The Day of the Jackal

The Day of the Jackal Movie Poster Country UK France Directed by Fred Zinnemann Release Date 1973 Language English, Italian, French Studio Warwick Film Productions Distributor Universal Pictures Main Cast Character Actor The Jackal Edward Fox Lebel Michael Lonsdale Inspector Thomas Tony Britton Colonel Rolland Michel Auclair Mallinson Donald Sinden Lloyd Terence Alexander Caron Derek Jacobi Denise Olga Georges-Picot Jean Bastien-Thiry Jean Sorel The interior minister Alan Badel

The Day of the Jackal (French title: Chacal) is a 1973 thriller/suspense film directed by Fred Zinnemann (Behold a Pale Horse, From Here to Eternity, High Noon) and based on the 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel of the same name. The film stars Edward Fox as a mysterious assassin known only as "The Jackal" and follows his plot to assassinate French President Charles de Gaulle and the efforts of the French authorities to stop him. The Jackal is a 1997 thriller loosely inspired by the film and its original novel, starring Bruce Willis and Richard Gere. The novel was also adapted into a limited streaming series that premiered on the service Peacock on November 7, 2024.

The following weapons were used in the film The Day of the Jackal:
WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Mle 1892 revolver

A Mle 1892 Revolver is used by a French officer to deliver the coup de grâce to Lieutenant Colonel Jean Bastien-Thiry (Jean Sorel) after his execution by firing squad in the film's introduction.

Modele d’Ordonnance Mle 1892 Revolver - 8x27mm SR

The officer prepares to fire the Mle 1892 revolver.

Walther P38

A Walther P38 is used by an Organisation de l'armée secrète (OAS) terrorist during a series of bank robberies that are orchestrated to pay the Jackal's fee.

Walther P38 pistol (manufactured at the Mauser Factory) - 9x19mm

An OAS terrorist stands guard with a Walther P38 in hand while a comrade sets a charge to blow open the armored truck's doors.

Submachine Guns

MP 40

Two of the OAS terrorists who ambush President de Gaulle's motorcade in the introduction use MP 40 submachine guns.

MP 40 - 9x19mm

An OAS terrorist (Fjodor Atkine) withdraws the MP 40 from a truck.

The terrorist cocks his MP 40 before opening fire.

The terrorist fires the MP 40 at de Gaulle's car.

M1928A1 Thompson

Another OAS terrorist uses a M1928A1 Thompson during the ambush of President de Gaulle's motorcade.

M928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and simplified rear sight - .45 ACP

The OAS terrorist fires the M1928A1 Thompson at de Gaulle's car. It's hard to tell in this image if there is a Cutts compensator, but the position of the bolt actuator and the simplified rear sight are clear.

The OAS terrorists watch as de Gaulle's convoy speeds away. The Cutts compensator is visible here.

MAT-49

Various gendarmes and police officers throughout the movie are armed with MAT-49 submachine guns. Inspector Claude Lebel (Michael Lonsdale) uses a MAT-49 during the film's finale when he confronts the Jackal.

MAT-49 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm

A gendarme (André Penvern) stands guard with a MAT-49 at the train station in Tulle.

Sailors stand in formation with MAT-49 submachine guns.

A police officer (Philippe Léotard) assisting Inspector Lebel shoots open a locked door with a MAT-49.

Lebel with a MAT-49 in the film's finale.

Machine Guns

Chatellerault M1924/29

A third OAS terrorist uses a Chatellerault M1924/29 to shoot at de Gaulle's Citroen DS, riddling the car with bullets but failing to prevent its escape.

Chatellerault M1924/29 - 7.5x54mm French

An OAS terrorist fires the Chatellerault M1924/29 as de Gaulle's car passes.

The OAS terrorists watch as de Gaulle's convoy speeds away.

MAS AA-52

MAS AA-52s are co-axially mounted in Panhard AML-60 armored cars.

MAS AAT-52 Char - 7.5x54mm French

The machine gun is seen in the turret of an armored car to the left of a breech-loading 60mm mortar.

Rifles

MAS-36

MAS-36 rifles are used by the firing squad that executes Lieutenant Colonel Jean Bastien-Thiry. It is also held by French Army honor guards and gendarmes.

MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm French

The firing squad executes Bastien-Thiry.

Presidential honor guard prepare to parade with MAS-36s.

French gendarmes are also armed with MAS-36 rifles.

MAS-49 and MAS-49/56

French gendarmes are seen with MAS-49/56 rifles when they surround a hotel that the Jackal is suspected of hiding in. Later, soldiers taking part in the Liberation Day Parade also carry MAS-49/56 rifles. Some of these rifles are the longer MAS-49 easily identified by the long handguards and lack of integral grenade launcher/muzzle brake.

MAS-49 Rifle - 7.5x54mm French

MAS-49/56 Rifle - 7.5x54mm French

A gendarme waits with a MAS-49 in hand.

MAS-49/56 rifles lie stacked along the parade route.

Custom-Made Sniper Rifle

The Jackal (Edward Fox) uses a custom made sniper rifle in .22 caliber created by an Italian gunsmith as part of his plan to assassinate Charles de Gaulle. The rifle is fitted with a suppressor, telescopic sight, and is disguised within a set of crutches.

The Jackal inspects the rifle with the gunsmith (Cyril Cusack).

The Jackal tests the rifle.

The Jackal adjusts the zero on the telescopic sight.

The rifle is loaded with an explosive bullet.

The disassembled rifle.

The Jackal sets up the firing position before the assassination.

The explosive bullets provided for the Jackal. The cartridges appear to be .22 Magnum (WMR). See the discussion page for a comparison of .22 Magnum to the .22 Hornet.

Others

Panhard AML-60

French soldiers drive through the streets in Panhard AML-60 armored cars.

APanhard AML-60 is equipped with a 60mm breech-loading Brandt mortar and MAS AA-52 machine gun.

AMX-13

During the grand parade of the French army on Champs-Élysées, AMX-13 light tanks make an appearance.

AMX-13s belonging to a column on a military parade.

Soldiers discuss in Etoile Square. In the background is an AMX-13.

Trivia

French theatrical poster.