Eiger Sanction -- and other climbing movies?

Scott M. Mossman wrote: Is it just me, or does Clint kind of look like a young Layton Kor? (I know I'm gonna get lots of negative feedback on this one!)

Well, aging has been kinder to Clint, but at least in some pictures, I think young Kor was even more dashing than young Eastwood. Those far away eyes and firm jaw, sort of a cross between Clint Eastwood and Erroll Flynn.

Clint did most of his own stunts, but Messner was his double. Just for proper prepping Messner took Cliint and the other actors out the tunnel at the Gallery Window (on the Eiger, about 1/3 up). They stepped out on the ledge and Clint said something like " This is crazy... lets get the hell out of here, boys."
It affirms him as one of my hero's even more as I think the same thing regularly.

There are a few faux Pas in the film for climbers, but I think it is still the best climbing film of all time. ITs fun and they not only tried to capture the climbing but also the repoire between the climbers (Hemlock and Ben chatting while they climb).

Last week I was talking with Eric Bjornstad. He told me that he is in the movie for 3 seconds. The scene where Jonathan has summitted the Pole and Ben is following on Jumars is actually Eric. George KEnnedy couldnt do that scene, so Eric pulled a hat over his face and did the jugging without looking up.

I third 'The Mountain'. Spencer Tracy climbing a chimney and it looks like it was shot on location.

'Five Days One Summer' is awesome with Sean Connery climbing routes on location in Switzerland in 30's era climbing gear. I think he puts Eastman to shame!

imdb.com/title/tt0083947/

movies.nytimes.com/movie/17…

Actually Messner had nothing to do with the film. He and Habler where on the mountain during the filming but just climbing it (in a day). The stunt and rigging was done by the guys from Leysin/ ISM... Dougal Haston, Bev Clark, Chic Scott, etc....

Sam Lightner, Jr. wrote:Clint did most of his own stunts, but Messner was his double.

Really? I always thought Messner and Habeler just happened to be on the scene at the time of the filming. I also thought that Clint was a weekend-warrior-like alpine climber himself.

EDIT: Beat me to it Allen.

Haston was Clint's double. Bev Clark told me in a interview this past august "I'm the guy in the green duvet." Annie Haston told me how well they where treated and that Eastwood was a great guy. Sadly a young climber David Knowles was killed early on in production by rock fall on the Rote Fluh. Here's a picture of a million Japanese tourists at one of the windows.

Mike Hoover (Solo) was the technical climbing coordinater, photographer, and Clint Eastwood’s stunt double for the tower climbing shots. The late Beverly Johnson (Mike’s wife) and Rick Ridgeway were also involved in the desert shots.

who climbed the plumbing?

Dragon: "you drive a hard bargain, Hemlock!"

Truly a classic...I watch it every year with my freind Dennis Lee in Estes Park!

And George...I'd take her as a training partner any day...at least, back in that day! The actress' name is, "Branda Venus"...sounds almost porno-ish, no??

The topic of climbing movies comes up every now and again on this site (and others).

I love Eiger Sanction but my all time favorite is 1950 film "White Tower".

Lloyd Bridges plays a German climber that can't give up on the idea of ze master race. When the unlikely climbing party want's to rest. He say's in disdain. "TO REST IS NOT TO CONQUER".

I can also relate that this was the legendary Chuck Pratt's favorite climbing movie.

Allen, I knew you guys would know the "facts". Dougal Haston, In High Places and The Eiger were two books that were some of my earliest inspirations.

Here's one of my favorite sort-of realistic climbing scenes. It's from "For Your Eyes Only". 007 was played by Roger Moore.

youtube.com/watch?v=mqLngSO…

I stand corrected on Messner.
However, Bjornstad was pretty believable that he filled in for Kennedy on the Pole.

I remember that I was very new to climing, really only exposed by a friends dad and reading mags and the occasional boulder, when For Your Eyes only Came out. I did not know enough to know of Ray Jardine. I remember watching a friend being placed and saying "That won't work."

I think James Bond is irresponsible going rope soloing without prussics, maybe he uses cordelette for shoe laces?

That's Rick Slyvester doing the climbing. He also ski off Assgard for another Bond film. He was also very much part of the scene in Leysin in the late sixties.

Look, you better get up there before he panics. Those pins are loose.
Jonathan, you're very good.
I have enjoyed climbing with you.
- We'll make it. - I don't think so.
But we shall continue with style.
Take it easy.
Take it easy. Don't panic.
Wait.
Look out!
I can't hold him! The ice is cracking!
- John! - You're limping, Ben.
I'll throw you a rope.
You're limping, Ben.
Listen to me.
I'll throw you a rope.
Catch this rope when I throw it to you.
Wrap it around you. Wrap the rope around you.
Hook the rope to you!
Good!
Now cut the rope above you.
Do what I tell you. Cut the rope above you.
Cut the rope above you.

Olaf Mitchell wrote: Now cut the rope above you. Do what I tell you. Cut the rope above you. Cut the rope above you.

And thus was born the "belay knife".

Eiger Quotes, as taken by watching the movie 17 times.

Does your condition preclude you from coming to the point?
Shabby research with involuted style.
Twice a year my blood must be fully replaced…With what?
He’d be ready in about 40 years.
We preferred you took the sanction for your usual reasons… greed, and avarice.
North Face, of course.
I tried to climb it twice, it tried to kill me twice.
Pardon me while I choke.
I accept the bonus.
The odds are stacking up against me.
Here’s to the selfish killer and the patriotic whore.
I usually keep a 20 in the bowl by the door – take it on your way out.
God damn my eyes. God damn you look good.
No need to hurry.
Hope I live to see it.
Nothin’ a piss ant couldn’t hop over.
Keeps me in moccasins.
Character and unpaid bills.
Shut up and drink your beer.
I’m gonna nurse made your ass all the way up that rock.
I can out climb you on your best day and I can out drink you right now.
Warm, humane person… gives good conversation.
Go piss up a rope.
Dirty, rotten, dirty, evil, scheming, bitch.
You have an incurable disease and lack the guts to kill yourself.
Let me tell you something, and I want you to listen cus I’m gonna ask questions later.
Your full of piss and vinegar today.
I’ll just tag along.
Its one way, I guess.
Way down deep you got the makings of a real bad ass. I don’t know that I’d want to be on a desert island with you and a shortage of food.
Looks like he could change a $9 bill in threes.
Regular man-trap.
Guts, skill, determination. All that stuff.
I may be crazy but I’m not stupid.
Your not gonna get far in life listening to a liar like me.
Something Massive!
Dead as Kelsey’s nuts.
God Damn my ass.
Hi ya buddy, your looking good.
You might have trouble playing the clarinet.
Even more he likes the title of leader, as if that makes him one.
Resting already, Herr doctor.
This climb is gonna be bad enough without any intrigue.
Looks like we have some wet-work ahead of us.
The man inside was not strong enough to keep the man outside alive.
You saw he was dead and you made tea? Drink it before it gets cold.
I don’t think so, but we shall continue in style.

Your not going to leave me out here?

But Jonathan could die up there.

Stragglers will be shot
I wish I was on the Eiger right now

Someone may as well just post up the whole screenplay