Spikeopath The Mountain is directed by Edward Dmytryk and adapted to screenplay by Ranald MacDougall from the novel written by Henry Troyat. It stars Spencer Tracy, Robert Wagner, Claire Trevor, William Demarest, Barbara Darrow, Richard Arlen, E.G. Marshall and Anna Kashfi. A VistaVision/Technicolor production with music by Danielle Amfitheatrot and cinematography by Franz F. Planer.Greedy Chris Teller (Wagner) pressures his older brother, Zachary (Tracy) a retired climber, to escort him on a treacherous climb up Bald Mountain to loot the bodies of victims of a recently crashed airliner.ATTACHEZ VOS CEINTURES!Two brothers, one old, wise and saintly, the other young, flashy and despicable, these two characterisations form the basis for Edward Dmytryk's The Mountain. After the picture opens with the plane crash, which is rather well done, characters are introduced and we are left in no doubt about who is good and evil here. The mountain of the title is a constant looming presence overlooking the town, and soon enough the two very different brothers are undertaking a perilous climb up said mountain for very different reasons. The VistaVision/Technicolor photography is often sublime, the Mont-Blanc locale in France beautifully realised, and Dymtryk wrings out great suspense as the ascent for the two lads proves dangerously arduous. Then there's a turn of events that changes things, and then another, until we get to the finale where the moral is laid on heavy and the picture smugly clocks out. It's real safe and enjoyable entertainment, even if the casting of Tracy and Wagner as brothers (with 30 years between them) is most odd (why not write it as a more believable father and son axis for the film?). While some cheap studio shots seep into the production to dampen the awe built up elsewhere.Hard to dislike in spite of some flaws, and a must for mountaineer types and fans of the effortless acting style of Tracy. 7/10

Alan Baker I had hazy memories of this movie from TV screenings many years ago. I remembered it as being pretty good, but having recently watched it again on Blu-ray, it is pretty slow and boring. The casting problem which others have mentioned does grate and Wagner's character seems like an idiot. Robbing a bank would be a lot less risky if he was bent on a life of crime. Nobody attempts an authentic accent but Tracy compensates by speaking veeeery slowly and was clearly in no condition to climb a flight of stairs, never mind a mountain. The VistaVision photography is good and the juxtaposition of location and studio footage is well handled but it's all a bit predictable.

moonspinner55 In a small village at the base of the Alpine mountains, a greedy young man--tired of living poorly with his elderly brother on a sheep farm--talks his sibling into climbing one of the highest peaks to raid a doomed Indian aircraft of its gold. Engrossing story from Henri Troyat's novel is genuinely beautiful to behold in color-saturated VistaVision. Critics at the time complained about the interspersing of on-location footage with studio shots, as well as the age difference between brothers Spencer Tracy and Robert Wagner. Poor Tracy (already well into his golden years) seems pressed to the breaking point in this physical role, while scowling mercenary Wagner is one-note obstinate throughout. Still, Tracy's work is so fluid, so compassionate and believable, one gets caught up in this saga despite the picture's weaker attributes. Expository early scenes and other minor characters are practically irrelevant, and cinematographer Franz F. Planer captures it all with astute grace. **1/2 from ****

john22900 This is one great film.The mountain climbing sequences are very impressively done and extremely well photographed.Tracy is amazing as the righteously moral brother and his performance is nuanced as to not make it a caricature which could have easily happened in the type of character he was asked to portray.Wagner has the more showy part as a villainous egomaniac, willing to do anything - even commit murder - to make his dreams of wealth come true.I love films that deal with mountain climbing such as the Clint Eastwood film, The Eiger Sanction, but this film even beats that one!