The Day of the Jackal (1973)

David Swift: Montclair

Photos 

Quotes 

• Col. Rodin : Will you do it?

  The Jackal : Yes.

  Montclair : How much?

  The Jackal : You must understand that this is a once-in-a-lifetime job, whoever does it can never work again...

  Montclair : How much do you want?

  The Jackal : Half a million.

  Montclair : What?

  The Jackal : In cash. Half in advance, half on completion.

  Montclair : Half a million francs?

  The Jackal : Dollars.

  Montclair : [standing up]  Are you mad?

  The Jackal : Considering you expect to get France in return, I'd have thought it a reasonable price. If you can't manage it, then there's nothing more to be said.

  [turns to leave] 

  Col. Rodin : We accept!

• Col. Rodin : We are not terrorists, you understand. We are patriots. Our duty is to the soldiers who died fighting in Algeria, and to the three million French citizens who have always lived there.

  The Jackal : And so you want to get rid of him.

  Col. Rodin : Speaking as a professional, do you think it's possible?

  The Jackal : It's possible. The point is getting away with it. And speaking as a professional, that's a very important consideration.

  Montclair : But in principle you say it could be done?

  The Jackal : Yes, with enough time and planning. It would be more difficult than most other targets.

  Casson : Why more?

  The Jackal : Because de Gaulle has the best security service in the world. Their information is first-class. You see, gentlemen, not only have your own efforts failed, but you've rather queered the pitch for everyone else.

  Casson : How dare you suggest that!

  The Jackal : In this work, you simply can't afford to be emotional. That's why you've made so many mistakes.

  Col. Rodin : But if we decided to employ a professional...

  The Jackal : You have to employ a professional. Your organization is so riddled with informers that nothing you decide is a secret for long. No, the job would have to be done by an outsider. The only question would be by whom, and for how much.

• The Jackal : How many know about this?

  Col. Rodin : Just the four of us.

  The Jackal : Let's keep it that way. This job depends on absolute secrecy. No notes must be kept. If any one of you is captured, I shall feel free to call it off. I suggest you go somewhere secure and remain there under guard until the job is done. Agreed?

  Col. Rodin : Agreed.

  The Jackal : [writes on a piece of paper]  The planning will be mine. Here is the account number of my bank in Switzerland. When I've received confirmation that the first $250,000 has been deposited, I'll move, provided I'm ready. But I shall not be hurried or interfered with in any way.

  Col. Rodin : [passes the paper to Montclair]  Agreed.

  The Jackal : All I shall want from you is a number that I can ring in Paris for information about De Gaulle's schedule and security arrangements.

  Montclair : I'd like to know where you expect us to find half a million dollars so quickly.

  The Jackal : Use your network to rob some banks.

• Casson : No wonder our people are giving up, they've lost faith!

  Montclair : We've failed them every single time!

  Col. Rodin : We won't fail them again!

  Casson : What can we do? We're paralyzed!

  Montclair : Every cop in France has memorized our faces! Informants are all around us!

  Col. Rodin : ...We must find an outsider. A foreigner!

  Montclair : A foreigner? Why?

  Col. Rodin : A contract killer! He won't have a record inside France, so he won't exist; he can come and go as he pleases!

  Montclair : That sort of person costs money.

  Col. Rodin : Yes. I'll find the right man.