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The Day of the Jackal (1973) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Day of the Jackal (1973) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
1973 · 143 min · English
Directed by
Fred Zinnemann
Starring
Edward Fox

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.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like The Day of the Jackal
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Day of the Jackal (1973)

Where can you watch The Day of the Jackal? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

The Day of the Jackal Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Day of the Jackal (1973), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • 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

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Setting

Where and When Does The Day of the Jackal Take Place?

The setting of The Day of the Jackal (1973): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

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

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3 major themes

The Day of the Jackal Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Day of the Jackal (1973) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message 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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Character & theme questions

The Day of the Jackal Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Day of the Jackal (1973): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is The Day of the Jackal set?

The movie spans multiple European locations. Austria serves as a hideout for OAS leaders planning the assassination. Genoa is where the Jackal acquires his custom rifle and creates a new identity. Paris forms the dramatic centerpiece where the assassination attempt unfolds, while Rome becomes the OAS regrouping point after their initial failures.

  • paris
  • genoa
  • austria
  • rome
  • setting
  • locations
  • europe
Q2

When does The Day of the Jackal take place?

The story is set in 1962, during the early 1960s. This period is significant because France was experiencing intense political turmoil related to Algerian independence, creating the exact historical context that fuels the assassination plot against President de Gaulle.

  • 1962
  • 1960s
  • time period
  • historical context
  • french politics
  • algerian war
Q3

Who is the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal?

The Jackal is a cold and calculating British assassin hired by the OAS to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. He demonstrates remarkable skill in disguise and manipulation, using charm to move through society undetected while ruthlessly eliminating anyone who threatens his mission. His true identity remains unknown throughout the film.

  • jackal
  • assassin
  • british
  • killer
  • protagonist
  • antagonist
Q4

Who is Claude Lebel in The Day of the Jackal?

Claude Lebel is a dedicated and resourceful police commissioner tasked with uncovering the Jackal's assassination plot. He serves as the film's investigative lead, navigating bureaucratic obstacles while demonstrating intelligence and determination to protect the President and the French public from the impending threat.

  • claude lebel
  • commissioner
  • police
  • detective
  • investigator
  • french police
Q5

What is the main theme of The Day of the Jackal?

The central theme revolves around assassination and the moral complexities of political violence. The film explores how individuals pursue lethal goals to fulfill political agendas, examining the consequences of terrorism against world leaders and the ethical dimensions of murder for political purposes.

  • assassination
  • theme
  • political violence
  • terrorism
  • murder
  • political agenda
Q6

How does espionage play into The Day of the Jackal?

Espionage is a critical component of the storyline, featuring intricate elements of deception, betrayal, and identity theft. The Jackal embodies the spy archetype, navigating layers of secrecy by adopting multiple disguises and creating false identities to carry out his covert mission undetected.

  • espionage
  • spy
  • disguise
  • identity
  • deception
  • covert operations
  • secret
Q7

What is the significance of Paris in The Day of the Jackal?

Paris serves as the critical location where the Jackal plans to carry out his assassination attempt on President de Gaulle. The city represents both the target zone and the center of French governmental power, making it the focal point of the tense cat-and-mouse pursuit between the assassin and law enforcement.

  • paris
  • france
  • city
  • location
  • target
  • de gaulle
Q8

What does The Day of the Jackal say about justice?

The pursuit of justice is a recurring theme as French government and security forces work to thwart the Jackal's plans. Commissioner Lebel's investigation demonstrates law enforcement's determination to bring the assassin to justice, showcasing their commitment to protecting the President and the public despite overwhelming odds.

  • justice
  • law enforcement
  • police
  • investigation
  • pursuit
  • crime
  • justice system
Q9

Who is Charles de Gaulle in The Day of the Jackal?

Charles de Gaulle is the President of France and the target of the assassination plot. He is depicted as a steadfast leader committed to his public duties during the tumultuous Algerian War period. His policies evoke strong reactions, both loyalty and opposition, making him a polarizing figure at the heart of the film's conflict.

  • charles de gaulle
  • president
  • france
  • target
  • leader
  • political figure
Q10

What historical events背景 does The Day of the Jackal reference?

The movie is grounded in the early 1960s French political landscape, specifically the crisis surrounding Algerian independence. The OAS (Organisation armée secrète) depicted in the film was a real extremist group opposed to Algerian decolonization, and their plot to assassinate de Gaulle reflects the real historical tensions of that era.

  • historical context
  • algerian war
  • OAS
  • french politics
  • 1960s
  • de gaulle
  • colonization
Q11

What is the OAS in The Day of the Jackal?

The OAS (Organisation armée secrète) is the shadowy organization that recruits the Jackal to assassinate President de Gaulle. They represent a faction of French extremists opposed to Algerian independence, and their collaboration with the assassin drives the central conflict of the film.

  • OAS
  • organization
  • secret army
  • extremist group
  • plot
  • conspiracy
Q12

What does The Day of the Jackal say about political violence?

The film presents political violence as a calculated tool used by extremist organizations to achieve political goals. Through the Jackal's methodical killings and the OAS's willingness to murder for their cause, the movie examines how terrorism functions as a political weapon and the moral darkness that surrounds such actions.

  • political violence
  • terrorism
  • extremism
  • violence
  • political goals
  • moral complexity

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Day of the Jackal, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Day of the Jackal tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • methodical
  • cold-blooded
  • suspenseful
  • high-stakes
  • clandestine
  • professional
  • Tone: tense, clinical, cold-blooded
  • Pacing: fast-paced, methodical
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

  • desperate
  • high-stakes
  • urgent
  • suspenseful
  • race against time
  • anxious
  • Tone: tense, desperate, urgent
  • Pacing: fast-paced, relentless
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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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Movies Like The Day of the Jackal

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Every angle

The Day of the Jackal (1973) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Day of the Jackal in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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