In this post, we look at one of the best political thrillers of all time, a classic that came out in the early ’70s. Having read the book, written by Frederick Forsyth, a year earlier, I was eagerly awaiting the release of the movie. The movie did not disappoint then and does not disappoint even today. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, the movie features Edward Fox and Michael Lonsdale in the lead roles. It is a joint production from the UK and France.

The plot is a cat-and-mouse game between a hired assassin, entrusted to kill French President Charles de Gaulle, and the French government, which is frantically trying to catch him before he carries out his mission.

The year is 1962, and President de Gaulle has just granted Algeria its freedom from French rule, but not everyone is happy. A group calling itself the OAS decides to assassinate him for this very reason. The OAS leader, Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry’s, botched attempt to kill de Gaulle leads to Thiry’s capture and subsequent execution.

As the French government closes in on the OAS, Rodin, its new leader, and two of his associates flee to Austria, hide in a high-rise building, and decide to make another attempt to assassinate the French President.

This time, they decide to bring in an outsider, a professional British hitman (Edward Fox) with the code name “The Jackal,” to carry out their plan. The Jackal is a true professional—ruthless, cunning, and prone to making few mistakes. Meanwhile, the French authorities catch wind of the meeting between the OAS men and the Jackal by apprehending and torturing one of their contacts.

However, the OAS has planted a mole in the government, a woman named Denise, posing as the mistress of Colonel St. Clair, a high-ranking official. She extracts information from St. Clair and passes it on to the OAS.

The Jackal makes his way through many countries in Europe before crossing the border into France. Armed with a custom-made rifle from Genoa, he travels to Paris, where he has planned the assassination. Meanwhile, Claude Lebel, a veteran government investigator, is brought into the case because of his keen insights.

Thus begins the cat-and-mouse game between the Jackal and the authorities. Will the Jackal have his proverbial day, or will the authorities catch him first? The rest of the plot answers this question.

Brilliantly directed by Zinnemann, with a screenplay by Kenneth Ross and excellent cinematography by Jean Tournier, The Day of the Jackal is an engaging watch. Broad in scope and filmed across numerous European locations, the movie is fast-paced and exciting.

Edward Fox plays the Jackal with seemingly effortless ease. Though slightly built, he effectively makes the Jackal realistic—appearing amiable with his easy smile, but ruthless and merciless in doing whatever it takes to complete his assignment. He leaves a trail of innocent, unsuspecting people he callously uses to serve his needs.

Michael Lonsdale also plays his part well, as Lebel, the determined investigator doing all he can to stop the Jackal. Hollywood later attempted a remake of the movie with Bruce Willis and Richard Gere, which did not come close to this classic. Do not miss this gem from decades ago.