Post by Brad Nelson on Sept 10, 2023 19:00:29 GMT -8
Growing up (a process that still underway), I think I was in my very early teens when I first saw The Day of the Jackal.
It struck me as a fascinating movie even though it must have been highly edited and chopped up due to commercials.
Well, I watched it the other day on Amazon Prime in all its glory: HD, no commercials, no editing. I don't know if I had ever seen it this way before.
Suffice it to say, I'm still enthralled by this movie. But, as always, a couple new things occurred to me:
1) If this guy was such a pro, why does he leave such a large body count behind him?
2) I love the old movie ethics. A chick is cheating on her husband while he is away and she pays a price. Later, The Jackal enters a Turkish bath. Side note: Does anyone ever go to a Turkish bath just to sweat and get clean? Anyway, The Jackal goes there looking to be picked up so that he has a place to spend the night. Sure enough, a homosexual (or maybe he's bi) picks him up. And, later, this homosexual (or maybe he's trans) pays the price for his sexual perversion.
Definitely not woke. It's notable too just how well this movie reflects on both the French and British police. This is the absolute the opposite of an Inspector Clouseau movie. They are working hard (even skipping lunch) and no one, no matter how far down they are on the food chain, misses a vital clue. There's nothing wrong with showing competency, but this is the French police we're talking about. It's sort of funny in its own way.
It also struck me for the first time (that I can remember) how The Falcon goes from being a professional to taking the hit on de Gaulle as a personal challenge. We must remember, it had been decided beforehand that if his cover was blown, he could skip out and was not expected to complete the hit.
So that man just loves his work. Edward Fox is very good as The Falcon. And one of the reasons I like this movie is the acting is good from top to bottom and sideways. There are no weak links. There are some quality actors including Derek Jacobi as Lebel's aid (the guy who is in charge...he's very good too). Look also for Timothy West in a small, but rich, role. (There are no small parts, blah blah blah.)
The action is constant. And in an age before Europe was wired with cameras on every street corner, there is much nostalgia is just watching them do good old police work.
