Who Are Those Guys???

Rating: 8/10 (3 April 2019)

"Zulu" is a superior action film much like the American Indians vs. the Cavalry films covering the same period. It takes place in 1879 South Africa mostly on an isolated post called Rork's Drift.
The opening narration (spoken by Richard Burton) tells of the massacre of 1200 British Troops by Zulu warriors. Cut to a Zulu wedding ceremony where Swedish missionary Otto Witt (Jack Hawkins) and his daughter Margareta (Ulla Jacobson) are enjoying the proceedings. Suddenly a warrior arrives with news of the massacre of the British garrison. The Witts flee to their home base at the British post of Rork's Drift with news of an impending Zulu attack.
The post of about 100 men is under the command of snobbish Lieutenant Bromhead (Michael Caine). A Royal Engineer Lt. John Chard (Stanley Baker) is on sight building a bridge. When news of the coming attack by some 4,000 Zulu warriors is known, preparations have to be made to defend the post. Competition arises between the two officers with Chard imposing his seniority over Bromhead and assuming command.
Much of the first hour of the film deals with the post's preparations for the attack. The post is kept in suspense awaiting the attack. When the attack comes it is vicious and brutal. The British with their superior battle tactics survive the onslaught with few casualties. Now exhausted and spent they await the final attack when..................................................................................
This film is a true story and several members of the force were awarded the Victoria Cross , Britain's highest honour for their bravery. The battle scenes directed by Cy Endfield, are realistically depicted in spite of rubber bayonets and spears.
Baker and Caine (in his first major role) are excellent as the beleaguered officers facing their first battle and trying to mount a viable defence against a much superior force. Jack Hawkins as the fanatical preacher has little to do before he and his daughter are sent away prior to the battle. We never do find out their fates. Others in the excellent cast include Nigel Green as Colour Sgt. Bourne, James Booth as Hook the rebellious prisoner in sick bay, and Patrick Magee as the surgeon among others.
We are never told the reasons behind the Zulu attacks or why the British are camped in an isolated post in the first place. I assume it all had to do with the British colonization of South Africa and the Zulu not wanting to be colonized.
A good movie.