The Day of the Jackal

The Day of the Jackal

Year: 1973

Runtime: 143 min

Language: English

Director: Fred Zinnemann

DramaThrillerCrime

A shadowy organization recruits a professional assassin, known only as the Jackal, to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle. As the Jackal systematically eliminates anyone who stands in his way, French detective Claude Lebel launches a desperate race against time to track him down and prevent the attack. The pursuit becomes a tense and dangerous game of cat and mouse, with the fate of a nation hanging in the balance.

Tense
Mixed feelings
Moderately emotional
High intensity
Fast pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Day of the Jackal (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1962

Set during the early 1960s, this period is marked by political unrest in France, particularly regarding Algerian independence. The assassination plot against President de Gaulle reflects the tensions of this time, showcasing how terrorism and political violence intersected with significant historical events.

Location

Austria, Genoa, Paris, Rome

The movie takes place in several key locations. Austria serves as a hideout for the OAS leaders plotting their assassination attempts. Genoa is where the Jackal acquires his custom-made rifle and forges a new identity. The heart of the story unfolds in Paris, where the Jackal aims to carry out his deadly mission, while Rome is where the OAS regroup after previous failures.

🏙️ City 🌍 Europe

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

Main Characters – The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Meet the key characters of The Day of the Jackal (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jackal

The Jackal is a cold and calculating British assassin who carefully plans the assassination of President de Gaulle. He showcases remarkable skills in disguise and manipulation, often using charm to interact without raising suspicion, all while ruthlessly eliminating anyone who poses a threat to his mission.

🔪 Assassin 🎭 Deception 🌍 Identity

Claude Lebel

Claude Lebel is a dedicated and resourceful police commissioner tasked with uncovering the Jackal's plot. He is portrayed as a determined figure, showcasing intelligence and leadership as he navigates through bureaucratic challenges to safeguard the President and the public.

🕵️ Investigator 🚓 Law Enforcement

Charles de Gaulle

The French President is central to the film's conflict, as he becomes the target of the assassination attempt. De Gaulle is depicted as a steadfast leader, committed to his public duties and policies that evoke both loyalty and ire among different factions, especially during the tumultuous Algerian War.

🏛️ Historical Figure 🇫🇷 Leadership

Viktor Wolenski

Wolenski, the OAS chief clerk, serves as a tragic figure whose harsh interrogation leads to his demise, yet he divulges vital information about the Jackal. His character underscores the brutal lengths to which extremist organizations may go to maintain secrecy and loyalty.

📜 Informant ⚖️ Martyrdom

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

Major Themes – The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Explore the central themes of The Day of the Jackal (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔪 Assassination

The central theme of the movie revolves around assassination, as the plot follows the meticulous planning and execution of an attempt on a world leader. It explores the lengths individuals may go to fulfill political agendas, highlighting the moral complexities surrounding lethal intent and the consequences of such actions.

🕵️ Espionage

Espionage plays a critical role in the storyline, with intricate plot twists involving deception and betrayal. The character of the Jackal epitomizes the archetype of a spy, navigating through layers of secrecy, identity theft, and covert operations, all to achieve a deadly goal.

⚖️ Justice

The pursuit of justice is a recurring theme in the film, as the French government and security forces strive to thwart the Jackal's assassination plans. The investigation led by Claude Lebel showcases the determination of law enforcement to bring a criminal to justice, even against overwhelming odds.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:32

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Methodical assassin thrillers similar to The Day of the Jackal

Stories centered on emotionless, precise killers whose professionalism amplifies the dread.If you enjoyed the chillingly detached and precise portrayal of the killer in The Day of the Jackal, you'll find similar tension in these movies. This thread gathers thrillers that focus on professional hitmen, where the suspense is built on their cold-blooded methodology and high-stakes preparations.

methodicalcold-bloodedsuspensefulhigh-stakesclandestineprofessionalanxious

Narrative Summary

The narrative follows the meticulous preparations of a highly skilled assassin, often from their perspective. The plot is driven by the step-by-step execution of their plan, where even minor setbacks are handled with cold efficiency. The drama unfolds from the contrast between their emotionless work and the desperate efforts to stop them.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared focus on a specific type of antagonist: the professional hitman. They generate suspense through methodical detail, clinical violence, and the unsettling portrayal of assassination as a craft, creating a distinct, anxiety-inducing vibe.

High-stakes race against time thrillers like The Day of the Jackal

Frantic pursuits where a dedicated investigator tries to stop a catastrophe against a ticking clock.For viewers who loved the desperate, time-pressured investigation in The Day of the Jackal, this thread features similar movies with high-stakes manhunts. These stories capture the tension of a frantic search to avert a catastrophe, focusing on the procedural details and mounting pressure of the chase.

desperatehigh-stakesurgentsuspensefulrace against timeanxiousprocedural

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure alternates between the antagonist's progress and the protagonist's increasingly desperate investigation. The plot is linear and driven by a clear deadline, with each side adapting to the other's moves. The emotional journey is one of mounting pressure, near-misses, and the immense weight of potential failure.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their core narrative engine: a frantic race against a hard deadline to stop a major event. They share a fast pace, high intensity, and a tense tone generated by the constant pressure of the clock and the high consequences of failure.

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The Day of the Jackal Summary

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The Day of the Jackal Summary

The Day of the Jackal Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Day of the Jackal with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Day of the Jackal Timeline

The Day of the Jackal Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Day of the Jackal Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Day of the Jackal

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Day of the Jackal: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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