It depicts the electrifying battle of Roarke'Drift where little more than hundred soldiers made a valiant stand against thousands Zulu warriors.

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2011)

This spectacular deals with the heroic defense commanded by two Lieutenants (Stanley Baker,also producer and Michael Caine who assumes an upper crust) find that their 140 man contingent in Zululand has been isolated by the destruction of the main British Army column and that 4,000 Zulu warriors will descend on them in short time . Each has a diverse military background in tactics and they are immediately in conflict and bear a thin red line holding out against hordes of fuzzi-wuzzies. Straightforward recounting about epic events happened after the British defeat at the battle of Isandhlwana where a regiment was massacred by a force over thousands Zulus commanded by Cetschwayo at Natal by Zulu warriors . This historical epic is a spectacular retelling of the deeds leading a bloody battle where a brave regiment holds a huge army of Zulu warriors . In command of British force is John Chard of Engineers and Bromhead well played by Stanley Baker and Michael Caine respectively ; furthermore an excellent Nigel Green plays Sergeant Bourke as tough and war veteran . Extraordinary secondary cast formed by prestigious British actors, such as Jack Hawkins as a fanatic pastor , James Booth as rogue private , Patrick Magee as doctor , among others. The battle scenes are magnificent with deployment of the vast forces, and exciting combats when the regiment try to defend from attack by thousands of Zulu warriors. It was made during the 60s boom for epic adventures in exotic climes and resulted to be one of the best . Stunning cinematography with colorful landscapes and rousing score by the master John Barry. The picture is well directed by Cy Endfield who translates perfectly the outstanding battles. It's followed by a prequel about 'Dawn Zulu' by Douglas Hickock starred by all-star-cast as Burt Lancaster , Peter O'Toole, Simon Ward and John Mills.
Adding more details over the largely depicted on the movie, the incidents happened of the following manner : Zulu victory over British forces 22 Jan 1879 about 160 km, north of Durban.A column led by Lord Chelmsford seeking the Zulu army camped at Isandhlwara, road to Ulundi while patrols went out to scour the district. A report was received and Chelmsford moved out with half his strength, leaving the camp occupied by six companies of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some colonial volunteers and some native contingents: about 1800 troops in all. Late in the morning , an advance post warred of the approach of a Zulu army. Then a mounted patrol found thousands of Zulus concealed in a ravines as the patrol rode to warn the camp, the Zulus followed. The camp commander spread his troops around the perimeter of the camp, but the Zulus broke through, the native contingents fled but were chased and killed. The 21 officers and 534 soldiers of the 24Th Regiment were killed where they fought , there were no wounded , no prisoners and no missing. Only about 50 Europeans and 300 Africans escaped. The battle of Isandhalwana was recorded in history as the worst defeat ever inflicted on a modern army by native troops . The invasion of Zululand was temporarily halted until reinforcements were received from Britain. Despite the defeat, the Zulus were humiliated and crushed at Roark's Drift battle.. In Parliament upon the downfall of his government, British Prime Minister , Benjamin Disraeli, asked the question: 'Who are these Zulus ,who are these remarkable people who defeat our generals , convert our bishops and who on this day have put an end to a great dynasty?