The Day of the Jackal

The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Timing: 2:23 (143 min)

7.506/10
521

7.711/10
10882

7.8/10
52000

All about film

Video 1

Photo 18

Actors and characters

Release date

1973-05-16

Country

France, United Kingdom

Production

Universal Pictures, Universal Productions France S.A., Warwick Productions, Warwick Film Productions

Genre

Action, Thriller

Budget

$0

Revenue

$16 056 255

Website

Director

Fred Zinnemann

Actors

Edward Fox, Terence Alexander, Michel Auclair, Alan Badel, Tony Britton, Denis Carey, Cyril Cusack, Maurice Denham, Michael Lonsdale, Vernon Dobtcheff
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Producer

John Woolf

Operator

Jean Tournier

Composer

Georges Delerue

Artist

Cliff Robinson

Audition

Margot Capelier, Jenia Reissar

Editing

Ralph Kemplen
All team (57)

• Michael Caine was suggested for the role of the Jackal, but Cinneman did not want to cast a star in the film; he preferred the lesser-known Edward Fox.
• During the filming of the final scene, in which Charles de Gaulle presents medals to war veterans, many supporting actors had no idea that the performer of this role, Adrien Caillaud-Leгран, bore a striking resemblance to the President of France. During the filming of the first take of the scene where the President exits the limousine, the crowd gasped in unison, and one of the elderly extras fainted.
• The French government provided all possible assistance to the filmmakers, in particular, providing military personnel and permits to film in places where cinematographers were usually not allowed, especially when filming scenes of the celebration of Liberation Day on August 25th.
• Following the film's release, British government structures responsible for managing archives and issuing passports tightened regulations to prevent the theft and use of the identities of deceased people, as done by the hitman known as the Jackal. According to Forsyth, this happened quite frequently in the 1960s. He tried to raise the alarm, but all his warning letters were ignored by the government until the release of this film.
• After the first 5 minutes, the film has no soundtrack – only music whose source is within the frame – marching bands, street musicians, radios. Director Fred Zinnemann deliberately avoided using music so as not to distract the viewer.
• The scenes of the parade celebrating Liberation Day were filmed during a real Liberation Day parade with real spectators who had no idea that filming was taking place. Because of this, many in the crowd mistook the arrests taking place nearby for genuine events and tried to offer assistance.
• Disguised as a war veteran, Edward Fox portrays a one-legged invalid. The actor could remain in that position for no more than 5 minutes.
• After the first 5 minutes, the film has no soundtrack – only music whose source is within the frame – marching bands, street musicians, radios. Director Fred Zinnemann specifically avoided using music so as not to distract the audience.