Cliffhanger is a 1993 action-adventure thriller directed by Renny Harlin and starring Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, and Michael Rooker. Set in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, the film combines high-stakes action with intense physical challenges, making it a classic in the action genre.
Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone) is a skilled mountain rescue climber haunted by a tragic accident. During a routine rescue, Gabe is unable to save the life of Sarah, the girlfriend of his best friend and fellow rescuer Hal Tucker (Michael Rooker). Guilt-ridden, Gabe leaves the mountain rescue team.
Eight months later, Gabe returns to the Rockies to retrieve his belongings. Hal, still angry at Gabe for Sarah’s death, blames him for the tragedy. Their tension is interrupted when a distress call is received from a stranded group on the mountain. Gabe reluctantly joins Hal for what appears to be a routine rescue mission.
However, the call is a trap set by Eric Qualen (John Lithgow), a psychopathic criminal and his group of mercenaries. They are searching for three suitcases filled with $100 million in uncirculated bills that were lost in a botched mid-air heist. The group forces Gabe and Hal to help them retrieve the money.
Cliffhanger remains an iconic action film of the 1990s, celebrated for its high-altitude thrills and practical effects. Its influence is evident in later action movies and video games with similar survivalist themes.
