World-class assassin 'The Jackal' (Edward Fox) is hired by the right-wing OAS to kill France's President De Gaulle. Meanwhile, French police investigator Lebel (Michael Lonsdale) learns of the Jackal from an informer and attempts to piece together the clues to the his identity before it is too late. Directed by Fred Zinnemann, this screen version of Frederick Forsyth's bestseller describes the assassin's preparations and the detective's investigations in precise, methodical detail.