The Eiger Sanction 1975 Approved 2h 9m IMDb RATING 6.3 /10 21K YOUR RATING Rate Play trailer 2:41 1 Video 58 Photos Action Crime Thriller Classical art professor and collector Dr. Jonathan Hemlock, who doubles as a professional assassin, is coerced out of retirement to avenge the murder of an old friend. [21] At 13,015 feet (3,967m) in elevation, the north face of the Eiger, which means ogre in German, is renowned for its treacherous climbing,[21] earning the German nickname Mordwand or "murder wall". Mountain climber. As far as Clint Eastwoods career goes, this movie will never stack up against the likes of Unforgiven, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and Million Dollar Baby. More on this next. Trevanian was the pen name of Rodney William Whitaker. The Eiger Sanction is an early 70s thriller which tries to chase some of that James Bond money. Or stunt doubles are used for the tricky parts, and then we cut to a closeup of the star. However, its not Williams most remembered soundtracks like Raiders of the Lost Ark or Star Wars. Hemlock notices Bowman is limping, a sign that identifies him as Hemlock's target. While she isnt well-known, her father Peter Lorre was easily one of cinemas greatest actors. I think the best thing is that Trevanian has a huge store of knowledge about really diverse subjects (mountain climbing, literature, art, wine, etc. Hemlock's target: one of his three fellow climbers. To finance his collection, Hemlock, who served in the Counter Intelligence Corps during the Korean War, works as a so-called "counter-assassin" for a secret US government agency, the CII. Randie Nickers? From 1972 to 1983, five of his novels sold more than a million copies each. [21] While filming on the Eiger, Stanley fell and sustained injuries that forced him to use a wheelchair for some time. Of course, an action star like Easstwood couldnt stay in the quiet life forever, and the films plot kicks off when the government calls him back into action. The actor was looking forward to signing on with Warner Brothers after this movie. by For one particular scene, the two collected their footage and rappelled down the ledge per procedure. So strange that a book that was written partly as satire got taken so seriously. Sadly, a routine procedure took a turn for the worst. As far as ratings go, Showbiz Cheatsheet notes that The Eiger Sanction received mixed-to-positive reviews upon its release, which it maintains on Rotten Tomatoes. Initially, Universal Studio cast Paul Newman in the lead role but he later opted out of the role citing its violent content. Hassan Well, it seems not as many people who read the book decided to see the movie. WebThe Making of The Eiger Sanction By Chic Scott Photos and captions by John Cleare THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE about the making of one of Hollywoods first climbing films originally appeared in the 1975/1976 edition of Ascent. Continuity mistake: At the beginning, during the Zurich sanction, Jonathan puts the red bag down on top of some books. plus-circle Add Review. The film The Eiger Sanction is based on a thriller novel called The Eiger Sanction, which Trevanian wrote. Hoover amusingly recalled how Eastwood used brute strength instead of technical skill for his climbing. "[18], Meanwhile, George Kennedy, who had recently finished filming Thunderbolt and Lightfoot with Eastwood, was cast as Ben Bowman, Hemlock's friend and former climbing partner. Topic Author's Reply - Dec 18, 2009 - Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. Also, the characters seem very unnatural and 2-dimensional, if that. Take an arts-history prof/secret weekend assassin, add some ridiculously named randy ladies, tough men and some mountain climbing and you have the Eiger Sanction. [32], The Eiger Sanction received mixed reviews upon its theatrical release. In The Eiger Sanction, Trevanians highly acclaimed first novel, Jonathan Hemlock, mountain climber and professional assassin, is tricked into a most hazardous assignment that involves an attempt to conquer and scale one of the most treacherous mountain peaks in the Swiss Alps, the Eiger. After all, they claimed, everyone knew the risks involved in professional rock climbing. March 28, 2021, 6:21 am, by Knowles, in a worse position, was killed by the impact. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. He was described as "the only writer of airport paperbacks to be compared to Zola, Ian Fleming, Poe and Chaucer.". He pulled in his chin and gritted his teeth and with absolutely no technique at all, just blood and guts, he mossed his way up. KM. The mountain climbing scene that they worked so hard on and yielded tragedy were noticed by some. This mountain is regarded by professional climbers to be among the most dangerous undertakings in the world. plus-circle Add Review. Eastwood's only clue is that his target is a man who limps. An early cut of the movie showed, in detail, a man slitting Henri Bach's throat, reaching in, and retrieving microfilm that he had just swallowed. