hard to beat for its genre

Rating: 8/10 (31 January 2000)

I found it most interesting to read the comments of British viewers more conversant with the history of the battle of Rorke's Drift, on which this wonderful movie is based. I learned a few things, but my admiration for the flick is undiminished by the few historical liberties I learned the movie takes (although evidently Hook's descendants should sue for slander).
The stunning sweep of the cinematography makes the letterbox version (which is available) essential in order to sense the vastness of the African countryside and the turmoil of the battle scenes.
A wonderful script is brought to life by some great acting, the greatest of which is by Nigel Green as Colour Sgt. Bourne. His portrayal of Bourne as a seemingly impossible combination of stern disciplinarian yet gentle paterfamilias to his men, some of whom are barely past boyhood, is powerful and downright moving in places; it ranks as one of the finest screen performances I have seen, and makes the movie worth seeing for it alone. If his work here is indicative of his ability, I am at a loss as to why we never saw more of this fine actor. Also notable are Patrick Magee as Surgeon Reynolds, and Michael Caine in his first screen appearance. Richard Davies and Denys Graham provide understated comic relief as a sort of Welsh Laurel & Hardy. And Jack Hawkins scenery-chewing job as the sodden Witt - "You're all going to die!" - is worth the price of having no basis in the historical record (his presence here as a sort of prophetic voice is well-justified dramatically).
In short, in the genre of historical battle flicks, "Zulu" is in the top ranks.
Has Leonard Maltin actually seen all the movies listed under his comments??? His reference to Richard Burton's "narration" gives one pause. Burton's brief voiceovers at the beginning end amount to no more than a total of five minutes of speaking, and can hardly be called a narration (which would have killed the movie anyway).