... You draw your finger down the outside of the glass leaving a wet cold trail…this is “Ice Cold in Alex” and eloquently described in the film, by John Mills as: “beer so ruddy cold there's a sort of dew on the outside of the glass".
This classic film was made ... Read review
Recently described as 'the ultimate British war film', Ice Cold in Alex is closely based ... more
on Christopher Landon's best-selling account of his wartime experiences. J. Lee Thompson's suspenseful direction perfectly complements the engrossing source material.John Mills gives one of his most distinguished performances as Captain Anson, a grumbling alcoholic sent on a WW2 mission to Alexandria. En route, Anson makes the acquaintance of nurses Sister Diane Murdoch (Sylvia Syms), Sister Denise Norton (Mary Clare) and a South African officer, Captain Van Der Poel (Anthony Quayle). But though Van Der Poel proves invaluable on their perilous journey enemy territory, is he all that he seems?Depicting one of the Allies' most difficult periods of the Second World War, as the Germans made apparently unstoppable advances in the North African desert, the film is remarkable for its prominent female characters, audacious representation of English masculinity, and sympathetic characterisation of German characters. The film's denouement - a paean to loyalty and solidarity - is one of the most iconic moments of British war cinema.
A tense engrossing adventure set in the 1942 Libyan war zone in the hot Western Desert. A ... more
British ambulance officer (John Mills) escapes the siege in Tobruk and tries desperately to get his passengers to safety in Alexandria where he dreams he will have the luxury of an 'ice cold' glass of beer. His passengers include a stranded hospital nurse a Sergeant-Major and a stray South African Officer trying to return to his unit. Despite saving the group from the Germans something is not quite right about the last passenger. As he begins to undermine the group's stamina using psychological tactics the British officer begins to suspect he might be a German spy...
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I Was Monty's Double - The situation was desperate. How could Nazi Intelligence be ... more
diverted during the North African campaign of World War II? There was only one way. Persuade an actor to pose as Field Marshall Montgomery to fool the German spies. But who could rise to such a dangerous acting challenge? And who could give the performance of a lifetime knowing the final curtain call could be their last?Ice Cold In Alex - A tense, engrossing adventure set in 1942 Libyan was zone in the hot Western desert. John Mills stars as the British ambulance officer who dreams of an 'ice cold' glass of beer in Alexandria.Went The Day Well? - Snug little Bromley End seemed safe from World War II, and the villagers welcomed the lorry loads of Royal Engineers rolling onto their quiet green acres. They didn't know they were disguised German parachutists installing radar apparatus to disrupt England's entire network. Nor did they suspect their community leader was a traitor.
The titleIce Cold in Alexrefers to the beer the heroes of this 1958 British World War Two ... more
classic plan to drink in Alexandria, once they have escaped from the Germans, negotiated minefields and survived both mechanical failure and the killing heat of the North African sands. The setting is Libya in 1942, at the height of the campaigns featured inThe Desert Fox(1951) andThe Desert Rats(1953), and a disparate group in a military ambulance--which include a Nazi agent to add tension of one kind and a beautiful nurse to add tension of another--must make an epic journey to safety. Staring John Mills, Sylvia Sims, Anthony Quayle and Harry Andrews the terror and poignancy comes from our certainty that not everyone will survive, such that the suspense sometimes reaches near unbearable levels. Director J Lee-Thomson was clearly inspired by the then recent French masterpiece,The Wages of Fear(1952) and handles both the character drama and set-pieces with great skill. He would go on to make another great war adventure,The Guns of Navarone(1961), also starring Anthony Quayle, who then returned to the desert for the ultimate British war classic,Lawrence of Arabia(1962).--Gary S. Dalkin
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Production Year: 1963 - War - Director: John Sturges - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: James Coburn, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Steve McQueen
Production Year: 1958 - War - Director: J. Lee Thompson - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: John Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle, Harry Andrews, Diane Clare
Production Year: 1970 - War - Director: Brian G. Hutton - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Carroll O'Connor, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, Gavin MacLeod
Advantages: Great Classic Film Disadvantages: not a thing
...no limitless pile of cash. Ice Cold in Alex manages to create such a classic, due partly to an excellent storyline, but mainly to the greatness of Mills and Quayle who bring out their characters in an unforgettable fashion.
