Awesome tribute to human courage and sacrifice against great odds...

Rating: 8/10 (13 August 2008)

ZULU is a masterpiece of its kind. It's a stirring tribute to the British army and how they held down the fort during a raid wherein the Zulus (outnumbering them in an army of 4,000 spear-carrying Zulu warriors) are defeated by a handful of British soldiers under the command of officers STANLEY BAKER (who, by the way, is a commanding figure throughout) and MICHAEL CAINE (in his first big screen role).
Both of these men, and JACK HAWKINS, stand out in a cast of incredibly fine performances. The sunlit photography is stunning to behold, especially if you view the film in its Widescreen format (as shown on TCM) and the fierce battle scenes are unforgettable and authentic.
One of the most chilling moments has Michael Caine saying, while viewing the vast horizon: "It sounds like a train." It's a train alright--a train of human feet approaching the fort but hiding behind foliage and getting ready to attack.
The final moments are beautifully handled--just when you think (as the British soldiers do) that it's all over.
Summing up: An amazing film, well staged and admirably performed by a huge cast of players.