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The Day of the Jackal [DVD]

Edward Fox (Actor), Terence Alexander (Actor), Fred Zinnemann (Director) | Format: DVD
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Actors: Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair, Alan Badel, Tony Britton
  • Directors: Fred Zinnemann
  • Writers: Frederick Forsyth, Kenneth Ross
  • Producers: David Deutsch, John Woolf, Julien Derode
  • Format: Anamorphic, Full Screen, PAL
  • Language: Spanish, German, French, Italian, English
  • Subtitles: English, German, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Danish, Hungarian, Polish, Dutch, Finnish, Czech, Greek, Bulgarian
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Run Time: 143 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000056CS3
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 383,175 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)

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Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

With its high-intensity plot about an attempt to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle, the bestselling novel by Frederick Forsyth was a prime candidate for screen adaptation. Director Fred Zinnemann brought his veteran skills to bear on what has become a timeless classic of screen suspense. Not to be confused with the later remake The Jackal starring Bruce Willis (which shamelessly embraced all the bombast that Zinnemann so wisely avoided), this 1973 thriller opts for lethal elegance and low-key tenacity in the form of the Jackal, the suave assassin played with consummate British coolness by Edward Fox. He's a killer of the highest order, a master of disguise and international elusiveness, and this riveting film follows his path to de Gaulle with an intense, straightforward documentary style. Perhaps one of the last great films from a bygone age of pure, down-to-basics suspense (and a kind of debonair European alternative to the American grittiness of The French Connection), The Day of the Jackal is a cat-and-mouse thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat until its brilliantly executed final scene (pardon the pun), by which time Fox has achieved cinematic immortality as one of the screen's most memorable killers. --Jeff Shannon

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my Top Ten Films of all Time. 8 April 2006
By B Loughrey
Format:DVD
I have just looked at the Day of the Jackal for the umpententh time and it never fails to impress. Edward Fox plays the lead role expertly as the assasain in this outstanding thriller from the pages of Fredrick Forseyth's novel. I thought the book was outstanding but the film portrays the story brilliantly. An edge of your seat experience and one in which you will not be dissapointed.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars first rate thriller about a plot to assassinate de Gaulle 22 July 2004
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Think of the problem here in terms of suspense: "The Day of the Jackal" is the story of meticulous hitman (Edward Fox) who is hired by disgruntled French generals to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. But we all know that de Gaulle was NOT assassinated, so how does this film achieve suspense? The answer is: extremely well. This is a superior thriller from the novel by Frederick Forsyth and directed by Fred Zinnemann ("High Noon"), who gives equal weight to the professional preparations of the assassin and the dogged efforts of the French detectives to run down the "Jackal." The audience is placed in the position of actually rooting for both sides as the story develops. The excellent cast includes Michel Lonsdale, Delphine Seyrig, Alan Badel, Cyril Cusack and Derek Jacobi. "The Day of the Jackal" offers an unforgettable conclusion in which you come to the moment you thought was impossible, as the Jackal finally gets de Gaulle in his sights.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling, compelling viewing - every time! 24 May 2012
By David P TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
EDIT: Should probably have said when I first wrote this - just in case there is anyone left on the planet who does not know the story, there is a slight spoiler in here. If you haven't seen it and don't know the story, stop reading!

The mark of a truly great thriller is when you can watch it over and over again and it still grips and entertains - and Day Of The Jackal delivers here in spades. I never tire of watching this film, and every time when the climax is reached, you are left thinking "will he manage it this time?".

Edward Fox is a seriously underrated actor, and the cold-blooded ruthless malevolence he manages to convey through a facade of such quintessentially British genteelness is a real masterpiece.

A truly great piece of story telling from a pre-internet pre-mobiles pre-instant-communication and yet so recent era. Wonderful.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Still fresh
Fast paced and well thought out plot, turned into a great film. Stands the test of time and still comes up fresh.
Published 19 days ago by Elizabeth Jane Browning
4.0 out of 5 stars The day of the jackal
The film is well worth watching and as I now own the DVD I can watch over and over again.
The sound track is not quite so good as it could be
Published 1 month ago by alec
4.0 out of 5 stars Original is always best
Proof that the desperate later offering with Bruce Willis was a mistake. Fantastic film with Edward Fox at his absolute best playing the cold hearted assassin. Read more
Published 2 months ago by M. Walton
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best films !
The story of what mght have happened. De Gaulle freed Algeria from France's rule. The Army never forgave him. He could not trust the Gendarmes. The Police were unreliable. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Downsman
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining retro thriller
Love all these old thrillers: partly like to see the cars and clothes styles, but mainly the actors, plotting, and direction are often better than many contemporary films IMO. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. V. A. Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling to watch
This is one of my favourite films. Fantastic performances, superb direction, brilliant story and sparse script. It is compelling to watch from beginning to end. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Darkbloom
2.0 out of 5 stars US format unreadable
The US DVD format is unreadable on my equipment, so I can't watch it. I was not aware the US used a different DVD format than in UK.
Published 2 months ago by Giles
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best films ever.
The film is an almost literal transcription of Frederick Forsyth's novel from print to screen. It captures exactly the characters in the book, and makes them believable. Read more
Published 3 months ago by MarkP
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic film
Excellent stuff. The modern remake is good but considering the budget on the original, Edward Fox was a newcomer. It was smashing. Read more
Published 3 months ago by David Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars Super story
Also bought the kindle - had forgotten what superb story this is and based on truth in France at that time.
Published 4 months ago by L. Clark
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