Review of Ice Station Zebra (1968) by Grant S — 08 Jun 2018

Enthralling, suspenseful Cold War thriller.

During the height of the Cold War, the US nuclear submarine USS Tigerfish, captained by Commander James Farraday, is sent on a secret mission to a location near the North Pole. Their mission, ostensibly, is to rescue survivors from Ice Station Zebra, a British weather research station, but it is quite clear that it is more than that. The presence of the shadowy, enigmatic Mr. Jones, a British civilian who has control over the mission, makes it clear that something larger is afoot. Then the submarine is sabotaged - there is clearly a Russian spy on board.

Enthralling, suspenseful Cold War thriller, directed by John Sturges and based on the Alistair MacLean novel. Sturges sets the scene and builds the tension well. Some great scenes involving the operation of the submarine, which will appeal to military buffs. Quite accurate in the military aspect - great detail from Sturges.

Can be a bit clumsy at times though. Some plot developments aren't entirely watertight.

Interesting ending, though maybe a touch predictable.

Still, overall, a good action- and tension-filled ride.