Review of Ice Cold in Alex (1958) by Geraint O — 06 Mar 2008

This tells a story of World War II in highly symbolic form. Mills plays the leader with a drink problem who has responsibility thrust upon him in a grim moment, (fall of Tobruk) who nevertheless gets (nearly) everyone through. He's Churchill obviously. The Ambulance, alone in the desert, that's Britain alone in the world circa 1940 "our finest hour", everyone pulling together etc.

Anthony Quayle as (Otto Schmidt) the enemy spy has the most interesting part though. He is Germany, from 1930 to 1958. First of all he seemed to be not a threat, then he was found out by the British that he was actually a dangerous enemy, he was of course then defeated, he learn't that his side's propaganda was wrong, and finally reconciliation and the better future- the Beer "Ice Cold in Alex".

Of course the beer itself is blatant product placement, but we can't begrudge the film that!