The Day of the Jackal (1973): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Day of the Jackal is a 1973 drama thriller directed by Fred Zinnemann, starring Edward Fox. It is based on The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth. It runs 2 hours 23 minutes and earned $2.3 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 12 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Critics gave it 80 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 23m (143 min)
- Director
- Fred Zinnemann
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Day of the Jackal About?
The premise of The Day of the Jackal without spoilers, adapted from The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
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.
The Day of the Jackal Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- assassin
- race against time
- terrorist plot
- french algerian war
- sniper rifle
- conspiracy
- assassination plot
- political thriller
- male nudity
- hitman
- attempted assassination
- torture
+38 more Show fewer
- manhunt
- french president
- espionage
- year 1963
- historical fiction
- paris france
- based on novel
- long range rifle
- stolen license plate
- fake passport
- animal in title
- homosexual
- mistress
- firing squad
- hotel
- british villain
- unnamed protagonist
- terrorism
- charles de gaulle
- englishman abroad
- double cross
- on the run
- interrogation
- car accident
- police detective
- british secret service
- terrorist group
- target practice
- london england
- disguise
- police commissioner
- french politics
- cold blooded killer
- man with no name
- contract killer
- investigation
- cold blooded murder
- false identity
The Day of the Jackal Cast
Edward Fox stars in The Day of the Jackal. Directed by Fred Zinnemann.
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Director Fred Zinnemann
More from Fred Zinnemann
More films directed by Fred Zinnemann, best-rated first: The Sundowners, The Nun's Story, A Man for All Seasons and Julia.
The Day of the Jackal Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Day of the Jackal 80 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 80 Metascore
User score 7.2
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 75% User score
See on TMDB
The Day of the Jackal Plot Summary
What happens in The Day of the Jackal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 16 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On August 22, 1962, the militant underground group OAS, angered by the French government’s decision to grant independence to Algeria, makes a daring attempt to assassinate President Charles de Gaulle. The assassination fails spectacularly, leaving de Gaulle and his entire entourage unscathed. In the following months, the OAS leader Jean Bastien-Thiry and several accomplices are soon captured, resulting in Bastien-Thiry’s execution.
Full summary
The whole story of The Day of the Jackal, scene by scene
The Day of the Jackal Box Office
The Day of the Jackal grossed $2.3 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$2.3M
- US & Canada
- $2.3M
The Day of the Jackal Awards & Nominations
The Day of the Jackal won 1 award from 12 nominations, one of them 1 Oscar nomination. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1974, with 1 win from 8 nominations.
1 win12 nominations3 ceremonies
-
BAFTA 1974 1 win · 8 nominations- Won Best Editing
- Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Michael Lonsdale
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Delphine Seyrig
- Nominated Best Direction – Fred Zinnemann
- Nominated Best Film – Fred Zinnemann
-
Golden Globes 1974 3 nominations- Nominated Best Director – Fred Zinnemann
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Drama
- Nominated Best Screenplay
-
Oscars 1974 1 nomination- Nominated Film Editing
The Day of the Jackal Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Day of the Jackal.
How Well Do You Know The Day of the Jackal?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What organization is behind the assassination attempt on President Charles de Gaulle?
Cars in The Day of the Jackal
85 cars on screen, including the 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider and the 1960 BMW R 50/2.
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1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Main role -
1960 BMW R 50/2 Important role -
1963 Citroën ID 19 Important role -
1960 Peugeot 403 Sept Important role
The Day of the Jackal Also Known As
30 alternative titles, including “A Sakál napja” and “O Dia do Chacal”.
- Also known as
-
- A Sakál napja
- O Dia do Chacal
- El dia del chacal
- Den Šakala
- Schakalen
- Операција Шакал
- Дан Шакала
- Çaqqalın Günü
- Chacal
- Der Schakal
- Il giorno dello sciacallo
- 豺狼的日子
+18 more Show fewer
- Šakal
- День Шакала
- Sjakalen
- נשיא על הכוונת
- 자칼의 날
- Çakalın Günü
- Ziua șacalului
- Dzień szakala
- Денят на чакала
- ジャッカルの日
- Día del Chacal
- Šakalo diena
- 豺狼之日
- Operacija Šakal
- Xacal
- Shakaali
- วันลอบสังหาร
- Ngày Của Chó Rừng
Seen The Day of the Jackal?
Movies Like The Day of the Jackal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Day of the Jackal, The Jackal and Three Days of the Condor.
The Day of the Jackal FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Day of the Jackal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Day of the Jackal?
The Day of the Jackal runs 2 hours 23 minutes (143 minutes).
When was The Day of the Jackal released?
The Day of the Jackal was released on July 30, 1973.
Who directed The Day of the Jackal?
The Day of the Jackal was directed by Fred Zinnemann.
More films by Fred Zinnemann Who is in the cast of The Day of the Jackal?
The Day of the Jackal stars Edward Fox.
How much did The Day of the Jackal make at the box office?
The Day of the Jackal grossed $2.3 million worldwide.
How is The Day of the Jackal rated?
The Day of the Jackal has 80 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.
Is The Day of the Jackal based on a book?
Yes. The Day of the Jackal is adapted from The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth.
What awards did The Day of the Jackal win?
The Day of the Jackal won 1 award from 12 nominations, including Best Editing at the BAFTA 1974.
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