A film to stir the blood!

Rating: 10/10 (31 December 2012)

Almost beyond parody although Monty Python has a good go at it in 'The Meaning of Life' not to mention Blackadder the Forth. Such an awesome film when you see a small force of 140 British soldiers taking on the overwhelming might of 4000 Zulus who have just massacred a British column of some 1200 men. A very, very male film with dancing Zulu brides aside only one woman with very few lines. The action scenes are thrilling with some terrific performances from Caine in particular (arguably it was this film which made him a star). You could be the most ardent pacifist in the world but still be cheering along at the cry of 'Front rank FIRE!'. It pulls no punches in terms of the violence although lacks the realistic gore of modern war films such as 'Black Hawk Down' and 'Saving Private Ryan'.
Some say it's politically incorrect, we have an imperialist war with a mechanised European country taking on an African tribe. That said the Zulus have just defeated an understrength British brigade with little more than spears and shields and cunning, a feat unheard off in the history of colonialism ('You're a better man than I am because you broke a British square'-Kipling) and are well armed with the rifles they have captured. Much as 'Black Hawk Down' is a favourite film in Somalia the Zulus are actually very fond of this film as it shows their undoubted courage, toughness and intelligence (although I'm sure 'Zulu Dawn' where they win is their preferred sequel). In terms of historical accuracy it's pretty good, the more you learn about the real thing the more impressed you are with how it's depicted here.
All told it is the PERFECT way to spend a rainy bank holiday and Richard Burton's narration just the icing on the cake.