Great film, stirring, good sound, excellent

Rating: 10/10 (18 March 2001)

Although the film makes a few historical errors, and changes a few characters, the essence of the film is correct. One feels very moved after watching the film, and it one of the best films ever made.
Essentially a little over a hundred British soldiers, plus a few others, hold off 4000 Zulu. These Zulu have just massacred a force of 1,200 British soldier, plus others, at Isandelwana.
The film does not, rightly, discuss the reasons for the British being there (circumstance really), or why they lost Isandelwana (error of judgement), or what happens next (British revenge at Ulundi). Instead it focuses on the British soldiers themselves, and just hints, quite nicely, at the outside world.
The acting is superb, the scenery is breath-taking, and the viewer is not shown too much, but gradually drawn in, as someone there would have been. Like Star Wars, emphasis is placed on the sound, and it pays off, from Burton's excellent narration, to the Zulu chants and the 'steam train'.
Yes, there are major flaws in the film. Chard and Bromhead were older than in the film, Hook was teatotal, there was only one major Zulu attack, and Ardendorff was probably a coward not a hero. Yet.....despite all this, the film gave me a flavour of life then, and induced me to read more about Rorke's Drift. If I am ever in need of inspiration, then this film has by the bucket-load.