The Eiger Sanction (1975) User Reviews

The Eiger Sanction

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 25 September 2009]

I was anxious to see if Clint Eastwood's The Eiger Sanction was as bad as I had always read, whether it was one long bore which worked well as a sedative. I was surprised at how entertained I was despite the fact that it was all means to an end. The spy story itself wasn't exactly mindblowing or extraordinary, but the exhilarating mountain climbing finale (..and the training portion as Eastwood's agent prepares for the big climb up the Eiger), to me, was well worth sitting through the weaker aspects of the film.

The movie is really a tale of three halves. The opening sets up why Eastwood's art professor, whose past life was that of a hired assassin, will be scaling a massive mountain he has failed to climb twice previous, the middle shows his Dr. Jonathan Hemlock training under old pal Ben Bowman(George Kennedy, a delight and wonderful support to the film, I thought)getting ready for his date with destiny, and the final thirty minutes moving up, and down, the Eiger, with three other professional climbers.

I think the viewer can look at the film in two ways. As a spy movie, it just doesn't cut the mustard(..although, I must admit that I found the twist amusing, regarding the revelation of the identity behind who might've been responsible for the death of Hemlock's former associate, an act of betrayal to our country, helping hand over germ warfare microfilm "to the other side")for Eastwood is realistic holding a magnum as a San Fran detective or a pistol as a gunslinger staring down opposition, but he's not James Bond..the deliberate, leisure pace defies the rapid pace that the James Bond movies are known for. I think that's why the story plays second fiddle to the action sequences which are far more exciting and awe-inspiring. The camera-work / cinematography is first-rate, exceptional in particular once Eastwood is climbing up mountains, whether in breathtaking Arizona or Switzerland locations.

I think if you look at it as an adventure, one will probably consider it one of the greatest mountain climbing movies of all time, the precursor to Renny Harlin's Cliffhanger and Martin Campbell's Vertical Limit. Eastwood's insistence on doing his own stunts enhances the climbing sequences, adding a realism that is to be admired.

The cast is rather fascinating. Eastwood doesn't really stretch his acting muscles, but Kennedy is quite engaging as his buddy, while Jack Cassidy steals the film as the flamboyant homosexual Benedit Arnold traitor who Hemlock plans to kill when the time is right. Gregory Walcott is Eastwood's foil, as agent Pope, often embarrassed and humiliated by Hemlock, when he assaults him. Thayer David has a strange role as Hemlock's sickly Albino governmental charge, Dragon, blackmailing him into finding the traitorous rogue responsible for the murder of a former field colleague. Vonetta McGee is Jemima Brown, a "patriotic whore" who works for Dragon, falling in love with Hemlock in an interesting interracial love affair. I think it's all about what you enter the film expecting from it. If you looking for phenomenal mountain climbing sequences, this delivers the goods, but I suggest searching elsewhere for a strong spy story..if you want both, try For Your Eyes Only.

The incredible difficulty for shooting the scenes up the Eiger at the end shows and you can tell Eastwood took great strides getting the most out of the setting. As the four climbers make their way up, I enjoyed how the young lead climber pokes and jabs at Hemlock for his failure to successfully scale the Eiger because this ridicule will come back to haunt him when a decision to continue despite evidence of potential disaster leads to devastating consequences.

Great climbing sequences make this hidden gem worth watching!

[A_Roode · 7/10 · 30 April 2006]

Clint Eastwood stars as a former government assassin turned art teacher who is blackmailed into coming out of his retirement to pull off a difficult last job. A former colleague has been murdered. Eastwood will climb the Eiger face and kill the assassin along the way. The only problem is he isn't sure which of the three other climbers is his target.

'The Eiger Sanction' is very much a product of the 1970's, and comes from a difficult grey area of Eastwood's career. He was transitioning between Westerns and Dirty Harry and films like 'The Eiger Sanction' got lost in the mix. On the surface the film is a spy thriller, or a gorgeously shot mountain climbing/survival film. I think it doesn't get enough credit for being very tongue in cheek. It gently pokes fun at both Eastwood and 70's action movies -- Clint giving a female student a playful pat on the rump, the foxy brown flight attendant/girlfriend, and of course "damn that Brando" when Clint's Native American trainer pushes him too hard. Throw in the promiscuity and the way homosexuality is dealt with (rival gay hit-man with the little dog) and the film runs pretty nicely as a satire.

