Blu-ray Release: The Day of the Jackal

Blu-ray Release Date: Sept. 25, 2018
Price: Blu-ray $27.99
Studio: Arrow/MVD

In 1971, Frederick Forsythe shot to bestseller status with his debut novel, The Day of the Jackal – and two years later, director Fred Zinnemann (High Noon) turned it into a nail-biting cinematic thriller.

August 1962: the latest attempt on the life of French President Charles de Gaulle by the far-right paramilitary organization, the OAS, ends in chaos, with its architect-in-chief dead at the hands of a firing squad. Demoralized and on the verge of bankruptcy, the OAS leaders meet in secret to plan their next move. In a last desperate attempt to eliminate de Gaulle, they opt to employ the services of a hired assassin from outside the fold. Enter the Jackal (Edward Fox, Gandhi): charismatic, calculating, cold as ice. As the Jackal closes in on his target, a race against the clock ensues to identify and put a stop to a killer whose identity, whereabouts and modus operandi are completely unknown.

The 1973 favorite stars co-stars a plethora of talent from both sides of the Channel, including Michael Lonsdale (Of Gods and Men), Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius) and Cyril Cusack (1984), along with striking cinematography by Jean Tournier (The Train).

Arrow’s killer special edition includes the following:

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New interview with Neil Sinyard, author of Fred Zinnemann: Films of Character and Conscience
• Two rare archival clips from the film set, including an interview with Fred Zinnemann
• Theatrical trailer
• Original screenplay by Kenneth Ross (BD-ROM content)
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Mark Cunliffe and Sheldon Hall