Ice Cold in Alex (1958)

During World War II in North Africa, a medical field unit must cross the desert in their ambulance in order to reach the British lines in Alexandria.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

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

Stars:

John Mills, Anthony Quayle, Sylvia Syms

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Mills	...	Captain Anson
Sylvia Syms	...	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 desert of North Africa during World War II. The leader of the team dreams of his ice cold beer when he reaches Alexandria, but the problems just won't go away.

---

Plot Keywords:

desert | alexandria egypt | afrika corps | british eighth army | north africa campaign | 

---

Taglines:

3 Guys...And a Couple of Gals...And the Mission That Led Them Through 600 Miles of Burning Hell!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

A love scene between John Mills and Sylvia Syms was cut.

---

Goofs

When the ambulance encounters the second group of Germans, none of the Germans have magazines in their sub-machine guns.

---

Quotes

Capt. Anson: I'll tell you this, the next drink I have's gonna be a lager. Ice cold. There's a little bar in Alex with a marble top counter and high stools. They serve the best beer in all the middle east. When we get through with this lot I'm gonna buy you one. I'll buy you all one.

---

Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: TOBRUK - 1942

---

Alternate Versions

When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'A' rating. All cuts were waived in 1988 when the film was granted a 'PG' certificate for home video.

---

Connections

Featured in WatchMojoUK: Top 10 British War Movies (2019)

---

Soundtracks

My Old Man (Said Follow the Van)
[uncredited]
Written (1919) by Fred W. Leigh and Charles Collins
Sung by John Mills, Sylvia Syms and Harry Andrews

User Reviews

Stonkingly great film, a true British wartime classic and worth buying the collection for!

A brilliant move that came as one of the British War Movie DVD Collection. Remember the Carlsberg ad that used the film? I thought that it was a clever bit of digital enhancement on the glasses for the 'Carlsberg' logo, but no... it was there in the movie! I had forgotten just how drop-dead gorgeous Sylvia Syms was too! Hollywood had no-one to touch her for beauty and sex appeal! The movie stated that it was a true story, but I cant find any historical basis for it, but that doesn't really matter. A good yarn none the less, which I will watch often.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

27 June 1958 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ice Cold in Alex

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min 76 min (1961) 138 min (1958) (pre-censored)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1