'The Eiger Sanction' is really about the third act though where the climbing takes place. Brilliantly photographed, I didn't find much not to enjoy about this film. Quite possibly the best climbing film that I've ever seen and it is certainly superior to things like 'Cliff Hanger' or 'Vertical Limit' -- which owe a great deal to 'The Eiger Sanction.' Clint Eastwood has acted in better movies and he's directed better movies. That said, this one is an unpolished gem and worth taking a look at if the opportunity arises.

"Screw Marlon Brando!"

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 14 November 2020]

Sort of an Americanized James Bond where government assassin Clint Eastwood travels to different locales fighting killing and boinking (not always in that order). It's got colorful characters, beautiful women, and a cartoon villain that would be right at home in a Roger Moore Bond flick. Gorgeous Vonetta McGee is reason alone to see this. Lots of pretty ladies in this film but she's on a whole other level.

Like most of Eastwood's 70s movies it's got plenty of grit and machismo. Certainly not one for the pearl clutchers. This is also one of those movies where you are reminded of what's missing in so many of today's movies. No I'm not talking about the politically incorrect stuff. That's another conversation. I'm talking about things like pacing and stuntwork and filming on location even if it might be slightly dangerous. Everything is faster and faker and more sanitized now. But I'll get off my soapbox before I start printing pamphlets. In closing, The Eiger Sanction is far from Eastwood's best but it is a good watch. Also I really love that jeep.

Another "forgotten" Eastwood that deserves more attention

[bogdanovich · 10 December 2002]

As a die-hard Clint Eastwood fan you've probably seen this spy/action/thriller already, but for those who only now discover the work of this great director/actor, check it out - it's well worth it.

This film was made in the mid-seventies and it shows in every frame. The decidedly non-political correctness in the scenes with the obviously gay guy, portrayed by Jack Cassidy (whose lapdog is appropriately named "faggot" and has a hilarious scene humping Eastwood's leg); with the Indian girl (Eastwoods laconic snarl "Screw Marlon Brando" is unforgettable); with the "black chick" (says Eastwood to the Afro-American actress Vonetta McGee) might turn off some of today's viewers or bring the film on the map for viewers who have grown up with Rap Music and consider the occasional four-letter word in "8 Mile" already daring.

The story itself is not really important (a classic spy/action thriller with a twist) but the camera direction is superb and Eastwood's well-known love for Jazz music seaps through occasionally. Today's movies are called movies for a reason - they are no longer "films" (like this one), where time is taken to tell a story and explore it in its own leisure fashion.

Overlooked Eastwood gem!

[filmbuff-31 · 7/10 · 28 January 2005]

This movie is highly unusual and possibly even unique in Clint Eastwood's career, either as actor or director.

In "The Eiger Sanction" he plays Dr. Jonathan Hemlock, a character completely unlike any other he has played. Dr. Hemlock is, in fact, the very antithesis of the typical Eastwood character.

Although he hides a secret past, Hemlock displays a highly cultured knowledge of fine art and jazz in both his professional and personal life. He possesses as highly refined a taste for beautiful women as he does for the most beautiful works of art.

Eastwood is both a philosopher and a lover in this film. He is also a humorist. But there are no glib one-liners here. In fact, this one film probably contains more dialogue for Eastwood than he has done for any other character he has played in his career.

Eastwood is the quintessential strong, silent type. As anyone knows who has seen him as a gunfighter hero, whether in the Old West or in the big city. In "The Eiger Sanction," he is a different kind of gun- fighter. His character is not drawn on the swift, total retribution exacted by the Man with No Name. Instead, it is drawn on the suave, debonair charm of James Bond. Jonathan Hemlock possesses the same cultural refinement and cosmopolitanism that the Bond character does. In fact, Hemlock and Bond are at work and at home in the same element: international espionage.

I suspect this is why the casual fan of Clint Eastwood typically detests this movie. Clint Eastwood appears to be miscast. But I'd say he pulls it off admirably, showing the viewer a side of himself which is rarely seen and exhibiting his versatility as an actor.

