I've watched this film several times and having just returned from Menton, France, I wonder if anyone can verfy my suspicions on the filming location of a particular scene. When the Jackal is seen driving from Italy to France, at one point he approaches a road sign saying "Francia 23km", intentionally suggesting he is in Italy, approaching Ventimiglia towards Menton. However, the background scenery is identical to the view one would actually get from Cap Martin when looking towards Italy, meaning the scene was actually faked and filmed in France. In fact I'd go as far as to say the exact location is, Ave Sylvio De Monleon, Roquebrune/Cap Martin. The stepped wall in the background is still there now.
Can anyone confirm?
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
It may not be specific enough to answer your question, but you can see the list of locations here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069947/locations
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
I'm afraid I can't answer your question. But since Day of The Jackal is one of my favorite films of all time, I'd like to inform other fans that the movie was recently added to Netflix Instant in HD and looks amazing!
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Actually maybe I can answer the question. That road is part of Google Street View: http://goo.gl/maps/2UZAG It's hard to tell as there has obviously been a lot more development since it was filmed. He's referring to the shot at the 1 hour 18 min. part of the film.
Posted by
OP
Manchester, UK
6 posts
Thanks Tom.
I had tried there but, as you say, it isn't specific enough.
Posted by
OP
Manchester, UK
6 posts
Michael, Thanks, I hadn't thought of that! That's exactly where I'm referring to (I was there).
Ignoring the 40 years of vegitation growth since the film was made and the refurbished wall/house, if you move slightly up the road, reverse direction and look across the sea, I think you have a scene identical to the film's. Having also been to the Italy side, there isn't any similar view looking in any direction.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32352 posts
Stephen, Just curious, which version of "The Day of the Jackal" are you referring to. The original version with Edward Fox or the later version with Bruce Willis?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
The movie starring Bruce Willis was titled "The Jackal"
Posted by
Columbia, SC
989 posts
One of my all time favourites - am downloading it now. Thanks for the heads up, Michael. Netflix rules.
Posted by
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, Canada
307 posts
Yeah, the remake with Bruce Willis was junk, the original, with Edward Fox, is absolutely a classic( although the book was much better, as books always are )
Posted by
OP
Manchester, UK
6 posts
I couldn't agree more with all the comments regarding the original v the Bruce Willis remake. The original wins hands down.
Incidentally, I've been messing about with cropped images of Google Earth at Cap Martin and comparing these to a still clip from the film. I'm now absolutely certain that this was the actual filming location of the scene I referred to.
Posted by
Redding, CA, USA
1568 posts
I enjoyed this post! The Day of the Jackal is one of my all times favorties also. I also read the book before the movie came out. When we watch movies, we are constantly saying....been there done that.
Posted by
Las Vegas, Nevada, US
1 posts
Stephen, I think you're correct with your film location. I've looked at Street View and stills from the film. The actual location is as you say, France, Roquebrune, not Italy. They obviously just stuck a fake sign there.
Back then there were border controls so it may have been cheaper, or more convenient, to film those shots in France rather than take a whole crew into Italy. You may notice that you never actually see the Jackal crossing the border and arriving in France. This is merely implied by a scene at the French Customs House in Menton.