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Army ambulance Captain Anson is ordered out of Tobruk just before it is besieged in 1942. He is fatigued by battle, dependent on drink, and despised by his friend and fellow officer who wrongly suspects him of asking to be released from the siege.With Sergeant Pugh, the squadron's senior mechanic he prepares to leave, but enemy action separates them from the rest of the column and presents two nurses as unwelcome passengers. They later encounter Van der Pol, an ebullient South African Officer who offers to share his large rucksack of gin if the ambulance crew will give him a lift. The five then set off eastwards, trying to reach Alexandria, and safety.But nothing about the journey is straightforward and Anson must deal with the desert, enemy forces, his own alcoholism, and the growing realisation that one of their number is an enemy agent. An incident in which one of the nurses is killed forces Anson to face up to his drunkenness and he promises his next drink won't be until they reach 'Alex' and it will be a cold beer, giving the film its title.As the journey progresses the identity of the agent becomes obvious, but in parallel the others find themselves becoming drawn to him because of his bravery and integrity. The setbacks and hazards in the desert asks tough questions of them all, but none more difficult than how to remain loyal both to their country and to an enemy soldier to whom they each owe their lives.John Mills as Anson, and Anthony Quayle as Van der Pol head an excellent and well-directed cast. Sylvia Simms and Harry Andrews support, without taking the limelight and although the script occasionally dips below standard, nothing can really detract from one of the finest wartime stories ever told.
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