Once every blue moon, there's nothing I like to do more than dive into my old VHS-collection in search for obscure treasure gems exactly like "Jackals". Films like these are never shown on television anymore, and I sincerely doubt if they were ever released on DVD anywhere in the world. And yet, "Jackals" - as well as many more of these contemporary and rare thrillers - is genuinely worthwhile!
The film has a cool setting and ditto plot, a handful of harsh and violent bits and - most of all - a couple of crude & relentless villains (played by Dennis A. Pratt and especially Gerald McRaney). Former California copper Joe Case visits a befriended couple in small Arizonan border town, but witnesses the brutal execution of a young Mexican girl during a horse ride in the desert. When he reports to the local police, he recognizes deputy Jake Wheeler as the killer. For you see, instead of keeping illegal Mexican immigrants out, Wheeler moonshines with a profitable business to smuggle them in! The poor girl tried to escape, and Wheeler can't have that.
This dark, no-nonsense and gritty thriller is also known as "American Justice" and comes warmly recommended if you also enjoyed more mainstream thrillers like "Internal Affairs, "Flashpoint", "Q&A", etc...
