Undeniably ageless classic!

Rating: 10/10 (5 January 2004)

*Might be a few spoilers.* According to most military history websites, the real-life British garrison had plenty of time to safely evacuate Rorke's Drift, before those two-to-three thousand Zulus reached the ex-mission. Why didn't they? Most likely the real-life Chard and Bromhead's "bloody egos" (as Heindorf the Afrikaaner refers to them). Stanley Baker--as producer--was probably well aware of this. And, so, this movie is an ageless classic in the sense that its anti-war message will never grow old. At least, not from the p.o.v. of anyone in their right mind! Don't get me wrong. The action scenes never fail to provide me a great adrenaline rush, every time I watch them! But, then follows the come-down. And, if vicarious viewers, like me, feel a slight sense of shame, at viewing all those who didn't survive the battle, imagine how a real-life soldier must feel! What Stanley Baker--in the role of Lt. Chard--calls a "butcher's yard." In short, this movie is both exciting and thought-provoking. Definitely ten stars!