Ice Station Zebra

G

Released Oct 23, 1968

2 hr. 28 min.

Mystery & Thriller

List

47%

15 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

A US submarine is dispatched to the frozen wastes of the North Pole to recover a Soviet satellite crammed full of strategic snapshots of US bases. The Cold War atmosphere becomes even chillier as the sub, with a Russian expatriate, a British secret agent and an American marine captain on board, is sabotaged en route.

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Blu B

It's ok. Everything is pretty much average about it save for the subpar pacing which is the biggest issue. This starts really quick and sets the plot up instantly but the middle is where this really drags jumping from dragged out scenes to boring plot exposition. The worst part is when it does both together. This didn't need to have an intermission / overture either. This isn't in the slightest an epic film. The ending is ok enough but nowhere near as action packed as it should've been. This mostly is a war thriller that never really builds tension until the end. This also alternates between too much dialogue and hardly any as well for long spurts. Easily 40 minutes or so could've been cut, especially them breaking through the ice which is where it really started to go downhill. Rock Hudson doesn't get much focus in the middle or second half despite being the main character, main focus of the first half, and arguably the best thing in it. A lot of scenes are boring to look at despite good production value and solid special effects/sets. This needed more close ups and dynamic camerawork especially in the Sub. The music also will disappear for long spurts. When it's used it's good but it becomes really dry at times especially during the boring parts. The first 30 minutes are the best part. Honestly unless you're a die hard Rock Hudson fan I can't really recommend this to anyone. There isn't much war in it and the suspense is only in the last 30 minutes and it really isn't worth sitting through 2 hours to get to it despite overall this not being broken.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/05/23

Full Review

Jack S

The first half of this cold war action film—a submarine's journey to the threatened Ice Station—is well made and generally suspenseful. But by the time the rescue team arrives at its destination (and immediately after a genuinely exciting action scene where a crew member falls through the shifting ice) the story fizzles into a dull and rather silly routine.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/19/23

Full Review

Jerry E

A film that takes place in such an unusual setting requires a lot of special effects. Unfortunately, those so favorably touted by many are flat, amateurish, and unconvincing, even for 1968 — especially when compared to the sensational effects in its contemporary, "2001."

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/10/23

Full Review

Paul G

A pretty average cold-war action film. No surprises and by the numbers. I only watched it for Patrick McGoohan who continues his intense "The Prisoner" acting. If nothing else is on it might be worth watching but don't go out of your way to see it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/25/23

Full Review

Russ

Watcjhed this via streaming so I was able to edit out the better part of an hour. I pity the poor saps who paid $2 to see this in the theatre in '68 only to wait two and a half hours for that crappy ending. I hope Ernie Borgnine was well paid to take this lousy role.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

05/23/23

Full Review

Josh G

One of the finest cold war thriller ever made, tense, well written and wonderfully photographed. It's very true Alistair McClain books translate to film. Really blown away. Ernest Borgnine is excellent, Rock hudson is great as well but the finest performance is Patrick McGoohan. Never revealing any detail until absolute necessary, excellent facial acting. This cast paired with such a great script. you have movie magic. Watch this film, It's incredible.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/20/22

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John Sturges

Director

Rock Hudson

Cdr. James Ferraday

Ernest Borgnine

Boris Vaslov

Patrick McGoohan

David Jones

Jim Brown

Capt. Leslie Anders

Tony Bill

Lt. Russell Walker

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Renata Adler

New York Times

A fairly tight, exciting, Saturday night adventure story that suddenly goes all muddy in its crises, so that at two crucial points, it is very difficult to know what is going on, or who knows what about it. It doesn't make much difference, though.

Jan 8, 2018

Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

If this had been a routine Saturday-afternoon thriller, it might have been fun. But it's been stretched out to roadshow length and loaded down with lots of gimmicks to conceal the thinness of the story.

Rated: 1/4

Oct 23, 2004

Full Review

Robert Kotlowitz

Harper's Magazine

Buy some popcorn and see the movie.

Aug 4, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

An uncharacteristically weak thriller-actioner from the talented director John Sturges.

Rated: C+

Feb 14, 2013

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Hokey but lavishly filmed submarine spy drama.

Aug 16, 2012

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A conventional Cold War thriller whose flatness keeps it from being as suspenseful as it should be.

Rated: C+

Dec 27, 2006

Full Review

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Synopsis

A US submarine is dispatched to the frozen wastes of the North Pole to recover a Soviet satellite crammed full of strategic snapshots of US bases. The Cold War atmosphere becomes even chillier as the sub, with a Russian expatriate, a British secret agent and an American marine captain on board, is sabotaged en route.

Director: John Sturges
Screenwriter: Harry Julian Fink, Douglas Heyes
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Filmways Pictures
Rating: G
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 23, 1968, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Sound Mix: Stereo

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