Zulu
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Movie Reviews of Zulu
Movie Review: Great Action Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
"Zulu" is a movie about one of the many far-flung battles that took place in the British Empire during the 19th Century. In this case the battle was in the south African country of Natal in the 1870's. A small outpost of British soldiers find themselves in the path of an army of native African warriors. The numbers are overwhelming in favor of the natives but the armaments favor the British soldiers. The battle scenes and the essence of sacrifice and bravery in the face of such odds are the strength of the movie.
The movie starts out a bit slow and there are characters involved that are of limited importance to the overall focus of the movie. However, once the issue is clear, the film moves along at a steady clip. In the prelude to battle and in the pauses in between fighting, a certain amount of character development takes place. The writers seem to have set up one Private Hook for a good deal of their attention. I guess this was to help us see the common cause to battle among British soldiers in even the shirkers in their midst. The acting is of a generally excellent quality. I especially liked the sergeant major whose name slips me. This is either the acting debut of Michael Caine or close thereafter. Both his talent and inexperience can be appreciated in "Zulu".
The native warriors are generally pictured as a mass of humanity which might bother some viewers. However, I suspect further development along this line would have detracted from the pace of the movie. This is the era of British Colonialism and the movie makes no serious attempt to discuss this phenomenon. That would likewise have detracted from the impact of the movie. I felt that the warriors were dealt with in a respectable manner but it was the over-matched British who were the subject of the film and this perspective was never lost.
This is a movie that I enjoy seeing over and over whenever I can. It appeals to the emotions in a postive way so long as courage, stamina and determination are seen as positive traits.
Movie Review: Great movie, but where's a good DVD?
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent war film in many respects. It tells the tale of a British military hospital manned by less than a 100 men (some say less than 80) who are attacked by Zulu warriors for the sole reason that there are British people present there. With the healthy fighting at the walls with their bayonets and the sick fighting from their beds as the Zulus press their attack for nearly 24 hours, by the end of the movie every one is at the front giving their all. Half this movie is the action, and every incident of the battle is portrayed fairly accurately. When I first saw it I nearly died of suspense as the Zulus played waiting games with the defenders, and I was enthralled by the action in such scenes as the rooftop battle. Overall, this quickly won a place in my war film guru's heart.I have a problem though - I have yet to find a DVD of this film that satisfies my needs. I bought a $7 DVD copy of this film earlier that was atrocious, with bad video, only 4 chapters (in a two hour movie that's a no-no), and a mono soundtrack. It was, to say the least, atrocious and I quickly sold it to a thrift store. This DVD I have yet to buy, as all I can see benefiting from this is more chapters and possibly, maybe better video. I currently own a VHS copy of "Zulu" that is widescreen, has crystal good video, and nice stereo sound. You would also think, since this is considered one of the best British films ever made, that they would have lots of extras, but when you have to watch the History Channel or Bravo to find out facts about this film, that is a sad thing for a DVD. I will wait before I decide on buying this DVD, maybe hoping for a Collector's Edition DVD.
By the way...learn the song "Men of Harlech." Download the Ivor Emannuel version (he's the same man who sings it in the movie). Get your friends to join in. It'll make you feel proud and pump you up. At least it does for me. Ahem...
Men of Harlech stop your dreaming
Can't you see their spear points gleaming?...
Movie Review: Victorious Alamo
Summary: 5 Stars
"Zulu" is a fabulous film based on a relatively minor action during the Zulu Wars in Natal during the 1870's. The acting is uneven in places but the spectacle and glory carry the film to a full five star rating. This is a story of the battle of Rourkes Drift, a crossing from Zululand into greater Natal. The crossing is defended by a small number of British regulars who expect no action--they are building a bridge.