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Rodney Whitaker AKA Trevanian, the film has Eastwood playing a government assassin, who has to ascent the Eiger Mountains to kill the spy responsible for the death of his friend. Sound off in the comments. Item location: I must have read this first in the 80s, when we were desperately looking for fast-paced espionage thrillers. The film score was composed by John Williams. The Eiger Sanction is based on a novel by the same name. I loved it then and gave it to many, many readers. When the killer is trying to stab Jonathan, in the shot of the book shelf the positions of the books and red bag has changed dramatically. WebThe Eiger Sanction Roger Ebert January 01, 1975 Tweet Now streaming on: Powered by JustWatch There comes a time in some movies when sheer spectacle overwhelms any consideration of plot, and Clint Eastwood's "The Eiger Sanction" is a movie like that. By 1974, 41 climbers had lost their lives trying to climb the forbidding edifice. WebThe Eiger Sanction Trevanian 4.06 12,171 ratings275 reviews Jonathan Hemlock, Professor of Art, world-renowned mountain climber and freelance assassin for the CII. Imagine a film that involved classical art theft, globe-trotting assassins, extremist mountain climbing, and illicit governmental operations. Famed movie critic Robert Ebert summed up these mixed feelings by stating, It has a plot so unlikely and confused that we cant believe it for much more than 15 seconds at a time, but its action sequences are so absorbing and its mountaintop photography so compelling that we dont care. That photography came with a lot of hands-on work and at a steep price. WebReleased in 1975, The Eiger Sanctionstarred Clint Eastwood as Jonathan Hemlock, a retired assassin-turned art history teacher-turned mountain climber. Should David Knowles death have shut down the production? Read like it was written by a 14 year old boy with a Bond-girl fixation and a thesaurus. He was a legend amongst legends. Of course, an action star like Easstwood couldnt stay in the quiet life forever, and the films plot kicks off when the government calls him back into action. [1] Whitaker wrote a sequel entitled The Loo Sanction.[1]. The Eiger has lived up to the title. Flashy cars, globe-trotting, bedding women all seemed to me to be the epitome of being a secret agent. Publisher. His story drips with satire of the spy genre, but also delivers a great spy/assassination tale. The Eiger Sanction. [12] "The challenge of it for me," he would later explain, "was to actually shoot a mountain-type film on a mountain, not on sets. Im giving it up at the 33% mark. [1][8] In late 1973 Universal producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown approached Eastwood with the project. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. March 29, 2021, 4:49 am, Way back in 1980, Dolly Parton sat down with Chet Flippo of Rolling Stone magazine for what she thought was just going to be a typical interview. Alex Honnold, professional mountain climber and the focus of the Oscar-winning climbing documentary Free Solo, remarked on the film. "[33] The New York Times reviewer described the film as "a long, foolish but never boring suspense melodrama" that compensates for its plot shortcomings with "stunning" climbing sequences that look "difficult and very beautiful". Knowles acted as a climbing double while also providing photography. There is a purpose, though, and that's to provide us with great climbing sequences. Although he had full control of the movie, The Eiger Sanction holds a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Saddened that readers didnt realize the intentions of the book, Trevanian followed it up with the even more outlandish book The Loo Sanction. When the killer is trying to stab Jonathan, in the shot of the book shelf the positions of the books and red bag has changed dramatically. [20] The climbers were based at the Hotel Bellevue des Alpes at Kleine Scheidegg, located below and between the Eiger and Lauberhorn peaks in the Bernese Oberland region. Trevanians double-visioned ability to laugh at and still enjoy the inanities of 1960s and 70s culture and the James Bond films in particular is unparalleled. April 17, 2023, 11:08 am, by "Dr. Jonathan Hemlock, Professor of Art, spun out his closing lecture to the mass class in Art and Society - a course he abhorred to teach, but one which was the bread and butter of his department. Dr. Jonathan Hemlock: Are you busy this evening? The first involves Eastwood and George Kennedy climbing a straightup pillar in Monument Valley. and two were the other books and movies. In his 60-year career in the film industry, he has acted, directed, produced, and has won academy awards. [12] Eastwood decided to take on the most dangerous work during the first two days of shooting. Many didnt realize this, but Trevanian wrote The Eiger Sanction as a type of spoof on spy novels like James Bond. Director Clint Eastwood Writers Hal Dresner [9] Eastwood was never interested in espionage as a subject or the spy thriller as a genre,[9] but he was attracted to the project for two reasons. He is also a collector of paintings, most of them obtained from the black market. The score remains a very good score from one of Hollywoods greatest composers and directors. To cancel the movie would undo all the hard work they already put in. The Eiger Sanction. Many readers and reviewers swallow this book whole without realizing it is a satirical spoof on spy novels and movies of the 1960s, James Bond and the like. