IMDb RATING
7.7/10
6.6K
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.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.
- Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations total
Brian Peck
- Corporal
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilmed in Libya, as Egypt was ruled out due to the recent Suez Crisis. Filming began 10 September 1957.
- GoofsWhile trying to escape from the others, Captain van der Poel falls into quicksand and sinks beneath its surface. However, it is a common misconception that quicksand is so deadly. Sand saturated with water is denser than the human body (and far denser than water alone), so you would only sink up to about your thighs. At best, it would be an inconvenience but easily escapable.
- 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 creditsOpening credits prologue: TOBRUK - 1942
- Alternate versionsOriginal 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."
- SoundtracksMy 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
Featured review
Human vulnerabilities in a hostile environment
I am not a great fan of war genre, but this film is brilliant for several reasons. First of all the film is well acted by a cast who know what good acting is. This can be particularly said of the late Sir John Mills; a dedicated actor who really knew how to play all his characters well.
The film is also great for its suspense, which kept me gripped all the way to Alexandria.
However, what makes the film stand out, is how the adversity of a hostile environment, such as the dessert brings out the positive qualities of human nature, which serve to unite man -and woman -kind. This puts the idea of war into perspective as insignificant when faced with nature's raw and hostile conditions. It illustrates that as humans we need to unite and work together to combat adversity, while respecting the power of nature.
The film is also great for its suspense, which kept me gripped all the way to Alexandria.
However, what makes the film stand out, is how the adversity of a hostile environment, such as the dessert brings out the positive qualities of human nature, which serve to unite man -and woman -kind. This puts the idea of war into perspective as insignificant when faced with nature's raw and hostile conditions. It illustrates that as humans we need to unite and work together to combat adversity, while respecting the power of nature.
helpful•392
- alexandra-25
- Jun 11, 2005
- How long is Ice Cold in Alex?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime2 hours 10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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