The Day of the Jackal Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video's Blu-ray presentation of "The Day of the Jackal" utilizes an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, remastered by NBC Universal with additional restoration by R3store Studios. Sourced from a 35mm interpositive, the picture quality is largely commendable, capturing a lush and vibrant palette with impressive fine detail. Elements such as the ribbed interior of The Jackal's rifle case and Fox's downy cheek hair are rendered with exceptional clarity, providing a satisfying visual experience. However, viewers may notice a certain variability in the grain field, which can periodically swarm and diminish clarity, especially in darker scenes. Despite this, there are no significant compression issues, dirt, or scratches, maintaining the integrity of the presentation.

Compared to previous releases, this transfer markedly elevates the film's visual quality, surpassing the old non-anamorphic Universal DVD. The grain maintains a sturdy, film-like texture throughout, with fine details and an authentically rich color palette featuring crushed blacks and accurate skin tones. Minor traces of scratches, speckling, dirt, and dust are scarcely visible, underscoring the high-quality restoration effort by Arrow. Overall, this Blu-ray release represents the best visual rendition of "The Day of the Jackal" available to date.

The audio presentation of "The Day of the Jackal" on Blu-ray features an LPCM mono track that effectively supports the film's dialogue, score, and effects. The original mono soundtrack, sourced from a 35mm optical duplicate negative, is faithfully preserved in a DTS-HD 1.0 Master Audio format. Dialogue is consistently strong and clear, while the instances of source music and Georges Delerue's brief underscore maintain significant fidelity and direction, ensuring an immersive auditory experience for viewers.

Georges Delerue's scoring choices are noteworthy, albeit somewhat unconventional in certain sequences. For instance, the opening scene utilizes what sounds like an autoharp or hammered dulcimer along with tremolo strings to create an eerie atmosphere, which intriguingly suggests imminent peril though it doesn't immediately materialize. This peculiar spotting decision adds a unique texture to the audio experience. Nevertheless, the fidelity remains fine throughout these sequences, with no issues such as distortion or dropouts being present, making this release potentially the best the movie has sounded on home video.

The extras on this Blu-ray edition of "The Day of the Jackal" demonstrate a substantial commitment to providing insightful and enriching content regarding the film. The highlight is "In the Marksman's Eye," a compelling retrospective by Neil Sinyard exploring both the film and Fred Zinnemann's wider career. This featurette comes with a spoiler warning and is ideal for viewers who have watched the main feature. Rare archival footage is also included, such as a "Location Report" and a brief "Fred Zinnemann Interview," both shot in 1972 and subtitled in English. The package is nicely rounded off with a comprehensive screenplay accessible through BD-ROM and a meticulously crafted 30-page booklet. This booklet, available on the first pressing, includes essays by Mark Cunliffe and Sheldon Hall, exploring the film's legacy and its controversial edits for British TV.

Extras included in this disc:

• In the Marksman's Eye: Author Neil Sinyard discusses The Day of the Jackal and director Fred Zinnemann.
• Location Report: Archival footage showing the film's shooting in 1972, subtitled in English.
• Fred Zinnemann Interview: More archival footage from 1972 with English subtitles.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer.
• Kenneth Ross screenplay: Complete screenplay accessible via BD-ROM.
• Booklet: Contains cast & crew credits, notes on transfer, and essays by Mark Cunliffe and Sheldon Hall.

Fred Zinnemann’s The Day of the Jackal (1973) is a masterclass in political thriller filmmaking, depicting the tense and intricate plot to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle following his decision to grant Algeria independence. The real-life backdrop of the Organisation Armée Secrète’s (OAS) failed 1962 attempt, rooted in the complex narrative of post-colonial unrest, provides a solid foundation for Frederick Forsyth's "what-if" scenario. The screenplay, expertly crafted by Kenneth Ross, captures the meticulous planning of the OAS as they hire "The Jackal" (Edward Fox), a professional assassin whose suave exterior belies his ruthless nature.

Zinnemann’s choice to maintain a documentary-style narrative imbues the film with a palpable sense of realism and urgency. This is complemented by Jean Tournier’s cinematography, which makes effective use of diverse European locations to heighten the film’s authenticity. While the plot's outcome may be historically predetermined, Zinnemann skillfully ratchets up suspense through detailed character studies and precise attention to logistics. Edward Fox’s portrayal of The Jackal is both charismatic and chilling, his methodical approach to his mission offset by moments of unexpected ferocity. Michael Lonsdale as Claude Lebel forms a compelling counterpart, exuding understated determination as the investigator tasked with thwarting The Jackal’s plans.

The ensemble cast, devoid of star power by design, delivers uniformly strong performances that lend credibility to the narrative. Delphine Seyrig’s brief role adds emotional depth, while characters played by Cyril Cusack and Alan Badel enhance the procedural intrigue. Zinnemann orchestrates the unfolding cat-and-mouse game with precision, culminating in a meticulously crafted climax. As a result, The Day of the Jackal stands as a paragon of the political thriller genre, a film where historical accuracy and fictional tension blend seamlessly to deliver gripping cinema.

Arrow’s Blu-ray release of "The Day of the Jackal" is a must-have for both fans of the film and newcomers alike. Fred Zinnemann's direction, which seamlessly blends the classical Hollywood style with the gritty realism of the 1970s, elevates this thriller into a timeless masterpiece. Edward Fox delivers a compelling performance as the eponymous assassin; the cat-and-mouse game he engages in keeps the viewer enthralled despite knowing the inevitable outcome. The film’s remarkable location photography further adds to the immersive experience, capturing the essence of 1960’s Europe with visceral realism.

Technically, this Blu-ray release is superb. The transfer is clean and finely detailed, presenting "The Day of the Jackal" in a way that enhances its cinematic intensity. The sound quality is also exceptional, with a well-maintained balance that ensures every suspenseful note and line of dialogue is crystal clear. Arrow has also included a suite of excellent special features that provide deeper insights into the film's production, making this edition an invaluable resource for cinema aficionados.

In conclusion, it’s frankly kind of amazing how much suspense Zinnemann is able to wring out of a tale where the conclusion is foregone. This film bristles with a rare kind of intensity, despite the audience at least subliminally knowing that the story's anti-hero is going to fail in his mission. Performances are top notch, and the location photography is superb. Arrow's release sports solid technical merits and some excellent supplements. Recommended.