The story itself is better than average and the movie rates two and one half stars.

entertaining, near-mindless fun with some cool climbing scenes and plenty of wisecracks

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 17 November 2008]

Let's face it, folks, either you go for Clint Eastwood's kind of almost pure machismo (or whatever comes closest to him as a living, walking bad-ass), or you feel unnerved or turned off or just tune in for a few minutes here and there. I go for it, as it's one of those things that makes Clint what he is; he's intelligent about being a star, as his figure and persona are rarely changed much, so there's a consistency (Jack Nicholson may be a more versatile actor, maybe even better overall in his craft, but he'd have to go in a steel cage with Eastwood to see who'd be the best 70s star). The Eiger Sanction isn't any great shakes as compared to Clint at his best in the 70s- it's no High Plains Drifter or Dirty Harry or even Play Misty for Me- but it's a helluva lot of fun, and probably one of the better pictures done on the danger of mountain climbing.

Is the plot generic? Yes and no. Yes because we have seen this many times, with the ex-assassin pulled in for one more job and then finding a way to secure his retirement package with the deal and with not-surprisingly exciting (or sometimes not exciting) results. And yes, we've seen stuff like the guy's "girl" who comes in and plays a role, more or less, as the voice of reason, in this case Jemimma Black (yes, the name is basically blaxsploitation in mainstream clothing). Hell, there's even the doggone twist (yes, there's a doggone here) about who the killer actually is, and it's the sort that is handled this time with some degree of interest not so much in how it's revealed but what's done with it by the actors and the outcome of the climb.

But there's a lot more wit and fun in the script than one might give Eastwood and his writers credit for. It's tailor-made for someone like Clint, who plays this 'Doctor' of assassin time turned art history like it's nothing. He probably doesn't have much difference here in term of delivery of lines or sarcasm or the knack for beating the crap of the bad dude at the nick of time than Dirty Harry. Which is just as well; we need an anchor with the plot's likely pit-falls, with co-star Kennedy the only normal one among the possibly shifty characters (save for whoever plays Dragon, which is also filmed appropriately creepy and near originally). And it's the combo of humor ("Screw Marlon Brando!") and the suspense that arrives in that final act on the Eiger that makes the picture work. It's not entirely superbly directed- you can tell Eastwood is still working his way through doing certain techniques and frankly can't film a love scene at all- but for what it's worth, it's good, under-looked stuff in the cannon, perfect for a 'sick day' viewing. 7.5/10

"Assassins who stay too long wind up assassinated, and that ain't in my game plan."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 26 January 2013]

Someone really has to explain to me how they got George Kennedy to hang out at the top of that rock pillar. That looked just a little too real, didn't it, with him and Eastwood surveying the landscape? Today you could probably pull it off with some cool CGI, but man, that shot was outrageous.

So even with a side career as an elite assassin, I couldn't figure how David Garner (Eastwood) could afford all that high priced art. There were the twenty one Pissarro's of course, but also a Monet and a Rembrandt, so right there the film's premise lost a bit of credibility for me. Actually, I thought the name Pissarro was made up for the picture until I just googled it, and it turns out he was a Danish-French impressionist of the late 1800's.

Interestingly, this might be the first movie I've seen in which the hired assassin doesn't fulfill his mission, even if the contact who hired him winds up believing that he did. That was kind of a cool twist actually, and made sense after Ben Bowman (George Kennedy) explained things to his former protégé and climbing partner. Kennedy really let loose in this picture, and I got a kick out of his character when he first came on the scene to pick up Garner in the desert. But come on, how is it this limping man managed to keep pace with Eastwood on that first training run and later on climbing up The Tower? The only time I ever saw him limp was when Eastwood's character did.

You know, I was so intrigued by Eastwood's "Screw Marlon Brando" line I had to look it up. Back in 1973 when Brando sent an actress using the alias Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse his Oscar for "The Godfather", his action was widely condemned. During the same awards ceremony, Eastwood, who was presenting the award, remarked he didn't know whether he should dedicate it to all the cowboys shot in John Ford's Westerns. Apparently Clint carried the grudge over to this film, though to viewers who aren't in the know, the line coming out of nowhere won't make any sense at all.

Climbing the Eiger

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 6 December 2009]

Never read the Trevanian novel in which the film is based. We also didn't see this 1975 film that showed up recently on cable. This was one of the first movies directed by Clint Eastwood, easily one of the best and more interesting directors working today. It is a thriller of the first order that gets the viewer involved from the start. The locales Mr. Eastwood and his collaborators chose to base the action are the real stars of the movies. What about Monument Valley and the Eiger Mountain in the Bernese Alps, difficult places in which to shoot a film, even in those pre-everything special effect of most movies these days.

