]
Chacal (Spain) [es]
Dani sakala (Serbia) [sr]
Der Schakal (West Germany) [de]
Dzien szakala (Poland) [pl]
El día del chacal (Argentina) [es]
I ora tou tsakaliou (Greece) [el]
Il giorno dello sciacallo (Italy) [it]
O Dia do Chacal (Brazil) [pt]
Schakalen (Sweden) [sv]
Shakaali (Finland) [fi]
Sjakalen (Norway) [no]
Sjakalen (Denmark) [da]
more
Runtime:
143 min
Country:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Roger Moore revealed in an interview on Icelandic television in December 2005 that producer John Woolf allegedly wanted him to play the Jackal. Director 'Fred Zimmerman' rejected him since Moore was too popular from his role in "The Saint" (1962) and too tall. He wanted someone who could walk in a crowd and not be recognized or stand out. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the Brits find the bogus passport application it's reported as having been applied for on July 14th and mailed on the 17th. Later when Lebel is announcing the find he says that that the passport was issued on July 30th. more
Quotes:
The Jackal: You see, gentlemen, not only have your own efforts failed, but you've rather queered the pitch for everyone else.
Casson: How dare you suggest that?
The Jackal: In this work you simply can't afford to be emotional. That's why you've made so many mistakes.
Col. Rodin: But if we decided to employ a professional...
The Jackal: You have to employ a professional. Your organization is so riddled with informants that nothing you decide is a secret for long.
more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

Is Charles Calthrop The Jackal?
How does the movie differ from the book?
Is the film based on a true story?
more
61 out of 74 people found the following comment useful.
Proof that creativity and 'Hollywood formulas' are at cross purposes., 19 February 2005
10/10
Author: devilinajeep from United States

Many films of recent years have had the potential to live on and become "classics," but all too often the 'Hollywood formula' for success makes them obsolete in a few short years. Having seen the 1997 remake, I was reluctant to watch the original, released in 1973. But I am certainly glad that I did. I would probably rate the original version a 9 had I not seen the newer one but I couldn't resist comparing the 2 and ultimately giving it a 10. It's historical accuracy might leave you wondering whether it is a true story or not because all of the characters are genuine and believable. It is intriguing, clever and offers a bit of suspense, all in the absence of romantic departures, gratuitous sex and unexplained violence. It's a well-researched, well-written story that was expertly adapted to film.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (146 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Day of the Jackal (1973)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Accents were hillarious xian_666
Similar films? AllyLamont
Has anyone thought dentmonster78
Funniest Moment rh86
The Jackals mistakes civetcat
why does IMDB not list Mad.deMontpellier Foxsrus1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
La coda dello scorpione Die Stille nach dem Schuß La battaglia di Algeri Cosa avete fatto a Solange? Que la fête commence...
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Drama section IMDb UK section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.