The Scene of your life:The Day of the Jackal

Rest in peace Frederick Forsyth...

[ricardocantoral]

Casting Edward Fox was an inspired idea. He looks like an ordinary man on holiday but when he is operating, assembling the components for the assassination, there is a steely determination in his eyes that makes Fox believable in the role.

[KellyUK]

"Considering you'd expect to get France in return, I'd have thought it a reasonable price"

[louthegiantcookie]

One of the best parts of Fox's performance is how personable he makes The Jackal. He smiles and laughs a lot, is clearly very witty, even kind to people around him at times. It creates a stark, sometimes eerie disconnect between this charming man and how he suddenly switches to being an ice cold killer.

[chriswilson]

Edward Fox as the Jackal is fantastic. Just as I imagined him in the book.

[sdkelmaruecan]

Just noticed a detail, near the end (3:29) when they say goodbye, the door has just been opened and Jean Martin's character (who was outside all the time) is now able to hear the man calling him "Jackal"... later it'll play a pivotal role since it's the only detail he'll remember when being tortured by the police. If it wasn't for that slip of tongue, the police would never have gotten that code-name, kind of validates the Jackal's warning about secrecy and shows that from the start, any mistake can be fatal to the plot.

[jamesdrynan]

A superb political thriller. Based on a Frederick Forsyth story, Zinnemann directed a perfect cast. Despite a 145 minute runtime, the film zips by quickly, the attention to detail is exquisite. Fox was flawless as the Jackal, cool, professional and deadly. Michael Lonsdale as Lebel was the model of efficiency as the hunter. 10 out of 10!

[damianbyrne]

Fox would have a made a brilliant James Bond: cool, charming, yet utterly ruthless...

[ICSAMMAN]

It's an incredible film. One of the best.

[KB-svfm]

Edward Fox has an intelligence and nerve that can’t be matched by Bruce Willis.

[ibmiequ]

1973, and still remarkable movie. I watched it many times.

[theretiredmariner]

Not too often the film is as good as the book, but this is, truly great on both counts

[James-xmoq]

I never saw anyone completely, intimidate a room before. Characters or actors. Their jaws hit the floor the moment the Jackal walks in.💓😎

[martinbrandt]

“It’s possible. The problem is getting away with it. And speaking as a professional, that’s a very important consideration.”

[jacksonsmagic]

I have watched this film so many times over the years, it is notable for its total lack of music overlay, a classic.

[dkv]

RIP Frederick Forsyth. 9 June 2025. Tribute from Mhow, Central India

[hugodrax]

Truly great film. A thriller that oozes style and class.

[neilewart]

I never tire of watching this film. Edward Fox is superb, the rest of the cast very believable, the script brilliant.

[dappergent]

One of the best films ever made. I love Edward Fox. When you see his family members, they all look so alike, especially his grandson, Freddie.

[tajunoor]

Nice line "Use your network to rob some banks"

[RB-edux]

What an extraordinary characterisation by Fox. He's one of my favourite English actors along with his brother, James. And this film is an amazing piece of drama. To me, it's the greatest assassin film of all time and it was made 51 years ago!