# The Jackal

> 1997 film by Michael Caton-Jones

**Wikidata**: [Q167437](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q167437)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackal_(1997_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-jackal

## Summary

The Jackal is a film that blends multiple genres to create its narrative. It operates primarily as a spy film, action film, and crime film, incorporating elements that are characteristic of each of these categories. The film also draws from drama and thriller conventions, creating a complex cinematic experience that appeals to audiences interested in suspenseful storytelling with dramatic depth.

## Summary
The Jackal is a 1997 action thriller film directed by Michael Caton-Jones, starring Bruce Willis as an international assassin hired to kill a high-profile target. It is a loose remake of the 1973 film "The Day of the Jackal" and features Richard Gere and Sidney Poitier in supporting roles.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: November 14, 1997 (US theatrical release)
- **Director**: Michael Caton-Jones
- **Lead Actor**: Bruce Willis as The Jackal
- **Supporting Cast**: Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, Diane Venora, Mathilda May
- **Genre**: Action thriller, spy film, crime film
- **Production Companies**: Universal Pictures, Danny Lerner Productions, Regency Enterprises
- **Budget**: $60 million
- **Box Office**: $159,330,280 worldwide
- **Runtime**: 124 minutes
- **Country of Origin**: United States, with international co-production elements
- **IMDb ID**: tt0119395
- **Rotten Tomatoes**: 24% critics score, 36/100 Metacritic
- **IMDb Rating**: 4.5/10
- **Official Website**: http://www.thejackal.com/
- **Wikipedia Title**: The Jackal (1997 film)
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 Wikipedia language editions

## FAQs
**What is the plot of The Jackal?**
The film follows an international assassin known as "The Jackal" (Bruce Willis) who is hired by the Russian mafia to kill a high-profile American target. FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) and Russian intelligence officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora) team up to track him down, enlisting the help of imprisoned IRA sniper Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), who has a personal vendetta against the Jackal.

**Who directed The Jackal and what other films has he made?**
The Jackal was directed by Michael Caton-Jones, a Scottish film director known for "Scandal" (1989), "Doc Hollywood" (1991), "Rob Roy" (1995), and "Basic Instinct 2" (2006). He has worked extensively in both British and American cinema.

**How does The Jackal compare to the original 1973 film?**
The 1997 film is a loose remake of the 1973 film "The Day of the Jackal," which was based on Frederick Forsyth's novel. While both films involve an assassin preparing for a high-profile killing, the 1997 version changes the setting, characters, and plot significantly, focusing more on action sequences and less on the meticulous planning of the original.

**What was the critical reception of The Jackal?**
The film received largely negative reviews from critics, holding a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 36/100 score on Metacritic. Critics particularly criticized the plot holes, lack of character development, and deviation from the source material, though some praised the action sequences and performances.

**What awards or nominations did The Jackal receive?**
The Jackal did not receive any major award nominations. It was primarily viewed as a commercial action thriller rather than an awards contender, and its critical reception did not generate award buzz.

## Why It Matters
The Jackal matters as a significant entry in the 1990s action thriller genre, representing the Hollywood trend of remaking international classics with bigger budgets and more action-oriented approaches. The film showcases the star power of Bruce Willis at the height of his action career and features one of Sidney Poitier's final major film roles. It demonstrates the international appeal of the assassin thriller formula and the willingness of studios to invest heavily in star-driven action films during this era. The film's commercial success despite critical panning also illustrates the sometimes divergent relationship between audience preferences and critical reception in the action genre.

## Notable For
- **High-Profile Remake**: One of the more notable remakes of the 1970s political thriller "The Day of the Jackal"
- **Star Power**: Featured Bruce Willis in his prime action hero period and Sidney Poitier's final major film role
- **Budget Scale**: $60 million budget was substantial for an action thriller in 1997
- **International Production**: Co-production involving multiple countries and territories
- **Commercial Success**: Despite poor reviews, grossed over $159 million worldwide
- **Genre Blending**: Combined elements of spy films, crime films, and action thrillers
- **Marketing Campaign**: Featured an extensive promotional campaign with the official website and various tie-ins

## Body

### Production and Development
The Jackal was produced by Universal Pictures in association with Danny Lerner Productions and Regency Enterprises. The film was directed by Michael Caton-Jones from a screenplay by Chuck Pfarrer. Production began in 1996 with filming taking place in various locations including Montreal, Canada, which served as a stand-in for multiple international settings. The film's budget of $60 million was considered substantial for an action thriller at the time, reflecting the studio's confidence in the project's commercial potential.

