Classic Battle Between British Imperial Redcoats and Zulus; a Great Film

Rating: 9/10 (29 June 2005)

Zulu is not extremely long, but to me it has the feel of an epic film. The realism of the presentation under Cy Enfield's direction is so intense that one seems to be experiencing the film rather than merely watching it. This is a rare achievement in film-making; and while not every film that achieves this added dimension is a great one, I submit that this one is. Directed by Cy Endfield who also wrote the screenplay with John Prebble, this movie tries to tell the story of a famous 19th Century encounter between outnumbered British troops occupying a forward position after another battle has been fought with the mighty Zulu nation of warriors, and what happens when they must withstand their opponents' attack at Roark's Drift in the Natal Province. The film's unrelenting narrative tells the prelude to battle, the battle itself in stages and its climax and ending in a storied British victory. Solid narration is provided by Richard Burton. The cast includes Stanley Baker (Enfield's partner and co-producer) as the Lt.in charge of the defense, Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobssen who try to stop the battle, Michael Caine, James Booth, Nigel Green, Patrick Magee, and many others as the soldiers of the beleaguered command. Fortunately for the group, they have one man who knows how the Zulu attack; but the battle is in doubt at every moment, owing to the numbers and courage of the Zulu attackers; only the rifles the British have and their expert use of their limited fortifications save them in the end. The stirring music for the film is provided by John Barry of James Bond fame; the cinematography by Stephen Dade, editing by John Jympson and art direction by Ernest Archer are all superb. Throughout the battle, after they have finished singing, holding group marriage and disposing their troops, the Zulus emit a peculiar battle cry that can be recalled years after one has seen the film. The spectacular on-site scenery of South Africa, the details of army preparations, the characters and reaction of the men in the battle from the foppish neophyte Caine in his first major role to the stolid and professional Baker are memorable and very-well acted. It is to be regretted that Baker and Enfield were able to produce so few films before Baker's untimely death; this one is a classic by any standard and one of the best-loved of all war films, concerning this century or any other. Mention should also be made of the acting by Hawkins, Booth and Green as well as by the leads. This is a great film and not the easiest to keep moving or to present clearly by any means.