Ice Cold in Alex (1958)

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

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

Release Date:

3 October 1958 (West Germany)

Genre:

Adventure | War | Drama

Plot:

A group of army personnel and nurses attempt a dangerous and arduous trek across the deserts of North Africa during the second world war...

Plot Keywords:

Beer | Desert | Ambulance | Spy | World War Two

Awards:

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

Cast

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
Paul Stassino	...	Barman

Directed by
J. Lee Thompson

Writing credits
Christopher Landon		(novel)
T.J. Morrison		(screenplay) (as T. J. Morrison) and
Christopher Landon		(screenplay)

Produced by
W.A. Whittaker	....	producer (as W. A. Whittaker)

Original Music by
Leighton Lucas

Cinematography by
Gilbert Taylor		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Richard Best

Casting by
Robert Lennard

Art Direction by
Robert Jones

Makeup Department
Eric Aylott	....	makeup artist
A.G. Scott	....	hairdresser (as A. Scott)

Production Management
Barry Delmaine	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gus Agosti	....	assistant director

Art Department
Bill Beavis	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Charles Crafford	....	dubbing editor
Leslie Hammond	....	sound recording
A.W. Lumkin	....	recording director (as A. W. Lumkin)
Len Shilton	....	sound recording

Special Effects by
George Blackwell	....	special effects (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Val Stewart	....	camera operator
Norman Warwick	....	second unit photography
Steve Birtles	....	electrician (uncredited)
Kelvin Pike	....	focus puller (uncredited)

Music Department
Leighton Lucas	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Eddie Frewin	....	unit driver (uncredited)

Other crew
Joan Kirk	....	continuity
Walter C. Mycroft	....	scenario supervisor (as Walter Mycroft)

Production Companies

• Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) (presents) (as Associated British Picture Corporation Limited)

Distributors

• Associated British-Pathé (1958) (UK) (theatrical) (distributed throughout the world by) (as Associated British-Pathe Limited)
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (1961) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (1988) (UK) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2002) (UK) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Associated British Studio Orchestra  music performed by (as the Associated British Studio Orchestra)
• Government of the United Kingdon of Libya, The  they have also to express their thanks to, for their friendly co-operation (as the Government of the United Kingdom of Libya)
• Royal Army Service Corps in Libya, The  the producers wish to acknowledge the facilities accorded by, and, in particular, the assistance given by, in the presentation of this story (as The Royal Army Service Corps in Libya)
• War Office, The  the producers wish to acknowledge the facilities accorded by (as the War Office)

Also Known As:

"Desert Attack" - USA

Runtime:

129 min | USA:76 min (1961)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:A (1958) (passed with cuts) | UK:PG (video rating) (1988) (2002) (2006) | USA:Approved (PCA #19618) | UK:PG (re-release: uncut) (2011) | UK:PG (tv rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Trivia:

The ambulance used is an Austin K2, which saw widespread service with the British during WWII.

Goofs:

Continuity: The head on the beers at the end changes from a lot to very little and back again in nearly every shot.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV)

Further proof that characterisation and story is the equal of multi-million dollar budgets

I must have watched this film more than 10 times, and have enjoyed it. I especially enjoy the story of triumph over adversity; both in terms of the adversity of nature itself, as well as human nature.

The subplot of the commonality of humanity, together with the final denouement adds to my enjoyment.

As an Englishman living in Australia, I appreciate, especially the final scene in the club. I never fail to relish a glass of beer, or to finger-wipe the condensation on the glass.

(PS I would have made it 10 out of 10 if Miss Syms could have unhooked two more buttons on her shirt)