an excellent film.

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2006)

If you've not seen this film then do not read on. This film is simply superb, though as I found out later inaccurate in some respects. However do not let this put you off. As most people know the film is a dramatisation of the military action that took place in December 1879 between around 130 British troops and roughly 4000 Zulu warriors. The performances given by the cast are superb and the panoramic shots of the surrounding country are true cinematic gems. Some people who have posted earlier have complained about the special effects, to those I say remember that it was made in 1964 and the fact that its not soaked in buckets of blood a la Saving Private Ryan (another excellent film by the way) in no way retracts from the depiction of the horror of close hand to hand combat. Also to the one's who commented on the protagonist's on both sides succumbing too easily to spear or bayonet thrust's they should try having a couple of inches's of steel shovelled under their rib's and see how chipper they feel. There are a few memorable line's contained in the film such as Colour Sergeant Bourns response to a trooper when asked "Why us sarge" Bourn's reply of "Because we're here lad that's why" and I found myself mouthing "Hold them , hold them" (Chard's command to his flying column of troopers during close combat) under my breath during an England football match when the defence was under pressure. The subconscious is truly strange. All in all I cannot recommend this film highly enough it is in my personal top 10 and was recently placed in the top 10 war film's in a list voted for by viewer's on U.K. terrestrial T.V. Channel 4.