The Eiger Sanction (1975)

75% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(7,370 ratings)

Clint Eastwood both directed and starred in this thriller based on a novel by Trevanian. Dr. Jonathan Hemlock (Eastwood) is a professor of art history who formerly had a deadly secret life; he was a hired assassin working with an international intelligence organization. Normally content to collect… More Clint Eastwood both directed and starred in this thriller based on a novel by Trevanian. Dr. Jonathan Hemlock (Eastwood) is a professor of art history who formerly had a deadly secret life; he was a hired assassin working with an international intelligence organization. Normally content to collect and study art, Hemlock is forced by blackmail to perform one last hit, or, as the organization euphemistically calls it, a "sanction." The victim will be one of three men attempting a dangerous ascent of the Eiger, a beautiful but punishing mountain range in Swiss Alps. While Hemlock is an experienced mountaineer and willing to make the climb, he's troubled to discover that he does not know which of the other three men scaling the Eiger is his true target. The supporting cast includes George Kennedy and Jack Cassidy; the latter earned enthusiastic reviews for his over-the-top performance as a flamboyantly gay secret agent. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 2 min.
Directed By: Clint Eastwood
Written By: Rod Whitaker, Hal Dresner, Warren B. Murphy
Genres: Action & Adventure, Romance

On DVD: Dec 15, 1998
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Clint Eastwood's mountain-climbing spy thriller is surprisingly effective, even by today's standards.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
What makes the movie less offensive than you might assume -- its total detachment from its characters -- also makes it a tough sit.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Flaccid story redeemed by superb mountaineering footage
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
One of Clint's lesser-known adventures, and one that's certainly worth of a revisit.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Chris G

Clint Eastwood plays James Bond wannabe Jonathan Hemlock in this espionage thriller. Eastwood should never play a spy or a Russian stealing a badly rendered jet. There, I've said it. This film is almost a parody of James Bond films, going so over the top with its characters. The… More
Clint Eastwood plays James Bond wannabe Jonathan Hemlock in this espionage thriller. Eastwood should never play a spy or a Russian stealing a badly rendered jet. There, I've said it. This film is almost a parody of James Bond films, going so over the top with its characters. The government boss is an albino for christ sakes. Jack Cassidy plays an uber flamboyant homosexual with a dog named Faggot. George Kennedy is the only actor in the film that doesn't really seem out of place as Eastwood's mountain climbing trainer. Eastwood directs the film adequetly and the only reason to see this film is for the mountain climbing scenes. Seriously, there's a character called Jemima Brown.
Khris N

An interesting movie... a bit underrated - Eastwood goes secret agent an mountain climbing. An interesting story - a bit slow but it all comes together at the end when you find out the truth. This movie is special due to its script - a sharp, witty script with some good liners and… More
An interesting movie... a bit underrated - Eastwood goes secret agent an mountain climbing. An interesting story - a bit slow but it all comes together at the end when you find out the truth. This movie is special due to its script - a sharp, witty script with some good liners and simple jokes which gives it some humor and removes some boredom in scenes.
Dean M

Exciting on mountain climbing sequences.
Christopher O

One of Eastwood's best early directorial efforts and for it's time it features breathtaking climbing stunts which are still thrilling to watch today. Eastwood plays Hemlock, a hired killer trying to retire but is forced to do one more job and fights for his life on the side… More
One of Eastwood's best early directorial efforts and for it's time it features breathtaking climbing stunts which are still thrilling to watch today. Eastwood plays Hemlock, a hired killer trying to retire but is forced to do one more job and fights for his life on the side of a mountain. It is a above average thriller which will keep you riveted and showed he had potential to become the director he is now.
Jonny C

An entertaining lesser known Eastwood movie. Clint plays a retired assassin who's blackmailed into doing one last job. The acting of course is excellent from Eastwood, who's playing a slightly different role than we're used to. I also loved the really sharp dialogue… More
An entertaining lesser known Eastwood movie. Clint plays a retired assassin who's blackmailed into doing one last job. The acting of course is excellent from Eastwood, who's playing a slightly different role than we're used to. I also loved the really sharp dialogue (that's shockingly politically incorrect by today's standards) that's full of great one liners and an interracial relationship, which is something you hardly see in movies.