Zulu (1964)

Fresh and Exciting

Absolutely Fantastic

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Blistering performances.

It's a very accurate depiction of those events, but possibly veers too much to the official line of the time. What happened there was incredible bravery on both sides, but proved what the Boers had learned long ago. Concentrated firepower within a fortified position can stop far superior numbers of less well armed assailants. Everyone there deserved a Victoria cross, but those awarded were basically due to a thankful government following the debacle of Isandlwala the day before. I love both films, but I'd rate Zulu Dawn as slightly better.

ZULU is a war drama, which brings a bloody clash between a small company of British troops and an overwhelming force of Zulu warriors. A insensitive story and an archaic tone may not be true. However, this is a fairly accurate report on a historical incident, which fosters a kind of traditional values. I think that an artificial melodrama and an occasional theatricality did some damage in the story. Zulu is a kind of recreation of the January 22, 1879, siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal, Africa. The army of 4 000 Zulu warriors destroyed a huge British garrison at the Battle of Isandlwana. Thereafter, they move to a small Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer is determined to stand his ground, despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. He is in a quiet conflict, in terms of tactics, defense and eventual withdrawal, with an inexperienced lieutenant. An idealistic missionary and his beautiful daughter, can also pose a problem. Zulu warriors are getting closer...In this case, in addition to standard courage and unconvincing discipline, British troops exhibit a fear and disbelief. That is a very interesting contrast. I do not believe that the colonial expansion of some of the world's great powers, can bring a strong message. However, I've reviewed the film from some of my corners, which are related to that topic.An authentic scenery is perhaps the biggest advantage of this film. The battle is, regardless of theatricality, realistic. The costume design is top notch. The visual and sound effects are not bad. A constant tension is riddled with cunning interruptions, such as ritual dances or black comedy situations.Stanley Baker as Lieutenant John Chard has got into something big. However, he has responded well to the task, but his courage and willingness are highly questionable. Michael Caine as Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead is inexperienced, but still calm and brave in the most difficult situations. Nigel Green as Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne is a traditional, solid and equal arm of one commander. Mr. Green has offered a very good performance. James Booth as Private Henry Hook is a thief and coward, and perhaps the man who has seen enough of war and killing. Jack Hawkins as Reverend Otto Witt is intoxicated by religion. His anxious daughter (Ulla Jacobsson) is torn in all directions.The Zulus instead sing a song to honour the bravery of the "defenders" before departing. Reason has prevailed, at least on one side. Others will enjoy the delusion of victory.

Zululand, South Africa, 1879. The British are fighting the Zulus and one of their columns has just been wiped out at Isandlwana. The Zulus next fix their sights on the small British outpost at Rorke's Drift. At the outpost are 150 British troops under the command of Lieutenants Bromhead and Chard. In the next few days these 150 troops will fight about 4,000 Zulus in one of the most courageous battles in history.Superb movie. Based on actual events with a few dramatisations along the way. Stirring stuff, showing well the courage and heroism shown on both sides. Militarily accurate too.Solid performances by Stanley Baker and Michael Caine in the lead roles. This was Michael Caine's first starring role in movies and the role that launched his career.

This epic adventure is one of the yardsticks of the action-cum-war film genre, offering intense excitement, bloody action, and furious violence and all within a PG certificate too. A perennial favourite of the British television stations, it tells the true story of a British detachment stranded at the outpost of Rorke's Drift in hostile enemy territory, facing an angry army of 4000 Zulu warriors intent on killing all and sundry.The main army has already been slaughtered (an event chronicled in 1979's prequel, ZULU DAWN), so it's down to our stiff-upper-lip British and Welsh heroes – including Michael Caine in his standout, star-making performance as a young, cocky officer, and Stanley Baker as the heroic older rank – to battle against the dreaded foe. The film builds slowly in the first hour, displaying some glorious African locations, before letting rip with full-scale battle and destruction come the second half. Courage, bravery, tragedy, and most of all determination is what this film is all about, and it's a hard one to top.