Ice-Cold in Alex (1958) is a British film starring John Mills based upon the book of the same name by British author Christopher Landon, who also wrote the screenplay.

The film is set in North Africa during Second World War. A small group of British soldiers and nurses have to drive an army ambulance across the desert, in an attempt to reach the safety and avoid capture by Rommel's Afrika Korps. The leader of the team (Captain Anson) motivates himself by thinking of the ice cold beer he can order if and when they finally make it to Alexandria - hence the movie title. On the way, they meet with various setbacks and also battle with tensions which arise within the group.

It was directed by J. Lee Thompson.

The film was also released as Desert Attack (1961) in the USA.

It was prizewinner at the Berlin International Film Festival and is regularly shown on television. It is also still available on video and DVD.

Cast

• John Mills .... Capt. Anson
• Sylvia Syms .... Sister Diana Murdoch
• Anthony Quayle .... Capt. van der Poel/Hauptman Otto Lutz
• Harry Andrews .... MSM Tom Pugh
• Diane Clare .... Sister Denise Norton
• Richard Leech .... Capt. Crosbie
• Liam Redmond .... Brigadier (DDMS)
• Peter Arne .... British Officer at Oasis

External links

• Ice-Cold in Alex at the Movie Review Query Engine
• Stills and film clips from the British Film Institute archive