... Fact is that Ice Cold In Alex is one of the best war films ever made. "Ice Cold" 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 ... Read review
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 t...
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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 materi...
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 t...
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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 h...
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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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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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During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who ... more
had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Reid,The Colditz Story(1957) documents the further, sometimes successful, escape attempts of these extraordinarily brave, resourceful and indomitable men. Starring John Mills, Eric Portman, Bryan Forbes and Anton Diffring, and co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton, who later madeThe Battle of Britain(1969), this is a sober, even-handed account, that is gripping and informative, yet not without humour. Sterling performances from the cast of stalwart actors adds up to a British cinema classic. Such is the fascination of Colditz that in 1972-3 the BBC made a very successful drama series staring Jack Hedley, Bernard Hempton, Robert Wagner and David McCallum, while in 2000 Channel 4 offered a superb three-part documentary,Escape from Colditz. In contrast to the semi-documentary feel ofThe Colditz StoryDavid Lean's classicThe Bridge on the River Kwai, from the same year, is an epic and powerful account of POW life in barbaric Japanese prison camps.--Gary S. Dalkin
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Movie, music and celebrity photographs are perfect for fans looking for a memento of their ... more
favourite film, film star, music icon or celebrity. High quality photography that you can be proud to display in your home cinema/theatre, living room on your office desk or around the home.
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Production Year: 1977 - War - Director: John Sturges - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Larry Hagman, Donald Sutherland, Jenny Agutter, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Donald Pleasence
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
Production Year: 1964 - War - Director: Walter Grauman - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: George Chakiris, Maria Perschy, Cliff Robertson, Harry Andrews, Michael Goodliffe, Donald Houston
Advantages: Lots of action, great performances Disadvantages: Made on a low budget, a little dated
...beer commercial. Fact is that Ice Cold In Alex is one of the best war films ever made. "Ice Cold" 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 ... ...as they say, a ripping yarn with John Mills excellent as usual But it's very much an ensemble piece and deserves its classic status. In an age where special effects and gadgetry take precedence over narrative and emotional depth, Ice Cold In Alex stands the test of time. ... more
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 Ice Cold In Alex is one of the best war films ever made. "Ice Cold" 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 the War like In Which We Serve and The Way To The Stars. This film also benefitted from the star talents of Anthony Quayle and Harry Andrews all crossing the desert and sufering the tensions which ensue amid fears that one of them is a German spy. It is, as they say, a ripping yarn with John Mills excellent as usual But it's very much an ensemble piece and deserves its classic status. In an age where special effects and gadgetry take precedence over narrative and emotional depth, Ice Cold In Alex stands the test of time.
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 ... ...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 to mention women drivers). You can almost see their hearts break as the ambulance hurtles down the slope. Anthony Quayle's ...
Senter104 07.06.2007
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Advantages: Great Classic Film Disadvantages: not a thing
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 “IceColdinAlex” 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 ...
Advantages: Fabulously Entertaining, You HAVE To See What Happens Next! Classic Disadvantages: None that I can say
Got nothing to do this weekend?
Grab yourself some beers and this DVD....especially if it's going to be a scorcher - you'll really set the scene!
John Mills stars in this charasmatic black & white movie, set in Africa during WWII.
He has to get his old truck ("Katie") back to Alexandria....with company. Along with his driver, he is accompanied by a nurse and a South African.
But all is not as it seems....is their deception amongst the team?
Hardly a fast paced movie - however this is the beauty of the film. They go through so much in their quest to reach Alexandria ....and a well earned beer. You'll no doubt need one too!
Scenes which have your toes curling in anticipation of what is going to happen next and cringing at errors that set back hours of work in the hot burning sun.
The end of the film will not ...
Advantages: British war movie of the highest calibre Disadvantages: Bit slow in getting started
I'm a big fan of WWII British war films with IceColdinAlex 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 by his commanding officer (Liam Redmond) to accompany him as they leave Tobruk. There is antagonism between Captain Anson and a fellow officer, partly because they are both in love with the same woman and partly because it is suspected (incorrectly) that Anson has wangled his way out of the oncoming siege.
Accompanying Captain Anson is Sergeant Major Tom Pugh (Harry ...
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)
OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Release date
29/01/2007
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
OPTD 0670
Barcode
5060034577232
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Scene selection
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
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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