Ice Cold in Alex (1958)

A group of army personnel and nurses attempt a dangerous and arduous trek across the deserts of North Africa during the second world war. The leader of the team dreams of his ice cold beer ... See full summary »

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Christopher Landon (novel), T.J. Morrison (screenplay),

Stars:

John Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle

Nominated for 3 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Mills	...	Captain Anson
Sylvia Syms	...	Sister Murdoch / Sister Diana Murdoch
Anthony Quayle	...	Captain van der Poel
Harry Andrews	...	M.S.M. Pugh
Diane Clare	...	Sister Denise Norton
Richard Leech	...	Captain Crosbie
Liam Redmond	...	Brigadier - D.D.M.S.
Allan Cuthbertson	...	Brigadier's Staff Officer
David Lodge	...	C.M.P. Captain - Tank Trap
Michael Nightingale	...	C.M.P. Captain - Check Point
Basil Hoskins	...	C.M.P. Lieutenant - Alexandria
Walter Gotell	...	1st German Officer
Frederick Jaeger	...	2nd German Officer
Richard Marner	...	German Guard
Peter Arne	...	British Officer at Oasis

Storyline

A group of army personnel and nurses attempt a dangerous and arduous trek across the deserts of North Africa during the second world war. The leader of the team dreams of his ice cold beer when he reaches Alexandria, but the problems just won't go away.

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Plot Keywords:

beer | desert | ambulance | spy | world war two | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

3 October 1958 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Desert Attack

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min 76 min (1961)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song that van der Poel sings is called "Sarie Marais" and is used as a regimental quick march by the UK's Corps of Royal Marines. It first came to the attention of British troops during the Boer War.

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Goofs

Although Basil Hoskins's character is described as Corps of Military Police lieutenant, his cap badge is that of the Middlesex Regt. The NCOs are wearing the correct MP cap badges.

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Quotes

Capt. Anson: [draining his glass of beer] Worth waiting for.

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Connections

Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005)

User Reviews

A memorable classic, with great cast and great locations.

I must confess to being biased towards this film, as I am a grandson of the author and screenwriter. It is extremely pleasing to read that this film has given a lot of pleasure to many who have seen it. Why I think the film succeeds is because it was written by a man who took part in the North African campaign, as a doctor in the RAMC, who had to deal with the human cost of war. People, and how they cope with adversity, is often more interesting than depicting warfare itself. This makes it an unusual war film for the time, to say the least. The character of Captain Anson, so ably played by John Mills, is telling for me as my grandfather sadly did have an alcohol problem later in life. On a lighter note, the terrific final scene in the bar has an amusing story attached to it - apparently, the scene had to be shot five or six times, and as nothing else looked like beer in a glass than, well, beer, poor John Mills had to keep knocking back the beers until the scene was "in the can"!