The story is a classic tale with a lot of twists and highlights. The plot is enough to confuse a viewer not paying close attention. There are also a few holes in the story, but what the hell, this is an action adventure at best and just looking at those breathtaking sequences in Utah, or in Switzerland is not for the feint hearted fans. The basic achievement of Mr. Eastwood is that his film doesn't look fake at all. One wonders how the director was able to do all the feats that are so vivid in the finished product.

Mr. Eastwood makes the perfect hero, Dr. Jonathan Hemlock. George Kennedy is effective as Ben Bowman. Vonetta McGee plays Jemima Black, a name that showed no political correctness to the author of the novel, or the director. The late Jack Cassidy appears as the effete Miles Mellough, no doubt a stretch for this actor, lap dog and all.

John Williams is the composer of the fine soundtrack of the film. Thanks must go to the editor, Ferris Webster, for his fine job of getting all the elements in place. Frank Stanley photographed the amazing backgrounds to give us a magnificent trip to the places where the action takes place. Ultimately the credit for making the movie the pleaser it is goes to Clint Eastwood, a genius of the American cinema, bar none!

A very risking and dangerous movie to make.

[obatuyio · 8/10 · 8 November 2005]

I love this movie, Like Play Misty For Me this is a different kind of Clint Eastwood movie which is not a western or a cop movie. This is an espionage thriller with a surprise ending. He plays an assassin who comes out of retirement to avenge the death of his friend. In order to catch the unidentified killer he must participate in a mountain climbing expedition which the killer is also participating. Clint really took a big chance while making this movie. He did all the dangerous mountain climbing stunts. If I was directing and starring in a movie I wouldn't do a stunt that is dangerous. I urge Clint Eastwood fans to watch this movie, they won't be disappointed.

Dirty Indiana Bond

[Galina_movie_fan · 6/10 · 19 October 2009]

If this is not one of the silliest, over the top, unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) hilarious movies ever - with or without Clint in front and behind the camera, then I don't know which one is. So, Clint does Indiana Bond, teaches Art in the college, collects priceless paintings of the Artists no less than El Greco, Pissarro, and such, is an accomplished mountain climber, and on the side moonlights as an assassin for C2, an international spy organization led by an ex-Nazi albino villain known as Mr. Dragon. By the time, the movie starts, Dr. Jonathan Hemlock (Eastwood) is retired from C2 but like so many retired secret agents, just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in. His former employer, terrifying Mr. Dragon who has to stay all the time in almost complete darkness due to his condition, orders him to perform a "sanction" meaning to kill a man who had killed a friend and a former colleague of Hemlock with C2. To complete the mission, Dr. Hemlock has to participate in the attempt to climb one of the most dangerous mountains in Swiss Alps, the North face of Eiger - thus the title of the film, The Eiger Sanction. While preparing for the mission, Hemlock would go to train in Arizona at a mountain resort run by a close friend, Ben Bowman. The Arizona sequence allowed Eastwood the director to make some truly magnificent and stunning shots of Monument Valley. The shoot of Eastwood and George Kennedy on top of the "Totem Pole" is a real spectacle and a symbol of masculinity that Eastwood has been the embodiment of. Besides being breathtakingly beautiful, it has historic significance - it was the last time anyone was allowed to climb to "Totem Pole".

The second half of the film takes place in Alps and covers the preparations of the international group of four famous climbers from France, Germany, Austria, and USA (Dr. Hemlock) for the ascent to Eiger and the dramatic climb. To make the matter even more difficult for Hemlock, one of three mountaineers is the target of The Eiger Sanction, and that's all he knows. The name of his future victim was not revealed to him by his bosses at C2.

Even with the laughable dialogs, on-liners and way over the top villains, The Eiger Sanction is an entertaining movie which has a lot to enjoy. First of all, during his long career, Clint Eastwood has always been a strong presence at the screen. Back in 1975, at the age of 45, he looked great, and the lustful interest in him from the beautiful exotic girls in the best traditions of the Bond's movies is fully justified. Eastwood did all his stunts in the film. All climbing was real, and if anything, the film will be remembered for truly astounding scenes of the ascent to the North Face of treacherous Eiger and dramatic descent. I also should admit that the twist in the end was if not unpredictable but satisfying in the way it put the pieces of puzzle together.