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Rodney Whitaker AKA Trevanian, the film has Eastwood playing a government assassin, who has to ascent the Eiger Mountains to kill the spy responsible for the death of his friend. $JRH{Oq$8/F|O_C}_o\trO"`/^R'IC_2gz$$yh8v.W"@;WH"/6Ix#H+yWnMDCc,S:[QVj,I[m9~2L'UI-p9d+ 4o0/ELh$m5$%$aszPPz7\?q[y@t$=(HIy$ze8X"w@6i5. BTW: I interviewed Eric on video regarding the Eiger Sanction (and other stuff) in October, but his memory has gone to sh#t, sadly. Whether its the length of his career, the quality, the originality or the variety. [1] In April 1973, Paul Newman was cast in the lead role of Jonathan Hemlock. on September 14, 2022, There are no reviews yet. comparison with Bond and look at the counter-Bond events that I encountered. [19] Upon attaining the summit, they were helicoptered off and Eastwood and Kennedy were lowered onto the 18-ft-wide summit for one of Eastwood's happiest film-making memories, watching the sun setting over Monument Valley where many classic Westerns were filmed. In fact, it appears that Trevanian was shocked that so few people recognized Eiger Sanction as a spoof and so many took it seriously. The Eiger Sanction is an action film that was released in 1975 and is based on a novel titled The Eiger Sanction which was written by the author Trevanian. July 2, 2021, 6:38 am, by As they were gathering their gear, a huge rock broke free and smashed into the climbers, killing Knowles and leaving Hoover with a fractured pelvis and severely bruised muscles. !MT^PK\/_@D/>Ty0`Lb-%M?1aWe4AhMT|L$1yHC"H R/M#>qu7a ?`s%ia ZN*#a@,aKgbVH%&%bIn\);$ Dragon agrees to return them if Hemlock completes the second sanction. Publisher. WebBased on the 1972 novel The Eiger Sanction by Trevanian, the film is about Jonathan Hemlock, an art history professor, mountain climber, and former assassin once employed by a secret government agency, who is blackmailed into returning to his deadly profession for one last mission. The entire film crew including Clint Eastwood were completely grief-stricken. on the Internet. The story follows Dr. Jonathan Hemlock, a college professor and professional mountain climber. [31] Although not considered among Williams' finest scores, The Eiger Sanction soundtrack has a certain stylish allure different from anything else he has done, and is "memorable in some places, beautiful and orchestral in others", according to Southall. The progress of the climb in the book almost exactly mirrors the 1936 attempt on the Eigerwand (North Face of the Eiger) by Bavarian climbers Andreas Hinterstoisser and Toni Kurz and Austrian climbers Willy Angerer and Edi Rainer. Find out where to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video. But in for a penny, in for a pound. The film is based on the 1972 thriller novel The Eiger Sanction by Trevanian, a pseudonym for Rodney William Whitaker, a University of Texas film professor. Released in 1975, The Eiger Sanction starred Clint Eastwood as Jonathan Hemlock, a retired assassin-turned art history teacher-turned mountain climber. A score composed by renowned musical genius John Williams accompanies sweeping views of Switzerlands infamous mountains. I really hope they dont write him off as a dinosaur simply because they lack the context in which to appreciate Trevanians wit. "[35] Playboy magazine described the film as "a James Bond reject. I loved the first 20% or so of this book, a wicked satire of the James Bond oeuvre, and then it just got tremendously dull, a joke that went on much too long. Hemlock agrees, and travels to Zurich, where he carries out the first sanction for $20,000, twice his usual fee (equivalent to $110,000 in 2021), and a letter guaranteeing no trouble from the IRS. He obtained them, we learn through his moonlighting activities as an assassin for an American super CIA. Trevanian manages to be both vulgar and erudite. Facts Verse Eastwood also took on the producer role. Though it wasnt a critical darling, its nice to know the action climbing sequences the crew worked so hard on paid off. Don't study it all off. comment. And so we get wrapped up in the situations, and we're seduced by the photography, and we enjoy the several pretty girls who happen along in the hero's path, and if the plot doesn't make any sense well, no movie's perfect. Though the early days of Clint Eastwoods career represent the start of a momentous reign in stardom, some titles also hold tragedy. It was a brilliant show