'' Ice Cold in Alex '' ( 1958 ) is a British film described as a true story in the film 's opening credits , based on the novel of the same name by British author Christopher Landon . Directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring John Mills , the film was a prizewinner at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival . Under the title '' Desert Attack '' , a shortened , 79-minute version of the film was released in the United States in 1961 ; Craig Butler later referred to related versions as " nonsensical pieces "
8th Berlin International Film Festival
8th Berlin International Film Festival
Ice Cold in Alex