retroic

This is on BBC 1 on Tuesday, 11:20pm.

It's one of those films I always notice when I see it in the schedules and make note to watch it, although I've never thought of picking it up on DVD.

Santonix

I think this film is a must have in any DVD collection. The direction and adaptation of the book into the screenplay are masterful.

ChristineCB

Yes, when I hear "good books can't be made into good films", this and a handful of others stand as examples.

Exceptional examples, I admit, but it can be done!

cooleyn

I recently read Frederick Forsyth's biography, where he stated that he absolutely, positively HATED the awful Bruce Willis remake.

And so he should.

I like Day of the Jackal for, apart from the tense script, etc, the wonderful snapshot of Paris in the late sixties/early seventies that it has preserved.

Aaryk Noctivagus

Its in mine

bertie

Absolutely agree that this a good book turned into a good film. It's certainly one of my favourites. Odessa File isn't at all bad either.

Aaryk Noctivagus

I've got that one in my DVD collection also

ChristineCB

Last weekend, we saw Gillo Pontecorvo's 1966 BATTLE OF ALGIERS and DAY OF THE JACKAL paired up as double-bill for two days, and WIND & LION and MAN WHO WOULD BE KING as the other half of that theatre's Life In The Colonies.

I'd seen bits and pieces of ALGIERS but the pairing with JACKAL has made for about four days of on-going discussion. The fact is, I can watch DAY OF JACKAL any day, any time, and still find it wonderful.

Does anyone know any comments from Edward Fox about his view of this film or his role?

stevie boy

A great film and worth watching again soon if only to salute the great late Anton Rodgers.

scholes

You're certainly not a pleb Harleybloke. Dirty Harry (whilst not strictly relevant to this thread) is one of my favourite films if only for the late Andy Robinson's excellent performance as Scorpio, the ruthless serial killer.
Eastwood and Don Siegal always worked closely together,and produced some seriously entertaining results.
Clint is what he is. But we all love him-well most of us I hope.

scholes

I think you'll also find that the location backdrop isn't bad either. For all climbing enthusiasts it is a positive dream. The ascent of the Totem Pole in Monument Valley Utah is on a par with the opening shots of Vertical Limit shot in the same location.
But the shots of the Nordwand are breathtaking.

scholes

Agree the remake was utter garbage.For a start it had Bruce Willis and Richard Gere in it.What were they thinking of.It nowhere near captures the spirit of the original 1973 movie.
The Odessa File is worth watching and John Voigt's performance is memorable.

AdrianTurner

I love Jackal also and watch it at least twice a year. There's so much to enjoy in it and while the novel has lost a lot of its detail it retains its spirit and tension beautifully. There are two things I find baffling: the date on which the Jackal tells the gunsmith (wonderful Cyril Cusack) doesn't tally with the date he sees the forger and I also find baffling and laughable when Alan Badel slaps his head and says, "Of course, Liberation Day!" What a berk, I think, not to have noticed that. And finally, how many of us have had many of those Jackal moments in a car, wondering whether to press on or turn back, go left, or go right, grit your teeth, pull up the hood and . . .

stevie boy

I Did not realise that Andy Robinson was dead. Another Siegel film Charley Varrick also featuring Robinson was fabulous, Walter Mathau starred. Old Walter made 3 serious films in quick succesion.Charley Varrick,The Taking of Pelham 123 and The Laughing Policeman. Back to the original post, The Day of The Jackall is an outstanding book and film, I love the end with Charles Calthroppe

scholes

Yes when they pan to the grave.
Andy Robinson is still alive , sorry I thought I read somewhere that he died of a brain tumour.
My mistake.