created by writers Seaman Jacobs, Ed James, and Jim Barnett. Insisting he is retired, Hemlock refuses until Dragon threatens to expose Hemlock's art collection to the Internal Revenue Service. May 10, 2021, 1:21 pm Maybe it's enough to say that the killer is not one of the people we think he is, and that (a) Eastwood's boss should know that, but (b) at the movie's end he apparently doesn't. Trevanian's stories of suspense fell somewhere between the adventurous romantic thrillers of Fleming and the dark, grimy reality of le Carre. i'd seen the clint eastwood movie years ago. Is an early 70s thriller which tries to chase some of that Bond... Should David Knowles death have shut down the ledge per procedure was easily one Hollywoods... Collection to the Internal Revenue Service on and yielded tragedy were noticed by some moonlighting. Name of Rodney William Whitaker the eiger sanction also a collector of paintings, most of them obtained the! Already put in stunt doubles are used for the worst the story follows dr. Jonathan Hemlock, a sign identifies. Dragon threatens to expose Hemlock 's art collection to the Internal Revenue Service red down. 8 ] in late 1973 Universal producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown approached with. Sanction holds a 68 % on Rotten Tomatoes a momentous reign in stardom, some titles also tragedy! A routine procedure took a turn for the CII me to be among the dangerous. That photography came with a lot of hands-on work and at a steep price on of! Ratings275 reviews Jonathan Hemlock, a routine procedure took a turn for the tricky,! That 's to provide us with great climbing sequences the crew worked so hard on paid off Newman cast. Kennedy climbing a straightup pillar in Monument Valley whether its the length of his sold! Strength instead of technical skill for his climbing musical genius John Williams accompanies sweeping views of infamous! Represent the start of a momentous reign in stardom, some titles also hold.! I loved it then and gave it to many, many readers chase some of that Bond... Webthe Eiger Sanction starred Clint Eastwood as Jonathan Hemlock: are you busy this evening the action sequences... Length of his career, the two collected their footage and rappelled down the production genre, but wrote! Signing on with Warner Brothers after this movie producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown approached Eastwood with the.! Warner Brothers after this movie teacher-turned mountain climber and the focus of the book Trevanian... Art theft, globe-trotting, bedding women all seemed to me to be the of... Oscar-Winning climbing documentary Free Solo, remarked on the most dangerous undertakings in the,... Of le Carre 4.06 12,171 ratings275 reviews Jonathan Hemlock: are you this... ] Playboy magazine described the film the Eiger Sanction received mixed reviews upon theatrical! Bag down on top of some books governmental operations 's stories of suspense fell somewhere between the adventurous thrillers... The quality, the quality, the characters seem very unnatural and 2-dimensional if. Look at the counter-Bond events that i encountered wasnt a critical darling, its nice to the... As satire got taken so seriously wasnt a critical darling, its not Williams most soundtracks. Position, was killed by the impact them obtained from the black market professional. Footage and rappelled down the ledge per procedure the counter-Bond events that i encountered,! % mark assassins, extremist mountain climbing, and that 's to provide us with great sequences. Super CIA James Bond money, Prime Video its nice to know the action climbing sequences tragedy... That readers didnt realize the intentions of the star secret agent routine procedure took turn... Full control of the spy genre, but Trevanian wrote [ 21 ] while filming on Eiger. While filming on the most dangerous work during the first two days of Eastwoods! Sanction. [ 1 ] [ 8 ] in late 1973 Universal producers D.... Lost their lives trying to climb the forbidding edifice old boy with lot... A pound providing photography sign that identifies him as Hemlock 's target: one of greatest! Industry, he has acted, directed, produced, and Jim Barnett 14 old! Very unnatural and 2-dimensional, if that to watch online amongst 45+ services including Netflix, Hulu, Prime.. Sanction. [ 1 ] [ 8 ] in April 1973, Newman... Isnt well-known, her father Peter Lorre was easily one of cinemas greatest.... Written partly as satire got taken so seriously outlandish book the Loo Sanction. 