MovieChat Forums > The Jackal (1997) Discussion > Does Anyone Else Have a Problem With...

Does Anyone Else Have a Problem With...

posted 14 years ago by heresjohnny666
7 replies | jump to latest

The fact that at the end of the movie Sydney Poitier's character lets Richard Gears character go?

He is a convicted IRA terrorist sniper!

I get the sense of the ridiculous American romantic idea about their Irish heritage that just because a bunch of toothless navies couldn't deal with life in the own country so decided to *beep* off to 'The New World' that for some reason gives them something to be proud of... The IRA is not an Irish institution to be proud of!

Can anyone imagine a movie about an British MI5 agent letting go a Muslim terrorist saying 'You be a god boy and promise not to fly any more planes into buildings'. I can just imagine the American response!

Rule Britannia!!!!!!!!! lol

'Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day'

[–] Thom-Yorke 14 years ago

Your tea is getting cold...

Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.

[–] heresjohnny666 14 years ago

I probably drink more Starbucks than tea these days. I'm a traitor! lol

'Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day'

[–] Thom-Yorke 14 years ago

Say hello to the queen for me.

Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.

[–] pope_duke 14 years ago

That's just it ... romanticism. We are made to think of Gere's character as the "hero", so we all want to think he is the good guy, and he did not deserve to be in prisoner, and he was just a soldier of ideals, etc., etc.

The movie is full of romanticisms as well as poorly executed plot decisions. It is entertaining to some degree, but it is not a very tight or well-written film.

[–] washcloud 12 years ago

He is a convicted IRA terrorist sniper!

...he actually was a burned-out sniper, who got convicted in the US for trafficking "old guns", not for...being "an IRA terrorist". Who also saved the Yankees' "top bitch" (aka "1st lady")'s ass and only wanted to "do a fresh start"...So why shouldn't they set him free.

(Btw should Britain be proud of occupying Ireland? Set Ireland free -much like they set Declan- and voila, there goes your problem with the IRA...)

[–] sie_asunder 11 years ago

Typical US American comment ill-informed and ignorant about the British-Irish issue.

Fact, Britain DOES NOT occupy Ireland (like the USA occupies part of Cuba). It is the result of centuries of immigration and mixing between Britain and Ireland (who are closer than you can ever imagine - more Irish blood in England, Scotland and Wales than the pathetic St.Paddys day pretenders in the USA - my grandparents were Irish, many similar in England and Scotland). A large community of loyal Irish unionists developed over these hundreds of years who wish to remain British. Yes, many Scottish and English immigrants settled there but that does not equate to 'British occupation' but a long history of movement between the two islands. Believe it or not some Irish catholics were proud to be in the United Kingdom 300 years ago.

It is a bit rich coming from an American whose whole country exists due to occupation of another folks' land. Why don't you dissolve the USA and return it to the natives?

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

Can anyone imagine a movie about an British MI5 agent letting go a Muslim terrorist saying 'You be a god boy and promise not to fly any more planes into buildings'. I can just imagine the American response!

Have a look at what washcloud says above. Then remember too that Preston gave him his word that he would try to have him set free in exchange for his cooperation.

Declan kept his end of the deal and saw everything through to the end, in the process making Preston a national hero. Preston says the government would only agree to transfer him to "a country club facility". He then cut him some slack to give him some time to disappear. It's a non-issue IMO.