The Day of the Jackal (Sky Atlantic)

This mega-production by Sky starring Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Logan and Charles Dance inevitably invites comparison with the Frederick Forsyth best-selling novel and the 1973 Fred Zinnermann film with Edward Fox. Frederick Forsyth admitted that he was paid vast amounts of money to do nothing or perhaps better to say nothing.

I however have not received hush money so I can state that I believe the original version better.

Why?

In the original version the Jackal had one contract  – the assassination of General de Gaulle – whereas in this version the Jackal is a contract killer and each episode featured a different assassination.

Whilst the Eddie Redmayne depiction showed a character that could be charming and friendly he was utterly ruthless.

This belies a rather complex relationship with his Spanish partner to whom he declared his love and broke down when thinking about her.

Further, the MI6 operative Bianca Pullman, who was tracking him down, was equally ruthless but could not resolve her domestic crisis of her daughter that she had whilst young, her academic partner and her devotion to her job.

There was also more than a nod to ‘diversity’ and – though the 1973 version might seem dated with its all white cast – it seems difficult to imagine ‘six’  (MI6) that is so full of cold ambitious women and the Anguished Diverse.

The use of mobiles, which immediately gives away location, would never be tolerated.

Against this the pace was maintained over the 10 episodes and Eddie Redmayne – so convincing in his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory Of Everything – is a fine actor.

He was at his best in the final episode when, escaping from Croatia, preying on an elderly couple in a mobile home and ‘persuading’ them to give him a lift to an illusory hospital.

I was less enamoured by Lashana Logan. She has expressive eyes but failed convince me in her part and of her obsessive single-mindedness to hunt down the Jackal. The final scene in the Jackal’s Cadiz villa was difficult to follow as it was filmed in the dark.

Charles Dance played a cameo rõle as a sinister businessman.

Perhaps the most important thing for the production company is that everything is set up for a second series.

However, I do believe that directors like Fred Zinnermann (High Noon, A Man for All Seasons, The Nun’s Story, From Here to Eternity amongst others) have more of a  popular touch than those who decide on their terms as to what constitutes a modern makeover.