Ice Station Zebra

Although it’s true that this film is long (as in the length of many of Christopher Nolan’s films and some of the modern James Bond films), next to Where Eagles Dare and When Eight Bells Toll, this is one of the best films based on the works of Alistair MacLean. Starring Rock Hudson, Patrick McGoohan and Ernest Borgnine, the film explores the adventure of a submarine crew and spies as they seek to rescue the crew of a polar weather station, although there is a hidden agenda all along. An enticing example of Cold War politics in a desolate and icy setting, the film also has its thrills...and you will know what I mean when you see it. Michel Legrand’s musical score is also satisfying. Plus, this is also apparently the film that billionaire recluse, Howard Hughes used to play on a continuous loop at his Las Begas hotel... Certainly worth viewing!

What a great old film slightly dated but a great movie all the same

I read the book befor I watched this and I must say having loved the book I was willing to watch the film. It was a complete let down. The special FX are truely shocking and they miss out on some of the best parts of the story line, If they can make "Where Eagles Dare" (another one of Mcleans books) into an epic film then they could've done the same with this but they failed.

Radio contact with a western scientific research station on the Arctic ice (hence the title) is lost, and due to bad weather, no aeroplanes can fly there to investigate. Coincidentally, a Soviet communications satellite has re-entered the atmosphere off-course, & landed near the base. A race is on between Nato and the Soviets to reach Ice Station Zebra & the satellite, to unlock it's secrets. Commander Ferraday (Rock Hudson), captain of the USS Tigerfish, a nuclear submarine, is detailed to transport British secret agent Mr.Jones (Patrick McGoohan), and Russian defector Boris Vaslov (Ernest Borgnine) to the scene with all speed. Curious & deadly incidents occur on the way, raising the tension before a showdown between the Americans & Soviet paratroopers on the ice. From a book by Alistair MacLean, this is decent fare. McGoohan is good as always, and Borgnine reasonable as a Russian. Jim Brown, the former American football player is also good as the by-the-book Marine Corps officer, Capt.Anders. In the past, this film has suffered from critics panning Rock Hudson's uptight acting style in the film, but given our perception of senior US military commanders, I reckon he plays the role well.