Clint Eastwood’s unofficial James Bond movie is on TV tonight

The movie is based on a novel that was intended as a spoof of James Bond stories.

In the film, the actor plays Hemlock, a retired government assassin persuaded into returning to his deadly profession to avenge the murder of an old friend.

As part of this, the assassin must join a crew of explorers on a trip up the Eiger, a treacherous Swiss mountain.

"Hemlock must simultaneously determine which of his fellow climbers is a Soviet spy, kill his target and scale the deadly peak," the plot synopsis adds.

Watch the trailer for The Eiger Sanction here

Co-starring George Kennedy (The Naked Gun) and Vonetta McGee (Blacula), The Eiger Sanction was based on the novel of the same name by Trevanian (pen name of writer Rodney William Whitaker).

Though Trevanian wrote the book as a spoof of James Bond-style spy thrillers, Eastwood chose to adapt the story in a less overtly comic manner.

You'd think this wouldn't work. Yet, the movie's blend of exotic locations, compelling spy intrigue, over-the-top villains, and stellar action sequences (Eastwood did nearly all his own stunts) makes it a must-watch for 007 fans.

The Eiger Sanction is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 11.05pm. The film is also available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Prime Video and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

The World is Not Enough - ITV4 - 9pm

If you want the real 007, though, this fun Pierce Brosnan-led Bond flick is on TV this evening as well.

Prey - Film4 - 9pm

It’s a Native American warrior (Amber Midthunder) versus a killer alien hunter in this awesome prequel to the Predator franchise set in early 18th-century America.

The Waterboy - Comedy Central - 9pm

The hit Adam Sandler comedy.

The Presidio - Legend - 9pm

An '80s action thriller with Mark Harmon, Meg Ryan and Sean Connery.

Kickboxer: Retaliation - Legend Xtra - 9pm

The seventh and best-reviewed entry in the martial arts film series.

Three Days of the Condor - Sky Arts - 10.15pm

The fantastic '70s spy thriller with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway that we recommended earlier this year.

Renfield - Film4 - 10.55pm

Nicolas Cage is Dracula, and Nicholas Hoult is his long-suffering servant in this fun action comedy.

The Photograph - BBC One - 11.45pm

In this 2020 romantic drama, the estranged daughter (Issa Rae) of a famous photographer falls in love with the journalist (LaKeith Stanfield) who is investigating her late mother's life.

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