Ice Cold in Alex

(J. Lee Thompson/1958/UK)

Four army medical staff are separated from the main convoy during an evacuation to Alexandria behind British lines in the North African desert conflict of World War II. Their solo run across the desert to reach safety involves a series of dangerous episodes which make for two hours of war drama dripping in sweat and tension. Shot on location in Libya the heat and effort onscreen is real and makes for a film that comes very close to the actual experience of desert warfare. Naturalistic sounds rather than the usual orchestral score heighten the tension and sense of place. Both screen and audio combine in an ambient realism that enhances the unfolding drama. You can pretty much taste the cold beers in the final scene.

(3.5/5)