The music that was written for the film by John Williams, and plays in the opening and closing sequences, deserves special mention.

Unbelievable! (No, that's not good.)

[rps-2 · 4/10 · 23 January 2007]

There is a thin line between the sort of unreality in the Bond movies of the era and that in this mish mash of sex and adventure. The film obviously was trying to capitalize on the Bond mania of the mid seventies with spooky bad guys, sexy bad girls, mysterious bad organizations and complicated bad motives. In short, it isn't very good. The average Bugs Bunny cartoon is less far fetched. There is some spectacular scenery and some dramatic mountaineering. But it's too long, too preposterous and too badly written and acted to make it worthwhile. If you want to assassinate somebody --- or "sanction" them --- is it really necessary to go mountain climbing with them. But then, if you didn't, the movie would last 15 minutes rather than almost two and a half hours. (Besidses, Clint Eastwood was never that young, was he?)

Great film

[dylan-ransom · 8/10 · 20 November 2005]

I absolutely love this movie. The only reason I cannot give it a 9 or 10 is because the premise is just a bit too unbelievable. Eastwood is a stud for doing his own stunts. The climbing sequences had a few minor errors, but all considered, the most accurate movie adaptation of climbing with the possible exception of "Storm and Sorrow". I felt like I was there with the climbers, cold and scared and forced to continue. The dialogue on the mountain is "rock" solid.

If you're looking for a well-developed action flick with a dash of spy stuff, watch this movie. Eastwood has done so many great movies that it's hard to rank this one- it's not his best, but it is wonderful.

Better than I was expecting

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 9 January 2011]

I heard a lot of mixed reviews on this film, but I saw it anyway. And to tell you the truth, I quite liked it. It isn't Clint Eastwood's best film by a long-shot, but it is far from his worst either. It is sluggishly paced, it is routine in the story in places and the villains are to say the least very strange and over-the-top. However, the cinematography and editing are very good and do justice to the amazing scenery and backgrounds. John Williams's score while not his best is excellent, and there is some decent dialogue and direction. The acting is good enough, Eastwood is not exactly on top-form but to be honest his role doesn't really require that. The real joys are George Kennedy, who I actually think gives one of his better performances here, and Thayor David whose character is over-the-top but David is quite enjoyable. Overall, it is good, better than I was expecting. Maybe not a Clint Eastwood classic, but definitely worth the look. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Brilliant score in search of a better movie

[VinceGambini · 3/10 · 6 January 2020]

Can't say there is much to give credit for with The Eiger Sanction. Except for John Williams great soundtrack. Absolutely love it and trying hard to unknow the movie it was composed for. The story is a ludicrous, over the top parody of a spy thriller, with an endless number of irrelevant and largely unlikeable characters, some farfetched plot twists and Eastwood ruining what's left with his disgusting machismo. But the climbing scenes! Really? By the time we get there, the boredom is so overwhelming that nothing can rescue this train wreck. Forgotten for good reason. Because it is forgettable.

Beautiful location photography

[cavinfool · 4 April 2004]

Shot on location in the Alps and Zion National Park, the cinematography is first class. This is great large-screen fare.

While not without their hokey apects, the many climbing scenes and story are much more realistic than those of "K2", "Clifhanger", or God-help-us "Vertical Limit".

The spy part of the story certainly has some plot holes, and I purchased a copy of "The Eiger Sanction" by Trevanian just to get some of them straightened out, and got quite a surprise. The movie is much, much more faithful to the original book than the vast majority of Hollywood adaptations. Those holes in the story - well, they're right there in the book, too. Practically the only significant differences between the two are the relationship between Johathon and Wormwood, the final status of Johnathon and Jemima's relationship, and the fact that C2 is - in the novel - so totally inept as an intelligence organization as to be completely unbeliveable, this is somewhat glossed over in the movie. Frankly the differences in all three situations are argueably done better in the movie.

