The film depicts the Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulus in January, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War. I'll never forget one night when I was in bed almost asleep when suddenly I heard a haunting and frightening chant: ZULU! ZULU! ZULU! It turned out my parents were watching the movie on TV and I heard the chanting of the Zulu warriors before they attacked the British.
It's almost unbelieveable that the few British soldiers were able to hold off the Zulu warriors for as long as they did, but it was because of their use of the redoubt system when the British formed into three ranks, shooting volley after volley into the stunned Zulus, who eventually withdrew after massive casualties.Apparently, there were many historical inaccuracies in the film regarding characters, the regiment, weaponry, the Zulus, and the ending. However, in 2004, the magazine Total Film named "Zulu" the 37th greatest British films of all time and it was voted eighth in the British TV programme The One Hundred Greatest War Films. Take a look at this short section of the film and tell me you wouldn't have been scared sh**less had you been one of those soldiers!
24 comments:
Sounds like I'll be trying to find that on Netflix.....
y'know, I never heard of this film until Jabblog UK wrote about it a round or two ago. Guess I'll have to find it.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I'm with Roger and nanchgrayce, gonna have to look for this one! Thanks for the info! Great post for the Z Day! Enjoy your day!
Sylvia
I am still amazed at how so many 'historical' films got away with so many historical inaccuracies.
But, I agree, this is a wonderful film. (interesting that none of the above had heard of it. maybe it never played in the US?)
Oh i was thinking of Zulu as in African tribe when i first began reading the post.
Next video on my movie list is surely this.
I remember this movie (a Michael Caine fan) but I'm not sure I'd want to see it again. I long ago went from cheering for the British to wondering why they fought so hard to decimate the native peoples of so many continents.
Mind you, I still love Michael Caine.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Clever idea for "Z". They held them off because the Welsh were there, you see.
Since I haven't seen the movie, I think the clip you showed very powerful.
I also like Michael Caine as an actor.
Interesting movie to watch!
Zoning the ABC, please come and see.
Trivia alert! Zulu is one of Ridley Scott's favourite films and he used the Zulu war chant in the Germanic battle scenes in Gladiator.
Great post - haven't seen the movie for ages - but you've stirred a desire to see it again!
A great post for Z - despite the inaccuracies Michael Caine would make it for me!!!
that was very interesting
Thanks for visiting Shooting Parrots. For confirmation of the Zulu/Gladiator connection, see here and here.
One of my favourite movies, I never tire of watching it. It's a favourite winter Sunday afternoon movie.
Jane x
Truth be told, I think I'd be scared sh**less in any military scirmish.
That said, GREAT post!
Oh my... that's an interesting Z post. I don't think I'd want to be on either side of that, or of any, battle. I'd heard of the movie Zulu, and of course M Caine, but I don't even remember if I'd seen it or not.
Great take on the letter Z. Happy rest of the week!
Wow...a mesmerizing piece of film. I've never seen this movie, but it's because it never made it to Molokai! Yep...I'll have to track this one down too to rent or something.
Great entry for Z day!
Never seen this film though! I'll have to look for it!
Thanks for sharing. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment;o)
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Happy day***
Amazing...! "Zulu" is my number one all time favourite movie. It was the first movie Michael Caine was in, as well, and he was fabulous in it. I actually have a copy of that movie and I watch it often.
My grandfather was a Captain in the British Army in South Africa during the Boer war, and he told me the story of Rorke's Drift, and how the British Army used the famous British Square, and the Zulus were no match for that.
At the end of the movie, thousands of Zulus converged on the little British encampment, to honour the British soldiers and salute them.
The British had just gone there to build a bridge, not to decimate the Zulus.
It is one of the favorite films in our house. Those who haven't seen it should really try, it's a classic.
Interesting, imaginative choice for Z day.
Might just have to watch this film again - its been along time :)
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