The JACKAL is on the Move!!!…... Review on The Day of the Jackal Movie

First of all my advice would be to read the novel by the author. It is not worth missing. However, to those who would watch a movie instead, this is one such movie where they will not miss much. In fact this movie shows an altogether different approach of making thriller movies.

Plainly & simply it is different from another movies in the respect that its focus is not so much a criminal?s personality or failed efforts of a policeman, but strictly and entirely on script. And what a script it is!! The pace never slackens and the plot remains taut throughout. The amount of thinking and research that went into the novel has been beautifully translated in the movie.

The plot

President Charles De Gaulle of France has given autonomy to Algeria, which is vehemently opposed by certain hardliners in French Army. They consider it as treason and form a group called the OAS to assassinate De Gaulle. After some failed assassination attempts, the group hires a professional killer, The Jackal, for the task. The movie discusses the detailed planning of Jackal towards killing the head of a state. In between the plan leaks out and the French officials are equally determined to stall the killing. The efforts of the police vis-à-vis the planning and implementations by the jackal form the story of this excellent movie.

Discussion of the treatment

The build-up of the movie is slow. The background of assassination of De Gaulle is explained, while subtly outlining the seriousness with which the loyal supporters of De Gaulle tried to foil those attempts.

The hiring of jackal and his planning is what builds up the excitement. He is a no-nonsense customer, who goes into thorough and meticulous planning. His choice of time of assassination, choice of venue, method of killing etc, all have been shared with the viewers. No extra efforts have been put to show him extremely dangerous or perverted sort of character. However the intensity with which he is involved in his task can be felt by the audience.

The movie takes a turn as the cover of the OAS is blown and the French government is aware that an assassination attempt on De Gaulle?s life is planned. The focus of the movie then shifts towards the pursuit of the Jackal, and the movie gathers further momentum. The viewer is filled with excitement, knowing fully well that the Jackal is way ahead in his plans, when the police are just beginning. However, the co-ordinated efforts of the Police force of France (Suerette) and England (Scotland Yard), slowly but surely reduce the lead of the master assassin.

The police are almost always shown as a mere buffoon in most of the thrillers and their only role is that of an impressed bystander, overawed by the outstanding ingenuity of the detective (who actually solved the rather silly crime). However in this film, the amount of efforts put in by the police department or the oft-criticised politicians is shown in great detail.

A different approach of making a thriller

I have always felt that we exaggerate our heroes and villains in Indian movies, but it is equally true for Hollywood also. Say for example James Bond movies. However, when one watches this movie one finds that there are no overdoses of women or sex; infact at the first instant the movie seems too simplistic. This movie is different in the sense that the disciplineis always maintained, and not once does the movie loose its focus. Unlike many movie adaptations of novels, neither the villain Jackal nor his pursuer Claude Lebelis shown as Super Men. The appearances of both are quite deceptive, both are unassuming characters, but they have one thing in common, a sharp mind. This is what usually happens in real life.

The Jackal is shown to be focused personality, who even after he learns that his cover is blown, nevertheless takes calculated risks and stays put on his goal to shoot General De Gaulle. Lebel is shown to understand the kind of person he is pursuing. Not for one moment does he underestimate his adversary. The excitement builds up as the movements of the assassin and the efforts to track him by the combined force of police department of France and England go hand in hand.

Other details

Cinematography is brilliant and the movie travels from various European locations capturing the beauty of the place. The gun-making sequence is worth watching and the business like manner in which details of a prospective killing were discussed was quite unnerving.