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First of all, being a film collector, I am amazed how todays releasing companies rummage through the studio vaults and find the best ancient materials for re-print and then proceed to bring us quality images of old films that, in most instances, look flawless....great care is taken to find the best negatives, etc to re-print and beef up with the aid of todays computers to produce images that dont have lint, scratches, and splices etc. Many times, what the companies originally find in vaults are faded prints and negatives, and sound film that has deteriorated with magnetic oxide flaking off like so much powder at the bottom of the can...I don't even want to speak of the horrors of the old nitrate films which, in a lot of cases, deteriorated to a blob of gunk after opening a can 20 years later,etc.(films made before 1949). Regarding the restoration if this 1968 film for DVD, MGM/UA does not let us down...A Nice, beautiful flawless print is reproduced here, with fine sound. Regarding the picture, it was quite enjoyable. AN all star cast was used for this spectacular originally filmed in the Cinerama screen process. Released here in flat screen, are performances that are quite good, with great photography by the legendary Danny Fapp... The special effects are adequate, and the soundstage set of the Ice Station Zebra north pole is fascinating. Rock Hudson is his usual low keyed, charming self and does a great job. His co- stars Patrick McGooan and Ernest Borgnine also do quite well, as well as the then neophyte, or newcomer to acting football star Jim Brown. The concept of the story is a neat one. A downed satellite lands at a remote British outpost called Ice Station Zebra(located at the north pole)and contains a roll of film containing high-orbit pictures of BOTH the U.S. and Russia's missile sites. Both countries high-tail it to the location to be the first to get their hands on the roll of photos. The dialogue is witty, and keeps the picture alive.I must say, however, the main reason I bought this film was for the magnificent music score by Michel Legrand, perhaps his best film score to date...it's spectacular.. Also of interest, is the fact that a great deal of the filming takes place on an actual nuclear sub that was loaned out to MGM by the U.S. Government, the USS Ronquil (SS-396). Her hull number was repainted to 509, and renamed the USS Tigerfish, for the film. Probably the biggest drawback, is the screenplay and direction...not that John Sturges is bad... The film kind of, like a lot of films, meanders about...this due to the way the scenes are written and set up, and the way the final direction and editing are presented, thus kind of making it a slow film at times... Overall it was a worthwhile project and I enjoy the film. I will watch it once in awhile, perhaps more-often to hear that great score by Mr. genius himself, Michel Legrand!Read full review
Rock Hudson is believable in his role as Captain. The move is good for its age with special effects at that time. It is worth watching if you are a Hudson fan (and who isn't).
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Ice Staion Zebra is THE submarine movie to own. Watching ISZ you can really see where it set the standard for movies like Hunt for Red October and U571 to follow. Rock Hudson leads an all star cast in a story of a cold war cat and mouse war movie played out under the ice caps of the arctic. The US and Russia are in a race to retrieve a spy satellite's payload of missile site photos deposited in the Arctic. Lots of tense moments and double agents abound make this movie a great thriller. Everything from acting, directing, set design and realism of the story is done at the highest level of professionalism. If you like spy, war, and/or naval films you will love Ice Station Zebra.
The DVD itself is excellent, the sound is loud and clear, and picture quality crisp. Secondly, the story and actors were intriguing. I personally loved Patrick Mcgoohan in his part as a cold, hard secret agent man. The North Pole scenes in the movie look fake, but I'm here for the actors' performances, not the scenery. All in all, I would recommend this movie.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
A classic cold war thriller with all the aspects written by Alistair MacLean, a notable author of spy novels!!!! Acting, sets, casting... all was superbly done. It is no wonder that Howard Hughes would watch it over and over again. Especially after he supported the real thing in recovery of a sunken Soviet nuclear armed submarine. And the illusion to the classic spy TV series Secret Agent was all the more delightful.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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