Ice Station Zebra Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of guys in parkas argue about a film reel while a submarine tries to become an icebreaker.

🍿 Ice Station Zebra: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Mission Begins

During the Cold War, a U.S. nuclear submarine, the USS Tigerfish commanded by Commander James Ferraday, is dispatched to the Arctic under the guise of rescuing personnel from Drift Ice Station Zebra, a weather station. Aboard are a British civilian, David Jones, a Russian defector, Boris Vaslov, and a contingent of Marines led by Captain Leslie Anders. The true nature of their mission is shrouded in secrecy, causing tension and mistrust among the crew.

Sabotage and Suspicion

As the Tigerfish navigates the treacherous Arctic waters, a sabotage attempt nearly sinks the submarine, leading to heightened suspicion. Commander Ferraday struggles to maintain control while trying to uncover the saboteur. The presence of Jones and Vaslov, each with their own hidden agendas, further complicates the situation. The crew faces perilous conditions, including navigating under the ice and dealing with equipment malfunctions.

Arrival at Ice Station Zebra

The Tigerfish finally reaches Ice Station Zebra, discovering the station in ruins and only a few survivors. Jones reveals the true objective: to recover a film canister from a downed Soviet spy satellite containing vital intelligence. The race to find the film intensifies as it becomes clear that the Soviets also have agents in the area, determined to retrieve the canister at any cost.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cdr. James Ferraday (Rock Hudson): The captain of the USS Tigerfish, a nuclear submarine, tasked with a secret mission to the Arctic during the Cold War.
• David Jones (Patrick McGoohan): A mysterious British agent who accompanies Ferraday on the mission, holding critical information about its true purpose.
• Boris Vaslov (Ernest Borgnine): A Russian defector who joins the mission, but his true allegiance is questioned as the mission unfolds.
• Capt. Leslie Anders (Jim Brown): The tough Marine captain leading a platoon of troops on the Tigerfish, adding military muscle to the operation.
• Col. Ostrovsky (Alf Kjellin): The leader of the Soviet paratroopers who arrive at Ice Station Zebra, initiating a tense standoff with the Americans.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• David Jones: “The Russians put our camera made by *our* German scientists and your film made by *your* German scientists into their satellite made by *their* German scientists.” – Jones explains the complicated and ironic international collaboration behind the spy satellite.
• David Jones: “I know how to wreck them.” – Said when Ferraday demands to know what Jones knows about running a submarine after the sabotage attempt.
• Russian Captain: “Our mission here is completed…at least in part.” – The Russian captain acknowledges the situation with Ferraday after the film is destroyed.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $2,500,000

💥 Ice Station Zebra Reviews

Personal Review

I watched Ice Station Zebra because I’m a sucker for Cold War movies, and it didn’t disappoint! The submarine scenes were intense, and I loved trying to figure out who the double agent was. Patrick McGoohan was fantastic as the mysterious Mr. Jones, and the ending had me on the edge of my seat. The special effects are a bit dated, but overall, it’s a fun and suspenseful movie that I enjoyed.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Cold War thrillers”
  • “Submarine movie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in espionage stories”
  • “Those who appreciate classic Hollywood films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes of violence”
  • “Cold War themes that may be sensitive to some viewers”
  • “Claustrophobic submarine settings”

Professional Reviews

• The Cold War Film Enthusiast: “Ice Station Zebra is a classic Cold War thriller that boasts a stellar cast. Though the pacing can be slow at times, the suspense and intrigue build effectively. The visuals, particularly the submarine sequences, are impressive for their time, and the performances by Hudson and McGoohan are captivating.
• Submarine Movie Buff: “As a submarine movie, Ice Station Zebra delivers. The claustrophobic atmosphere and technical details of submarine operations are well-represented. The plot is complex, with twists and turns that keep you guessing. While the Arctic scenes might look a bit dated now, the tension between the characters makes this a worthwhile watch.
• Espionage Thriller Fan: “Ice Station Zebra is a decent espionage thriller, but it’s not without its flaws. The plot can be convoluted, and the runtime is excessive. However, the performances are solid, and the film captures the paranoia and mistrust of the Cold War era effectively. It’s a good example of the genre, but not a standout.

Audience Reactions

Suspenseful plot kept me guessing until the end.: Viewers generally praised the film’s suspenseful plot, strong performances, and intriguing Cold War setting.

The submarine scenes were very realistic and exciting.: Many found the submarine sequences particularly well-done, highlighting the film’s attention to technical detail.

Overall Consensus: Ice Station Zebra is a classic Cold War thriller with a suspenseful plot and strong performances, though it may feel slow-paced and dated to some modern viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Howard Hughes was reportedly obsessed with this movie, watching it repeatedly and having his Las Vegas TV station air it over 100 times.”
• “Unique and innovative underwater camera equipment was developed for this movie, enabling the first-ever filming of a continuous submarine dive.”
• “Charlton Heston was originally offered the role of Commander Ferraday but turned it down.”
• “Patrick McGoohan filmed Ice Station Zebra during a break from filming ‘The Prisoner’.”

🖥️ How to Watch Ice Station Zebra?

Ice Station Zebra is currently available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Ice Station Zebra, you might like these similar films:

• The Bedford Incident (1965): A tense Cold War thriller set primarily on a naval vessel, focusing on the psychological conflict and potential for disaster.
• The Hunt for Red October (1990): A submarine-based thriller with Cold War espionage elements, focusing on tense underwater maneuvers and political intrigue.
• K-19: The Widowmaker (2002): Dramatization of a real Soviet submarine incident with high stakes and tension, exploring the dangers of nuclear submarines during the Cold War.
• Crimson Tide (1995): A submarine-based thriller where officers clash over whether to launch nuclear missiles, creating intense suspense.

🛒 Ice Station Zebra Related Products

• Ice Station Zebra (Blu-ray): High-definition restoration of the classic Cold War thriller, featuring improved visuals and audio. A must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
• Ice Station Zebra (Alistair MacLean Novel): The original novel that inspired the film, offering a deeper dive into the characters and plot. Available as an eBook for convenient reading on your Kindle or other devices.
• USS Tigerfish Model Kit: A detailed model kit of the USS Tigerfish, the submarine featured in the movie. Perfect for model builders and fans of naval history.
• Cold War Movie Poster Set: A collection of vintage-style posters featuring iconic Cold War films, including Ice Station Zebra. Printed on high-quality paper for a classic look.

🎧 Soundtrack

Ice Station Zebra features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Overture (Ice Station Zebra)” – performed by Michel Legrand
• “Ice Station Zebra Theme” – performed by Michel Legrand

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Never Piss Patrick McGoohan Off!

Ever wonder how intense Patrick McGoohan could be? This short clip perfectly captures his dominant and slightly unnerving presence in ‘Ice Station Zebra’. Seriously, you wouldn’t want to cross him!

ROCK HUDSON – ICE STATION ZEBRA – 1968

Fascinated by classic Hollywood? Check out this rare collection of photos from Rock Hudson’s personal collection related to ‘Ice Station Zebra’. It’s a cool peek behind the camera!

✨ Rate