Le désert de la peur

Original title: Ice Cold in Alex

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

6.9K

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.

Play trailer3:14

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55 Photos

Desert Adventure Adventure Drama War

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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.7/10

6.9K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Awards
- 1 win & 5 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 3:14

Trailer

Photos55

+ 48

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Filmed in Libya, as Egypt was ruled out due to the recent Suez Crisis. Filming began 10 September 1957.

Goofs
In the very last scene, as Lutz is being driven away from the bar by the British military police, a Land Rover can be seen parked next to the bar. The first Land Rovers were produced in 1948, six years after the battle of Tobruk.

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 credits
Opening credits prologue: TOBRUK - 1942

Alternate versions
Original 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."

Connections
Featured in Hollywood U.K. British Cinema in the Sixties: A Very British Picture (1993)

Soundtracks
My 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

User reviews74

Featured review

9/10

Further proof that characterisation and story is the equal of multi-million dollar budgets

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)