The Warriors of Isandhlwana

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2007)

Across the ages of man's endless conflicts between himself and contemporary cultures, arises this incredible tale of honor and battlefield courage. The year is 1889, the place Isandhlwana Africa and the enemies are the Zulu nation and the occupying British army. Jubliiant over the English with an unexpected but major victory, the Zulu nation, under their Chiefton Cetshwayo move on to endanger and destroy the small contingent force at Rorke's Drift. The tiny station with a force of 100 British regulars and some fifty native contingents, are commanded by young and inexperienced Lt. Gonville Bromhead. It is his command the Zulus seek to decimate. Before Cetshwayo's warriors arrive, Bromhead is visited by an English engineer, Lt. John Chard (Stanley Baker) who's been ordered to build a bridge near the fort. Needless to say when the Zulus arrive, both men jockey for command to decide how to handle the oncoming threat. In the end, a joint co-operative effort and Chard's leadership face the daunting task of holding out against four thousand Zulu warriors. With the superior acting talents of Jack Hawkins, James Booth and Nigel Green as Colour Sgt. Frank Bourne, the film is a rousing battlefield confrontation. The acting is superior, the location scenery and the magnificence Zulu nation make for a dramatic classic. Being this is Michael Caine's first major movie, it notably establishes him as a legitimate Thespian. Sealing this classic is the timeless narrative voice of Sir. Richard Burton. *****