Ice Station Zebra (1968)

50% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(4,579 ratings)

A top-secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra, belonging to the British, which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic… More A top-secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra, belonging to the British, which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic submarine Tigerfish, commanded by Cmdr. James Ferraday (Rock Hudson), is dispatched with orders to get to Ice Station Zebra carrying three passengers, a Englishman going by the name of David Jones (Patrick McGoohan), a Soviet turncoat named Boris Vaslov (Ernest Borgnine), and an American Marine officer, Captain Anders (Jim Brown), who is supposed to command the Marine unit assigned to the mission. Jones is problem enough, as he is in command of the mission and he prefers to withhold as much information as it's possible to do from Ferraday, even at the risk of the Tigerfish's safety. Add to that the fact that Anders is suspicious of Vaslov, and Vaslov seems much too inquisitive and is telling even less of what he knows about the mission, and Ferraday has his hands full trying to get these men to the polar ice -- 600 miles of dangerous travel -- in just two days. When an attempt to break through the ice -- coupled with some timely sabotage -- kills one man and nearly destroys the boat, the men surrounding these contending parties start to understand just how high the stakes are for everyone. It turns out that the Soviets want what was aboard that satellite as much as the West does; indeed, both sides are frantic to get it, and, just as much, to keep the other side from getting it -- and they're prepared to take it by brute force. Once Ferraday and his men arrive at Zebra, they find a disaster and still more mystery, with most of the men dead and the object that Mr. Jones is supposed to secure nowhere in evidence, and he and his two fellow men of mystery suddenly showing their killing instincts quite freely. And with the storm clearing from the Soviet side first, their planes and their paratroops are closing in on Ferraday, and his relative handful of men. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: John Sturges
Written By: Douglas Heyes
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 23, 1968 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A conventional Cold War thriller whose flatness keeps it from being as suspenseful as it should be.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Exciting murder-mystery directed by Sturges; Hudson and cast are great.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Sadly, with the exception of 1972's Joe Kidd, Ice Station Zebra marked the end of John Sturges' career as an interesting, innovative director.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Excellent old-style political thriller.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I don't usually like military submarine type movies, but I actually enjoyed this one. The special effects are cool, the story is good and understandable, and I loved McGoohan in this movie, he was awesome. I really liked this movie.
The S

Classic adventure based on a novel by Alistair Maclean. A stellar cast, non-stop action and intrigue and marvelous visuals and sets - the star of which is the tilting submarine inards. One bit always annoys me - the stock footage of Phantom jets pretending to be Migs but its a petty… More
Classic adventure based on a novel by Alistair Maclean. A stellar cast, non-stop action and intrigue and marvelous visuals and sets - the star of which is the tilting submarine inards. One bit always annoys me - the stock footage of Phantom jets pretending to be Migs but its a petty gripe about what is one of my favourite films.
Henrik S

A stellar cast, yet the story is oddly spiltted in two episodes who feel a bit disconnected. A shame though because both had potential on their own. Anyway, a good and surprisingly realistic movie. If you are into classic movies, submarines and cold war this one is for you.
Barry L

Great Cold War romp.

Cast

            Rock Hudson as Cmdr. James Ferraday

            Ernest Borgnine as Boris Vaslov

            Patrick McGoohan as David Jones

            Jim Brown as Capt. Leslie Anders

            Tony Bill as Lt. Russell Walker

            Lloyd Nolan as Admiral Garvey

            Alf Kjellin as Col. Ostrovsky

            Gerald S. O'Loughlin as Lt. Cdr. Bob Raeburn

            Ted Hartley as Lt. Jonathan Hansen

            Murray Rose as Lt. George Mills

            Ron Masak as Paul Zabrinczski

            Sherwood Price as Lt. Edgar Hackett

            Lee Stanley as Lt. Mitgang

            Joseph E. Bernard as Dr. Jack Benning

            John Orchard as Survivor

            Michael T. Mikler as Lt. Courtney Cartwright

            Jonathan Lippe as Russian Aide

            Ted Kristian as Wassmeyer

            Boyd Berlind as Bruce Kentner

            David Wendel as Cedric Patterson

            Ronnie Rondell Jr. as Lyle Nichols

            Craig Shreeve as Gafferty

            Michael Grossman as Kohler

            Wade Graham as Parker

            Michael Rougas as Fannovich

            Jed Allan as Peter Costigan

            Buddy Garion as Edward Rawlins

            T.J. Escott as Lt. Carl Mingus

            Buddy Hart as Hill

            Gary Downey as Lorrison

            Robert Carlson as Kelvaney

            Don Newsome as Timothy Hirsch

            Bill Hillman as Philip Munsey

            Dennis Alpert as Gambetta

            Jimmy Goodwin as Survivor

            Lloyd Haynes as Webson

            James Dixon as Earl McAuliffe

            L. William O'Connell as Survivor

            Patrick Mc Goohan
            
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