Zulu
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Movie Reviews of Zulu
Movie Review: A Great War Film Worth Repeated Viewings
Summary: 5 Stars
"Zulu" is one of those films that should serve as a model for all other films of its genre that follow, and, indeed, it seems to have done just that. If you watch carefully, you'll see images and concepts that reappear--albeit in adapted form--in such films as "Glory," "Starship Troopers," and "The Last of the Mohicans," even if "Zulu" itself will remind you of many "last stand" cavalry and Indian movies made in the U.S. What separates the film most from others is not the technical production, which is impressive, but the relative fairness of the portrayal of both the British and the Zulus. While the story of the battle of Rorke's Drift is told from the point of view of the vastly outnumbered British, the Zulus are never reduced to the often cartoonish level of villain so common in American films. Instead, they are intelligent, organized, and brave adversaries who are, in fact, trying to repel European invaders. (The film successfully avoids the politics of the situation, instead focusing on the plight of the soldiers themselves.) Stanley Baker is stalwart as Chard, an engineer who takes command of the outpost despite his inexperience in combat, and Michael Caine, in his screen debut as the upper-crust second-in-command, has hardly been better. But supporting actors Nigel Greene, as an old guard sargeant, Patrick Magee, as a humane surgeon, and James Booth, as a layabout with criminal tendencies, nearly steal the show. John Barry's impressive score adds just the right mix of African theme and British sensibility, and though there are a few moments that feel dated, the film has stood the test of time since its debut four decades ago. About the only thing to complain about is the barebones DVD, which offers little except a no frills widescreen version of the feature film.Movie Review: A real extravaganza!
Summary: 5 Stars
In January 1879, the British launched a war against the Zulu nation of South Africa, expecting that their well-trained and -equipped armies would have an easy time. An army of some 1,350 soldiers was engaged by the Zulu warriors at Isandlwana and almost completely annihilated. Following this victory, the Zulus moved back along the British path to a small supply station at Rorke's Drift, which contained a good deal of supplies and some 150 British soldiers. Over the day and night of Wednesday, 22 January 1879, and into the following morning, the Zulus launched attack after attack against the small garrison, but were unable to overcome its defenses and finally retired to Zulu land. The British public, hungry for heroes in the aftermath of Isandlwana, were overjoyed at this plucky action, and some eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to defenders of Rorke's Drift. This is their story.OK, as always with Hollywood, you must accept that history will be changed to make it more "interesting," and this movie is no exception. However, that said, this is a great movie, with lots of great action and heroism. I liked that while the British were portrayed as heroic (with just enough human weakness thrown in) the Zulus were also portrayed as disciplined warriors, honorable and brave. The cast is wonderful, with Nigel Green doing an excellent job of portraying Colour Sgt. Bourne with a great mix of almost superhuman soldiering and vulnerable humanity. And, I must add, that the scenery was excellent, helping to make this movie a real extravaganza.
So, if you are looking for a clear-eyed and realistic recreation of the 1879 battle of Rorke's Drift, you will need to look elsewhere. But, if you are looking for a movie of Victorian-era colonial warfare, with action, heroism and lots of gunfire, then this is the movie for you. I love it!
Movie Review: The greatest war film ever made?
Summary: 5 Stars
Personally, I can't wait for the Hollywood re-make with Chard payed by Tom Cruise as a jaded Civil War Hero (hey, this is Hollywood- I've heard Cruise is set to star in another version of the Battle of Britain ) coming to Africa to seek his fortune and redemption along with his loyal sidekick seargent Bourne played to perfection by Billy Connolly. Together,they'll show those incompetent Brits a thing or two about real fighting and the the true meaning of loyalty while Timothy Spall will be excellent as the likable but bumbling Brit Bromhead... oh hang on, that was "The Last Samurai" wasn't it.OK, enough nonsense.
"Zulu" may well be the greatest war film ever made.Apart from the shear exhileration of the battle sequences which are at times almost unbearably tense without having to resort to lots of blood, what stands out for me is the screenplay itself.It's flawless and there is simply not a single dull moment.The script is just brilliant. I just love the scene when the malingering Pte Hook is told by Surgeon Reynolds that "Brandy's for heroes" only to be seen taking a swig from a bottle in defiance after proving himself in battle later in the film.It's scenes like these of which there are many which make this such a memorable film.
Sure, the film has taken a few liberties with the facts such as the singing of "men of Harlech" towards the end (they would probably have been too dog tired and thirsty to do anything but grunt) but essentially it sticks to history. I've read many articles and books on the subject and I still maintain that it is a hell of a lot more accurate than just about any other called "historical" films made in Hollywood over the last few years.
Movie Review: Dwarfing The Mightiest! Towering Over The Greatest!
Summary: 5 Stars
Let me preface this review by noting that this refers to the movie itself, not the quality of the DVD/its special features or lack thereof.The movie begins by showing the aftermath of a battle between Zulu tribesman and the British Army on the slopes of Isandwhana in the Natal province of what is now the Republic of South Africa, 1879. As Richard Burton narrates: the British were massacred by an overwhelming force of Zulu warriors in a trained and highly disciplined attack. The remnant of the British have retreated to a mission, while the Zulus prepare another assault.
There are less than 100 British soldiers fit for duty, and 4000 Zulu. Moreover, some of the Zulus took firearms off the dead bodies of the British soldiers from the original battle to complement their sheilds and spears. Lt. Chard (Stanley Baker) an officer of engineers, overrides Lt. Bromhead (Michael Caine) due to less than half a year of seniorirty and comandeers the defense of the mission-turned-fort.
This is a truly great movie. While not flawless (it suffers from the historical errors commonplace to historical movies) it a superlative action/adventure movie, but is meritorious for one further, perhaps most important reason: It is almost entirely devoid of rasicm. This may not seem like much today, but in 1964 it was commonplace to portray the enemy, be they blacks, native americans, or Germans as mindless savages. Zulu, on the other hand, portrays the African Warriors as intelligent fighters and noble warriors, and the only person to make a somewhat racist comment is quickly shot down.
Even if you're not a history buff like myself, please do yourself a favor and watch this movie.
Movie Review: Fantastic Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I've watched this film so many times, and the fact that it is based on a true story makes it more than inspiring. Whatever ones personal opinion regarding war and conflict, 140 men stood against 4000, and like it or not that took guts. Raw courage.
There are a few things about the real event that aren't portrayed in the film correctly. For instance, it was not a Welsh Regiment at that time, but an English one as the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1879 was the 2nd Warwickshires, not becoming the South Wales Borderers until nearly two years after the Anglo-Zulu war ended. Only approximately 11% of the men at Rorkes Drift were Welsh. The cavalry didn't abandon the men at Rorkes Drift, but had initially fanned out to intercept any Zulu's but then were sent back when it was realised they were hopelessly outnumbered and their presence gave no tactical advantage.
There was no 'Men of Harlech', there was no warrior salute but that was added in to the film at the request of the Zulu chief whilst the film was in progress.
Last, but by no means least, the character of Hook in real life was not the ne'er do well portrayed in the film but was actually quite a decent character, as was the Church minister Otto Witt who had initially stayed to assist the men and kept watch for the Zulus from a nearby hill, but then had to leave, as he was concerned for his wifes safety and went to be at her side, taking a wounded officer with him as well. Reading the mens personal accounts of the battle is quite revealing, and those accounts are freely available on the Internet now.
Even so, it is still a superb film.