Prime Video‘s Reacher is a unique addition to the action thriller genre, but the original book series it adapts was secretly inspired by an epic 54-year-old novel. Interestingly, the book in question also has a compelling TV adaptation, which boasts an impressive 85% Rotten Tomatoes score.
There is something truly fascinating about watching or reading about a protagonist like Jack Reacher, who bulldozes his way out of trouble with his massive size and sheer strength. Since Prime Video’s Reacher, unlike Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher movies, put this aspect of the character front and center, it is considered a worthy adaptation of Lee Child’s books.
Speaking of Lee Child, the author has done an incredible job of giving Jack Reacher a solid identity in the action thriller genre. However, like all writers, he, too, drew inspiration from other literary works when he first penned the Jack Reacher books. One of his key inspirations was a 1971 book, which also recently got an incredible television adaptation.
Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal Was One Of The Biggest Inspirations Behind Lee Child’s Jack Reacher
In a recent article (via The Guardian), Lee Child remembered The Day of the Jackal‘s author, Fredrick Forsyth, and recalled how he ingeniously defied the rules and conventions of thriller writing. After reading The Day of Jackal, Lee Child was impressed but could not help but wonder how it worked so well.
For a long time, thrillers stuck to the will-he-won’t-he formula, making readers wonder if the main character would ultimately succeed at his mission and pull the trigger. From the get-go, The Day of the Jackal defied this rule by making the real president of France, Charles de Gaulle, the primary target/victim in its story.
Did You Know: The Day of the Jackal was Fredrick Forsyth’s first full-length novel. He only wrote the book out of financial need but ultimately ended up earning immense acclaim for his storytelling.
Since he had been all over the news before his demise in 1970, readers were already very familiar with the book’s character and his fate. Even with the main titular assassin, Forsyth avoided delving into the details of who he is, what he wants, and where he comes from. With this, as Lee Child explained, “he showed us that the how question was as powerful as the who, why, where and when.“
Drawing inspiration from The Day of the Jackal, Lee Child seemingly achieved something similar with his iconic character Jack Reacher. Child introduced his detective character as a mysterious stranger readers know little about. In every book, he also ends up in a new unfamiliar setting. However, what makes his story compelling every time is how he solves crime everywhere he goes.
The Day Of The Jackal Has A Brilliant TV Adaptation Starring Eddie Redmayne
Prime Video’s Reacher respects its source material and perfectly portrays the air of mystery and intrigue that make the Alan Ritchson character appealing in the books. Even Alan Ritchson does an incredible job of capturing Reacher’s stoic demeanor, dry humor, and calm intensity. The Day of the Jackal also has a similarly compelling TV adaptation, which also stars a talented actor.
Featuring Eddie Redmayne as its titular assassin, Peacock’s The Day of the Jackal already has two Golden Globe nominations under its belt. While one is for Best Television Series — Drama, the other is in the Best Actor category, earned by Eddie Redmayne. The show earned rave reviews for its taut writing, performances, and ability to keep viewers white-knuckled after season 1.
Although the show slightly drifted away from the original novel and portrayed its story in a more contemporary fashion, viewers and critics could not help but appreciate it. The Day of Jackal also performed well enough on streaming to be renewed for another season.
One Jack Reacher Book Is Also Dedicated To The Day Of The Jackal’s Author
In an interview (via The Rap Sheet), Lee Child revealed that his 2002 book, Without Fail, serves as a homage to Fredrick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal and even draws direct references to it. Given how the book inspired Lee Child and played a crucial role in Reacher‘s creation, fans of the Prime Video show should check out The Day of the Jackal as well before its next season comes out.
