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Author
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Topic: Ice Station Zebra and the 60s
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Graham Ritchie
Film God
Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted November 16, 2010 02:52 AM
Years ago I bought as new a Super8 copy of "Ice Station Zebra" although the movie itself was not a great success at the time of its release back in 1968 the Super8 3/400 footer was quite well done, its unfortunate my print has faded into the sunset.
Today we watched the DVD and I must admit, even though it comes across as a 60s cold war movie its still enjoyable to watch. One thing I think the dvd cover has made a mistake with is that it states it has a 2.40:1 ratio that would be for the 35mm release but in the movie introduction on the DVD it mentions "Cinerama". Originally filmed in Super Panavision 70 this dvd release comes across as taken from the 70mm with a ratio of 2.20:1.. anyway its an impressive picture along with the 5:1 sound.
The film itself refers to the Polaris Submarine base in the "Holy Loch" that itself brought back memories of the base as we lived close to it and got accustomed to the Americans and its existance. We moved to the town in 1964 where I went to school until I left to come out here in 1973. Its interesting to note that American children attached to this base had to go through the same schooling as I did, nothing special for them. It is stated from a "Readers Digest" artice at the time...I will share it with you as reading it made me ![[Smile]](smile.gif) .
Quote. Some 300 American children attend the Dunoon and neighboring schools, play soccer, cricket, lacrosse, learn about Mary Queen of Scots and an assortment of Scottish kings and queens that even English children rarely hear of. Instead of taking school buses, many walk or bicycle to school instead of watching TV every evening they struggle with mountains of homework. They have become imprevious to rain and the bone chilling dampness, even their mothers admit that they have never looked better.
Adding to that.. some American servicemen have learned to play the "bagpipes" The decision at the time was made when the base was established was that the American contingent would be encouraged to take part in the community's life, and to live as Scots do.....and they did.
Well without doubt, as with any base it did have its share of problems but on the hole they did a lot for the community and got on very well. Later on during my apprentiship years I got the chance to work on American cars which in my view was much much better than the British stuff. To this day I still have and use a quarter drive snap-on socket set given to me from an American from that submarine base.
Well enough rambling, the 60s are are long gone as with the base and thankfully so is the cold war and the need to have it, but every time I watch "Ice Station Zebra" and reference to the "Holy Loch" it brings back memories...here are some photos
Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, Rock Hudson and Patrick McGoohan.
good cast.
The real Holy Loch.. "photo from the net" showing the nuclear powered and armed submarine "USS George Washington" unlike the film submarines were berthed to the ship not a pier. The floating dry dock is on the far right of the photo and looking at those hills...its a winter shot.
Graham.
PS.There are some very interesting web-sites dedicated the base.
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![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
this is American/Russian 60s paranoia at its best ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
If you need something to "cheer" you up, this movie is just the thing. Jonathan Winters is brilliant as with all the cast.
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