Rent The Eiger Sanction (1975)

Peak Machismo. - The Eiger Sanction review by Steve

This action spy thriller now seems oddly distorted by the cultural factors in play back then. The early Dirty Harry pictures drew accusations of racism, and so Clint Eastwood- as an art collector/secret agent hooks up with black and native American babes.... But in line with his misogynist tough guy image of the '70s, he's incredibly sexist.

And it just doesn't feel right watching the superstar of cop films and westerns roaming around Switzerland in pursuit of the enemies of the CIA, accompanied by a John Williams score which is a blatant John Barry ripoff. Not Bond so much as The Ipcress File (1965). Eastwood is miscast and George Kennedy wasted as a retired spook.

And besides, in 1975 these Euro-spy capers were old fashioned. Plus the intrigue is low watt, and the wisecracks are dreadful and borderline offensive. However, this excels in the action sequences shot in the Alps and Monument Valley, Utah which are ahead of their time. And credit to the star for performing his own climbing exploits.

These still feel authentic and are impressive and thrilling. But considering how massive Clint was in the '70s, it did poorly at the box office. Now, it's hard to watch because of the attitudes, and of interest in the same way as Benny Hill, as a measure of how we've changed. But anyone inclined will also see some spectacular stunts.