Ice Cold in Alex

1958
PG
2h 10m

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

6.8K

YOUR RATING

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.

Play trailer3:14

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55 Photos

Desert Adventure Adventure Drama War

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.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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

6.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 3:14

Trailer

Photos55

+ 48

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Storyline

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Trivia
Filmed in Libya, as Egypt was ruled out due to the recent Suez Crisis. Filming began 10 September 1957.

Goofs
When a group of German Stukas bomb the minefield, one of the camera shots is of a plane's bomb doors opening. Stukas didn't have bomb doors as their bombs were mounted externally.

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
Original British version, "Ice Cold in Alex," runs 130 minutes. U.S. distributor shortened the film in 1961 to 76 minutes and released it as "Desert Attack."

Connections
Featured in Hollywood U.K.: A Very British Picture (1993)

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 reviews73

Review

Featured review

10/10

One of strongest character driven war films ever.

This is a masterly example of how to make a film. The plot is simple, how to get an ambulance from behind enemy lines to safety, but it's given such force and power by the characters thrown together to achieve this. The alcoholic burnt out Captain, the solid Sergeant Major, the plucky nurse and the mysterious stranger. The performances are somewhat mannered by todays standards however they are all excellent, especially Harry Andrews (who rarely gets a mention) but who is the solid rock that holds the other characters together. Don't miss the original UK version, the shortened US version may be safely passed over. This film shows it is possible to make an interesting war film with hardly any violence.