Forsyth worked as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran War
Synopsis
The Jackal is an elusive assassin who makes a living by carrying out high-paying hits. He soon meets his partner in a tough 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 has made it.
He said: „I came back at Christmas ’69, completely emaciated
When that ended, he returned to Britain, unemployed and unsure of what to do next. No chance of a job, no flat, no car and no savings. Then I got this crazy, crazy idea to write a novel.
Featured on The Graham Norton Show: Denzel Washington/Paul Mescal/Saoirse Ronan/Eddie Redmayne/Blossoms (2024)
'Everyone said you must be kidding or crazy because the chances of it getting published are hundreds to one, even thousands.’ Within weeks of its release, the film rights were snapped up. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars vied to play the Jackal in the 1973 film, but the role went to a then-unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could pass through a crowd invisibly. (Airmail).
Unfortunately, Lashana Lynch’s performance pales in comparison, feeling wooden and uninspired
Eddie Redmayne delivers a riveting performance, embodying the titular killer with a chilling precision that makes him both terrifying and magnetic. Redmayne’s meticulous approach to the role heightens the tension, making his every move calculated and necessary. His ability to blend charm with menace ensures that audiences are both repelled and fascinated, capturing the essence of the character’s duality.
Redmayne’s brilliance alone makes it worth watching, but Lynch’s shortcomings slightly diminish the experience
Her portrayal of the determined intelligence operative lacked depth, often felt one-dimensional, and relied too heavy on clichés. In a series that thrives on nuance and detail, her character’s lack of complexity stands out in a negative way. Overall, the film is a compelling adaptation, but it struggles with uneven performances at times.