The Jackal (1997)

The Jackal (1997), directed by Michael Caton-Jones, is a tense, globe-trotting thriller that pits a mysterious assassin against a disgraced former IRA sniper in a deadly game of cat and mouse. A loose remake of the 1973 film The Day of the Jackal, this version amps up the action while keeping the spirit of the original—a calculating hitman planning to strike at the very heart of a nation.

Detailed Summary

Opening: Bloodshed Breeds Retaliation

After a joint FBI-Russian police operation ends with the death of a Russian mobster’s brother, the mobster—Terek Murad (David Hayman)—seeks brutal revenge. He hires a legendary but anonymous international assassin known only as the Jackal (Bruce Willis), tasking him with assassinating a high-profile American target. The Jackal is a ghost—untraceable, methodical, and utterly without conscience.

A Desperate Alliance

The FBI, led by Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier), teams up with Russian intelligence and discovers the Jackal’s involvement. Knowing traditional methods won’t be enough to stop him, they turn to Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere), an imprisoned former IRA sniper who once had dealings with the Jackal. Reluctantly, Mulqueen agrees to help, motivated not just by the promise of freedom but also concern for his former lover Isabella (Mathilda May), who may be targeted.

A Killer Without a Face

Meanwhile, the Jackal meticulously prepares for the assassination. Using false identities, he purchases high-tech weaponry, alters his appearance frequently, and even tests his custom-built remote-controlled gun with chilling efficiency. He eliminates anyone who gets too close, including the man who made the gun and a poor bystander who witnessed him testing it. His ruthlessness is surgical—cold, fast, and final.

A Race Across Borders

Declan and the authorities try to piece together the Jackal’s plan, racing across countries as he leaves a trail of bodies. Declan’s expertise provides critical insight into how the Jackal thinks and operates, narrowing down potential targets. Eventually, they deduce that the real target is not a government building, as initially thought, but First Lady of the United States, who is planning to give a speech in Washington, D.C.

Movie Ending

In the final act, the Jackal sets up a deadly ambush from a concealed van equipped with a remote-controlled, high-caliber machine gun mounted on a track. He plans to assassinate the First Lady from a distance while remaining hidden in a nearby garage.

As the First Lady arrives and begins her speech, Declan and the FBI rush to the scene after finally piecing together the Jackal’s exact plan. Isabella, Declan’s ex-lover, also joins them, knowing the Jackal may recognize and hesitate around her.

Just as the Jackal initiates the kill sequence, Declan spots the weapon’s movement. A firefight ensues. Despite being shot in the arm, Declan manages to disable the weapon in the nick of time, preventing the assassination.

The Jackal flees the scene, only to be cornered in a rail yard. Declan confronts him and, after a tense exchange, shoots the Jackal dead, putting an end to his killing spree. As the authorities arrive, Declan walks away, his debt to society now arguably paid.

There is no post-credits scene in The Jackal, which is typical for thrillers of its era. The story concludes definitively, offering no teases of sequels or extended lore.

Type of Movie

The Jackal is a political action thriller with strong espionage and procedural elements. It blends intense action, tense investigation, and international intrigue in the vein of Cold War-era spy films but with a modern 1990s edge.

Cast

• Bruce Willis as The Jackal
• Richard Gere as Declan Mulqueen
• Sidney Poitier as FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston
• Diane Venora as Major Valentina Koslova
• Mathilda May as Isabella Zancona
• Jack Black as Ian Lamont
• David Hayman as Terek Murad
• J.K. Simmons as FBI Agent Witherspoon

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack was composed by Carter Burwell, known for his work on Fargo, Carol, and many Coen Brothers films. The score is atmospheric and tense, relying on moody strings and electronic elements to highlight the suspense and psychological tension of the cat-and-mouse game.

Filming Locations

The Jackal was filmed across various locations to reflect its international scope:

• Helsinki, Finland: doubling for Moscow and other European cities.
• Montreal, Canada: used for multiple interior and city scenes.
• Washington, D.C.: key location for the final assassination attempt.
• London, UK: scenes involving international coordination and Interpol.

These varied locations reflect the Jackal’s elusive nature and the global scale of his mission.

Awards and Nominations

The film was not a major awards contender, though it did receive some attention for its editing and technical production. Critics were divided—some praised its pacing and performances, while others found it formulaic compared to the original 1973 version.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Richard Gere used a real Irish dialect coach to prepare for his accent, which received mixed reviews.
• Bruce Willis wore numerous disguises in the film—each requiring several hours in makeup and prosthetics.
• Jack Black’s small role as a gun tech was memorable due to the shocking nature of his death scene, which was often cited as one of the most intense in the film.
• The weapon used by the Jackal was a custom-built mockup with remote controls that mimicked real-world ballistics.
• Originally, the producers wanted Robert De Niro or Michael Douglas for the role of Declan.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel The Day of the Jackal and the 1973 movie adaptation of the same name. While the original focused on an attempt to assassinate Charles de Gaulle, the 1997 version updates the plot with new characters, a different target, and more emphasis on action than procedural thriller elements.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

• An alternate ending existed in which the Jackal escapes, but test audiences found it unsatisfying.
• Several scenes fleshing out Declan’s backstory, especially his IRA involvement, were cut for pacing.
• A deleted scene featured a longer sequence of the Jackal interacting with his gun supplier (Jack Black), showing more of the weapon’s capabilities.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While the 1997 film credits The Day of the Jackal as source material, it deviates heavily from the book. The Jackal’s methodology and mystery remain central, but the target, setting, and characters are completely different. The novel is more procedural and rooted in historical politics, while the film leans into Hollywood thriller territory.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The Jackal testing his weapon by blowing a watermelon—and later a human—apart.
• The shocking death of Jack Black’s character during the weapons test.
• The assassination attempt sequence in the final act.
• The confrontation between Declan and the Jackal at the railyard.

Iconic Quotes

• Declan: “You don’t know the Jackal, and you never will.”
• The Jackal: “You can’t protect your women… or your country.”
• Preston: “We’re not hunting a man. We’re hunting a shadow.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The Jackal’s different disguises (blonde, businessman, gay man) are subtle nods to the way the original Jackal in Forsyth’s novel could blend into any environment.
• The rail yard finale may be a symbolic echo of the opening train sequence in The Day of the Jackal (1973).
• The number plates and IDs used by the Jackal reference Cold War-era spy agencies, a nod to the genre’s roots.

Trivia

• Richard Gere did not meet Bruce Willis during most of the shoot; all their scenes were filmed separately until the climax.
• Bruce Willis improvised many of the Jackal’s mannerisms to appear unpredictable—even to the cast.
• This was Sidney Poitier’s last theatrical film before his retirement.
• The Jackal’s custom van was a real remote-controlled vehicle used during testing scenes.
• Bruce Willis used his role to shake off his “hero” typecasting from Die Hard, embracing a villainous role with calm menace.

Why Watch?

Watch The Jackal if you’re into high-stakes political thrillers with international espionage, charismatic antiheroes, and tight action sequences. It’s a showcase for Bruce Willis as a chilling villain and offers a fast-paced, satisfying ride despite its divergence from the source material.

Director’s Other Movies

• Rob Roy (1995)
• Memphis Belle (1990)
• This Boy’s Life (1993)
• Basic Instinct 2 (2006)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Day of the Jackal (1973)
• Enemy of the State (1998)
• Patriot Games (1992)
• The Bourne Identity (2002)
• Spy Game (2001)