ON THIS DAY in 1962, in Paris, Charles de Gaulle and his wife escaped an assassination attempt by an ultra-right terrorist organization. This event inspired the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel and subsequent, 1973 Fred Zinnemann film, THE DAY OF THE JACKAL.
Opened in movie theaters 40 years ago today:
THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (Edward Fox; directed by Fred Zinnemann)
Review: “Zinnemann’s tale of an extremist faction’s plot to kill the celebrated French leader and the authorities’ efforts to capture the mercenary assassin hired for the job achieves a dignified tone and compelling pace seldom seen in latter-day thrillers.” —BBC
Quote: “You have to employ a professional. Your organization is so riddled with informers that nothing you decide is a secret for long. No, the job would have to be done by an outsider. The only question would be by whom, and for how much.” —the Jackal (Edward Fox)
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