Ice Cold in Alex (1958 J Lee Thompson)

Based on a novel by ex military man Christopher Landon, adapted by T.J. Morrison, BAFTA nominated as was film and Anthony Quayle.

We seem to be in the midst of a mini John Mills revival. He was delighted to finally break free from the stiff upper lip military figure.

With these two are Sylvia Syms and Harry Andrews, and it's Gilbert Taylor tracking their travails over Libya and Elstree to the somewhat uninspired melodies of Leighton Lucas.

A daring sex scene (yes, she had two buttons undone) between Mills and Syms was completely removed by the censor. Mills' character is refreshingly vulnerable and battered (great scenes near start with him and bathing CO).

The decisive moment:

In his biography, Johnny claims he had to drink the lager down in one six times over six takes and was then absolutely plastered. I wonder if Lee was just having a bit of fun?

Good cast, well directed, long but enjoyable thriller.

When the allied plane flies over them and drops a message, it would have been funny if it had said 'Put your shirt on, man! Just because there's a war on...'

Other Thompsons I'd like to visit / revisit: Northwest Frontier, Yield to the Night, the original Cape Fear.

Cut from 132m to 79m in the US and retitled Desert Attack!