The Eiger Sanction

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.

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.

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

Critics didn't get this film back in the day. The critics didn't understand that this was a send-up of spy movies, Clint-style. Vonneta McGee steals the film as Jemima Brown. Jack Cassidy is marvelous as a flagrantly gay agent. Thayer David is absolutely inspired as Eastwood's macabre boss, and all the minor characters play like James Bond supervillains on Bizarro-world. And, stoic Clint plays off all of them magnificently at every opportunity. Meanwhile, George Kennedy is perfect, playing straight man for all the bizarre characters all around him. This is as hysterical a spy farce as I have ever seen. This was a good movie. It was a little far-fetched, but despite that the climbing scenes were very good and Eastwood was his typical self. The plot is also not bad. Overall this was a good Eastwood movie and for those who fans of Eastwood and climbing movies.

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.