Lovers of mountain climbing are in for a rare treat here.

For the story is about an assassin who has to carry out his mission on one of three climbers with whom he shares an expedition to the perilous north face of the Eiger mountain in Switzerland.

Lovers of the thriller are not in for such a good deal, as the story takes a long and slippery road up to the obvious conclusion.

Clint Eastwood provides the star power (and below-par direction); acting quality comes from Jack Cassidy as a treacherous spy.