### Cast and Characters
Bruce Willis stars as The Jackal, the film's enigmatic assassin protagonist. Richard Gere plays Declan Mulqueen, an imprisoned IRA sniper who becomes instrumental in tracking down the Jackal. Sidney Poitier portrays FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston, leading the investigation. The supporting cast includes Diane Venora as Valentina Koslova, a Russian intelligence officer, and Mathilda May as Isabella Zanconia, Mulqueen's former lover. The casting represented a mix of action stars and respected dramatic actors, though the film's reception suggested the combination didn't fully succeed.

### Plot and Themes
The narrative follows The Jackal as he is hired by the Russian mafia to assassinate a high-profile American target, though the specific target is never clearly identified in the film. The story becomes a cat-and-mouse chase as FBI and Russian intelligence officials attempt to track him down, eventually enlisting the help of Declan Mulqueen, who has a personal history with the assassin. The film explores themes of professional killers, international espionage, and the moral ambiguity of both law enforcement and criminal elements. Unlike the original 1973 film, which focused on meticulous planning and political intrigue, the 1997 version emphasizes action sequences and chase scenes.

### Critical Reception and Analysis
Upon release, The Jackal received predominantly negative reviews from film critics. The Rotten Tomatoes score of 24% and Metacritic score of 36/100 indicate widespread critical disappointment. Common criticisms included plot inconsistencies, underdeveloped characters, and a perceived lack of the tension and sophistication that made the original film compelling. Some critics did praise the action sequences and the performances of the lead actors, particularly Bruce Willis's portrayal of the cold, professional assassin. The film's deviation from the source material and its transformation into a more conventional action thriller were frequently cited as weaknesses.

### Box Office Performance
Despite the poor critical reception, The Jackal performed well commercially, grossing $159,330,280 worldwide against its $60 million budget. The film's success at the box office demonstrated Bruce Willis's continued drawing power as an action star and the commercial viability of the assassin thriller genre. The international appeal of the film was particularly strong, with significant box office returns from markets outside the United States.

### Technical Aspects
The film was shot by cinematographer Karl Walter Lindenlaub, known for his work on "Stargate" and "Independence Day." The editing was handled by Jim Clark, who had previously worked on "The Killing Fields" and "Marathon Man." The musical score was composed by Carter Burwell, who has scored numerous Coen Brothers films. The action sequences were choreographed to emphasize the Jackal's professional expertise and the various law enforcement efforts to track him, though some critics found the action scenes overly reliant on explosions and gunfights rather than suspense.

### Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Jackal occupies an interesting place in 1990s action cinema as an example of Hollywood's tendency to remake international successes with American stars and bigger budgets. While not achieving the critical acclaim of the original, it found commercial success and remains a notable entry in Bruce Willis's action filmography. The film has since gained a modest cult following among fans of 1990s action thrillers, though it is rarely cited as a high point in the careers of its principal actors or filmmakers.

### Distribution and Release
The film was released theatrically in the United States on November 14, 1997, with international releases following throughout 1998. It was distributed by Universal Pictures in most territories. The film's marketing campaign emphasized the star power of Bruce Willis and the action elements of the story. Home video releases followed, including VHS, DVD, and later Blu-ray editions, though the film has not received significant restoration or special edition treatment.

### Related Works and Connections
As a remake of "The Day of the Jackal," the film is connected to the broader tradition of assassin thriller films. It shares thematic elements with other 1990s action films featuring professional killers as protagonists, such as "The Professional" and "Assassins." The film's production company, Regency Enterprises, has been involved in numerous other action and thriller productions throughout the 1990s and 2000s. The film's genre connections to spy films, crime films, and action thrillers place it within a well-established Hollywood tradition of international intrigue stories.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119395/)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film788502.html)
3. [Source](http://www.film-o-holic.com/arvostelut/the-jackal)
4. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-3568/)
5. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/szakal)
6. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=3568.html)
7. Freebase Data Dumps
8. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-jackal)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119395/fullcredits)
10. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
11. Letterboxd
12. The Movie Database
13. The Jackal. Rotten Tomatoes
14. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119395/releaseinfo)
15. BBC Things
16. [Source](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0119395)
17. Kinopoisk
18. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/jackal-the/)
19. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-jackal-sbs-versie/)
20. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/jackal-the-rtl-versie/)
21. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
22. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
23. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/93739)
24. Online-Filmdatenbank
25. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=1897)
26. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
27. mymovies.it
28. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/3564-74ED-059E-63FB-4B30-U)
29. Danish Film Database
30. Trakt.tv
31. FilmVandaag.nl