As a seasoned fan of gripping thrillers and historical mysteries, I can hardly contain my excitement for Peacock’s upcoming series, “The Day of The Jackal”. Having spent countless hours delving into the annals of history and uncovering the hidden tales behind events that shaped our world, this series promises to be a captivating blend of fact and fiction.
In some part of the globe, there exists a remarkable assassin, a shadowy and lethal figure. He consistently operates solo, constantly changes his appearance, and never reveals his true identity. He steps out from the darkness to carry out his brutal tasks, vanishing just as swiftly – unless British intelligence manages to intervene. This sets the stage for Peacock’s forthcoming ’70s suspense drama The Day of the Jackal, featuring Lashana Lynch, Úrsula Corberó, and Eddie Redmayne portraying the enigmatic character known as the Jackal.
The movie “The Day of the Jackal” is inspired by Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel with the same title, which is somewhat based on real-life events. This book won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1972 from the Mystery Writers of America. It was subsequently made into a film in 1973. The latest mystery thriller by Peacock retells the story, focusing on a British intelligence officer (played by Lynch) who is on a mission to track down and prevent the Jackal (Redmayne) from causing further harm.
The book and real events that inspired Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal
Forsyth’s story opens with a depiction of an authentic attempt to kill French President Charles de Gaulle – this event occurred in reality. However, the subsequent events depicted in the book are fictional.
In the 1960s’ early years, France and Algeria found themselves embroiled in the Algerian War, a dispute about whether Algeria should continue as a French colony or gain independence. However, when President de Gaulle declared Algeria’s sovereignty, some military personnel were displeased, with Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Marie Bastien-Thiry, a member of the French Air Force, being among the most dissatisfied.
During that period, a right-wing French dissident group named the Secret Army Organization (OAS) was actively carrying out terrorist activities to express their disapproval of Algerian independence. Bastien-Thiry worked with the OAS in what later became known as the Petit-Clamart plot, an attempt to kill President de Gaulle.
Bastien-Thiry assembled a trio of gunmen and rendezvoused with them in Petit-Clamart, a Parisian suburb. He took up a watchman’s post while dispatching the gunmen to a commercial district where de Gaulle and his family were riding in their vehicle. The three assailants sprayed de Gaulle’s car and nearby stores with automatic gunfire, but the majority of their shots missed their intended targets. Regrettably, no one was killed, only one person sustained injuries from being caught in the crossfire. Post-incident, 14 bullet holes were discovered in de Gaullle’s car, along with two damaged tires. The placement of some of the bullet holes hints at a close brush with death for de Gaulle on that fateful day.
Bastien-Thiry was apprehended, put on trial, and found guilty. He argued that de Gaulle was a despot to defend his actions, leading to his execution by firing squad. While this account is factual, Forsyth’s story strays from historical truth beyond this point.
How to Watch The Day of The Jackal on Peacock
Following the assassination attempt, French security units pursued the OAS, infiltrating their ranks, which rendered them incapable of executing their plans successfully. In desperation, the OAS contracted a skilled assassin, codenamed “The Jackal,” to perform their violent tasks instead.
Stepping away from factual accounts and into a fictional realm filled with deadly imagination, the tale of The Jackal continues to intrigue. Unravel this enigma yourself when the premiere of The Day of the Jackal takes place on November 14, exclusively on Peacock.
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2024-10-09 20:46