Rating: 
Summary: The reasons why
Review: There are several reasons I like this movie. 1) Trevanian wrote the book (trashy, pulp spy fiction...great for a mindless romp into the 60's), Clint Eastwood is in it (not the greatest actor, but he's got a good track record, and he enjoys the craft) 3) The Eiger has always intrigued me 4) I used to climb (age has curtailed my abilities) and 5) My 3rd cousin (Heidi Bruhl) is in it, albeit she plays a trampy wife, but she's my 3rd cousin nonetheless. I like Lee Marvin "flicks" too, my taste in music is much better. Oh sure I enjoy the Hamlets, and Much ado's etc... but we're talking American genre "flicks", not works of cinema etc... flicks.. you know EZ rider, Bronson movies stuff like that. That said... (SERIOUSLY) I remember a climbing book about the making of this movie... and the technical challenges for making some of these scenes on cliff faces and on the Eiger itself were well documented. The challenges were overcome, which and certainly took a bit of skill and logistics to pull it off. Not bad for a "B" movie as described by several reviewers... taking everything into consideration this movie was quite an undertaking, Eastwood didn't write it, he just made it happen. Guy flick? okay, whatever.
Rating: 
Summary: words and info the interest, not the action
Review: This action movie struck me as more of a political intrigue. Most of the plot developments revolve around discovering information as to an assasain's identity and how Clint is going to kill this person. It keeps you in doubt the entire time, and the answer presents itself far differently than you might expect. If you watch this movie, I don't think it would have much appeal unless you keep in mind that Clint's character is trying to avoid being 'owned' by a government agency, where the mere information they have on his work as an assasain can destroy his freedom and carear. When you discover who killed who, why and how, you will see what I mean when i say that the interest in this movie derives more from the political machinations rather than the action involved.The other dimension one will enjoy is the one liners and wit by the characters. At one point, Prof Hemlock (Clint's character) says something like,"What will our country come to with Pope's and Dragon's running it?" both of whom are actualy character names, which affords a nifty pun.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Eastwood Flic, w/ much more
Review: This is the peak of Eastwood in his earliest prime. Perhaps a bit tacky in some ways, but intentional tackiness is always a good for a laugh. When one mixes Eastwood's sense of humor with some of the absolute finest (and REAL) mountaineering sequences ever filmed, you end up with the Eiger Sanction. If you've got 2 or 3 good friends, spend a Saturday afternoon watching this film over a few beers. Enjoy it for what it is. Learn some of the funniest lines in film history, such as: "Does your physical condition preclude you from getting to the point?"... Eastwood insisted on doing all his own climbing scenes, and this was one of the reasons he ended up the director: No one else would do it! Moreover, one of the technical advisors, a world class climber, much respected among mountaineers, was killed during production on Eiger. This film was no laughing matter to those who created it. All in all, one of my favorite Clint Eastwood films, and one of the finest... and funniest.. mountaineering films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best climbing films ever
Review: This movie has some of the best vintage climbing footage ever. Clint's "training" climb in Utah is really fun to watch. It is a peek back in time at a sport that has evolved rapidly over the past 20 years. Hob nail boots, "bongers", manky pitons, and hemp rope make for some real nail biting footage. Clint leads a fantastic stemmed chimney (while on top rope?) were the camera man uses some ground breaking rope work. The footage of the Eiger is passable. It is interesting seeing what was considered cutting edge climbing back then. The pitches they were climbing would be considered novice routes today, provided the weather held. Plot? Who cares! It is classic Eastwood, full of meaningless one-liners. He's always retired from something, isn't he? One of my favorites. Got to love those bathing beauties at his buddy's "swinger's ranch"! If you're a climber or an Eastwood fan, you MUST check this one out! If you're not either, then odds are you won't appreciate it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best climbing films ever
Review: This movie has some of the best vintage climbing footage ever. Clint's "training" climb in Utah is really fun to watch. It is a peek back in time at a sport that has evolved rapidly over the past 20 years. Hob nail boots, "bongers", manky pitons, and hemp rope make for some real nail biting footage. Clint leads a fantastic stemmed chimney (while on top rope?) were the camera man uses some ground breaking rope work. The footage of the Eiger is passable. It is interesting seeing what was considered cutting edge climbing back then. The pitches they were climbing would be considered novice routes today, provided the weather held. Plot? Who cares! It is classic Eastwood, full of meaningless one-liners. He's always retired from something, isn't he? One of my favorites. Got to love those bathing beauties at his buddy's "swinger's ranch"! If you're a climber or an Eastwood fan, you MUST check this one out! If you're not either, then odds are you won't appreciate it.
Rating: 
Summary: Dr. Hemlock...I Presume???.....
Review: This review refers to the Universal DVD edition of "The Eiger Sanction"..... Dr.John Hemlock(when Clint gets a name in a movie it's really a doozey!)...Professor of Art,Collector of Fine Paintings,handsome,has a weakness for beautiful women...and oh yeah...Assassin! But don't worry he works for the government. His superiors may be dangerous,they may be insane, but hey, they're on our side! Well.. maybe! When our agents are being killed by the other side, Hemlock is coerced out of his retirement to "sanction" these killings. Or in a word..REVENGE! He is reluctant but when he learns one of the killings was of his friend, he dons his assassin outfit and goes back to work. The outfit is mountain climbing gear. The killer he is after is one of a party of climbers who will tackle "The Eiger" a dangerous peak in the Alps. Which one is the killer? That's for our guy Clint to figure out. Although an intiguing mystery with some wonderful cinemagraphic scenes of the desert and the Alps,this one is not the usual above average to excellent film we are usually treated to by Eastwood. It's a good story, but at times slow(for an Eastwood flick) and somewhat predictable. Eastwood directed as well as stars and by the way did all of his own climbing and stunts(gotta give him credit for that).