The actual story is based on the familiar “enemy within” plot and set in the Libyan desert in 1942. Rommel is advancing and a war-worn John Mills has been ordered to fall back to the safety of Alexandria. ... ...along with his sergeant–major (Harry Andrews) and two nurses (Sylvia Sims and Diane Clare) take this and begin their journey through a very unforgiving desert.
Mills has what can only be described as a drink problem, his particular tipple being gin, and which is in very short supply. Imagine then his feelings when approached by a South African Officer (Anthony Quayle) who asks for a lift, and lets it be known that he has in his ... more
Outside it is 110°F in the shade. You are sitting at a marble bar in a cool hotel lobby in Alexandria. You have been in the baking heat of the desert for days and water has been in short supply. Wiping the sand from your cracked lips, you order a glass of beer. The barman slowly begins to expertly pour your drink into a tall narrow glass. The frothy lager is so cold that condensation forms immediately. You draw your finger down the outside of the glass leaving a wet cold trail…this is “Ice Cold in Alex” and eloquently described in the film, by John Mills as: “beer so ruddy cold there's a sort of dew on the outside of the glass".
This classic film was made in 1958 in black and white, and along with John Mills, starred Sylvia Sims, Harry Andrews and an unforgettable Anthony Quayle. It takes a particular sort of magic to create a truly classic film using only a handful of people, no special effects, no marvellous panoramas in Technicolor and no limitless pile of cash. Ice Cold in Alex manages to create such a classic, due partly to an excellent storyline, but mainly to the greatness of Mills and Quayle who bring out their characters in an unforgettable fashion.
The actual story is based on the familiar “enemy within” plot and set in the Libyan desert in 1942. Rommel is advancing and a war-worn John Mills has been ordered to fall back to the safety of Alexandria. The only available transport left is a battered ambulance. Mills along with his sergeant–major (Harry Andrews) and two nurses (Sylvia Sims and Diane Clare) take this and begin their journey through a very unforgiving desert.
Mills has what can only be described as a drink problem, his particular tipple being gin, and which is in very short supply. Imagine then his feelings when approached by a South African Officer (Anthony Quayle) who asks for a lift, and lets it be known that he has in his possession three bottles of Mothers Ruin. Against the advice of his sergeant major, Mills decides to give him a lift and thus we have the setting for this great film.
Is Quayle a German spy? Will the battered ambulance survive long enough to get them all to safety? Will the ever-present German army capture them? And will Mills manage to stay sober long enough to get them all to safety? I will let you find out for yourselves when you watch the film.
Directed by J Lee Thompson who also directed masterpieces such as "Cape Fear", "McKenna's Gold", and "The Guns of Navarone", this film will leave you gasping for that beer “Ice Cold in Alex” along with John Mills and co.
You will be able to enjoy the film sitting in an armchair, with all the modern day luxuries such as digital surround sound etc. When I first saw this film it was in an army drill hall with a tin roof on a VERY hot day.
Advantages: British war movie of the highest calibre Disadvantages: Bit slow in getting started
...WWII British war films with Ice Cold in Alex being in my opinion one of the very best. Released in 1958 and directed by J Lee Thompson this movie stars John Mills, Anthony Quayle, Harry Andrews and Sylvia Sims.
The story is set in North Africa and begins with the preparations to evacuate Tobruk. Captain Anson (Mills), already a veteran of the desert campaigns is close to his physical and mental limits and suffers from a drink problem. He is ordered ... ...to the end. Ice cold in Alex? Captain Anson promises to stop drinking after one of the nurses is killed - an event for which he blames himself. He vows then that his next drink will be in a bar in Alexandria, where he will buy them all a beer - an ice cold beer!
A British war movie of the very best kind. Made all the more memorable for me as my father was an ambulance driver in the Eighth Army in North Africa during WWII.... ...
colinmilne 14.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Ice Cold In Alex (DVD)
Advantages: A good film, worth watching more than once Disadvantages: I ran out of beer half way through!
ice cold in alex
Plot In 1942 Anson (John Mill's) is fatigued by battle and dependent on drink
and despised by his friend and fellow officer who wrongly suspect's him of asking to be released from the siege of Tobruk
A group of officer's and two nurse's attempt a dangerous and arduous trek
across the desert's of north Africa during the second world war after escaping Tobruk .
they get separated from the rest of the column of trucks and reluctantly ... ...in black and white
ice cold in alex is a classic british war film it's a epic adventure of man vs environment using the war as a back drop rather than a man vs man war film
I would say it is a film you can watch over and over again, it has got some gripping parts, and when they get to Alex the most memorable bit is seeing them acheive their goal and get their beer.
