Forsyth worked as a freelance journalist covering the Biafran War
Chronology
The Jackal is an elusive hitman who makes his living by carrying out high-paying hits. He soon meets his match in a tough British intelligence officer who follows him on a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe. Check out the list of renewals and cancellations to see if your favorite show has been a success. When it ended, he returned to Britain, unemployed and unsure of what to do.
“I came back for Christmas ’69, thoroughly skinned,” he says
“With no chance of a job, no flat, no car and no savings. Then I had this crazy, crazy idea to write a novel. “Everyone said you must be joking or angry because the odds of it being released are a hundred to one, if not 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 the then-unknown Edward Fox because director Fred Zinnemann thought he could move invisibly through a crowd.
The actors were well-cast and strong
(Airmail). Quoted on The Graham Norton Show: Denzel Washington/Paul Mescal/Saoirse Ronan/Eddie Redmayne/Blossoms (2024). A strong script, full of suspense and good storytelling. It was gripping to watch and enjoyable.
Eddie Redmayne was cool, calculating and intelligent
Despite being the supposed villain, the audience can’t help but cheer for her in this cat and mouse tale. The only exception was Lashana Lynch, who has no acting skills, emotions or facial expressions. How she was cast, I don’t know! I suppose it was more of a British box ticker in their quest for diversity.
Her mannerisms were actually annoying
It’s a shame because a strong leading lady could have carried this around the world.