Sob o Sol da África

This film really brings out how people can overcome their differences, no matter how large or seemingly-impossible, and work together for their own survival.

Anthony Quayle acted his part with perfection, staying both loyal to his own cause, AND to the common cause of survival.

He did not turn anybody over to the German army despite the many opportunities, but turned each incident into an advantage that helped all concerned.

Also the matter of alcoholic addiction was portrayed excellently by John Mills, and the self-realisation which led to his overcoming of the problem was quite poignant.

Overall I would recommend this film as one of the classics amongst war-theme movies. It gets behind the scenes and down to the really important matter of real people and THEIR perspective of things.

A brilliant move that came as one of the British War Movie DVD Collection. Remember the Carlsberg ad that used the film? I thought that it was a clever bit of digital enhancement on the glasses for the 'Carlsberg' logo, but no... it was there in the movie! I had forgotten just how drop-dead gorgeous Sylvia Syms was too! Hollywood had no-one to touch her for beauty and sex appeal! The movie stated that it was a true story, but I cant find any historical basis for it, but that doesn't really matter. A good yarn none the less, which I will watch often.

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)

'Ice Cold in Alex' is an absorbing story of a British ambulance trying to get to safety in the North African desert. There is the heat, minefields, enemy troops, more heat, shifting sands and human weaknesses to contend with and at the end of the film (over two hours)one feels exhausted. The main characters are an army captain on the verge of a breakdown, a determined nurse, a solid sergeant major and a South African soldier whom they pick up on the way. With simple heroism they try making their way to their goal, which in this case is a glass of ice cold beer in Alexandria on the coast.

The interplay between the characters and the growing bond they have in adversity is well played by the actors. John Mills' deeply troubled captain is particularly well acted. Harry Andrews, Anthony Quayle and Sylvia Syms are fine too. The other main character is the ambulance itself, gradually coming to pieces on the way, steaming and bumping along.

J. Lee Thompson was a very able director and there are some excellent scenes here. The minefield scene near the beginning and the hill scene near the end are great, tense and emotional. The beer scene is moving and uplifting. The best British films about the Second World War are generally about a small group of ordinary people who faced with crisis and peril just get on with it.

This is a masterly example of how to make a film. The plot is simple, how to get an ambulance from behind enemy lines to safety, but it's given such force and power by the characters thrown together to achieve this. The alcoholic burnt out Captain, the solid Sergeant Major, the plucky nurse and the mysterious stranger. The performances are somewhat mannered by todays standards however they are all excellent, especially Harry Andrews (who rarely gets a mention) but who is the solid rock that holds the other characters together. Don't miss the original UK version, the shortened US version may be safely passed over. This film shows it is possible to make an interesting war film with hardly any violence.