I bought this in Tescos for £4.99 ...
redhondaman 25.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ice Cold In Alex (DVD)
Advantages: Fabulously Entertaining, You HAVE To See What Happens Next! Classic Disadvantages: None that I can say
...have you reaching for an ice cold lager - it'll also have you with trembling lip and wishing they made more films like this. Grit, determination and strong character shine through.
This is a film totally devoid of gratuitous sex and violence - I think the strongest piece of language you'll hear is something like an innocuous "damn" or maybe a "bloody"....it certainly gets no stronger than that!
I haven't described much of the action of this film....that's ...
RSH123 05.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ice Cold In Alex (DVD)
Advantages: Great cast and acting, superb story Disadvantages: none
...a pint of beer, served ice cold in Alexandria is. This may not sound like much but after days crossing through German patrols and open desert this dream is all they have to sustain them.
I could complain about Antony Quayle's South African accent but it's not really that bad unless like me as an ex South African and then you can quite clearly see the flaws in it. Also the fact he was a highly effective SOE agent in the Balkans in WWII makes me unable ... ...of great scenes in which through careful meticulous work, pure brute strength or simple bravery they somehow keep going on. Walking slowly through a minefield ahead of the truck checking for mines, using the starter crack to slowly move the truck up a steep sand dune only top see it slide down again and have to start from scratch or supporting the weight of the truck on one mans back when the jack gives way for long enough to change the wheel.
Films ...
JCoquillon 09.03.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Ice Cold In Alex (DVD)
Advantages: uses only a few characters allowing easier concentration Disadvantages: none really other than desert scenes can be rather intimidating
...in Alexandria and the titular ice cold drink. There is sufficient entanglement with German troops to provide the extra excitement and the pushing of the truck up a huge sand dune only to have it roll all the way back grabs your full attention.
All in all its one of those films they dont make them like anymore. ...
077990ccherry 29.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Ice Cold In Alex (DVD)
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Advantages: Lots of action, great performances Disadvantages: Made on a low budget, a little dated
We've all seen the famous bit where John Mills walks into the bar and downs a glass of beer in about five seconds flat. At one time, they even made it into a beer commercial. Fact is that IceColdInAlex is one of the best war films ever made. "IceCold" is the beer and "Alex" is Alexandria, the Egyptian city where Desert Rats hung out during World War Two.
The film was made in 1958 and Mills was 50-odd at the time which is probably why he was cast as an ambulance driver fleeing the batle of Tobruk rather than a young blade. The film caused great controversy at the time as his romantic interest was a very young and beautiful Sylvia Syms, and its gritty realism was also a far cry from the somewhat romanticised view of the Second World War hitherto common in Brit films actually made durung ...
Advantages: Simply a great film Disadvantages: Cant really think of any
Another outstanding piece of British Cinema. John Mills plays a Captain charged with getting his ambulance through enemy held desert to Alexandria. He is joined by his Sergeant Major and a couple of female nurses. During the trip they pick up a 'South African' Officer (Anthony Quayle) left behind by his unit during the retreat.
The story outlines the trials and hurdles the hardy group face in getting their ambulance back to Alexandria all the while the spectre of German Afrika Corps looms in the background. Matters are complicated by John Mills alcohol problem and Anthony Quayle's seemingly endless supply of Gin. Some of the highlights of the film include the dramatic attempt at 'cranking' the ambulance up a steep slope (makes you sweat just watching it) and the subsequent release of the crank handle by the nurse (not even going ...
A war story set in 1942, in which the commander of a motor ambulance somehow manages to get his vehicle to safety - despite the hazards of war, and a German spy.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
18/04/2005
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
D 038094
Barcode
7321900380942
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Original Theatrical Trailer
Sound
Mono
Dubbing Sound
Mono English
DVD Description
This classic World War II drama stars John Mills as an ambulance driver who escapes the siege of Tobruk in the company of a sergeant major, a nurse and a South African officer who has become separated from his unit. Suspicions arise about whether one of the group is a German spy who is undermining their attempt to reach safety. The film is most famous for its scene in which Captain Anson (Mills) finally gets to drink his 'ice cold' beer in Alexandria.
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