Ice Cold in Alex: the shoot in pictures

John Mills relaxes on set Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Mills, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle and Harry Andrews squinting in the sun in Libya, where the desert scenes were shot Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Syms checks out the local transport options Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Volunteering to clear the sand away turns out to be a foolish decision Photograph: Optimum Releasing

It's the wrong kind of mud, explains director J Lee Thompson Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Actors' initiation rituals were notoriously stringent in the 50s Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Mills can see the pub from here Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Anthony Quayle has been playing in the muck again Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Mills was a keen amateur photographer and habitually took his camera and a cine camera on location with him Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Quayle takes a much-needed bath Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Mills couldn't resist trying to flog a few of his dodgy carpets while he was over there. When in Rome ... Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Some lager drinking practice in preparation for the climactic scene. Can I try that just one more time? Photograph: Optimum Releasing

Syms keeps warm Photograph: Optimum Releasing

So that's two beers ... and a cherry brandy? Photograph: Optimum Releasing