Search - The Day of the Jackal on DVD

The Day of the Jackal

Actor(s): Edward Fox, Michel Lonsdale, Alan Badel, Michel Auclair, Tony Britton
Director(s): Fred Zinnemann
10

Movie Details

MPAA Rating: PG
Content Advisory: Violence
Movie Release: 1973
DVD Release: 04/29/1998
Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
Edition: Special Collection
Audio Tracks: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 2 hrs 23 mins
Studio: Universal Studios
Members Wishing: 2
Genres: Thriller, Political Thriller

DVD Synopsis

In this involving political thriller, a secret French paramilitary organization plans to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand) because of their disagreement with his policies during the Algerian War. They hire a professional killer, known only as "The Jackal" (Edward Fox). The police learn of the plot from an informer, and police investigator Lebel (Michel Lonsdale) cleverly pieces together the clues to the Jackal's identity. The complicated plot uses parallel editing to cross-cut between the details of the Jackal's preparations for the assassination and Lebel's efforts to find him before it is too late. Fred Zinnemann presents the story, faithfully adapted from the book by Frederick Forsyth, with precise, dramatic flair. Edward Fox is coldly alluring as the Jackal. Well acted and directed, Day of the Jackal is a tense and engrossing political thriller with a surprising ending. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide

Actors

Edward Fox - "The Jackal"
Michel Lonsdale - Lebel
Alan Badel - The Minister
Michel Auclair - Colonel Rolland
Tony Britton - Inspector Thomas
Terry Alexander - Lloyd

Editorial Review of DVD

Fred Zinnemann's The Day of the Jackal comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include the theatrical trailer, talent biographies, and production notes. This is a fine release from Universal. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Member Movie Reviews

Jon B. (starlostchild) from RALEIGH, NC wrote on 8/16/2009...

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

This movie closely follows the book, which has become required reading for the CIA and FBI. While not all the details are in the movie, it is understandable, because the movie has to be of a certain length. However, this is as true to the book as I have seen and the book is amazing. This movie is amazing.