Forsyth was working as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran War
Synopsis
The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee. He soon meets his match in a tenacious British intelligence officer who tracks him down in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe.. Check out our list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show made the cut..
Then I had this crazy, crazy idea to write a novel
When it ended he returned to Britain, unemployed and unsure what to do next.He said: 'I came back Christmas '69, thoroughly skint. I don't have a likelihood of a job, don't have a flat, don't have a car and don't have any savings. 'Everybody said you must be joking or mad because the chances of even getting it published are hundreds to one, even thousands.' Within weeks of publication, the film rights were snapped up.
The Day of the Jackal is as good as advertised
Some of Hollywood's biggest stars battled to play the Jackal in the 1973 film but the role went to the then unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could pass invisibly in a crowd. (Air Mail). Referenced in The Graham Norton Show: Denzel Washington/Paul Mescal/Saoirse Ronan/Eddie Redmayne/Blossoms (2024).
It's an updated version of the classic story
The series is about an elite assassin sniper (Eddie Redmayne) who goes by the nickname of The Jackal. He's a highly trained killer who's also a master of disguise. He's offered a job worth so much that he can retire from the business but the job is risky, especially with a ruthless British intelligence officer named Bianca (Lashana Lynch) hot on his trail.
She chases him all over Europe while he tries to carry out his mission
There are plenty of casualties along the way as these two go head to head. Their personal lives start to clash with work as they start to figure out that other forces are pulling the strings. Even though some parts are dragged out so they can get to 10 episodes, there is plenty of action and drama to keep you entertained throughout the series.