Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Rating: 7/10 (6 February 2006)

A motion picture is indeed a very strange phenomena,with more tricks and slights of every sort that it is unworthy as a character witness.The difficulty with this particular motion picture is that it provides for the appearance of the Zulu tribe in its natural ability allowing a western culture to learn how this horde of warriors once annihilated a British column of some 1200 plus British soldiers.In the opening moments to this film we are greeted with a ritualistic dance whereby,Zulu Men and Women celebrate there coming mass marriage however this is done in a very natural fashion and though I was but a 15 year old I even wonder now if indeed this was fit for children to watch.It is one of the dramatic moments when there is news as to the annihilation and Jack Hawkins who plays a Missionary with his Daughter played by Ula Jacobsson are participating as respectable guests might, this celebration of the coming marriage of all these Zulu Warriors.They leave the Zulu camp when a messenger brings news of the outcome and these servants of the will of God doubt the resolve of there efforts to convert the Zulu king to a Christian belief along with his entire tribe.The English historically were in actuality spoiling for a fight with the Zulu's and when the annihilation occurred it was poor judgment and terrible overconfidence that were real ingredients in the disaster.This all seems to play into the build up of this very brave even heroic stand taken by some 100 plus British soldiers and the mission at Rorke's Drift.The Zulu's with more than 4,000 warriors were now en-route to wipe-out whatever English soldiers were at Rorke's Drift.This is the story of that stand which provides for the eloquent statement that since the Advent of the Victoria's Cross for Bravery beyond the call of Duty some 10 were awarded here in this particular action which occurred in January 1879.If there is a mention as to performance it would seem that if there was anything not serious enough prior to the arrival of the Zulu's it was dashed pretty well as the entire post fought for its very life.The characterization by Nigel Green I personally thought was exemplary as the officer portrayed was as skilled with a bayonet as he was in his knowledge of what it meant to be an English officer in 1879.I watched this character actor in Khartoum as well and though much less a role he was still terribly skilled as a subject of Her Majesty the Queen of England.It was this performance in general that caught my attention,however this was not about individual performances this was about the survival of the mission at Rorke's Drift and the 100 plus British soldiers who defended it.The Zulu's attacked however the English quickly learned how many of there comrades had perished and it was in watching how some of there own had as well, by not taking the enemy seriously and in so doing exposing themselves to peril and of course dying as a result.They closed ranks with greater and greater precision and with valor fought off a most certain death.The battles scenes are engrossing and much of the picture provides for such compelling information that indeed you have here a very interesting film.It is interesting enough that it will hold your attention perhaps even from start to finish.One final note as to this film.It was the music of John Barry that had for many years stayed with me long after I had all but forgotten the film.It was the reason why I today possess a copy by way of a DVD of Zulu but as well possess a dedicated soundtrack of the music of John Barry.