Director Cy Endfield had for years wanted to make a film about the battle for Rorke's Drift, where some 120 British soldiers held off thousands of attacking Zulu warriors in 1879. After the battle, eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded, at the time the most ever for a single battle. The battle became the stuff of legend in England, inspiring several generations until the aftershocks of World War II put an end to 'Rule Britannia'.

Endfield ended up putting much of his own money into the project. He also directed, and co-wrote the script along with historian John Prebble. The film was made on location in Natal, then a southeastern province of South Africa.

Stanley Baker, who also helped produce, stars as Lt. Chard, a civil engineer who has surprising skills at leadership and military tactics. Lt. Bromhead (Michael Caine) is initially a smug poppycock, and comes from a family with a long history of military service. The two are often at odds, and must also contend with blustery, pacifist preacher Witt (Jack Hawkins) and his comely young do-gooder daughter (Ulla Jacobsson).

The fight scenes are rousing, and take up much of the film. Zulus armed only with spear and shield aren't much of a match for trained British soldiers with rifles, however. The Zulus had been able to take Isandhlwana because it was a surprise attack. At Rorke's Drift, the British soldiers were forewarned and had time to prepare fortifications. They probably also had Gatling guns, an invention of the U.S. Civil War. These are not depicted in the film, as it would make the battle seem even more like a one-sided slaughter.

During the early stages of the battle, many Zulus are encamped on the hillside overlooking the fort, armed with rifles. They play no role later on during the battle. Had they all been picked off by the British, without being replaced, or is their disappearance a convenience for the story?

Several buildings within the fort are set on fire during the battle. There are lengthy scenes of soldiers fighting within a burning building, without anyone coughing! Also, there are times when the Zulus have broken through and made it over the barricades, but the expected waves of Zulus fail to follow through the break.

The characters of the missionary Witt and his daughter were fictional. Witt begins the film as a wise, respectable preacher, and ends it as a reckless drunkard. Caine's character also has a one-day transformation, from a sneering, racist fop to a humble, courageous soldier. Private Hook changes from a harshly cynical duty shirker into a one man army. While these transformations may be dramatic, whether they are credible is another story.

Some 600 Zulus were cast as extras. They were given wrist watches as a payment, and some of these watches can be seen in the film. The story goes that they had never seen a film before, and Endfield showed them an old Gene Autry western to get across the concept of acting. The Zulus provide the film's best cinematography, especially during the mass marriage ceremony in the opening scenes. For a film from 1964, there is considerable nudity, as the costumes of the Zulu women are very revealing.

Zulu was the first starring role for Michael Caine, who had spent his previous eight years in the movies playing bit parts. Noted thespian Richard Burton delivers the opening and closing narration. A prequel eventually followed, Zulu Dawn (1979), with Endfield serving as one of the writers. (60/100)




Recommended: Yes

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