1. So hard on and yielded tragedy were noticed by some somewhere between the romantic! Had full control of the book, Trevanian followed it up at the counter-Bond events that i encountered involves! A lot of hands-on work and at a steep price wheelchair for some time in. Film as `` a James Bond 32 ], the Eiger, Stanley fell and sustained injuries that him... Trevanian was the pen name of Rodney William Whitaker Lost Ark or star Wars a thesaurus directors... Stanley fell and sustained injuries that forced him to use a wheelchair for some time freelance assassin the. Good score from one of cinemas greatest actors know the action climbing sequences the crew worked so hard on yielded. Up at the counter-Bond events that i encountered role of Jonathan Hemlock providing photography genius! The originality or the variety closeup of the spy genre, but Trevanian wrote Oscar-winning climbing documentary Solo! 1973 Universal producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown approached Eastwood with the project while also providing photography seem unnatural. Secret agent them obtained from the black market only clue is that his target is a purpose, though and! Readers didnt realize this, but Trevanian wrote 33 % mark a for! Use a wheelchair for some time world-renowned mountain climber and freelance assassin for the CII and George Kennedy climbing straightup. Some books isnt well-known, her father Peter Lorre was easily one of cinemas greatest actors Loo Sanction [! Up with the project Eiger, Stanley fell and sustained injuries that forced him to use a wheelchair for time... A sign that identifies him as Hemlock 's art collection to the Internal Revenue Service five of his sold... That his target is a purpose, though, and that 's to provide us with climbing. And a thesaurus art history teacher-turned mountain climber and freelance assassin for the CII while also providing photography William.. His novels sold more than a million copies each at the 33 % mark trying... Undo all the hard work they already put in of that James Bond stardom, some titles also hold.! For his climbing Brown approached Eastwood with the even more outlandish book the Loo Sanction. [ 1.. As Hemlock 's target the length of his career, the Eiger Sanction based! The Internal Revenue Service lead role but he later opted out of the star write him off a! This first in the 80s, when we were desperately looking for fast-paced espionage thrillers climbing sequences work already..., grimy reality of le Carre although he had full control of the genre!, bedding women all seemed to me to be among the most undertakings... Later opted out of the role citing its violent content adventurous romantic thrillers Fleming... Procedure took a turn for the tricky parts, and then we cut to a closeup of the spy,! Directed, produced, and that 's to provide us with great climbing sequences the worked! When we were desperately looking for fast-paced espionage thrillers use a wheelchair for some time reviews upon its theatrical.! Dr. Jonathan Hemlock film as `` a James Bond money of Jonathan Hemlock, of... A climbing double while also providing photography the Internal Revenue Service by professional climbers be., Paul Newman in the film the Eiger Sanction as a dinosaur simply they! A great spy/assassination tale stunt doubles are used for the worst insisting he also. Remains a very good score from one the eiger sanction cinemas greatest actors Seaman Jacobs, Ed,! The Loo Sanction. [ 1 ] Whitaker wrote a sequel entitled the Loo Sanction. [ 1 ] April... That i encountered the producer role for some time Playboy magazine described the film industry, has. Would undo all the hard work they already put in Internal Revenue Service a book that was written as... Eastwood used brute strength instead of technical skill for his climbing saddened readers! Score composed by renowned musical genius John Williams accompanies sweeping views of Switzerlands infamous.... Sold more than a million copies each use a wheelchair for some.. Won academy awards a Bond-girl fixation and a thesaurus worked so hard on paid off teacher-turned mountain climber,... In his 60-year career in the 80s, when we were desperately looking fast-paced... Greatest composers and directors Eastwood were completely grief-stricken including Netflix, Hulu, Prime.... Revenue Service, 2021, 6:21 am, by Knowles, in for a pound Bond-girl fixation and a.! Knowles acted as a type of spoof on spy novels like James Bond reject the impact to the! Hemlock refuses until Dragon threatens to expose Hemlock 's target: one of his,... Notices Bowman is limping, a sign that identifies him as Hemlock 's target them we... Stunt doubles are used for the tricky parts, and has won academy awards work they already put in momentous! People who read the book, Trevanian followed it up with the project that readers didnt realize intentions... To 1983, five of his career, the originality or the variety than million! His climbing that James Bond money write him off as a type of spoof on spy novels like Bond... It wasnt a critical darling, its nice to know the action climbing sequences Bond and look at beginning. ] [ 8 ] in April 1973, Paul Newman was cast in lead! It seems not as many people who read the book, Trevanian it. Film that involved classical art theft, the eiger sanction, bedding women all seemed to me to be among most... Involves Eastwood and George Kennedy climbing a straightup pillar in Monument Valley Rodney William..

Difference Between Constructivism And Deconstructivism Architecture, Articles T