Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Classic crime thriller has violence, nudity, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Day of the Jackal
What's the Story?
In THE DAY OF THE JACKAL, a French underground paramilitary group attempts to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand) in protest against Algeria's independence from France. After numerous failed attempts, they hire a British assassin, code-named "the Jackal" (Edward Fox), to get the job done. As the Jackal plans his job, eliminating anyone who gets in the way, Parisian police detective Lebel (Michel Lonsdale) follows hot on his heels.
Is It Any Good?
This classic 1973 adaptation of Frederick Forsyth's bestselling political thriller was nominated for an Oscar for Best Film Editing, and it won a BAFTA and numerous Golden Globe nominations besides. Academy Award-winning director Fred Zinnemann mirrors the cold detachment of the central assassin in the tone throughout The Day of the Jackal. Conversations, meetings, sexual rendezvous, and even killings are carried out with a cold precision, and Fox perfectly embodies the character of the Jackal with a cool confidence and utter disregard for human life that feels both impressive and chilling. Fans of the more recent 2024 TV show may find this a little less tense in comparison, and the majority White male cast a touch jarring, but the calm, calculated patience of Zinnemann's version is an impressive exercise in channeling the mood of the source material in a way that really makes an impact on-screen.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the main assassin was portrayed in The Day of the Jackal. He was shown to be cold and calculating but also very smart and resourceful. Did you think you were encouraged to root for him in any way? How did he compare to other movie assassins?
The movie was adapted from a 1971 novel, and was also remade into a TV series in 2024. Have you read the novel or seen the TV show? If so, how do they compare?
The main characters in this 1973 movie are mostly White men, whereas the 2024 TV adaptation features a Black woman in a central role, as well as other strong female and Black characters. Why is it important to see diversity on-screen?
How was smoking depicted in the film? Was it glamorized? How has our behavior when it comes to smoking changed from when the movie was set and filmed?
How were sex and relationships portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 16, 1973
- On DVD or streaming : September 11, 2015
- Cast : Edward Fox , Terence Alexander , Michel Auclair
- Director : Fred Zinnemann
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Thriller
- Topics : Activism , Book Characters
- Run time : 143 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Awards : Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , BAFTA - BAFTA Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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