Day of the Jackal

Author(s): Adam

Location: TX

"Day of the Jackal"

Directed by MARTIN CAMPBELL
Written by TONY GILROY
Produced by FRANK MARSHALL & PAUL GREENGRASS
Based on the 1973 film
"THE DAY OF THE JACKAL"
Based on the novel by Frederick Forsyth

Main Cast

DANIEL CRAIG as The Jackal
MATT DAMON as Paul Landon
CATE BLANCHETT as Elise Rowan
SIDNEY POLLACK as President James Sullivan
ALBERT FINNEY as Prime Minister Michael Livingston
BRENDAN GLEESON as Vice President Jack Stanton
CHRIS COOPER as Stephen Lane
PADDY CONSIDINE as Gustov The Messenger

Tagline: "One man aims to kill the president. The other aims to stop him"

Synopsis: WASHINGTON: After a day of meeting at the White House, American President James Sullivan and British Prime Minister Michael Livingston have settled on an agreement to remove troops of their countries from and ongoing war in Iraq. In light of the historic event, the two men along with Vice President Jack Stanton, will be doing a week long tour of European cities to promote a new proposition for a joint American/European alliance to maintain peace in feuding nations.

LONDON: The Jackal, a professional assassin, walks out of Heathrow airport and enters a black vehicle. Inside, a man known simply as Gustov the Messenger hands him an envelope containing a picture of President Sullivan and gives him clear instructions. In eight days, during the final stop of the peace tour in Paris, he is to shoot and kill the president of the United States.

NEW YORK: Paul London, an agent in the FBI's counter-terrorism unit, has successfully busted a bomb plot on a large African-American church by a notorious white supremacist group. He has been informed that a lead was given to the bureau concerning a plot on the president's life during his peace tour.

Landon and his investigative team are determined to stop The Jackal in his motives. As they follow his route for days through cities such as Moscow, Berlin, Amsterdam, Prague, Milan, Dublin, Madrid and eventually Paris, they find themselves one step behind him and closer to learning the realities behind the shocking motive. Elsie Rowan, a woman The Jackal had a one night encounter with along the way, has described his looks and given Landon details of his characteristics, thus providing a clear image of who they are looking for. As their thrilling cat and mouse chase continues, Landon shockingly learns that the plot may actually be an inside job. One that involves Stephen Lane, a pro-war congressman who was benefiting greatly from the war, and even Vice President Stanton, who was not too intent on the war to end.

What the Press would say:

"In 1973, a film titled "The Day Of The Jackal" which was based on the outstanding novel by Frederick Forsyth turned an actor named Edward Fox into a star. This intelligent and entertaining remake, has not converted Craig into a star, but solidified his talents as a great actor. We've seen him play a gangster's son, a vengeful Isreali assassin and even James Bond. As The Jackal, he has crafted the villainous figure with such skill. His movement, his presence and his sheer personality as the character is fantastic. He is such a powerful figure with such intense motives, yet his mood and his movement is so unchaotic, that it creates such a different kind of villain. Matt Damon shines as Landon. A generally confident actor with admirable talents, his determination to complete the film's central motive as the character is perfect for an actor of his age and shape. Come nomination time, it may just be the battle of the leads between Mr. Craig and Mr. Damon."

"In the supporting department, Brendan Gleeson does superb as Vice President Stanton, a man who shows dedication in supporting his commander in chief, but at the same time holds very shady ways underneath everything. Playing the role with a dead-on East Coast accent, the Irish-born actor shows his talent for playing foreign characters."

"With a fine script from Mr. Gilroy and superb directing from Mr. Campbell, the creative team behind this ambitious recreation of a classic thriller holds true to the concept of its predecessor. It aims to create an entertaining and suspenseful edge of your seat thriller, and aims to minimize itself as an over the top action film. At that, it succeeds. You are never bored, and are always given something to follow along with throughout each scene of the film. When the moments of thrilling excitement arrive, they are done superbly."

FYC
BEST PICTURE (Drama)
BEST DIRECTOR- Martin Campbell
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY- Tony Gilroy
BEST ACTOR- Daniel Craig
BEST ACTOR- Matt Damon
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- Brendan Gleeson
BEST FILM EDITING
ALL CREATIVITY AWARDS