The Day of the Jackal-Movie

First of all my advice would be to read the novel by Fredrick Forsyth. It's not worth missing. However, for those who would prefer a movie instead, this movie runs quite true to the original novel. The amount of effort and painstaking research that went into the novel has been beautifully translated in the movie.

The Plot

President Charles De Gaulle of France has given autonomy to Algeria, which is being vehemently opposed by certain hardliners in French Army. They consider it as treason and form a group called the OAS to assassinate De Gaulle. After some failed assassination attempts on De Gaulle, the group hires a professional killer, The Jackal , for the task. As the plan leaks out due to infiltration in OAS, the French Police officials are geared up to stall any further assassination attempts.

The movie details the meticulous planning of the Jackal as well as equally determined efforts of the authorities to capture him.

Discussion

The build-up of the movie is slow. The background of assassination of De Gaulle is explained, while subtly outlining the seriousness with which the loyal supporters of De Gaulle tried to foil those attempts.

The hiring of jackal and his planning is what builds up the excitement. He is a no-nonsense customer, who goes into thorough and meticulous planning . His choice of time of assassination, venue, methodology of killing etc, all have been shared with the viewers. No extra efforts have been put to show him extremely dangerous or perverted sort of character. However the intensity with which he is involved in his task can be felt by the audience.

The movie takes a turn as the cover of the OAS is blown and the French government is aware that an assassination attempt on De Gaulle's life is planned. The focus of the movie then shifts towards the pursuit of the Jackal, and the movie gathers further momentum. The viewer is filled with excitement, knowing fully well that the Jackal is way ahead in his plans, when the police are just beginning. However, the co-ordinated efforts of the Police force of France (Suerette) and England (Scotland Yard) , slowly but surely reduce the lead of the master assassin.

The police are almost always shown as a mere buffoon in most of the thrillers and their only role is that of an impressed bystander, overawed by the outstanding ingenuity of the detective (who actually solved the rather silly crime). However in this film, the amount of efforts put in by the police department or the oft-criticised politicians is shown in great detail.

A different approach of making a thriller

In this movie there are no overdoses of women or sex; in fact at the first instant the movie seems too simplistic. This movie is different in the sense that the discipline is always maintained, and not once does the movie loose its focus. Unlike many movie adaptations of various novels, neither the villain Jackal nor his pursuer Claude Lebel is shown as Super Men . The appearances of both are quite deceptive, both are unassuming characters, but they have one thing in common, a sharp mind.

The Jackal is shown to be focused personality, who even after he learns that his cover is blown, nevertheless takes calculated risks and stays put on his goal.

Lebel is shown to understand the kind of person he is pursuing. Not for one moment does he underestimate his adversary.