Solid & Lesser Known Eastwood Movie

[iquine · 7/10 · 3 February 2021]

(Flash Review)

Eastwood is a retired government hitman who gets lured by a man named Dragon to avenge the murder of a former colleague or a Dragon will spill the beans of his questionably acquired art collection. The job must take place on the challenging mountain Eiger Sanction as the man needing elimination will be located here. Not knowing that man's visual identity, Eastwood and others must also identify the man before taking him out. So Eastwood spends lots of time brushing up on his advanced climbing skills before embarking on this one last job. Also, as a 'hit-man' he is often 'hit-on' by several woman. Ha. Mix in a few story twists and you have a nice scenic action movie.

Gorgeous cinematography , suspense , spectacular climbing and intrigue in Swiss Mountain

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 25 November 2014]

Wonderfully photographed story dealing with betrayal , secret agents action , greed and killings . A classical art professor and collector called Jonathan (Clint Eastwood went on a three-day climbing course in Yosemite National Park, then practiced at home for several months) , Hamlock (it is a venom , no less) who doubles as a professional assassin, is coerced out of retirement to avenge the murder of an old friend . He is assigned by Dragon (Thayer David) to discover a killer during a dangerous mountain climbing (in which Clint Eastwood preformed the sequence where his character hangs off the side of a mountain by a cable himself without the use of a stunt doublé) . Meanwhile , a treacherous , gay spy (Jack Cassidy) deceives Hamlock , but the latter seeks vengeance . The premise is the following : one of his team is a killer but who?

This thrilling film has suspense , noisy action , outrageously overblown roles , tension and extraordinary climbing images . Beautiful Swiss Alps scenery falls to partially compensate for several dreary lapses , faults , ungodly length (128 minutes) and script's shortcomings . Based on novel by Trevanian , though novelist Rod Whitaker (Trevanian) scorned the film as "vapid" and blamed the production for "the death of a promising young climber" . The shoot marked the last time that anyone was allowed to climb the "Totem Pole" in Monument Valley , in return for permission to film there, climbers with the production had to remove all of the pitons, which had accumulated from years of climbing, on their way down. Exciting final climax does not make up for movies's various gaps and flaws . Clint is pretty good as a college professor by day and superagent by night sent to expose a murderer during a risked mountain climb . Clint Eastwood did all of his own stunts, including the scene where he cuts his safety line over a drop of at least one thousand feet ; the only stunt he did not perform was a 2500-foot drop, for which a dummy was used . He is well accompanied by George Kennedy because of the friendship that they had formed on their previous picture, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot (1974). Good as well as international support cast playing brief interpretations and with silly names , such as Vonetta McGee , Jack Cassidy , Heidi Brühl , Thayer David , Reiner Schöne and special mention to Gregory Walcott as Pope . Very real climbing images as well as perfectly staged scenes , being marvelously photographed in Panavisión by Frank Stanley , he fills the screen with excitement and suspense ; showing outrageously mountain outdoors . Atmospheric and evocative musical score by the great John Williams , pre-Spielberg collaboration .

This pseudo-James Bond flick was professionally directed by Clint Eastwood , though being overlong and contains some faults . Filmmaker Eastwood better known for his ¨Dirty Harry¨ series such as : The enforcers , Sudden impact , Deed pool ; he subsequently directed his overtly personal movies such as Unforgiven , The Bridges of Madison County , Mystic River , Million Dollar Baby , Changeling and Gran Torino . The Eiger sanction results to be one of just a handful of Clint Eastwood movies in the spy / espionage genre , the films include Firefox (1982), Absolute power (1997 , and Open fire (1993) . Here Eastwood contribute to create an acceptable film , plenty of opportunities for Clint to strut his climbing skills , it's all in good fun and often unintentionally funny .

good climbing for a spy movie

[arieleviacavafollis · 7/10 · 14 February 2014]

