A rare combination of excitement and truth!

Rating: 10/10 (25 June 2003)

Not only was this a true depiction of 190 British soldiers against a thousand or more Zulus but it was shot at Roark's drift where it actually occured on Jan22/23/1879.
The casting is superb with special kudos to Nigel Greene as Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne. Bourne, incidentally, was the last surviving member of that battle dying in 1946 at age 91 with the rank of Lt.Col.
A no flaw film with a plethora of gripping excitement from start to finish. Stanley Baker as always is dynamic. Caine in his first role also is very good. Direction, camera, timing, pacing and editing all deserve a big hand!