A magnificent vista of toy soldiers, sunshine and spears

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2012)

Zulu could be held up as pure British propaganda or as a great recruitment film to show how invincible a well led (British) army can be.
It is also an example of great movie making, showing what happens when you get all the right ingredients - a thrilling story, breathtaking scenery, sensational music, great directing, and professional, well chosen character actors all together on one project.
Send most of them off to Africa, don't mention apartheid, round up some friendly Zulu dancers, build a fake village and mission, keep it pretty simple, then finish it off by having Richard Burton read the intro, and voilà, a stirring war movie that not only entertains, but also reinforces the supposed invincibility of the British empire.
Having played with toy soldiers in my younger days (and being British), watching Zulu, with the ranks of British soldiers in their red tunics fixing bayonets and repelling hordes of "savages" was a dream come true.
Being based on a true story only makes it better, although the movie doesn't show that the Zulus attacking Rorke's Drift were the remnants from one of the "horns" that had crossed the river, not the entire Zulu force.
It was also more one sided than shown, because the Zulus hadn't eaten for days, had run many miles to get to the Mission (after fighting at Isandlwana), and although some had guns, they weren't proficient in their use.
Hey, but let's not let the details get in the way of a good story :)
I've watched this film many times, and I can fully recommend buying the latest Bluray version which provides quite a few special features, including interviews by some of the minor characters, and the assistant director. I've had many different versions, and only the Bluray does justice to the scenery, colour and sound (no, it's not surround) - especially viewed on a projector - which is what this movie deserves.
If you would like further information on Rorke's Drift, I can highly recommend the book "Washing of the Spears (The Rise and Fall of the Zulu Nation" by Donald R Morris. (Once you've read this book, you will never have the same opinion of Shaka Zulu again....)