Things are about to change drastically, though. Unbeknownst to them the Zulu have annihilated a large column of British troops and gained their rifles. An induna of one Zulu Impi is humiliated that he didn't make the battle in time. Against orders, he decides to make up for his tardiness by attacking Rourkes Drift. 5,000 Zulu bear down on a makeshift fort manned by scarcely 300 Brits armed with Martini-Henry single shot rifles. The Zulu bide their time but make sure the English drink the last drops of terror. The colorful impi, dressed in the differently colored cowhide uniforms of their various regiments, stay just out of range, singing and pounding on their shields in a terrifying display of power.
The attack comes frontally while Zulus armed with rifles set up an inaccurate fire from the overlooking heights. Charge after charge is repelled by rifle and bayonet. Englishmen die and Zulu are dead in heaps. The Zulu make it to the burning hospital where they try to kill the sick and wounded soldiers. The hospital bursts into flame and, again, Englishment and Zulu die. The fight goes on all night and the English are constantly whittled down.
Amazingly, in the morning, the Zulu have had enough. They signal their respect and trudge back into Zululand leaving their comrades rotting in the sun. It's a great film, a testament to courage and a testament of what men can do when their backs are hard against the wall.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Movie Review: War is fought by men...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most impressive movies ever done of a historical battle. This film also manages to convey not only the tedium, the endless waiting and the buildup of fear the soldiers must experience while waiting for the eventual confrontation, but it also humanizes the enemy. It shows you the enormous differences between the two cultures, yet manages to portray both groups of soldiers as people, respecting each others abilities. I have read a few reviews by some stating there are a few inaccuracies with some of the characters, which is an unfortunate disservice to the audience. I will confess the my knowledge of the exact events at Rorke's Drift is limited so I can't nitpick at its shortcomings, but the intensity of this movie is just unsurpassed, that I have to give it 5 stars.
The Zulu warriors were magnificent, frightening, human and so utterly in contrast to the British, that you couldn't fail to question the relevance of these two peoples needing to confront in the first place. The anticipation of the coming battle kept me on the edge of my seat like no other movie has been able to do (amazing considering there was about an hours worth of daily military life, and updates on the advancing army). I think this is far superior to any of the newer war films in that it deals with real fear: the emotional tensions and the sheer ugliness, yet courage and duty in the face of all these things (not to mention the pointlessness and the lives destroyed).
The shinning moment in these events, as portrayed in the movie, is the Zulu chanting. To find such beauty in the midst of the battle is beyond comprehension. I'm sure it would be near impossible to duplicate in today's films, but I am grateful to the makers of this film to show us this part of Zulu culture. For anyone interested in war this is a must see.
Movie Review: 40 Years Later-Still Unmatched In Its' Depiction Of Bravery
Summary: 5 Stars
Zulu is a very exciting and engaging film. Everything about it is first rate and it is very easy to utter the trite saying " they don't make movies like this anymore" after having seen it. The film basically follows the events leading up to and concerning the attack on a small British detachment in late 1870's Africa by Zulu tribesman. The scale is GRAND and you will marvel at the on location scenery, great rousing score by John Barry, the brilliantly staged combat scenes and the excellent acting by Stanley Baker, Michael Caine, Nigel Greene, James Booth and the fine supporting cast. The pacing of the film is very well done, slowly increasing the tension of the troops as the Zulu warriors draw near. The characters are " fleshed out" well and the viewer learns a lot about them to the point that there is a sense of loss when some do not survive. There is a brilliant " cliffhanger edit" where one character comes VERY close to death and there are many moving moments that bring a lump to ones' throat, particularly a private dialouge between the 2 officers ( Stanley Baker and Michael Caine) towards the end that is shattering. What makes this film so amazing is to realize that the events depicted actually happened: the courage and tenacity displayed by the British must have been virtually superhuman just for them to stay alive. In summary, Zulu is an excellent drama/action-adventure film that will appeal to a wide age group due to its sticking to the basics: it tells a great story in a very professional great way. It is without doubt one of the 60's greatest films and arguably one of the best dramas ever made. I recently had the privledge to view a 35 mm print of Zulu on the big screen and as expected, it was AMAZING. If you get a chance to do the same, don't pass it up! Thank you Mr. Baker, thank you Mr. Caine. Your work will not be forgotten.