Jackal (The Day of the Jackal)
Unknown English assassin hired by the OAS to kill de Gaulle.
The Jackal is a fictional character and the principal antagonist of Frederick Forsyth's 1971 novel The Day of the Jackal. He is an English assassin contracted by the OAS, a French terrorist group of the early 1960s, to kill President Charles de Gaulle. The character's real name is unknown, and his background remains sketchy throughout the story.
- born
- circa 1929–1930
- died
- 25 August 1963
- field
- Assassination
- nationality
- English
- known_for
- Attempted assassination of Charles de Gaulle; codename 'the Jackal'
Lore & Background
The Jackal is a blond Englishman in his early thirties, living in Mayfair, London. He is described as about five feet nine inches tall with a slender yet muscular build, cold grey eyes, and few distinguishing features. He frequently changes his hair color and uses tinted contact lenses to hide his eyes. His real name is never revealed; he adopts the identity of a deceased infant, Alexander Duggan, for a passport. He is fluent in French and is believed to have been trained as a sniper in the French Foreign Legion, with possible combat experience in the First Indochina War and Algerian War. His only confirmed kills before the de Gaulle plot are two German rocket scientists in Egypt, one of whom he shot at long range with a sniper rifle.
Reader's Guide
The Jackal represents a archetype of the cold, professional assassin in popular fiction. His meticulous planning, use of forged identities, and ability to remain anonymous made him a memorable antagonist. The character's legacy extends beyond the novel: he was portrayed by Edward Fox in the 1973 film adaptation, by Bruce Willis in a significantly altered 1997 version, and by Eddie Redmayne in a 2024 television series. The Jackal's method of hiding a sniper rifle inside a stainless steel crutch and his final confrontation with detective Claude Lebel have become iconic. The story's enduring popularity stems from its detailed procedural elements and the mystery of the assassin's true identity, which remains unsolved at the end of both the novel and the 1973 film.
Did You Know?
- The Jackal's codename was chosen by the character himself when asked by OAS conspirators, replying: 'Since we have been speaking of hunting, what about the Jackal? Will that do?'
- He was paid US$500,000 (about 5 million in 2024 dollars) by the OAS to kill Charles de Gaulle.
- The Jackal killed a forger who tried to blackmail him for more money after providing false identification papers.
- He was buried two days after his death in an unmarked grave; the burial was attended by police and a priest, and the death certificate identified him as 'an unknown foreign tourist, killed in a car accident'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Jackal in The Day of the Jackal?
The Jackal is an unnamed English assassin who serves as the central antagonist of Frederick Forsyth's 1971 novel. His true identity and personal history are deliberately left vague, making him a near-ghostly figure throughout the story. He is best known for the meticulously planned attempt to murder French President Charles de Gaulle.
What is the Jackal's background and origin?
He is English, born around 1929 or 1930, but almost nothing else about his past is ever confirmed. The narrative keeps his name, family, and prior life shrouded in mystery, reinforcing his identity as a pure instrument of violence rather than a person with a rich personal history.
What is the Jackal's mission and who hired him?
He is contracted by the OAS, a French far-right terrorist organization active in the early 1960s, to carry out the assassination of President de Gaulle. His task is to plan and execute a single, perfectly timed killing rather than engage in ongoing guerrilla warfare.
How does the Jackal's story end?
The Jackal is killed on 25 August 1963, the very day his assassination attempt on de Gaulle is set to take place. His death comes at the hands of the French security forces who have been tracking his preparations, bringing the tense cat-and-mouse sequence to a close.
Why is the Jackal considered a significant villain in fiction?
He stands out because his threat is grounded in realistic espionage tradecraft, detailed planning, and methodical preparation rather than supernatural ability. The novel's granular depiction of weapons procurement, disguise, and route planning made him a benchmark for the 'competent assassin' archetype in later thrillers and films.
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