Zulu

I've seen this movie countless times, I'm even old enough to remember seeing it in the theater when it was first released. It is a magnificent piece of cinema and, in my humble opinion, the greatest movie ever made. The acting, the driving music, the suspense, the action, this movie has it all and if you watch this on a big screen television you will have the feeling of being in the mix of the defenders. Regardless of the quality of the DVD, the movie is well worth watching. And as soon as a high-quality DVD comes out, I'm buying that one as well.

Probably wargame is a bad description... this is an epic classic film to be treated with due respect... NO REMAKE UP TO NOW means IT WAS RIGHT ON THE SPOT!,
but been a wargamer myself and having painted a lot of Zulus and 24th south wales borderers figures in 25mm... it rapidly comes to mind!
Once digested I AM INTERESTED IN THIS PARTICULAR MILITARY ACTION!

1) You can analyze the movie (after all that is why you are reading this?) and it starts a bit slow... builds tension... and the second part of the film IS GREAT ACTING!... as epics go it is one of my favorites and the cast and direction are superb... (the fillings on the teeth of Michael Caine are a bit ludicrous when shouting FIRE! in a close up first plan...) but well...
As a film really deserves the five stars. And I will stand my ground on it.

2) As a military action there ARE some mistakes in the uniforms used (which look better then the more recent red tunics on ZULU DAWN)... I seriously doubt about white helmets not been stained and badges removed... same as per the green facings of the 24th (too dark in the movie)... The full dress tunic of lieutenant Chard (Stanley Baker) was not probably used on active service... and so on...
But the military tactics and proportions of compound are beautifully done... plus the fact of being shooted in Natal...
So, all considered still a solid five stars.

Resuming if you love epics or military action based films THIS IS A CLASSIC TO HAVE... once seen you'll probably skip the first part in subsequent viewing and go straight for the battle second part of the film!

ADB

I almost did not purchase a DVD of "Zulu" based on the mostly negative comments (by other Amazon reviewers) regarding the quality of the video and sound transfer to DVD. Well, I took a chance--and wow! The transfer to DVD is excellent! The format is anamorphic widescreen, enhanced for 16 x 9 large-screen, high-definition TVs. My comments are based on the Region 1, May 2003 DVD release by MGM. The DVD cover artwork is a painting (not a photo) that shows a likeness of Michael Caine in his British uniform. There are apparently older versions or knock-offs that might be the source of those other negative comments regarding the picture quality.

I have a high-defintion TV and I am very particular about the quality of the transfer of old films (like this, filmed in 1964) to DVD. I watched "Zulu" on a 46-inch Samsung high-def, LCD TV, played via a Toshiba 1080p HD DVD player. The picture is crystal clear (I did not notice any grain or dirt), the colors perfect (good flesh tones--and the British red coats are their true bright red, not washed-out orange as another reviewer commented), and the sound is also good. If you have a high-defintion TV with surround sound, you will not be disappointed. This DVD edition of this 1964 classic is highly recommended!

I still remember the first time I saw this film and sat riveted to the TV. Everytime I see it again I think I'll be watching it for some favorite scenes, only to be - yep - still riveted to the TV. There are so many good actors in good roles with well-written scenes, so well directed and filmed that it would be pointless to try to list them. The film works on many levels, including an accurate depiction of the actual battle, a peek at a culture that has disappeared in its aboriginal form, filmmaking as storytelling, cultural conflict (in about half a dozen ways, actually), courage and survival, and on and on and on. It's absolutely spine-tingling in the battle scenes. This film has been #1 on my top 10 films list for decades.

"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