Special equipment and handheld cameras were employed to film the climbing sequences. Eastwood did his own climbing and stuntwork under dangerous conditions. Twenty-six-year-old British climber David Knowles died on the Eiger during the production.
However, Clint Eastwood was one cowboy who did his own stunts. Eastwood played the role of Rowdy Yates on Rawhide (1959) for a total of eight seasons on CBS. Whenever a Rawhide script called for a stuntman, Eastwood stepped up.
Where was the resort in The Eiger Sanction filmed?
Everything at the Bellevue, from its architecture to its star-studded guest list, is steeped in history, and even starred as the filming location for Clint Eastwood's “The Eiger Sanction”.
As one of the most iconic mountains in the world, the Eiger towers above small villages in Switzerland. This famous peak has been featured in many movies and is one of the most documented peaks around the world.
Wayne, perpetually patriotic and conservative, was opposed to such progressiveness and was particularly irritated by Eastwood's rising star, which arguably came to surpass his own for a time in the '60s.
The Eiger Sanction Disaster: Clint Eastwood's Deadliest Film Shoot
Do people still climb the Eiger?
Climbers are increasingly electing to challenge the Eiger in winter, when the crumbling face is strengthened by ice. Since 1935, at least sixty-four climbers have died attempting the north face, earning it the German nickname, Mordwand, or "murderous wall", a play on the face's German name Nordwand.
The Matterhorn is the next hardest, as although slightly lower, is a very physical and aerobically demanding climb. Out of the three, the Eiger is the hardest climb technically, despite being the lowest of the Alpine Trilogy, and the exposure on the route is incredible.
According to author Ron Hogan, "[i]n addition to directing and starring in The Eiger Sanction, Clint Eastwood did all his own stunts during the mountain-climbing sequences." Hogan further adds that, Eastwood and his film crew "were the last people to climb Monument Valley's Totem Pole; in order to gain permission for ...
According to production notes, Eastwood performed the climb himself while George Kennedy was lowered onto the rock's crest by helicopter. Shortly after the scene was filmed, the Navajo Nation deemed “Totem Pole” off-limits to future climbers.
Sitting in the shadow of the North Face, Grindelwald is known as Eiger Village. This charming resort town provides a great base for your exploration of the Eiger. It has a great variety of shops, restaurants and accommodation.
While he had done some rock climbing in his youth, 44-year-old Eastwood was not prepared for the levels of difficulty presented by the climb. Hoover later recalled, "He looked up at me and said, 'Gee, I don't think I can make it. ' I said, 'Well, Clint, you really don't have much choice, do you?'
For the self-made and relatively frugal Eastwood, money is a touchy subject. He says early on he told his agent, Leonard Hirshan, that he didn't want to hear his salary bandied about. "My mother always told me it wasn't polite to ask what people make," Eastwood explains.
Clint Eastwood's long-time stunt double has died aged 92. Buddy Van Horn first worked as the 91-year-old actor's stunt double on 1968 movie 'Coogan's Bluff', and he did the same for movies 'Dirty Harry', 'High Plains Drifter', and 1971's 'The Beguiled'.
Regardless of the route up which you choose to ascend it, Eiger is a highly technical Alpine climb that involves rock, snow and ice climbing. During the ascent, you will need previous experience with 5.7 grade rock climbing and be comfortable climbing on steep, but firm, snow and ice.
The mountain most widely claimed to be the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in terms of elevation is Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m, 24,840 ft). It is in Bhutan, on or near the border with China. In Bhutan, the climbing of mountains higher than 6,000 m (20,000 ft) has been prohibited since 1994.
All said the Matterhorn is not an exceptionally difficult alpine climb if attempting with a guide (route finding can be tricky if attempting on your own). It just requires excellent physical shape and a skill set that allows you to move fast and efficiently on exposed rock.
For a long time it was regarded as invincible. And even after the first ascent in 1938, there have been several tragedies on the Eiger north face. However, the fascination remains, accompanied by the desire of many mountaineers to conquer the most famous north face of the Alps once in a lifetime under expert guidance.
Marlon Brando was considered for the role, but was never formally approached. Both Steve McQueen and Paul Newman turned down the role. McQueen refused to make another "cop movie" after Bullitt (1968).
Who was JOHN WAYNE'S lifelong BUDDY AND BEST MAN, Ward Bond? A look into the great character actor and best friend of JOHN WAYNE, WARD BOND. How the friendship they shared was on a special level!
In an interview with Patrick McGilligan (as featured in the 1999 book "Clint Eastwood: Interviews"), Eastwood acknowledged that while he liked John Wayne as a young man ("depending on the film"), his favorite actor was James Cagney.