The events in the final climbing scenes are loosely based on the 1936 Eiger tragedy, when, during an attempt to the first ascent of the North Face all four members of the climbing party (Andreas Hinterstroisser, Toni Kurtz, Willy Angerer and Edi Reiner) died in circumstances that are picked up in this film. Willy Angerer was injured by rockfall during the ascent (the french climber in the film). After attempting to escape the face by ascending, the party decided to retreat but got stuck on the way down above the Hinterstroisser traverse. This passage had been first climbed by Andreas Hinterstroisser on their way up, however they could not cross it back due the fact that they had not left fixed ropes in place, combined with ice covering the rock since the weather had meanwhile deteriorated (as shown in the film). The climbers tried a desperate attempt to abseil down an overhanging section of the wall, approximately above the railroad window (as shown in the film), but Hintertroisser, Reiner and Angerer fell to their deaths in the attempt. Toni Kurtz, like Eastwood in the film, survived the fall but was hanging from a rope and unable to abseil or climb back. A rescue party of mountain guides managed reaching a position directly below Kurtz and provide him with a rope to abseil. Tragically, unlike Eastwood in the movie, Kurtz had by then reached the limit of his strength and, when his carabiner got stuck into a knot in the rope, he was unable to cut the rope above him with his frostbitten hands and free himself. He died only a few meters above his rescuers. These events have been later portrayed on film with more strict factual adherence in 'The Beckoning Silence' (2007) and North Face (2008).

Rewarding spy thriller with mountains

[neil-476 · 7/10 · 25 March 2011]

This adaptation of Robert Ludlum's novel has an awful lot of plot going on but, when the movie is over, you're not going to remember it (other than that it is essentially a whodunnit).

But there are a number of things which you will remember:

1. You'll remember Brenda Venus encouraging Clint to carry on running:

2. You'll remember Clint and George Kennedy reaching the top of the butte;

3. You'll remember the Eiger as seen from the railway line and hotel at its foot; and

4. You'll remember that, in those long ago days before CGI meant that you couldn't believe what you saw on screen, that it actually was Clint hanging at the end of a rope above a drop of hundreds and hundreds of feet.

An exciting film with much to enjoy.

Clint's Totem Pole

[HarlequeenStudio · 8/10 · 17 June 2017]

This is almost like a Bond movie: beautiful women, crazy and somehow scarred villain, great fight scenes, INCREDIBLE climbing scenes, stylish costumes and luxurious locations. You want to see Eastwood as a bespectacled professor who is actually a spy. Why he needs to climb some mountain now escapes me, but I watch spy movies for all of the above reasons. When he climbs that Totem Pole FOR REAL, I'm almost about to faint FOR REAL. I love the scenery and how well the costumes match the scenery. Thanks to this movie, I learned about Brenda Venus. So, I would say the casting is great, too. I love all the sexist/racist slurs that actually poke fun at sexism/racism. No one would dare do that today. Or climb the Totem Pole FOR REAL.

Unforgettable, which is not the same as good

[wavecat13 · 7/10 · 4 July 2019]

This was the third movie Eastwood directed, and he also has the lead role. Clint does his classic principled sociopath bit, as an art history professor who is also the unwilling top assassin of a spy organization that somewhat resembles the CIA. Based on a novel by Trevanian, who wrote tongue in cheek thrillers that most readers took seriously. Keep an eye out for the suave gay character who has a dog named Faggot. Seriously, you can't make stuff like that up - well, somebody did. The silly story requires Clint to climb a dangerous mountain in the Alps, with an eye to discovering a traitor/spy in his entourage. The real star of this thriller is the aerial cinematography that captures some mountaineers in action, with Clint apparently doing some of his own stunts. It is memorable, that is for sure.

Dirty Harry as an elitist art collecting, mountain climbing assassin

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 2 July 2015]

Jonathan Hemlock (Clint Eastwood) is an art history professor, expert mountaineer and a former government assassin who performed "sanctions" for C2. He abhors the public seeing and not appreciating great pieces of art. He uses his fees to amass a high end collection. His albino ex-Nazi blood-transfusing former boss Dragon coerces him into taking out two men who killed agent Wormwood who turns out to be his friend who once saved his life. After killing the first man, the second man is found to be part of an international mountaineering team climbing the north face of Eiger in Switzerland. It's up to Hemlock to discover his identity. He gets back in shape with his friend Ben Bowman (George Kennedy) who guides him on the climb.

I can't really describe properly the large amount of stupidity in this Bondlike thriller. The dialog is pretty bad. The Dragon is laughable. Hemlock isn't cool but is a weird combo. I keep thinking Dirty Harry has become an elitist art expert and mountain climber. It's weird. There's an unnecessary side trip with a faggot villain. That whole section should be cut out and he should get to the mountain as soon as possible. At least, there are some good vertigo-inducing picturesque climbing scenes.

Climbing with Eastwood.

