Jonathan K (Max Outlier)’s Reviews > The Day of the Jackal > Status Update

As a film buff, when I see a film that's based on a book, if the plot and characters are of interest I'll read it since studios take creative liberty. The fact that Peacock produced a top notch series that closely followed the 50 year old book it's quite a tribute to the author. They do a great job with updating and swapping character types with the exception of the Jackal.

As stated previously the script for the Peacock series uses the majority of the details from the book and as with most, characters are changed along with premise. The series substitutes a black female MI6 agent for the French police and adds a second target to the mix. Great story regardless

Given it's publishing date of 71, Forsyth does a masterful job creating one of the most deceptive, cold blooded assassins fathomable. Having loved the Eddie Redmayne series, the writers closely emulate the book then update it with today's technology. They also add a black female MI6 agent who wants the Jackal in custody. My only complaint about this book is overuse of back story related to those who hire the Jackal

Easy to see how this story attracted the attention of studios. The Jackal is a unique character and his clients being members of a French government agency provide a counterbalance. He adds the addition of a beautiful girl whose young brother was killed in Algeria seeking revenge. For those who haven't seen the Peacock series and love mystery, I can't recommend it enough

Unlike the film, the Peacock series uses elements associated with the Jackal including the name. Here the Englisman has documents made using the identity of someone who was born the same year but died before age three. They use his genius in the design of a custom built rifle that can be smuggled without detection along with disguises.

Having seen the original film adaptation with Bruce Willis as well as the Peacock series with Eddie Redmayne, the only commonality between them and the book, is the Jackal, who masks identity, charges a fortune and refuses assistance from his clients. Beyond that there's no resemblance to either

Like a horse race the plot to kill General DeGaulle shoots out of the gate and with it a litany of characters. In no time flat those in the operation are caught and the top dog is executed. I'm hoping the author doesn't overwhelm the rest of the story with countless characters. A fan of simplicity it keeps the reader engaged rather than lost in the labyrinth