Zulu Dawn
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Movie Reviews of Zulu Dawn
Movie Review: Victory by bare footed natives
Summary: 5 Stars
Zulu Dawn is an excellent and historically accurate movie. It seems to have been actually filmed at Isandalwana, Natal where the action took place. Unfortunately, this movie should have come out before the excellent 'Zulu', simply because the massacre at Isandalwana occurred before the fight at Rourkes Drift depicted in Zulu.
It is also not quite as good of a film as is 'Zulu' which is a bit difficult to understand because this is clearly the better and more expensive production. In 'Zulu' the acting is decidedly uneven. In "Zulu Dawn" the acting is very good.
This is the story of the largest, or one of the largest, destruction of European troops at the hand of 'barefooted natives' in history. The British, because of supposed Zulu provocation, invade Zululand. The Zulu prepare for a fight. The British aren't worried--they have little respect for the fighting qualities of the Zulu--and split their force. One force, split off from Gen. Chemsford's [Peter O'Toole's] main force by several miles, chances on a few Zulu herders. At least they think it is just a few Zulu. Zulu Impis have concealed themselves in broken ground in front of the British camp.
The Zulu attack taking heavy casualties from the fast shooting English but things start to go wrong. The movie shows an overly officious ordinance NCO as being tardy in the distribution of ammunition. Other sources claim, however, that the rifles got gummed up and jammed by black powder residues. No matter. The English couldn't maintain their rate of fire and suddenly the Zulu were among them, stabbing with their lethal assegai's [in Zulu the name of the weapon is for the sound of the short spear being jerked from a wound]. Suddenly the entire English force is in disarray and the Zulu are among the tents. They run down and kill soldiers trying to flee.
I'm still not sure why this is not as good of a film as 'Zulu'. Maybe it's because it's a defeat.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Movie Review: Great Entertainment, well made fascinating story line
Summary: 5 Stars
It's suprising so many comments are tailoured on the accuracy of the film rather than the entertainment value. This is an exciting film, with a good plot, good acting and is more entertaining to watch than most new releases.
The battle scenes are spectacular.
If the film were 100 percent accurate it would be unwatchable. One of the outcomes of this battle was that boy soldiers (<16) could not be sent on similar expeditions - to prevent similar mutilation and torture. The basic message that the British screwed up as a result of poor leadership is accurate. When European soldiers and settlers encountered Zulus from fortified positions (even circled wagons) the results were mass slaughter of Zulu warriors.
As a Brit I don't mind addmitting that British (and Dutch)settlers were "not nice" to native people. Hollywood has produced more inaccurate movies than this (e.g. Brave Heart and Mel Gibson's War of Inndependence movie).
The US Army made similar mistakes with Native Americans, who opposed the manifest destiny of expansion. Is there an accurate Hollywood treatment of Custers last stand?
This is a good well made movie that is entertaining and broadly speaking accurate.
Movie Review: The forgotten epic
Summary: 5 Stars
It is exciting to find this available for US distribution as it was previously only found in other region code DVD offerings, you had to have a non-region player to see it. The photography is grand and the score works. The opening and closing titles are wonderful bookends and the scenes in the King's kraal are magnificent. There are scenes missing from the original release so this is not a restoration, simply a good transfer of what has been available. Folks put this film down but they are nuts, this is the best depiction of this battle ever filmed and I doubt it will be done again so this is it. Denhom Elliot is great, Bob Hoskins, plenty of fine actors. Burt Lancaster in one of his last performances adds his star quality. John Mills is solid but the waste is with O'Toole who should have had much more to do, needed more scenes. Watch for his horse riding as he uses his whip as he did as Lawrence on the camel (hut-hut). The power of the film is the unbelievable, unthinkable, outcome and you see it unfold before you. You see how a disaster just grows.Movie Review: TANGO listens !!
Summary: 5 Stars
Hi guys. I am the Director of Sales for TANGO Ent.
We are very pleased with our releases of these 2 outstanding Action films, WILD GEESE & ZULU DAWN.
Trust us, we would have loved to have access to a Widescreen version of ZULU DAWN. I have ben informed that our owners searched far & wide for a widescreen version that was PRESENTABLE for the many fans out there.
Unfortunately, that was not available to us. Believe me, we tried.
Having said that, TANGO appreciates the support from all of the fans out there. That passionate support tells us we did good, just by releasing it the way we could.
Sit back, enjoy one of the greatest action films of it's time, and be aware that if a VIEWABLE version in widescreen is made available, we will try and get it.
But viewing it any way, is better than none isn't it? The print is excellent.
Enjoy and thanks for supporting TANGO Ent.
Movie Review: PAN & SCAN!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been waiting for the DVD of ZULU DAWN like a lot of people for quite some time. What on earth are Tango entertainment not releasing this film in WIDESCREEN!... I hope this is a printing mistake. I saw this film in super widescreen in the cinema on its first release and it was breathtaking. All the beautiful composition of the cinematography and African scenery will be lost and look horrendous just like the old VHS release......UNBELIEVABLE!
the same company are releasing THE WILD GEESE in pan & scan too...get the copy from the UK in Widescreen and it has the same extras too...the 5 Stars is for the film only....WHAT A SHAME.