[Petey-10 · 8/10 · 8 December 2009]

Dr. Jonathan Hemlock is a professor of art and expert mountaineer.He's also a long retired government assassin.There are two more "sanctions", or assassinations waiting for him.His boss, Dragon, an albinistic ex-Nazi who's kept alive by blood transfusions wants Hemlock to sanction two men responsible for the death of another government agent.He takes the job after he finds out the killed agent was his friend.His second target is an international climbing team about to ascend the north face of the Eiger in Switzerland.He must kill one of the mountain climbers, but it's not knows which one.Hemlock trains in Arizona at a mountain resort run by a friend, Ben Bowman.To get in shape, he must take lessons from a Native American woman called George.There's also another woman involved, an agency courier called Jemina Brown.She's used to seduce and betray Hemlock.The Eiger Sanction (1975) is a Clint Eastwood thriller.It's based on Rod Whitaker's novel.Eastwood also plays the lead, and he does a great job.George Kennedy acts with Clint for the second time playing Ben Bowman.Vonetta McGee plays Jemina Brown.Jack Cassidy is an enemy called Miles Mellough.Heidi Brühl is Mrs. Anna Montaigne.Thayer David portrays Dragon.Climbers Karl Freytag and Anderl Meyer are portrayed by Reiner Schöne and Michael Grimm.Brenda Venus is George.Gregory Walcott, known from four Eastwood films, portrays Pope.There are pretty many thrilling moments in this movie, especially at the Swiss Alps.There's the fear of falling down the mountain.It's quite funny when Jonathan trains with George at the Monument Valley.When he feels he can't go on anymore, George shows him her boobs.It's amazing to know that Eastwood did his own stunts.So it's Clint you see climbing up the mountain, not some stuntman.Not the very best Eastwood, but still a nice ride.

An odd mix

[Groverdox · 6/10 · 8 March 2016]

"The Eiger Sanction" is basically a Bond movie with the assassin now an ageing art professor coaxed out of retirement to perform one last "sanction", or murder. His boss, who doubles as the villain, is almost too ridiculous for 007 - he's a "pure albino" who can only exist under red light and has to get his blood periodically transfused so that he can go on living!

The "Eiger" of the title is a dangerous mountain and our professor- assassin also happens to be an expert climber who failed to reach the summit of the mountain's most dangerous slope once before, so, you know, this time it's personal. They also throw in that most tired of action movie clichés: The hero is given the mission, refuses it, then finds out some extra piece of information that means he can't just walk away...

At one point the professor-assassin (yes, I find that a particularly ridiculous juxtaposition) actually asks why he wasn't made aware of the salient fact in the first place, and I must confess I was wondering that too. The movie doesn't provide an answer. Cliché for cliché's sake?

The lengthy rock climbing scenes, which generate tension in moments, are in striking contrast with the movie's ridiculous opening. Showing men against nature can't help but clash with men against mutant albinos. The fact that the movie is also about 30 minutes overlong suggests that the beginning was added as an afterthought, perhaps by an outside influence. Either way, we get parts that don't add up, a beginning that let's down the ending, rather than the other way around.

I also ought to say something about the movie's weird stereotyping of minorities. There's a beautiful, treacherous black girl who dazzles the hero with her sexuality and makes off with his payment, and a beautiful, treacherous Native American girl called George who dazzles the hero with her sexuality and drugs him with a syringe... did I mention the Bond movie similarities? Lastly, there's an outrageously camp gay guy with a lap dog called "Faggot" who keeps a body builder around as a boy toy and also gets offed, if not romanced, by the hero. I'm not sure what to make of any of that; obviously as a macho man hero of an action movie, he has to get laid by the ladies and approached by the gays, but why go out of the way to make these characters all so bizarre?

The opening music is great, after that it goes downhill.

[Scipio Major · 3/10 · 9 March 2002]

First off I have to say that the best thing about this film is the Main Theme that John Williams wrote for it. Though it only appears in the opening credits and is pretty much ignored until the final credits.

It is full of completly irrelevant crap. The Chief of C2 has some weird disease and a good few lines are given over to explaining about it even though it has no effect on the plot. There are so many scenes which have no point to them except to distract you from the absence of a decent plot. It ended up being a spot the clichéd plot device game when my friend and I watched it.

I felt that Clint Eastwood was possibly the worst person for this part. At no point can you believe that he is an art professor. He never really manifests any acedamic quality. Too Dirty-Harry like for my taste.