By 1975, Clint Eastwood had directed Play Misty for Me (1971) and Breezy (1973) for Universal, two films that were well-received by critics but underperformed at the box office. Frustrated with Universal’s marketing strategy and constant micromanagement, Eastwood saw The Eiger Sanction as a chance to fulfill his contract and gain the freedom to work with other studios. Despite his lack of interest in the novel, the script, and the espionage genre, the opportunity to film in Switzerland, away from studio distractions, was too appealing to pass up.
Repeating a pattern from his directorial debut and a practice he would continue, Clint Eastwood both directs and stars in The Eiger Sanction. He plays Jonathan Hemlock, a retired assassin drawn back into espionage for revenge. The government deems him the ideal candidate to their mission due to his climbing expertise, as their only clue is that the target will be part of a group attempting to scale the Eiger, a mountain Hemlock has previously failed to conquer twice.
The film’s first half echoes the style of Sean Connery’s James Bond movies, with stereotypical homosexual villains and treacherous women. Eastwood tries hard to distinguishes his character form the British agent by portraying Hemlock with a rougher edge, making him seem unlikable, although this effort often feels undermined in the latter half, where the script redefines him as a hero and a good guy. Moreover, the film struggles to convincingly present him as an effective hitman, as he appears inept in combat, almost losing his initial fight despite having the advantage of surprise.
Despite featuring memorable characters like the albino Dragon and the witty Miles, the espionage subplot of the movie is merely passable, hampered by contrived plot devices, such as the justification for climbing and the sudden introduction of Hemlock’s passion for art, that stretch credulity. However, the film significantly improves once the climbing sequences begin. At this point, the film’s breathtaking vistas, impressive camera movements, and John Williams’s evocative score (though not among his best) combine to elevate the overall experience.
While the fight sequences often feel staged, the climbing scenes are particularly impressive, delivering genuine thrills. It’s unfortunate that these sequences occupy only the final half-hour of the film. In summary, The Eiger Sanction is a captivating film that effectively blends the intrigue of a spy thriller with the excitement of a mountain climb. Though it demands some suspension of disbelief, those who are willing to overlook the plot’s implausibilities will find a rewarding and thrilling experience.
Still courtesy of Universal Pictures
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- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store, Amazon Video
- Where to watch
- Not available for streaming
Play trailer
- Original title
- The Eiger Sanction
- Director
- Clint Eastwood
- Cast
- Clint Eastwood, George Kennedy, Vonetta McGee, Jack Cassidy, Heidi Brühl, Thayer David, Reiner Schöne, Michael Grimm
- Rated
- R
- Screenwriter
- Hal Dresner, Warren Murphy, Trevanian
- Composer
- John Williams
- Cinematography
- Frank Stanley
- Editor
- Ferris Webster
- Country
- Language
- English
- Budget
- $9 million
- Box office
- $14.2 million
- Distributor (CA)
- Universal Pictures