It also stars George Kennedy,Vonetta McGee, and Jack Cassidy.
The music by John Williams is one of the best parts of this film. It adds just the right flavor to this Europeon adventure. It may not be one of Clint's best, but it's still an Eastwood film,an intriguing story, and worth the view. And being that it is and Eastwood film, I felt the DVD transfer deserved better.
First of all the sound...Dolby Dig 2.0 MONO! What's up with that? The picture, presented in widescreen(2.35:1)looked good in most of the outdoor scenes(although a bit grainy), but some of the indoor scenes were dark and undistinguishable.The colors looked almost artificial(I can hardley bring myself to talk about it) The special features are in the form of production notes, telling about how Clint did his own stunts, etc. There is captioning for hearing impaired viewers, which is nice and clear and is in the black bar area, and there are subtitles in Spanish and French.(it may only be viewed in English). If you are are collector of all things Clint(like me), at this price you may want to add this one to your collection until a better edition comes along, if not and you just want to check it out, maybe renting it first may be better. Universal.....please update this for Clint fans!..Thank you...
enjoy....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Hemlock...I Presume???.....
Review: This review refers to the Universal DVD edition of "The Eiger Sanction"..... Dr.John Hemlock(when Clint gets a name in a movie it's really a doozey!)...Professor of Art,Collector of Fine Paintings,handsome,has a weakness for beautiful women...and oh yeah...Assassin! But don't worry he works for the government. His superiors may be dangerous,they may be insane, but hey, they're on our side! Well.. maybe! When our agents are being killed by the other side, Hemlock is coerced out of his retirement to "sanction" these killings. Or in a word..REVENGE! He is reluctant but when he learns one of the killings was of his friend, he dons his assassin outfit and goes back to work. The outfit is mountain climbing gear. The killer he is after is one of a party of climbers who will tackle "The Eiger" a dangerous peak in the Alps. Which one is the killer? That's for our guy Clint to figure out. Although an intiguing mystery with some wonderful cinemagraphic scenes of the desert and the Alps,this one is not the usual above average to excellent film we are usually treated to by Eastwood. It's a good story, but at times slow(for an Eastwood flick) and somewhat predictable. Eastwood directed as well as stars and by the way did all of his own climbing and stunts(gotta give him credit for that).
It also stars George Kennedy,Vonetta McGee, and Jack Cassidy.
The music by John Williams is one of the best parts of this film. It adds just the right flavor to this Europeon adventure. It may not be one of Clint's best, but it's still an Eastwood film,an intriguing story, and worth the view. And being that it is and Eastwood film, I felt the DVD transfer deserved better.
First of all the sound...Dolby Dig 2.0 MONO! What's up with that? The picture, presented in widescreen(2.35:1)looked good in most of the outdoor scenes(although a bit grainy), but some of the indoor scenes were dark and undistinguishable.The colors looked almost artificial(I can hardley bring myself to talk about it) The special features are in the form of production notes, telling about how Clint did his own stunts, etc. There is captioning for hearing impaired viewers, which is nice and clear and is in the black bar area, and there are subtitles in Spanish and French.(it may only be viewed in English). If you are are collector of all things Clint(like me), at this price you may want to add this one to your collection until a better edition comes along, if not and you just want to check it out, maybe renting it first may be better. Universal.....please update this for Clint fans!..Thank you...
enjoy....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: This is an assassination film in more ways than one...
Review: Though this is, indeed, an Eastwood film, it is, uncharacteristically for Eastwiood, based on a book. The book is, of course, far, far better than the film, but for a quirky, off-beat bit of casting against type, this is a nice bit of fluff. The book wasn't, of course, but as Eastwood seems to have found it impossible to transmit very much of the book's richness of narrative and subtext onto the screen, what can one expect? The best scene is when Eastwood says, "Freytag! You aaaaaaaaaasshoooooole!"
Rating: 
Summary: Ok, if you are a Clint fan
Review: Truth is: I've bought this DVD as a gift for my boyfriend, because he's a Clint fan...
The movie in my opinion is laughable and outdated... If you like breathtaking views and a not-so-good plot, go ahead and indulge.
Rating: 
Summary: A complete miss..
Review: While Clint Eastwood struggles to find cinematic identity in the post Spaghetti Western and pre-Dirty Harry times, the movie goer is forced to endure a number of incarnations, notably the Good (Play Misty for Me), the Bad (Where Eagles Dare), and the Ugly (The Eiger Sanction). Actually Dirty Harry had been released before any of these films, but I couldn't resist. Another poorly adapted (nee Where Eagles Dare) novel, this film would serve as only marginal TV-movie fare today. With supporting stars George Kennedy and Jack Cassidy, this big screen version feels much like a TV-movie anyway. Beautiful Swiss landscapes can't prop up a weak whodunit, diluted even further by time-capsuled character types and sexual innuendo. There are probably 40 better Eastwood movies than this one.
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