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

One of the problems with the iconic final scene was that Sylvia Syms hated lager.

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Goofs

The CMP Officer and 2 CMP NCO's who enter the Bar to arrest the German in Alexandra are not showing any whistles with chains in their breast shirt pockets as all CMP would do. A chain should be seen linking from one pocket to the other.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Featured in War Stories (2006)

User Reviews

All against the desert

Army ambulance Captain Anson is ordered out of Tobruk just before it is besieged in 1942. He is fatigued by battle, dependent on drink, and despised by his friend and fellow officer who wrongly suspects him of asking to be released from the siege.

With Sergeant Pugh, the squadron's senior mechanic he prepares to leave, but enemy action separates them from the rest of the column and presents two nurses as unwelcome passengers. They later encounter Van der Pol, an ebullient South African Officer who offers to share his large rucksack of gin if the ambulance crew will give him a lift. The five then set off eastwards, trying to reach Alexandria, and safety.

But nothing about the journey is straightforward and Anson must deal with the desert, enemy forces, his own alcoholism, and the growing realisation that one of their number is an enemy agent. An incident in which one of the nurses is killed forces Anson to face up to his drunkenness and he promises his next drink won't be until they reach 'Alex' and it will be a cold beer, giving the film its title.

As the journey progresses the identity of the agent becomes obvious, but in parallel the others find themselves becoming drawn to him because of his bravery and integrity. The setbacks and hazards in the desert asks tough questions of them all, but none more difficult than how to remain loyal both to their country and to an enemy soldier to whom they each owe their lives.

John Mills as Anson, and Anthony Quayle as Van der Pol head an excellent and well-directed cast. Sylvia Simms and Harry Andrews support, without taking the limelight and although the script occasionally dips below standard, nothing can really detract from one of the finest wartime stories ever told.